Where oh where to start.  This month has been very packed with events.  To start with the reason why we are here, seeds.  We have been collecting quite a bit, many of which we have to do multiple collections due to the seeds ripening in waves.  This can be frustrating because it means we have to check on the same populations relatively often.  We went through a fun time with sending out our first batch of fleshy fruits.  Since we are in a “remote” location according to FedEx, we have to call ahead in order to have our over night package picked up.  But you can not call over a day ahead and when you do call a day ahead they can not guarantee they will come to pick up unless they have a driving coming to the area to deliver a package.  This we all find out the hard way but in the end the package was shipped.  We were frustrated to find out that a buckwheat we had been watching for awhile actually went past collectable.  It had never been collected before, we know why now, so it wasn’t the end of the world we missed it.  Other than that collecting has been uneventful.  We are waiting on a few species still that are taking their sweet time.

Other news not so much related to seeds.  We have been seeing a lot of wildlife, which has been awesome.  So far we have seen: mule deer, coyote, black bear, bobcat, scorpion and great horned owls.  Some other fun activities we have had the privilege of partaking in include banding hummingbirds, mist netting bats and aiding a paleontologist on dinosaur digs.  These have been great not only because they are really cool and an amazing opportunity to meet new people and learn new things but also because it really helps to break up the seed collecting.

Until next month.