Ky
For winding down, it sure feels like we’re winding up. Less than one week of data collection to go and I’m still as busy as ever. The behavior outings have been exciting all summer, but even more so now since the owlets have all fledged and have started flying all over the place. I got to see an owlet catch his own mouse yesterday! There have been countless prey deliveries this summer, many of which we’ve caught on tape. There are several tapes that contain exciting footage; prey deliveries, the discovery of the first group of three owlets, jets and owls in the same view (something we’ve been trying to do for five years now and this time it was a complete accident). On any given day, we have at least three major pieces of equipment (video camera, digital audio recorder, observer blind with spotting scope) and sometimes several more. Even now that we’ve had all summer (and longer for some of us) to practice setting up the equipment, it still takes a good amount of time. Usually, the exciting part seems to happen just as we finally get all of the equipment set up (of course). We grab the video camera, slap a battery and a tape on it and chase after the owls (because they are usually traveling or bringing in prey). There are many blair-witchy tapes this summer since the camera, and not the tripod, is the critical piece of equipment. And our cameras are not meant to be held by hand. I got some footage the other day of a male bringing in a ground squirrel and tearing it to pieces before giving half of it to one of his three offspring. Of course, then the electrical storm started so we abandoned our observation attempt, repacked the equipment and hiked out amidst a moderate rainfall coupled with thunder and lightning. Oh yeah, we were also carrying ten-foot metal poles. Half-way up the hill (approximately at 40 degree slope) it began to rain harder and I mentally cursed the god of weather who was trying to inspire me to hike faster, but I needed no further motivation! We’ve renamed the Behavior Crew to Combat Owl Photography. :)
End of season party at Lex's house
The last day of data collection is Monday the 26th. We then have two days to break down and pack up before Chuck tears down the tents that are housing our equipment (he’s as anxious to get home as the rest of us). I’ll be spending the next few days in Eager/Springerville, AZ going over some major data points with the other supervisors and Ann before we all scatter to the wind. Usually, we head to Silver City, NM but since Lex (the Behavior crew supervisor) lives in Eager, we decided to head into Arizona for a change of post-season scenery. Most of the Behavior crew will spend the week watching hour upon hour of videos that we just haven’t had time to watch all season. Whatever is left goes back in the box and I get to watch it at the office when I return home. But first I’ll get some time off and I plan on doing nothing…or at least not much.
I can’t believe the summer has gone by so slowly and yet so quickly at the same time. It sure will be nice to be home though.
Love and sunshine,
Stefanie
