We're finally getting snow that's holding on the mountains and I'm ready for my ski/snowboard season to start. Just a month left.

A dog shaped thing. (Coyote)

BLFC was pretty awesome. New friends and memories made. Went by way to fast as is the usual for cons.

USDA Deactivates Nation’s Corn During Government Shutdown https://theonion.com/usda-deactivates-nations-corn-during-government-shutdown/

I should probably stop playing video games until 2am. It's bad for my sleep schedule. I'm so tired.

I may be furloughed, but it's giving me back my fortnite skills I guess.

Job offer signed, I'll officially be snowboard instructing again this winter.

This is incredibly sad. She came to speak at the University of Montana a couple years ago and I was lucky enough to sit down and talk to her one on one afterwards. As someone going through the Wildlife Biology program, she was an inspiration and an example to follow. She will be missed.

Welp, I'm furloughed. This sucks.

Feesh time

Interview at a ski area on Tuesday! It's basically a sure thing since on the phone interview they want me for my certifications. Winter is coming and I'm ready to roll around in the snow like an idiot.

Doing pest detection and I found some Pine Sawflies. These are more than likely the native species we find here in Montana, but this sample will be sent in for DNA testing to know for sure. It's hard to tell whether this is our Pine Sawfly or a European Pine Sawfly for sure without DNA analysis.

The past 2 weeks have been hitting me kinda hard. I grew up in a conservative town in a religious conservative household. I've watched old "friends" paint Charlie Kirk as a saint after his killing. To condone violence is one thing. To elevate him as a human is something else entirely.

The clouds were kinda cool today.

We're posting mountain animals as a trend apparently. I like this.

got @arlo-doggo.bsky.social looking forward to hitting some nicely groomed jumps!

More bees

Little sleepy bee in a flower.

I have created banana bread.

PCD be hitting unreasonably hard rn. It's very unlike me.

Ignore the crappy pin job, but I found grasshopper mites today during sample ID; Eutrobidium spp. I believe! Look at their stubby little legs. These are the larvae. The adult mites feed on grasshopper eggs in the soil.

Big thanks to this wonderful yeen, @hushhyena.bsky.social. He put up with my terrible photography skills and was wonderful company for a while today! Another reason Megaplex was great this year.

Saw a Swift Fox today! Glacier county, MT.

The sunrise was a really pretty color this morning, I wish I was in a more scenic spot for a picture other than a hotel parking lot lol

"If you eat a D-20, you become a very slow dice tower." Things said by a Camp Paw attendee.

Also a collection of tall rocks from this week.

Went back to an earlier survey site where I found Mormon Cricket Nymphs. They're all grown up now and are big, ugly, and stinky. This was a low density population of them, not super harmful, but paired with other pests they can be a problem because they eat a lot of forage. They're also loud.

Cyphocleonus achates! This is a Knapweed Root Weevil and they are a we use in Montana. We have a few invasive species of Knapweed and these weevils weaken those infestations. This gives native plants and us a chance to fight back. Found em on a random grasshopper survey.

Just one week until Camp Paw starts! We can't wait to see you all! Double check your packing list, don't forget sunscreen, bug spray, and water bottles, and make sure to bring your wild side!

Heard back from a ski area in New Zealand that they'd be interested in hiring me next season! I reached out super early, looks like I can start getting things in order now. Once I'm there I'm hoping I can finagle my way into a grad program or summer work.

Good evening, campers! We're just over a week away from camp, and we have our finalized event and DJ schedule available! Find it here: www.camppaw.org/schedule/ Also: Any donations of firewood for the communal fires at each pavilion would be greatly appreciated!

My friend convinced me to pick up a bike last weekend. I've ridden like 35 miles on it over the 4 days I've been home to ride it. I'm reminded of how much I enjoy bikes but also how little endurance my legs have and how bad my cardio is.

This coming week I have to get uniform coverage of roughly 9,175 square miles over 3.5 days. During that time I get to checkout a population of Mormon Crickets I surveyed early this season which will be kinda cool. I don't see them often. Otherwise the week is gonna suck lol

Finished the tail, I'm happy with the final product as fast as I went through the project. 1 day and a short night of finishing touches.

Here's the tail I've been working this weekend before I stuff it and add the belt loops. It was a good warm up before I do the body suit and head.

It's so sad that Anicamnula Grasswalker (now Darth Grazer) fell to the dark side. All those seedlings never stood a chance. This is a Clear-wing grasshopper with orange eyes. I'm assuming it's just some kinda phenotypic variation because a lot of them had it at this location. Never seen it!

The coyote is blurry. Fast moving crop yote.

Chosen one.

Why is it 90° f at 9am? Good for insects, bad for me.

Mmm, yes, tall rocks.

Don’t lick the snakes

More mountains. Teton County, MT. The Bob Marshall wilderness area is just behind them.

More cacti

From a little hike yesterday outside of Choteau, MT.

If you can, now is the time to donate. Ethan has said they plan to continue operations, and I can't imagine how difficult that is going to be for all of them. Please consider supporting. There will never be another Mikayla but we can help continue her life's work. www.saveafox.org/donate

Absolutely heartbreaking news here.

I went to a mead tasting yesterday. It turns out that mead tends to taste good. I'm good at tasting.

Hey everyone, if you have attended Camp Paw or plan to this year, please follow ‪@camppaw.org‬ to get updates on key dates.

One month until our event submission deadline!