Hellloooooo? Anyone out there? Come on--it's not like you're doing research, traveling across the country, or studying in Panama...

In any case, an update from Coweeta. Maerz and his grad student (Kristen) weren't around when I got here, so I took the first three days to continue my sampling for Urspelerpes. If I haven't told you before, a large part of the research is determining the "detection rate" for the species at these locations. As of right now, 1 larva in 450 traps. Yeah, fascinating.

First, some scenery from the area. The sign I pass everyday on the way back to Coweeta (it's just a few miles north of GA):

...which has made me wonder: is texting while driving or photographing while driving more dangerous? I'm pretty sure that as long as I keep my eyes on the road--through the viewfinder--it's ok.

Also, apparently there is such thing as a Jesus flag. And it's interwoven with the Amuricahn flag.

About ten miles from Coweeta (and just past the grocery) is this stand for locally-grown produce. Now I can sleep better, knowing I'm not buying any more food from the Piggly-Wiggly.

I bought a bunch of good-looking food from here today, so maybe I'll pull a Sheena and take a picture of the meal I make ;)

What, now Ecology Clubbers are allowed to own gas stations?

In honor of Grover, here's a Stinkpot that crossed the road in front of me today. Lucky for him (unlike the 2 copperheads, 1 kingsnake, 2 ratsnakes, 2 racers, 1 box turtle, 1 bullfrog, and 1 rough greensnake that I've seen dead on the road in the last few days), he crossed in front of me, and not a local in his F-250.

A cute little Ringneck I uncovered while digging through leaves for those blasted Urspelerpes today.

I was about to flip here too...before I decided to pass up this leaf-pack. Can you see why?

He's cute, but I'd rather not have his fangs latched onto my finger.

Other than that, not too much to report. I've seen a ton of cool fungi, and I locked my keys in my car at one of my fieldsites (no worries; I pried open my sunroof and fished them out with a wire that a local--who, suspiciously, had a lot of tools for breaking into cars--gave me while driving by).

Much love,

Todd

To the mountains!

Last night, I took off for Coweeta. I didn't have to be here until the afternoon, so I told Theresa that I would meet her in northern Georgia to catch some bog turtles (she has an internship this summer with the Georgia DNR surveying for these guys). Well, I didn't really plan out my driving very well, so I ended up with like three hours of sleep. But that's herping, eh?

We poked around areas like this:

And checked traps for bog turtles. This is a super-interesting species that lives primarily in the northeastern United States (with its stronghold in WV and PA) and that has declined dramatically as their sphagnum bog habitats have been drained, plowed, and raped by cattle farmers.

After the first few dozen traps revealed only snapping turtles, one held this cute lil' bugger. Bog Turtle (Glyptemys muhlenbergi):

While poking around a different bog (we checked five during the course of the morning), I flipped a clump of moss to reveal this Seepage Salamander (Desmognathus aeneus) guarding her eggs. She wasn't more than an inch long.

After parting ways with Theresa and the bogs, I drove a few more hours to Coweeta. Here's a scenic overlook near where I'm living for the next six weeks.

It should be a really fun time, but I can tell already that it'll be lonely without Club Ecology. I'm definitely going to be visiting Athens at some point. Yay.

you guys suck

since you guys won't stop bitching i just wanted to let you know that i just posted on my blog (rompalime.blogspot.com)

check it out for my experiences on:

• being surrounded by mating javelinas
• a tour of our director's sustainable home
• seeing a friend from georgia
• a friend's permaculture garden
• my last week in prescott

HAPPY NOW?!

i love you all, and want to see everybody who's in athens this week! i'm in town wed-sat bitchezzzz

Back in...

...suburbia. I can't stand this place.

On a positive note, I found my first Indianapolis area Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum)--a species that was once widespread but is now declining across the state due to...well, suburbia. I was pretty stoked to turn up this big fella about a mile from my house, surprisingly.

YOU GUYS

ALL NEED TO CHILL OUT

< /3

DAYUM

Sheena is making a book. or maybe 2.

Holy Shit Sheena, Your Posts Are Ridiculous

While I can't handle posting like Sheena, here's some quick updates from the IFP road. Ben and I have just crossed the Mississippi River, headed to Santa Fe in our 20ft box truck. Last week we cooked for our 30 students and staff on Sapelo Island. We've purchased probably half of our food locally from farmers, fishermen, roadside stands, or farmer's markets!

Chef Ben and our shrimp

Remember Daniel from Ecotones (early VP) and Sapelo Spring Break? He brought us some freshly caught friends.

Bycatch from shrimping. 9lbs to every lb of shrimp caught. I don't think I'll eat shrimp any more. This is seriously wild, y'all, what the hell.

A shark caught while shrimping - I threw him back, no worries.

:)