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This blog is predominately about camera trapping in California. We camera trap to save our souls and to teach primary school students about biology and conservation. We will also touch on other camera trapping news and musings, sets from afar, mediocre herpetology, sucky birding, and other natural history discussions.

Monday, January 20, 2014

Should Be Guest Blog: Take It Slow

CTC chum and teaching colleague Ryan continues his shyness, or a desire for a camera trap curse, so here I am again to muse of his adventures...

Every summer, usually a couple days before the final day of school, Ryan splits the Bay Area for the East Coast to visit family.

The main destination is Indian Lake, a part of a chain of lakes called ... the Indian Lakes in Ontario, Canada.
The goals here: achieve an advanced state of chillness to recuperate from the stressful life of a special ed teacher, do some fishing and hang with the kiddos.

Along the way, his naturalist skills continue to develop.

Last summer on a wander, he noticed distinct chew marks on a tree he believed to be from a porcupine. A camera was set up in the area and the result was a new species for the CTC family!

like its summertime neighbour, taking it slow

JK and I look forward to future Canadian dispatches from the horse's mouth this coming summer.

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Weasel Wednesday / Mustelid Miércoles

It would be nice if this was a regular feature.
We'll see if the camera trap gods allow it !


taken last spring at the las gallinas dock -- our usual happy hour spot

Monday, January 6, 2014

Ballad of the Booby

an August in twenty thirteen
the blue-footed boobies
journeyed north for the anchovies
word came they were all juvies


a terrible birder joined the quest
anxious for a brief glimpse
Bodega! Reyes! The City!
denied in each instance



a guano rich rock in Marin
the final chance for the success
highway one hugs the winding coast
he, oddly free of stress


then at mile nine - quick over a fence
sharp shrubs, slick sediment
left his clothes torn with hands bleeding
damn all impediment!


at the edge where spray could be felt
rest along a rocky rise
binoculars out on the search
relentless scans tire eyes


to the north a lonely fisher
while straight a-west booby
"nay, there two clearly on Gull Rock"
the birder cried with glee





after an hour he was sated
steep hike up, yet peppy
a glorious success today
what could halt this jolly?


there at the top - two old birders
with scope trained obscure
"come have a look" they said with grins
without sweat, a sight pure