Bon Voyage … Au Revoir?

I now officially have two field seasons under my belt, and in just five weeks, I start my third. Thus a new cycle begins.

My field apartment is devoid of funishings – even the retro tiger-striped couch found a new home. The mud stains on the carpet have been valiantly scrubbed at though not removed, the fridge emptied, and I’ve taken out the trash. My trunk-load of possessions have been washed/laundered/wiped clean and smelling a fair bit better than they’ve been in a while.

It’s time to roll. I have eight states in my sights and 1000+ miles to drive, though not all at once. I’ll be moseying along for a week of R&R, enjoying some time alone to reflect & review.

It’s been an unexpected four months. No ordinary field season, but then again, I don’t think I’ve had many ordinary experiences this past year. I’m leaving with plenty to think about, and some major decisions to make. I predict looking back at the summer of 2008 through the end of 2009 as a time of carefree abandon and self-discovery; a remarkably fortunate time to have in my life.

And then, I anticipate life coming at me at full speed. As it turns out, growing up is hard to do … even at 32.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weathering the Elements

It’s your second to last weekend before you leave, and it’s pouring; what do you do? Find a waterfall; in fact, find several.

I had been to Fern Clyffe State Park once with my friend, Aaron, and I had thought even then, that I needed to come back – this was such a pretty place! And after a downpour, Fern Clyffe trickles with waterfalls at every turn.

Sentry Bluff Trail

 

Natural Bridge

 

 

Lunch at Bay Creek

 

Why is it that creek crossings always seem to be missing one crucial stepping stone?

Forest Romp: Bell Smith Springs

 

The worst day of the season

Some days are just rough. Thursday was one of those days. Just enough things went wrong to bring on a stress headache that made me want to scream. So I focused on some positives: it’s been a whole pain-free week. My ankle seems to have mysteriously healed itself as curiously as it injured itself in the first place. Plus my coffee filters finally arrived. Gas station refills were not cutting it, and I miss dearly that strong steaming cup of joe in the morning.

Now I would like to say that I focused on the positives right from the start, but alas, no. There was a lot of internal swearing; sometimes not internalized after all. And the woe that seemed all-consuming then, seems well, less intense with distance and time.

The worst day of the season was followed with a smooth day; the kind of day you particularly appreciate after a bad one. I wonder if Thursday seemed so bad at the time because with just two weeks left, I want all the remaining days to be memorably good days. I’ve grown surprisingly attached to southern Illinois. I don’t know how people work field jobs for years and years. I’ve discovered a sentimental side to myself that I never knew I had. Moving around from job to job, I have a sense of freedom, but also a sense of loss every time I move on. Friendships forged with shared experiences now diverge in separate lives. A home, now no longer. I’ll be leaving with the same material stuff I came with, but with a life enriched, not just professionally but personally as well.

Who knew I’d fall in love just a little bit with this slice of the Midwest.

By the Numbers – Part II

180 sardine cans a month
320 roofing nails for hair snares each month
240 D batteries per month

Most number of photos taken by a single camera: 2,433
Maximum distance driven in a single day of work: 181 miles

Screech Owl

 

Spotted my first screech owl last week … next week when I'm back at the site, I’ll attempt some discreet reconnaissance now that I know which tree it’s nesting in.

Bobcat

 

 

Gray Fox

 

 

Coyote

 

The canids were out in force last month, or maybe we just picked some sweet spots.

March Highlights

 

Beaver!

Why did the snapping turtle cross the street?

 

A far less friendly critter that I hauled off the road so it wouldn’t get run over. I don’t think it much appreciated my manhandling as it attempting to pick off a finger or two.

Say hello to my little friend…

 

Eastern Box Turtle

 

Mermet Lake Conservation Area

 

New lunch site this month with bald cypress groves

April Countdown

A farmer called me a “country girl” today, so I guess southern Illinois is starting to rub off on me a little bit. I just completed my very last setup week for the season. Next week I’ll be collecting my very last microhabitat data. The week after that, my very last 2nd check and finally, the very last takedown week. We wrap up April 25.