Hey, Guys! It has been so long since I have posted, actually. Guess now would be a good time to get up to date.
Well, this past semester almost killed me. I promise this is true. There is a class I am considering retaking for my benefit and the benefit of my GPA. *Blush* But we won't talk about that.
I have been pretty NOT busy with work and am on the verge of seriously looking for a new job. I always have my eyes and ears open, but this may start taking on some serious energy.
Christmas was wonderful with all of my family home.
My younger brother Ryan just got accepted into Navy Flight school. We are all extremely excited. This is something he has wanted for most of his life. And now here it is!
Ron is going to be interning in Ohio with GE's aeronautical division. Ron will make them and Ryan will fly them.
I am the odd man out. Starting this spring semester I will be doing a survey with my advisor in the Walls of Jericho wildlife reserve. We are going to be studying the reproductive cycle of the telescope shiner. It is a stream minnow. We are going to be taking several trips up there on Saturdays to collect the fish and keep them at the University. Through the season we will be dissecting them to record gonad development. This will be a great experience for my future knowledge and for my resume.
Besides that, I am collecting data on the birds that visit our backyard feeders throughout the winter months to help Cornell University track bird migration. Along with that I am surveying the number of birds with illnesses and abnormalities. The big issue is Mycoplasmal Conjunctivitis. It is affecting finches on a very large scale and they are trying to track the patterns to see if we have an epidemic starting. I have seen three House Finches with it at our feeders. All have been males. I have also recorded a couple of bald birds. This is usually from an extreme form of molting and is temporary. Today I got a picture of an albino Starling. This is considered an unusual bird, not a rare bird. I hope I find a rare bird soon!
Guess that will do. I am posting a picture of the albino Starling.