russfrizzell's Journal

After 11 years in the wonderful city of Olympia Washington, Steph and I moved back to Dallas in March 2021. We have a new appreciation for urban wildlife and I see beautiful creatures everywhere. I am contributing all my observations when they achieve research grade to "Contribute to Half Earth Project." Some day we hope to observe the big cats of Texas: Bobcats, Cougars, and Ocelots. Also, I hope to find horned lizards, armadillos, ringtails, and many more iconic Texas species. If time allows, we really hope to become Texas Master Naturalists and be do more for big cats. Steph has met Mark Elbroch from Panthera and Beth Pratt with The National Wildlife Federation while we lived in Washington.

Its the middle of October and the rainy season is going strong. I will try to do more observations when the weather seems better. Meanwhile I can do more research and preparation. There are a whole bunch of things that can make me a better citizen scientist.

For my birthday tomorrow I'll try getting Steph back out to survey a new area. This week I have already gotten some wonderful trees around the capitol and downtown Olympia.

Last week I surveyed the section of the Chehalis trail beside the golf courses. Also surveyed the area by the lacey transit center. I want to go next down the trail farther into wilder country and also the COASST survey of Tolmie State Park is due in the next couple weeks. Then P22 day is another big day so I will try to get Stephanie to help me more.

Added my photo of steller's jay to the project "Give the Gift of Species Data," for E. O. Wilson this week.

Since school started I have been very busy. Yesterday Steph and I did the COASST beach survey at Tolmie State Park and I got a bunch of observations. Then last night Steph got very excited when she spotted a tree frog on our back glass door. Frogs are really very wonderful.

Steph went to Ensign Rd. with me an we made observations. Then I had enough to create the map for my Chehalis Trail Project. Now it is set but all the old Olympia observations are still stuck in my project so they spill over the boundary some. I love my project.

I learned from the help feature that I can design my own maps after I have submitted 50 observations. That' when I can doctor up the Chehalis western Trail Project. Also I followed Drew Henderson in case I get to collaborate with some local naturalist. He wrote the book on mushrooms of Washington State. Although I hope he also knows more about plants and animals.

I joined the "Give the Gift of Species Data" E. O. Wilson project and added the 6 observations which I have had verified to his project. Gradually I am learning how to navigate this difficult inaturalist website. I finally figured out how to add observations directly from my smart phone.

Today, 08/28/19 I created my inaturalist account and posted 10 old photos of wildlife which I have taken. Exploring what the website has to offer. I see that cougar has several mixed up interpretations which could be corrected. Trying to talk Stephanie into giving her wildlife photos.