So far July has been a good month. As I wrote last time, I've gotten to know people in the house fairly well by now and I'm even starting to get to know the ones who I didn't before. I thinking being here on the weekend helped that out a bit.
Having visitors last weekend was great. We played at the campground and at the Sanctuary and both players and listeners seemed to enjoy it at both locations. I'm hoping it will work out that my buddies from Maine will be able to come visit too. That means you Sam, Betsy, and Cory! Make it happen!
I've started to run out of constant Osprey related things to do so recently I began working on the vegetation cover for the sanctuary. It's a fairly big project that I must admit is a bit intimidating. I've began by outlining some major areas with the GPS including the old field, the heathland, try island, and terrapin island. Basically I tell the GPS to draw a line where I walk and then I walk the outline of the area I'd like to map. Then I hook the GPS up to the computer and download the data onto a map and tweak a few things. Voila! The goal of the project is to have an electronic version of a vegetation map depicting the types of vegetation on all areas of the sanctuary.
Yesterday I went on a long voyage in the Prius along with a AAA TripTik that lead me to a bunch of nests that I needed fledge data (How many chicks have survived so far) for. I was supposed to end up in Falmouth but by the time I had done my seventh nest on the list I was in Marston Mills and it was five o'clock. It was strange journey as these usually are. The other day when I was out one guy invited me up on his roof? I was like "Uhhh."
He said "You're welcome to climb up on the roof to check for a nest."
I responded skeptically "Is it easy to get up there or something?"
"Uhhh, well no. Not really."
"Ummm, I think I'm ok."
He then brought me through his huge house and out onto his back porch which looked into a tall oak forest with no osprey nest. I had thought that there was a nest back there when I looked at the GPS but I was obviously wrong and that oak forest wasn't good Osprey habitat above all things.
Another nest led me to railroad tracks choked by thick shrubberies on each side. I trudged through it and walked on down the track. I felt pretty cool. I found my nest, got my count, and moved on.
The last nest of yesterday led me to a enormous house near a small inlet. I saw cars in the driveway and kids in the yard so I walked up to the door in my safari-like uniform and knocked to ask permission to use the scope in the backyard.
The older lady in the house was sitting at table and waved me in before I even said who I was. She led me to the back deck and I took a quick look around. I can't believe the huge places some of these people live in! Holy cow! I got my chick count and left there quickly while almost getting to the whiffle ball to the face which missed me and went on to a hit a window.
Yesterday was also my first weekend at the sanctuary in three weeks and we were all going to a house party at one of the day camp counselors summer houses. I volunteered to drive since I wouldn't be drinking and took four others with me.
I felt quite out of place at first but got used to it and even ended up playing some alcoholic party games by either just not drinking during my turn or having a partner to drink for me. I decided to document the night by sending text messages to myself in scientific observation fashion. I'll admit that they came out as if I was watching a foreign tribe perform rituals. I wished I had a time stamp on it but chronological order will have to do.
Cell phone observations of my first house party:
-Large black man flapping his arms like a bird through the living room.
-As of right now I think I am the only awkward turtle not drinking. I've spotted an 80's radio headset on the bookshelf.
-Alcohol induced saying 1: "You need money? I have money in my trunk..."
-Learning the fundamentals of beer pong.
-First beer pong round. I threw and had a friend drink for me. Throws: 20? Successes: 3
-I managed to miss out on all the hamburgers. How did this happen? I've grabbed a slice of pizza and some Doritoes. Loud noises...
-I've been advised by many drunk people to hydrate myself. I've assured them I am hydrated...
-I switched to an alcoholic Frisbee game called beer cricket. I play minus the alcohol. Advantage. ;-)
-Individuals here have become less aware of their surroundings and even louder.
-First disc game. Fail. I'm not used to having to hit the ground with the disc. Sadness.
-Big black man is dancing some dance that looks like he's washing his hair.
-This song just rapped about chicken noodle soup. I wonder which soup will inspire me to mention it in song someday.
-Intoxicated people can be very sincere. I must admit. Also, I smell pot. ;-P Time to get going.
-Alcohol induced saying 2: "Mike is so much more better of a person than us right now."
Me: " No need to rank any of us. We're all different."
"Well it's hard because these needles are sharp.." (She was holding pine needles)
Me: "Yes...."
Eventually I was ready to get going and one of the older interns here needed to go home as she'd had way too much to drink. She was out of it and upset at herself so I set her up in the Subaru with my orange bongo bucket upside-down so she could use it if the time came and gave her some paper towels that I also had. We were almost on route 6 and I thought she dozed off. She woke up, groaned, and ralphed in the bucket multiple times. I kept driving and gave her some paper towels. She felt bad, but I told her I gave it to her for that reason and I could always wash the bucket and I had extras. She ralped again in bucket in the dorm parking lot.
I was glad I went. I learned a lot and I was glad to be there for people who needed it.
End post.
;)
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