More assisting with mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus) research with Alicia Beattie & the Shedd Aquarium on January 22. This time, much colder, almost a foot of ice, and bigger pups.
Pristine outdoor lab for the day.
Actually, not a bad day to be on the ice, pulling traps and collecting mudpuppy data.
One of Tristan's friends showed up to take good photos of a mudpuppy for an upcoming publication. I should have paid attention on how to take good photos.
One of two mudpuppies caught (from 50 traps).
Tom snapping a mudpuppy shot with the good ol' phone.
Gut contents flushed from one of the two mudpuppies - quite a bit in comparison to most. These are mostly amphipods, with a few other squirmies in the mix.
I think something important was happening here but I don't remember exactly what it was!
Ah yes - the release of one of the pups, right back in the same hole it was conjured from.
More than just a "fish with legs". A stunningly gorgeous creature.
So long and thanks for the data!
"The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever" - Jacque Cousteau
Alicia Beattie, Tom Anton, and Jaclyn Peterson taking environmental measurements.
Coyote tracks
Nature isn't always pretty. The remains of a small rodent that appears to have been abandoned by perhaps a weasel or mink (Tom says if it were a hawk, its head would not have been there).
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