in which: we begin

Photos from my first Texas Master Naturalist class!!

This binder is massive and super heavy.

Me taking notes like the badass student I am. 

Or hope to be anyway :)

 The presentation on Edwards Aquifer was actually very interesting though. Most everything we were taught came from this site, created by Gregg Eckhardt, who also did the presentation. 

www.edwardsaquifer.net

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We've had a few classes since this one and although not everything we discuss is fascinating (ok, some of it's downright boring...), I've made a couple friends who are into the green thumb, nature-loving, save the planet things I'm into :) And next week ~ we'll be studying Ornithology!!! 

On a side note, yesterday I turned down an opportunity to go to a beginners course on Falconry. I had work and the place it was held was about an hour & a half away and... the more I think about it the more bummed I am that I didn't just call in to work!!! I found out about it the night before though so... NEXT TIME.

I am

Olli

in which: dreams do come true

Changed the header in light of Spring around the corner. I love the peaches on there since I've picked it as my new "flavor of the season". It's something I started doing last year, and kind of own little way of getting myself to try new flavors of things I wouldn't normally pick. Last year was grapefruit and now it is peach, thanks to the inspiring and deliciously smelling new lotion I got from work! Seriously you guys, the smell of this lotion is like biting into a ripe, juicy, freshly picked peach.

Speaking of work; I got that promotion last week!! Yeeeeaaahhh!!! I also got accepted into a leadership series called Talent Bench for work aaaaannndddd *drum roll please*.....

I got accepted into the Texas Master Naturalist Certification Program!!!!

OMG!!!

It has been a life long dream to become a Naturalist: a person who studies or is an expert in the natural sciences, such as botany, mineralogy, ornithology, etc. Anyone, really, can be a self taught naturalist, as I have been. But now I will be on my way to becoming certified, meeting fellow naturalists in my area and learning about others categories of nature I am less familiar with. For the majority of my studying, I have been more or less an expert on Wildlife. Now through a series of classes over the next few weeks my knowledge will be expanded toward facts on minerals, fish, reptiles and more. 

SO. EXCITED.

This is literally one of my dreams becoming a reality.

Don't let anyone tell you you're dreams won't come true!!

From reading My Side Of The Mountain in 6th grade... to my first time getting to hold a Falcon, to learning their sport, to now... learning how to help them survive in their natural habitat & educating people on how they can help.

LIFE IS AMAZING.

I am

Olli

in which: i volunteer

Barred Owl

So I stopped by the Bird of Prey Conservancy yesterday. A young boy named, Ridge, answered the door. He looked confused and went and retrieved Kelly, the educational program director. She was very nice and actually let me inside! (last time I visited, a volunteer met me and said that because the facility was not open to the public, I could not come in. So he handed me a brochure and sent me in my merry way). She was gracious enough to show me around the small area that is their hospital for injured and sick birds, said that I would start out cleaning cages if did volunteer (no sweat - did that at the animal hospital I worked for). THEN! A man walks in with a cage, sets it on the ground and hands me a couple dollar bills instructing me to hide them. Huh? "Have a seat", Kelly tells me.

Suddenly, a boisterous raven comes hopping out of the crate and across the floor. "Wave a dollar," the man tells the boy, Ridge, and he does. The raven takes off running and then effortlessly glides up to snatch the money in his beak. I soon learn that this is Russel, he takes up donations at their educational programs. Myself and two others take turns waving bills in the air as Russel hops, runs and flies to collect and insert them into a big box labeled for donations. He gets meaty treats in between all this and the people surrounding me in this room are all smiles, joking lightheartedly, talking about the owl they've been expecting today...

                                                          O.M.G.

I'm in heaven. 

Soon Russel and the man leave. The phone rings and Kelly excuses herself, telling me to feel free and ask the volunteers questions. Ridge and Angel (pronounced "Onhel", a young man who's parents are from Mexico, making him sound as though he is as well). "Well, the worst part physically is probably when they need us to add onto the barns, as in building, or occasionally when we need to cut down a tree", explains Angel, "Emotionally... just getting attached to the birds. You know, sometimes they get really sick and there's nothing we can do to save them, or eventually when we have to set them free. That gets hard." "And the best part?", I ask. Almost in unison they both agree, "EVERYTHING ELSE." 

I stayed there a good 20 minutes at least. Kelly later probed me for various information: If I minded getting dirty? Could I gut a deer? Could I feed an owl a baby chick or mouse? (Oh lord...) To which I replied no, I can learn and if I have to. "I like you already!", she announces cheerfully. "Tell you what, normally, you would need to write us a letter explaining why you'd like to work with us, why you'd make a good addition, mail it to us and then interview. If you wanted though, you could even write it up tonight, bring it here tomorrow and we can get started on all the paperwork then. How does that sound?" "Amazing!", I exclaim. "Great! Well we look forward to seeing you soon then", she follows me out with a smile. 

People, the second I got in my car I was like a mexican jumping bean! IS THIS REAL?! Gruesome as some of it sounded, I have always wanted to learn how to handle and work with these magnificent predators. This totally an open door from God, I know it. And I'm so thankful for this opportunity - it's a gift!! 

I am 

Olli

{ps} Apparently, feeding the Golden Eagle is a big deal . Not much was explained about it, I just gathered it from questioning Ridge and Angel. Eeekk!!

in which: i seek falcons

photo by Richard Bedford

                                                                   

At the beginning of my 6th grade year, my English teacher announced that we would all be reading through every Harry Potter book that'd come out so far (3 or 4 I think). I really didn't like Harry Potter. This was something mostly influenced by my parents I think, and a previously favored teacher who didn't care for the books either. Regardless, the prospect of drudging along with my class over the next several months in something that sounded a waste of my 6th grade time, didn't exactly thrill the senses. Later that week, a friend at lunch told me that I could exempt myself from the project if I got my parents to sign a note saying that the literature went against our religious beliefs. I wasn't sure if they'd go for that but as soon as I got home I announced that my school was making me learn about witchcraft.
Bingo.

The next day I presented my superior with the document.
She was not pleased.
I was then promply led to the library where she impatiently skimmed over the fiction section, handed me an award winner, said to return to class in an hour and left me. I looked down and examined the cover, "My Side Of The Mountain" by Jean Craighead-George; a young boy awaited a falcon to alight on his arm. I wasn't sure what to make of it but was glad to be out of the classroom, so I sat in a nearby corner and opened to the first page.

People... this book would be the beginning of a life long appreciation. Birds of Prey, Falconry, living off the land. It became other things too, but that's another story. Surely, it is still my favorite book. And today, I'm heading down to the local Bird Of Prey Conservatory to get an application (you have to interview with them just to volunteer). I'm more interested in handling owls and hawks than I am falcons these days, but I won't say their mystery still doesn't peak my curiosity. I attend falconry demonstrations wherever I can find them! Say a prayer for me in my endeavors please...

I am
Olli