But I say... I shot the sheriff but I did not shoot the deputy. I shot the sheriff but I did not shoot the deputy.***
Reflexes got the better of me and what is to be, must be. Every day the bucket goes to well but one day the bottom will drop out, yes, one day the bottom will drop out.***
But I say I shot the sheriff but I did not shoot the deputy. I shot the sheriff but I did not shoot the deputy.
Thanks Bob Marley ***
****Explanation about the song and the journal entry- it is more about mistakes than killing law enforcement agents... just to be clear...*
Wow, I am writing twice in one day – making up for lost time I suppose.
It was yet another beautiful day in the tundra. I had the opportunity to do a new job of data collection I am running the Uni-Spec or the Spectroradiometer. Basically, I am measuring reflective light. I will explain this test and machine more in another journal.
Having this job allows me to walk for about 2.5 hours and visit all 36 of our research plots. Much of the time is spent alone, however I do see others all over the tundra doing their part.
I am measuring reflection with the Spectroradiometer
Having alone time on the tundra gives me time to think. I feel so fortunate to be part of such a cutting edge science, like that of climate change. Being out there and taking my simple measurements will enable people like Paulo Olivas who is analyzing this data to finish his doctorate degree and gain insight about global warming.
Are we causing it? Did we cause it? Is the planet warming? What can we do about it? More specifically to Paulo and our team what will the ecosystem look like if our earth does warm by 5 degrees F? What is the relationship between the release and amount of Carbon Dioxide in areas that are super dry, super wet or average for this area? So many questions so little time. Trust me I have a few dozen of my own.
Regardless, I love being on the tundra and being part of something so significant if only I partake in such a small way. Does the data that I collect really help? Do I need to do it perfectly? Does it help Paulo get the answers to his questions? YES, of course it matters – well that is my hypothesis anyway. I am helping to solve the puzzle that so many want answers to. Isn’t that cool – or is it hot?
My friend Lauri Castello sent me this quote – it fits for the feeling of the day:
**There is a pleasure in the pathless woods; There is a rapture on the lonely shore; There is society, where none intrudes, By the deep sea, and music in it's roar: I love not man the less, but nature more...
Lord Byron**
I like being part of climate science and I like being part of the tundra. It is nice to be quiet, listen to the birds, watch the lemmings and notice the heat waves in the distance. It is nice to be connected to science and the tundra and everything in between.
***On another note, I have no choice to make the female Snowy Owl the bird of the day. ***
My first site of this female Snowy Owl with a wounded leg due to a foothold trap specified for Arctic Fox - someone forgot to tell her that this trap was off limits to owls...
Here’s the deal.
On May 27, 2008 a letter was sent to Barrow Researchers explaining that the USDA/APHIS/Wildlife Services cooperating with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would be conducting a fox management program to help Steller’s Eider whose numbers have been decreasing lately. What they say is that they will be setting foothold traps for a few months to catch the Arctic Fox. If you see a trap, stay away and if you see an animal in the trap call the Wildlife Services but DO NOT TOUCH OR RELEASE THE ANIMAL.
Hmmmm suppose you didn’t get the memo?
The result of a foothold trap. The cut is down to the bone.
Denver Holt - "the Snowy Owl Guy” and his assistant his assistant Colleen Bitter were about 5 miles off of the beaten path today looking for owl nests. Denver will be monitoring them and tagging the babies! That’s another story and hopefully another adventure for me! They have found 22 nests so far. Fun huh, but I must not get sidetracked with the rest of this story!
This is the owl guy. Denver Holt is from Montana and has been studying Snowy Owls for about 17 years on the Tundra. He is helping this one.
Bottom line they found a female Snowy Owl who appeared to have been in the trap at least since yesterday. That owl was lucky that Denver and Colleen were at the right place at the right time. Jose and I were fortunate to be in the right place at the right time to help. We gave them – Colleen and the Snowy a lift to the vet. UH OH we are in Barrow and they have no vet.
There was only a vet tech that suggested the owl be sent to Anchorage to a Rehab facility… sometime soon.
Alas, we later got word that the vet will be coming to town tomorrow. They will be able to at least begin treatment to the left leg that had been caught in the trap.
Paulo isn’t the only one inn Barrow asking questions!!
What do you think?
I have tried to call the number that was listed to report animals found in a traps, but it is no longer in service. I will try the main office tomorrow. I am curious about this project involving foothold traps and the Eiders. Are you?
You already know this Bird of the Day – Best of Luck to her who lives at the Top of the World!
On the way to the Vet, she takes a dead Lemming, but does not eat it. She seems comfortable just holding it.