Summer Days

Summer is officially here and in full swing. I have been incredibly busy trying to manage my summer research internship, two online classes, job searching, and a semi-long distance relationship with Michael (although, that barely takes any work considering we were made for each other). Additionally, my Mom finally got another job in Pennsylvania, so I will be helping her and David move back down to Doylestown over the next few weeks.

I have to say, being extremely busy in the summer isn't all that ideal - I prefer those lazy summer days - but I am trying to make the best of it. Working as a Field Research Technician for the Saltmarsh Habitat and Avian Research Program (S.H.A.R.P.) has been really great so far... except for the fact that they don't pay me or reimburse me for gas! But I guess that's just the usual protocol for undergraduate interns. Hey, at least I'm getting 8 credits that I can put towards graduating this August. Anyway, I pretty much wake up every morning around 3-5, depending on what time I'm meeting the other Field Technician, Ellie, and then we head off to our designated points. Ellie and I cover most of Southwestern CT, all the way from Norwalk to Guilford. Once we've found a site using a handheld GPS, we observe the area for 5 minutes, and then we play a 7 minute mp3 recording of different calls from each target species. All the while marking down any species or observations that we see. In our area, we are mostly looking for Clapper Rails, King Rails, Virginia Rails, Black Rails, Soras, Black Ducks, Saltmarsh Sparrows, and Seaside Sparrows. Ellie and I do see/hear the Clapper Rail, Saltmarsh Sparrow, and Seaside Sparrow every so often, but that's really about it. I guess I have been doing a good job so far, because Ellie actually told me today that I might soon be getting a call from her supervisor to do some survey points on my own. You can read more about S.H.A.R.P. here on their official website: http://www.tidalmarshbirds.net/.

Red-winged Blackbird Nest

As for the job search.... I think Michael and I are definitely having a harder time finding a job then we ever thought was possible. When people used to tell me that the wildlife/ecology/NRE field was competitive, they sure weren't kidding. Michael had an interview that went pretty well for a Forestry Supervisor position out in Washington, but he didn't get the job in the end. Me on the other hand, I haven't even landed one interview! I just keep getting rejection letter after rejection letter. I am a little confused, because I actually have a pretty good resume. My guess is that the supervisors out West think that a little girl from CT won't be able to identify any flora or fauna on their side of the country. I guess in a way, they're probably right... but I want to learn!! Oh well, I guess we'll just have to keep on looking. I'll probably start trying to look a little closer to the Northeast for now.

Oh, I started working on some art again! I think once Michael and I get jobs, move, and settle in to our new home together I will have a lot more time to dedicate to my creative side. I have also been increasingly interested in learning how to make homemade soaps. At least that is something I can to look forward to. 

A collage using a few old magazines I found.

Snowday Snowshoes

Yesterday afternoon while I was sitting at work I received a text from UConn saying that all classes would be canceled on Wednesday, February 5th. Thank the Lord! It's only February, but I already feel like I need another break from classes. I guess I just have a terrible case of senioritis. (But seriously, is it August yet?) Anyway, Michael and I woke up this morning and decided to go snowshoeing by the Fenton River. The weather was pretty crumby... sleety and slushy... but the Fenton looked beautiful as always. Michael and I even saw a winter wren - a species we had never seen before! The little guy was very talkative as he was flittering in and out of the exposed roots along the river bank. I'll have to be sure to add him to my life list later. 

Snowshoeing is actually a lot more challenging then I thought it was going to be. While Michael had gone snowshoeing in the Adirondacks a few winters before, today was my first time ever strapping the odd pieces of equipment to my feet. After taking my first few steps, I was sold. Snowshoes really do make walking in deep snow a hell of a lot easier then just wearing plain ole' boots. No wonder why they're so popular. 

Today I had one of those moments where I was reminded how blessed I am to have such any amazing guy in my life. While we were walking along my favorite section of the Fenton, Michael stopped and put his face close to mine. He pulled the hoods of our jackets up around our heads so it felt like we were enclosed in our own little space. The snow and sleet kept falling around us, but everything else fell quiet except for the sound of our heavy breathing. Michael looked at me shyly and smiled with those lazy golden eyes I love so much. When he kissed me, I could feel myself start to melt like the snowflakes that kept landing on my nose. It was one of those moments where you think to yourself, God, what did I do to deserve a love like this? I will remember that moment for the rest of my life.

I will say though, snowshoeing is definitely a leg workout. When Michael and I finally got back to his apartment, all I wanted to do was sip some hot chocolate and put my feet up. Overall, it was definitely a successful snow day :)

Hammonasset State Park

Hammonasset State Park is a gorgeous stretch of preserved shoreline habitat in Madison, CT. Michael and I went out today hoping to catch a glimpse of some wintering shorebirds. Here's what we saw:

• American Black Duck
• Ring-billed Gull
• Herring Gull
• Mockingbird
• European Starling 
• Golden-crowned Kinglet 
• American Robin
• * Merlin
• * Red-breasted Merganser 

The Merlin and the Red-breasted Merganser were new to us! We had a hard time deciding of the Merlin was a Merlin or a Sharp-Shinned Hawk. We eventually decided it must be a Merlin because of it's small size, as well as its habitat. The Merlin was perched on a high tree in the scrub vegetation scanning the dunes for prey, a common characteristic of the species. Merlins also usually winter in marshy areas, while Sharp-Shinned Hawks are typically strictly forest dwellers.

Awesome!