"There are people starving and they want you to look at birds."

A fellow patron at our motel actually said this to me after answering his questions about what we were studying and why. I explained that no one is aware of any possible side effects from changing wildlife habitat to a completely foreign species, to which he just shook his head. The pyramids weren't built in a day and not everyone worries about things that might not concern them in the long run. So, I take the fact he actually asked in the first place and listened to what I had to say as a small victory. 

So, we've settled in to our motel room in Newton. It's a really nice place. The rooms are super roomy and clean, the staff is super nice, there's a pool (even though it hasn't really been hot enough to put more than our feet in - but GOD did that feel good!), and we are only 15 minutes away from Merryville and our sites instead of 2 hrs away. 

We have also been sticking to a schedule! I know my brain just exploded! We were even able to get an extra stand in after our hell stand yesterday! 

The rain we got Monday and Tuesday has made everything a little slushy. So much in fact, we got stuck Thursday. 

Luckily we were able to reach Patrick (hi Patrick!!) who we unknowingly passed on the way in and who was able to pull us out of this giant mess. We were so close too! Also luckily we were trying to reach a third stand before survey time ran out. Just in case I haven't mentioned it, surveys are done from sunrise (615ish-630) till 3 hrs after. So at 930 we need to be done. We got stuck at 845. 

The cold front that came in after the rain has made it unseasonably cool in deep east Texas and southwest Louisiana. It has also made it TONS easier to do field work. 

Today is our weekly binge day were we only do surveys, rest and recoup for the remainder of the day, and eat a meal we didn't have to heat up in the microwave. These days were implemented so we wouldn't kill each other from hunger and to actually have something to look forward to. This morning I leisurely enjoyed my celebratory coffee an this afternoon we will try out the local truck stop resteraunt called Three Flags. We may even get in the pool if it warms up. 

We only have about 4 more weeks of this adventure left! Here's hoping we don't get anymore rain. 

Scissor-tailed flycatcher. They have awesome long tails that seem to help them hover while looking for food and impressing mates. 

Sunrise and fog over a recent clear cut. 

Sunrise in the eucs. 

Moon set in the pines. 

Sometimes you can find beauty in madness. 

More mud pics

Wise words found above the coffee pot in the main office.