Wildlife and Fisheries Science, Forest Ecosystems
My days at Congaree National Park are often filled with fascinations. Sometimes, I am lucky enough to post my observations on Facebook or include them in my vlog. More often, I encounter things and events that aren’t recorded, except in memory. This is a short story of a captivating event where I was in the right place at the right time.
Throughout the week or even a day for that matter, we all experience highs and lows. My time in Congaree is no exception. This episode shares some of the highlights of this week and includes a little dash of humor – well, maybe more than a dash!
During my days afield this week, I shot some video while prowling the park. The topics were so different that I struggled to incorporate them in this week’s video. By the end of the week, I still hadn’t settled on a theme for this episode; I managed, however, to toss together the hodgepodge of clips and smooth it out with a heavy dose of humor.
Come along for a tour of the fieldhouse. The dorm is my home away from home for the five months that I’m chasing bats through the swamps of Congaree. Living with six people in a communal setting, there has been much speculation on this arrangement. Let the rumors rest after watching this video!
I’m planning on making a “meet the roomies” episode but I think it’s best to develop my relationships with the new arrivals before putting them in front of the camera. I promise this will not turn into a reality show!
As promised, I’m taking you into the field this week to see a typical day. This video shows you how I go about finding bat roosts in tree cavities and tracking individuals that have been “transmittered”. This is what I do on most days in Congaree. Hope you enjoy and let me know if you have any questions.
Finished week two at Congaree and things are going well. I was hoping to get some video of us netting the other night but we got too busy. Next week, I’m planning on taking you into the field to show you one of my typical days. Here is a little update in the meanwhile.
I’ve been having great success with my blog and I’ve very grateful for the support and readership my work has received. Since arriving at Congaree National Park, I’ve decided to start a video blog series to share my experience. I’m hoping to post once a week.
Hired by Clemson University, I assist a master’s student with her research studying the roosting habits of the southeastern myotis. I live in a field house at the park and my days are spent roaming the swamps and chasing bats. Often there is a gray line between work and play. Here is episode 1 that introduces this series.
A typical day surveying vegetation for the Deer-Forest Study, that morning we were down Bull Hollow in Bald Eagle State Forest. On the steep side of a ridge, I was finishing up the repair of a deer exclusion fence and Danielle was heading back to plot-center. Suddenly from about 200 feet away I heard, “oh my god, Mike, something got my lunch!” I made haste towards Danielle to survey the scene. In the span of an hour, my colleague’s lunch box was destroyed and the contents went missing. Based on the evidence, large puncture marks and excessive use of force, we theorized that the perpetrator was a black bear.
After the commotion, we decided to take a break and have lunch. Well, I shared my lunch so my friend wouldn’t starve all afternoon. We laughed at our misfortune; certainly this was a brazen deed but surely the bear is long gone. Jokingly, I waved my salami sandwich in the air to entice the bear. “Hey bear, you forgot one,” I yelled. “Why don’t you come back for seconds,” I taunted. We finished our lunch and laughter and got back to work.
Our next survey site was located up slope, through some dense mountain laurel. Danielle stood at plot-center to shoot me an azimuth. Before heading out, I jested that maybe I would bump into the bear. She didn’t find that funny. As I navigated to the next survey site, I saw a black mass not 60 yards from me. I called back to Danielle, “No Joke, I see the bear!” At first I thought I could get a great photo; then the 300 pound black bear turned towards my direction and locked eyes with me. Then closer, it sat and stared. My colleague and I didn’t feel like socializing with the bear so we left and decided to return another day.
Today was my first day hunting this fall and my first duck hunt in a long time. Nothing serious, I grabbed my shotgun and shells and decided to go for a swampy trek where I harvested my last mallard.
Upon arrival, I suited up and headed toward some marshy habitat. Hoping to puddle jump some ducks, I stealthily sloshed towards some open water. What suspense as I crept to the edge and slowly stood tall to survey the surroundings. To my dismay, nothing was paddling about.
After flooding my muck boots, I got out of the swamp and traversed the edge for a while. I found the small outlet and decided to follow it back into the swamp. Previous years, there was much beaver activity that resulted in many small ponds and good habitat. I had hoped to find some dabbling ducks on my second attempt but I found only blue sky and brightly colored leaves. 
I decided to sit by a tree at the breast of a dam. Maybe a duck would come by. But, today was too nice for duck hunting. They were off doing ducky things elsewhere. And maybe, I wasn’t hunting at all. Maybe, I was just going for a walk with shotgun in hand on this beautiful autumn day.
I’ve had this problem for years now; where do I put my wet jacket? First world problems, right? Well, this minor inconvenience prompted my latest build – a coat rack. This is not any ordinary plain-Jane coat rack. This piece of art has industrial elements bolted onto rustic style. Plus, it’s been customized for our home! Read on for the story and more pictures. Continue reading “Rustic Industrial Coat Rack”
I wished to give something special to my friends on their wedding day. Using inspiration from my last candle holder project, I found the perfect idea and crafted a set of tealight holders that can be used together or separately. I was absolutely delighted when I heard they love them! Continue reading “Rustic Tealight Set”
