Bryce: It's Been A Year!
It's almost hard to believe, but I arrived here a year ago today, though we didn't actually move into the park on the 16th. And I really didn't think I would be around more than 6 months, let alone go from being a volunteer to a Park Ranger.
For the occasion I put together this short (about 1:40) slideshow:
(There's a slightly larger version of the file here . . . )
It has been an amazing year: 125 species of birds* tallied to date in Utah, I've learned more about geology that I thought I ever would, I'm currently learning more about paleontology than I thought I ever would, I've made a few nice photographs along the way, and - this is the great part - they pay me for a job that I absolutely love doing.
I am looking forward to a great summer - hope you will stick around and join me and Roxy on our adventures around Bryce and the rest of Southern Utah!
*Despite the wind gusting up to 50 mph, I added 6 to the 2008 Year List today (now at 80 species): Common Loon, Western Grebe, Clark's Grebe, Eared Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, and Caspian Tern.
Comments
Great job, Kevin. Now you can compare the weather and the flora and fauna from what you saw a year ago and what you will experience this year. I hope this second year will be even more educating and exciting for you. And I look forward to joining you and Roxy on the adventures you share.
Posted by: Mary Carlson | April 18, 2008 09:07 PM
Kevin, I'm Dee from Pharyngula. You have a nice site here. I'm jealous that you are working in Bryce. I am part of a community of canyoneers, and there is one in your neck of the woods - I don't know his last name, I just know him as 'bruce from bryce'. I believe he's a ranger at the park. If you don't already know him, he knows his way around the Colorado Plateau. Get him to take you down some slot canyons.
Posted by: Dee | April 22, 2008 07:59 PM
Thanks Mary! (
Sorry for the late reply but I haven't been paying proper attention - had my nose to the grindstone putting together a talk for Earth Day.)
Wish I had better notes about when I first saw some migrants then I could compare with last year. The blog will help some in that regard.
Posted by: Kevin | April 23, 2008 08:01 AM
Dee,
Though we have a couple of Bruce's here, I know which one uses the "Bruce from Bryce" handle. Probably couldn't keep up with him on a trek, though . Only slot I've visited so far is Willis Creek and definitely want to do more - problem around here is there is so much to see and do and it is hard to decide where to go first. But I love it.
Posted by: Kevin | April 23, 2008 08:07 AM