Life as a Field Biologist

It's interesting to think about field biology with the mindset of watching Planet Earth and being amazed with all of the wonderful animals in beautiful surroundings.

Well, I wanted to shed some light on what field biology really entails. Today, for instance, we woke up early to make our breakfast and prepare for a day of collecting. The place where we are staying is classified as a bunkhouse meaning there is one bathroom, eight bunk beds, one army cot, and a kitchenette. We also share the bunkhouse with Louisiana Fish and Wildlife Manager Biologist who has his desk and phone in the corner. AND we have the zoo containing 100+ caterpillars and their food.

Once breakfast is made, each person may have to pack their own lunch depending on how long you are in the field. Today was a short day with collection only in the morning that entailed using a machete to hack through the blackberry bushes to find an opening where we would actually have enough space to move around in a 10m x 10m area. The journey can be extremely eventful as blackberry bushes grow in arches with curved thorns that stick to and rip through everything but tough rubber boots. I had to remove a a branch that stuck to my ear today. Poison ivy was rampant as well. It's just import to watch what you touch and step on as snakes can be around sunning.

Even with all of the mosquitoes and things that could make you miserable, attitude is everything.

Enjoy the video.

Remember to answer questions that I have posted earlier in regards to the importance of studying the herbivory of the caterpillars and their impact on the foodweb.