On the Cusp of Something

I'll let you know what it is when I do

Field Biology

I have so many research project going on right now it's hard to keep track.

WFC 195 - Affects of weather on incubation times in Brandt's Cormorants and how it affects their foraging.

WFC 136 - Flight initiation distance in urbanized Mallard ducks in Davis, CA.

WFC 155L - habitat use of Piciformes in relation to invertebrates collected at specific field sites at Cache Creek Nature Preserve. This shot is of my friend record some data after invert sampling at one of our field sites. Fun stuff!

Ladybird Beetle

bugsbugsbugs. Been looking at so many insects recently. They're a lot cooler than most people give them credit for. Why am I doing this? Because I'm working on a project that investigates correlations of invertebrates (both family and quantity) in relation to the presence of Piciformes species. Its fantastic! Gets me a chance to climb trees, sweep net for insects, and bird watch all at the same time.

Slacklines and Mantids

Slackline setups: I'm always learning more and more about them. It really is a blast and is a fantastic way to disguise physics as something fun. Here is a 180 foot setup that I was on a few weeks back. If you've got any questions, I'd be happy to try and answer. And, if I can't answer, I bet I could point you in the direction of a person with the right answer.

And here, ladies and gents, is a mantid. I have no clue what species he is because I'm rather ignorant when it comes to entomology, but my god is he gorgeous. I found him in the park where the line was set up. Did you know these guys have been around since the cretaceous! Well, I though it was rad.

Creatures While You Wait

It has been a hell of a first week living in my new home and I think it will only get better. That being said, however, I'm not sure how often I'll keep posting. I'm still taking lots of photos, but I'm just not on my computer as much. Anyways, here are some more insects!

A caterpillar nomming and a butterfly laying its next generation.

Caught in a Web

Lots of things happening all at once in my life right now, but I'm trying to make the most out of the time I left before school. Things need to happen, and then other things happen, so other things need to change. I just hope there's room for it all!

Arachnoids

Lovely little critters.

Grasshopper Get me Giddy

After two weeks in the wilderness, I am back! and my god it was AMAZING. I hope I can one day live on a Big Sur reserve. It was honestly one of the most beautiful places I have ever experienced.

On a photo note, I clicked my shutter over 1200 times in the past two weeks, so I have a bit of post processing to do. This means there might be a bit of backlogging before you see any stuff from my trip...I guess you'll just have to wait. Anyways, here are some photos I haven't posted yet. I have a lot of stuff to catch up on.

Grasshoppers are rad in all shapes and sizes.

Twas But a Dragonfly

This guy was patiently modeling for me while I snapped some pics of him right outside my house.

Hiding Insects

Look closely. He's there.

Busy At Work

Like a bee in Spring. Sorry I haven't been posting much, but you know, its Summer! There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want. (mad props if you can guess where that quote is from)

More Bugs

Keep 'em comin! I've been shooting more bugs lately, maybe because there are more out since its warmer. I kinda wish I had a macro lens...maybe one day. Anyways, here's a dragonfly

Insects 2: In hiding

I wonder if insects are only so good at hiding because they are so small? I mean, if I were an ant, and somehow managed to miss a ladybug I would feel pretty darn ashamed of my hide and seek skills.

Insects 1: Insex

Two crane flies (i think the genus Nephrotoma but I'm not great at identifying insect) having a bout on some leaves. Not really sure what their courtship behavior is like at all since I only had time to catch a glimpse walking by. Maybe this is a form of mate guarding? Anyways, I thought it was cool.

Its funny. I have a very similar shot like this here, except I think they're soapberry bugs (again, Im no good at identifying insects, please correct me if I'm wrong)