Photo Blog, Trail Journals & Life

During time off from work a few weeks ago, I spent a couple of days in Yellowstone NP.  Crazy place full of wild animals, geothermal craziness & lots and lots of people…

A set of photos from my most recent adventures into Glacier & Waterton Lakes NP with my mom.

So yeah, after a long break, I’m going to try and get down to work on the site here….

I’m currently working a Grizzly Bear research project in Thompson Falls, Montana for the University of Montana and USGS.  We are setting up barb wire “corrals” and baiting them with a cow blood that has been marinating with chopped up fish.  In the center of the “corral” we pile old rotting logs to mimic a kill site in which carnivores sometimes cache their prey for preservation.  When the bears come to investigate the delicious aromas, they are forced to climb over or under the 50cm height barb wire.  We then collect the small DNA samples in the form of hair that are left on the barb wire.  We also collect hair from natural “rub trees” in which small sections of barb wire are attached. The hair gets sent into the lab, where it is analyzed to determine the species (black or grizzly) as well as the specific animal.  The goal of the project is to take this data and create a population estimate using a mark recapture model.

Below is a more in depth description of the project:

A set of photos from my last work week.  A few photos from Mt. St. Helens and the majority from a 3 day backpacking voyage in Goat Rocks.  Amazing colors in the Cascade mountain range, and Washington in particular.

CASCADES CARNIVORE PROJECT – GIFFORD PINCHOT NATIONAL FOREST SW WASHINGTON

I’ve been attempting to find a great mix between jobs & play.  Working in nature, studying critters, tons of hiking & photography are just a few of the perks of my newest profession.  Good pay is unfortunately not part of it, but hey life isn’t all about money.  I’ll let you know how it goes.

Here is a set of photos from my last few weeks of work.  A mixture of remote camera shots and my personal photos.  Enjoy

Here’s a short set of our remote pictures from my first 10 day work session for the CCP.

Hey hey, just finished up my first biological field job in Gustavus and Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska.  It was a great experience, and strengthened my drive towards becoming a wildlife biologist.  We hiked/bushwhacked a total of 350 miles through dense vegetation, and saw a plethora of awesome animals throughout the 7 week field season.

Upon completion my father come up to visit, and we took a 5 day kayak camping voyage throughout the National Park.  The weather was absolutely perfect, and the park is spectacular.  Stay tuned for a set of photos, and a best of Alaska series.

I’ve got a short 3 day layover in the Willamette Valley before starting my next job in SW Washington, specifically Gifford Pinchot National Forest.  The study area includes Mount St. Helens and Mt. Adams.  It’s a super scenic area, and I’m stoked for the opportunity to live and work in nature once again.  The research is called the Cascades Carnivore Project, and can you check it out here:

http://cascadescarnivoreproject.blogspot.com/

Stay tuned for more photos, hope you enjoy.

Cheers,

DJ