Summer of Birds

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Hello from the States!

I've decided to keep everyone interested in my travels this summer updated through a blog. I don't know how much time and/or energy I'll have for this, but I'll try to at least upload pictures with descriptions.

Catch-Up Until May 4:

- Flew from Toronto to Philly on a small (50ish people) plane.
- Waited around Philly airport for three hours, with next flight delayed slightly. The free AT&T internet did not work for me despite my efforts, so I ended up falling asleep on the floor by my gate.
- Flew on a small plane without air conditioning to Ithaca's tiny airport. Was met by Kate, who lives and maintains the "Golo House", and Nadine and Effrain, who will be interns with me at Long Point.
- Went grocery shopping at Tops just to get food for the night and next day. Found out food is not provided, and it's only "probable" that we will be reimbursed for it because we're international interns.
- 10 other people related to the Golondrinas project are staying at the house right now. The house is near the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in the suburbs of Ithaca and is next to an arboretum called Sapsucker Woods.
- Have a top bunk, but so far it is working out fine.
- Yesterday (May 3) was introduced to the project by being thrown into doing mist netting and box checks, learning as we went. It was raining so we got very muddy. We are probably doing both things everyday; I did not expect to be doing so much field work here, so I'm not as prepared as I would like.
- In the afternoon we went to Wegmans, which is an amazing grocery store, and drove around Ithaca proper, which is full of hills and gorges and waterfalls and seems to be beautiful and full of nature everywhere. People say Guelph has a beautiful campus, but it is nothing compared to Cornell.


Some of the Players:

- Nadine: 26 year old graduate of Guelph from Toronto who is also Jewish and thus has a "Jewish mother" in common with me. Also is familiar with WEEP and some people I know through school.
- Effrain: 22 year old graduate from Belize who is the senior intern for our site, even though he only has two weeks of experience (ie. doesn't know the protocall past the incubation period for tree swallows).
- Lauren: 22 year old future veterinary student from New Jersey who is training us. Nadine and I are sharing a room with her for our two weeks in Ithaca.

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Photos

Sapsucker Woods Map
Map of the area in which I'm staying. The Golo House is on Sapsucker Woods Road, in the middle of the Sanctuary.

Wegmans
The Greatest Store on Earth

Ithaca Falls
Approaching...

Ithaca Falls
Up Close

American Inukshuk?
People were building these stone structures by the falls and this was the coolest one.

Comments

[Sheldon Gordon]

What a beautiful blog!
Becca, You're off to a great start with your TravelBlog. The pics are great, and your blogtext is so interesting that I can hardly wait for future installments. Have a wonderful two weeks in Ithaca! Love, Sheldon

[The Jewish Mother]

Great Blog!!!!!!!Keep it Up
Hi sweets, it is so wonderful to share you experience. What is so great about that grocery store? Is it far? How often do you need to go there? The scenery looks spectacular. Take lots of pictures. I will e-mail you separately tomorrow as I think this comment is public--right! Love and hugs, Mama

[BeccaBirding]

Wegmans
It is just a massive grocery store that has so many types of each kind of food. And it's all organized in sensible sections that are really fun to explore. I hope we go there again in a few days! It would literally take days to shop there going through every aisle. Yes, these comments are public. I love you!!

[Smellen]

sweet!!
Sounds amazing, Rebecca!!! You are gonna learn so much awesome stuff. Whis sends her love - she got soaked in the rain today but then I took her for a nice indoor walk. :) I hope you have time to update this blog semi-regularly - I'm excited to hear about your adventures!

[Lisa S in Ottawa]

Friends rooting for you and the birds
Sounds fabulous! How would you have prepared differently if you knew you'd be doing so much field work? Hope you don't fall out of bed--or if you do, that you roll. Kind of like the birds....