It’s hard to believe I’ve been here in Ridgecrest over 6 weeks now! It has been quite busy. On the seed collection front, we have managed to make a few seed collections and are monitoring a few other sites for harvest-ability. Last Thursday we were picking Cleome sparsifolia, and let me tell you–it took quite a while to get rid of the pungent odor on my hands. Yuck.

In the office I have been helping put together a grant proposal which I’m enjoying doing research for, but my main side project has been digitizing the RIFO herbarium. Entering all the data has been a bit tedious, but having a digital copy of the herbarium contents will be a valuable resource to the field office, and I’m a little surprised no one had done it yet! Going through all the vouchers has also helped me familiarize with more of the species we encounter and get a better idea of what can be found in the area.

I’m enjoying the field office here so far. I’ve finally made some friends which has helped, and my mentor is an outstanding guy with lots of great advice for my career. Outside of work, I’ve been enjoying having access to the mountains, and my favorite weekend trip so far has been the visit to Mammoth Lakes!

Mojave Tarweed: We encountered a rare plant, Deinandra mohavensis, during our most recent visit to Short Canyon.

California Loosestrife: Got a collection of Lythrum californicum in some damp areas of Short Canyon.

California Kingsnake: I was very excited to see my first snake since being out here! A friendly Lampropeltis californiae. Still keeping my eyes peeled for rattlers.

Olancha Dunes: Collection site for the Cleome sparsifolia. Quite a pretty area, though be ready for eyes and airways full of sand if it’s windy.

Amphibians! Found some unk tadpoles in Surprise Canyon. In my opinion, the surprise was that there was running water somewhere out here!

Surprisingly colorful: I’m taking a lichen to California! Eh? Eh?

California rocks! The noun, or the verb.

Paintbrush: We collected seed for Castilleja linariifolia at Short Canyon recently.

Mammoth: A beautiful place that realize how much I missed trees and water.