Anyone who’s traveled to Point Reyes more than once realizes that the weather is completely unpredictable. This is my fourth year as a docent, and still can’t predict how the weather will play out during the day. I always bring four layers of clothing, including long underwear, fleece, my Gore-Tex jacket and some mittens. ButContinueContinue reading “California Winter Wildlife Are Here”
Category Archives: Travel Story
Beach Beauties of Summer
Ocean Beach offered up all sorts of uncommon visual marvels this past Tuesday, including Vellela (commonly known as by-the-wind sailor), different types of algae, and remnants of all sorts of hard-shelled creatures. Nature created the compositions the way that I’ve captured them here. I haven’t styled any of these photos. I invite you to enjoy the beach’sContinueContinue reading “Beach Beauties of Summer”
The Sadness of Spring
The only sadness that spring brings for me is the end of my Winter Wildlife Docent days up at Point Reyes. Today was the last day that I spent talking to visitors about whales and elephant seals and whatever other topics came up (i.e., hunting white-tailed deer, smart birds, the appearance of orca whales, theContinueContinue reading “The Sadness of Spring”
In Uganda, Goats Go to Those who Retire from Hunting
Since the Ugandan National Forest Conservatory has a limited budget for conservation, the Budongo Forest Reserve project also strives to train young locals to become field guides who track the chimps in the forest. This helps bring needed attention to the human-wildlife conflict in the area. With the primary goal of the overall project focusingContinueContinue reading “In Uganda, Goats Go to Those who Retire from Hunting”
Grooming the Man and Other Stories
The complex social relationships and bonds among chimps have been written about by many authors. Seeing their interactions in person creates a stronger impression than any words could describe. While tracking these chimps in the Budongo Forest, there were several scenes that we came upon that stand out in my mind: Nick, the current alphaContinueContinue reading “Grooming the Man and Other Stories”
Tracking the Sonso Community of Chimps
Seeing chimps in the wild was the main reason that I came on this trip to Uganda. I have had a fascination with chimps since I discovered how closely our social networks are to theirs. Really, Facebook is a glorified Pant-Hoot, the vocalization chimps make to one another. Many of us humans tend to cryContinueContinue reading “Tracking the Sonso Community of Chimps”
The Ugandan Tree Phrenology Project
One of our roles on this Earthwatch expedition is to help with the Phrenology project, where they are studying how trees are budding, blooming and fruiting. The long term goal is to understand what is happening in the Budongo Rain Forest and to understand what is causing the changes, such as dwindling pollinators or climateContinueContinue reading “The Ugandan Tree Phrenology Project”
In the Budongo Forest Reserve
I have seen more non-human primates on The Budongo Forest Reserve here in northwestern Uganda than humans so far with Baboons, Black and White Colobus monkeys and Blue monkeys and even a group of about 10 very boisterous chimps visiting early one morning. Budongo has what brings many people to a home: good food. FigsContinueContinue reading “In the Budongo Forest Reserve”
(re) Imagine Uganda
What do you think of when I mention Uganda? If you’re like many of the people who I spoke to before I left, you think of the Ebola virus, Idi Amin and some war that’s being waged. The reality of present-day Uganda should bring to mind a colorful, lush landscape with one of the mostContinueContinue reading “(re) Imagine Uganda”
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