These last six years have been the most defining. Returning to school was one of the best decisions that I ever made. I worked hard, discovered opportunity, and grew faster and stronger than ever before. Now, I am a wildlife professional, gaining experience to prepare for my master’s degree and grander pursuits. This would have never happened without the support from my wife, family, and friends. None of this would have happened without my benefit from death. Continue reading “My Benefit from Death”
Tag: wildlife
A Summer in Yellowstone
This summer, I’m living and working in Yellowstone National Park! I’m very grateful for this opportunity and I am proud of myself for working hard to get myself here. “A Summer in Yellowstone” is a new blog series that I created to share my experience. Continue reading “A Summer in Yellowstone”
What About Jill?
When I tell people of my next adventure, I am often asked, “What about Jill?” People are often concerned about how the distance will affect our marriage. Some are curious about how we weather the separation for such lengthy periods of time. I am continuously thankful for those who offer their love and support. Continue reading “What About Jill?”
Nothin’ but Bat Bliss
Chasing Bats at Congaree – Episode 12
Going through the media on my phone, I tripped upon some cool bat video that I never used. It was the perfect excuse to make one last episode in this series and it certainly highlights my enthusiasm of working in Congaree.
I enjoyed making these videos; they were fun to create and share. They were a great way to keep in touch with friends and family and let them know what I was up to. I’m also glad that I kept a record of my adventure in Congaree. Perhaps I will create another vlog for my adventures Yellowstone!
Without further adieu, here is the last episode: Nothin’ but Bat Bliss!
A Life Plan That is Working
Fieldnote 4
January 14, 2017
Congaree National Park – Bates Ferry
I’m enjoying a Saturday afternoon break. Today, I began the final push to wrap up the glow stick project. A couple hours in front of the computer, I had to get outdoors. I’m not used to spending that much time staring at the monitor or sitting in one spot for that much time. Nothing wrong with a slight diversion, right?
Bates Ferry Trail provided the break that I needed. It’s only a little over a mile from the trailhead down to the river and it’s a quiet, seldom used trail. I doubt that I will see another soul out here.
On the bank of the Congaree River, I am writing. My life back home seems so far away. It’s cold there and this afternoon, it’s warm here. I’ve never spent a January like this. I am warm and comfortable as I sit in my flannel shirt. I’m contemplating what to do next – maybe Alaska!
Life has changed so much since quitting my job at Pride Mobility. Times may have been rough in that year between then and school but I survived. Continuing my education, I had a vague direction; I didn’t know where this path would lead. I’m happy that it lead here – the outdoors.
My career is unfolding before me. I made a life plan that is working. I earned my education and identified great opportunities along the way. It has been fulfilling. For instance, last night, I was netting for bats at Congaree National Park in South Carolina. I do good work and the experience is rewarding. Five years ago, I could not imagine the possibility!
A thousand miles away on the shores of the Congaree River. Who would have thought? Maybe one day, it will be at the very top of the Alaskan Highway or out west somewhere. For now, I am content to sit in the warm sun, chasing bats through the swamp, and finishing my manuscript.
I am forever grateful to those who have supported me on this journey. A career in wildlife isn’t an easy one, but the reward is grand. I could have never attained this success without you.
~ Michael
Activating the Activist
Early in our careers, many of us in the field of natural resources have grand thoughts of sliding into our dream job. We imagine ourselves working somewhere secluded in the landscape without having to interact with anyone. Many of us aren’t people persons anyway. Hell, we often identify more closely to our work than the people with whom we choose interact. Some biologists actually start looking like their focal species after a while. I sure hope that I don’t look like a bat these days. What I can say with certainty, however, is that I would have never imagined that I would have become an activist.
Sights, Sounds, & Netting for Bats
CHASING BATS AT CONGAREE – EPISODE 8
I write to you while sitting on the banks of the Congaree River in seventy degree weather. This was a week of extremes! Snowmageddon was a dud but it left us with temperatures in the twenties. Netting was canceled due to the inclement weather; therefore, I was not tracking bats this week. Instead, I was after random trees and checking roost-tree cavities. Ice formed on much of the water and I had an interesting time walking through the flooded areas of the park. The weather warmed as the week progressed, however. Through the week, along with my daily assignments, my eyes and ears were open for the sights and sounds inside the park. Friday was a beautiful night to net for bats. With the addition of Will, our roommate, Piper and I had extra help and I was able to shoot some video of us handling bats!
Continue reading “Sights, Sounds, & Netting for Bats”
High Water & Snowmageddon
Chasing Bats at Congaree – Episode 7
It’s always bittersweet leaving family and friends back home to embark upon adventure. The same was true after spending the holidays at home and returning to Congaree. I’m two out of five months into this assignment. I’m happy to report that I continue to be enriched by this experience.
It’s true, first week back after the holidays, I was greeted with high water and threats of Snowmageddon looming in the forecast. The heavy rains on my travel back down to South Carolina certainly foreshadowed the rise of Cedar Creek. The high water certainly keeps things interesting and adds additional challenge to the job but I’m having fun nonetheless. Snow was in the forecast and I enjoyed listening to the media insight panic among the populace. I couldn’t laugh too hard at the weather wimps of South Carolina because the same excitement happens back home in Pennsylvania with every snow event.
Post-Holiday Update
The holidays were great! I was happy to be back home in Pennsylvania for the week and it was nice to spend time with friends and family. I was hoping to get outdoors and experience some elevation for a change but I was content with spending time in my own house in the company of Jill and Eli, outside of the occasional trip for food and drink with a friend. Jill and I invited our parents over on Christmas day and continued the festivities the following Friday with the addition of my sister-in-law, niece, and nephew. Sadly, we canceled our anticipated New Year’s celebration plans because Jill and I experienced a terrible allergic reaction to our Christmas tree. Nonetheless, we still had a good evening together, even if we were in bed before the ball drop. Continue reading “Post-Holiday Update”
Breakfast on the Boardwalk
December 14, 2016
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.