![\"Occoquan](\"https:\/\/dev-clm-blog.pantheonsite.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Occoquan-Bay-NWR.jpg\")
<\/a>A view from shore at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Salt flats at Chincoteague Island National Wildlife Refuge<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>An advancing storm over Chesapeake Bay as seen from Eastern Shore National Wildlife Refuge. Luckily, we were done with work for the day!<\/p><\/div>\n
Another interesting thing about these conservation lands in the East is their proximity to developed, urban landscapes. \u00a0Occoquan Bay NWR, which has become one of our favorite sites, is only minutes from the urban sprawl that extends out of Washington D.C. \u00a0While we are there, the hubbub and traffic (OH, the traffic!) is far from our thoughts as we listen to the gentle lapping of the waves on the shore. \u00a0One of our recent collections at this site was Strophostyles helvola<\/em>, annual sand-bean, or wooly-bean, a cute little viney legume that pops open its pods and hurtles the seed every which way when mature. \u00a0Using a bag with a wide opening helps while collecting this little guy!<\/p>\n Strophostyles helvola<\/em>, with an immature fruit<\/p><\/div>\n As September breezes by, the onslaught of hunting season is upon us as well. \u00a0When considering that turkey, deer, and bear hunting is allowed on National Wildlife Refuges, one may wonder if the term “refuge” is really appropriate. \u00a0I’m sure this is one of the main reasons these Refuges were set up, though, and how they continue to maintain funding. \u00a0I know the managers of the lands are doing their best to keep balanced populations on their properties, especially considering how close most of them are to developed areas. \u00a0They must be doing something right, because the list of wildlife we have seen while working this season includes bear, deer, bald eagles, osprey, groundhogs, beaver, snakes, lizards, and even an alligator! \u00a0This doesn’t even include the countless species of smaller birds or the numerous pods of dolphins we’ve spotted while working along the coast.<\/p>\n Although all the driving and nights in hotels can become a bit of a grind, thinking of all these experiences helps me realize just how lucky I am to have such a fabulous job. \u00a0While most of the people of Washington D.C. or Raleigh might think of nature as something “other,” not a part of their everyday environment, I have the privilege to walk within it every day, and witness its everyday moments of radiance and tranquility. \u00a0I get to behold the\u00a0glorious skies and beautiful blooms of her shining moments, and the stinking muck and terrifying venom of her darker side. \u00a0And all of these things help to make me who I am, someone a bit outside the norm of this “civilized” society, perhaps, but also one who is in touch with the pulse of nature and the rhythm of the seasons. \u00a0I’ll leave it on that note. \u00a0Until next time, peace outside!<\/p>\n Emily Driskill<\/p>\n SOS East: North Carolina Botanical Garden<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Greetings again from the North Carolina Botanical Garden! \u00a0Actually, greetings from the field on the Southeastern Coastal Plain, where my crew has been spending 95% of our time. \u00a0The last time I wrote, we were waiting for a lot of … Continue reading <\/a>