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Borrego Springs, CA

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

The stars seemed to have aligned in the correct position

You may remember that my time here volunteering for Oregon Islands NWR is supposed to end mid August.  I’ve been thinking about how I could extend my time here (with no birds to show visitors) or possibly move up to Bandon NWR until at least through the Labor Day weekend.  It’s still too danged hot to think about going to Jojoba in southern California in a little over two weeks.

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All of tonight’s photos are taken by either Avery or Phoebe on our hike last week on the Moorman Grove trail in the redwoods of Prairie Creek State Park.  Avery took the photos on the way in, and Phoebe on the hike out.  I gave them my little power shot camera to use on the hike.  It’s kind of interesting to see what a seven and five year old think is photo worthy.

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For some reason, I’ve been a little reluctant to email the volunteer coordinator about it.  I’ve enjoyed this assignment, but I’m beginning to feel it’s time to move on.  So on Sunday night I decided to check out the volunteer.gov website and look for anything that might be available in northern California.  I think California has the most listings of any state.  There was only one Fish and Wildlife Service listing though, and it was three or four pages in.  Back in February Tule Lake NWR was looking for a volunteer for the summer season.  There is only one RV site at this refuge complex, and what would be the chances that they were looking for someone in the middle of August?

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Well, I gave them a call yesterday morning, and, as you may have guessed, they were happy I called.  It turns out there is no one in the site, and the volunteer coordinator will be leaving August 20 for a new position in Wisconsin.  She was quite excited when I told her about my experience at 13 other refuges.

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Yes, there will be some work in the Visitors Center, but she then asked if I’d be interested in doing a weekly bird survey in two refuges in the complex.  I told her I’d have to think about that…NOT!  I’ll be there at least through September, and maybe into October.  Just in time for the fall waterfowl migration.  Yes, I think the stars were all in alignment yesterday, and I even got to see them last night.  That doesn’t happen too often along the coast.

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                                                                              THE END!!

                              That little Avery just might be a chip off the old Grandma Belt’s block. Winking smile

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

28 comments:

  1. I would say it was your lucky day Judy!!

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  2. Love the kid's pictures. Sure happy for you to find that volunteer job too.

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  3. Hi - I am Carol and I live in Bozeman, MT. I read your blog every time you post an entry and I love it. You and your work have inspired my hubby and I to spend some time this fall near the Oregon Coast and down into Northern California before heading further south. We are retired and we are planning to be on the road for 7 or 8 months starting just after Labor Day. We have a home here in Bozeman and our son and daughter-in-law are planning to live in our home while their new home is being built. I hope to meet up with you some day in person. You are an inspiration! Thank you!

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  4. Your research paid off, Judy. Congratulations!

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  5. So happy that things have worked out for you Judy! I am sure that you will love it there, especially if there are birds around. ;-)

    www.travelwithkevinandruth.com

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  6. That was a lucky find and seems to be perfect for you.

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  7. Very exciting news Judy! I think that's where the chief biologist from Bosque del Apache (John Vradenburg) relocated to a few months ago for a change of pace. Sounds like a terrific gig!

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  8. Talk about being lucky, looks like things will work out perfect for you.
    We might even get a chances to meet up with you this fall as we head down the west coast.

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  9. Sounds perfect. Good things do happen for those who do their homework.

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  10. Looks like Grandma should think about cameras for Christmas for two budding photographers. Congrats on a great -sounding assignment.

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  11. Looking through the eyes of children is so much fun. They are so innocent and just think the craziest things are cool. I think Avery has some grandma in her. I love the last shot. She has a good eye...hehe

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  12. That last photo is so appropriate and so funny! I enjoyed all the photos though. Pretty smart kids!

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  13. One year I was coming from Lava Beds Natl Monument and I stopped at one or the other of the Klamath Basin refuges. I think the VC must have been somewhere else, but they had a big viewing area with signboards of the birds one might see. I thought then that it would be a place I'd love to see more of. It's a good day trip up to Crater Lake. I'm glad you're not going to SoCal just yet - with the extreme heat, the forest fires popping up all over the place, and the storms that may be rolling into the south, there will be better days later in the year.

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  14. YaHoo!! That sounds like an almost perfect assignment for you to move on to. Love the girls' photos.

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  15. Yes, it seems the stars did align for you. Enjoy!!

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  16. I've heard of that phenomenon but have never experienced it personally. Good for you, you've got the right talent for that position, so I hope you enjoy it very much.

    Did your daughter know you were going to post that "The End" photo of her? I'm thinking she might not be too amused... :cD

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  17. I think the girls did a terrific job on their photos. Love the arrows, Love you and your hiking stick and for sure THE END is perfect. You seem to live a charmed life Ms. Birdlady. Sounds like a perfect situation for you to move into before heading to your winter spot. Can't wait to see it. Wondering if you'd come back to Oregon. Seems like this hasn't been the year for being there. Makes me a tiny bit less sad that we couldn't do the PNW this summer.

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  18. Good photographers! Sounds like you found the perfect spot for a few months:)

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  19. Yep...It's Karma, sensei....pure Karma.

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  20. Needless to say, I am really excited that you will be working "my" refuges. The Klamath Basin, is a magnificent world, Judy, you will love it. And we will bring the kayaks down to Tulelake!

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  21. I'm very excited for you. New adventure! I love new adventures!!

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  22. oh goodie.... a new refuge :)

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  23. That worked out well! And maybe we'll see lots more birds. I like your jeans - cute pockets! :)

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  24. Yeah...more birds! And a new place to add to the resume!

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