Life as a Park Ranger

Benezette, PA. Ground zero for our elk herd.

A few elk after a flash thunder storm.

New arrival

Life as a ranger is pretty satisfying. Every day brings something new and different, like this cecropia moth I hatched in the Ranger station. Love these guys.

Red tail hawk.

This fella was reported by a motorist who found him along the road. We gathered him up, assessed his injuries (broken wing, probably due to a vehicle collision) and got him to a rehab center in State College, Pa.

Shell shocked

This young female was likely hit by a car. There was a crack in her shell, and some larva were feeding at the site of the injury. After seeing no necrosis, we cleaned her up, and took her to the local rehab, as well. A happy ending for this turtle.

Mantis

You'll see some real neat stuff, if you take the time to look. Even most mundane settings have all sorts of activity, just waiting to be witnessed..

At one of the more remote parks I've worked at, seeing these guys was a weekly, and often daily occurance. The manager used to joke that I knew each individual. Funny thing is, I did.

Den

I even visited them at home, now and then.

Dinner!

I really enjoy the educational aspects of my job, as well. As some of you know from my other posts, I LOVE primitive skills. Here's a rack of venison jerky I smoked. This stuff is amazing when cured over an open fire.

Robin eggs.

Just seeing stuff like this at "work" does wonders for the soul.

Vista

This is the park I work at, as glimpsed from a 600' elevation difference. I heard coyotes tipping on the ridge below me that afternoon.

Wolfie

Nature has a bit of a creepy side, too. Thus a wolf spider... maybe the biggest I ever saw. It's enjoying a full grown katydid for lunch. The green dot is light reflecting in its eyes. It was ridiculously large.

Fair warning.

The locals in the remote spots had their own sense of humor, as well...

And this...

Posted at a local bar. They advertise having cell service. That's how out of the way it is here, and I love it.