There are many wonderful things about tropical field
biology. Stunning views, amazing weather, incredible hikes, an overwhelming
abundance of life everywhere.
There are also a few things that suck. Literally. At L- L- a
few weeks ago I picked up my first-ever leech. It was a disgusting but short
lived experience - I spotted it on my arm and managed to flick it off with a
leaf while it was still head-walking around, trying to get comfortable. My
fishing partner ran far away and made funny, funny jokes from a safe
distance... and twenty minutes later he got the same leech! Funny, no harm
done, case closed. Last week, however, we were all gardening and helping the
Canadians set up a mesocosm by the stream behind the house. The
chiggers must have been particularly bad; we all got raging cases-
arms, legs, necks, bellies, all over. Both teams look like an epidemic of
spectacular chicken pox went around.
The chigger bites have mostly healed over now, and work began a
few days ago. The dry season population swell is beginning to show, and our
last stream showed hundreds more fish than last month. Today we are
releasing the L - L- guppies, and when we are done we're introducing new
people to the Gorge.
It's time to go here; J- is making pancakes. The Canadians brought down maple syrup, and all is well with the world.
It's time to go here; J- is making pancakes. The Canadians brought down maple syrup, and all is well with the world.
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