So today I just got a call from the PHD student I had volunteered for (mentioned in my profile ID pic) asking me if I would like to work for him for the rest of the semester. I agreed, so I am now one of his wildlife research technicians! If I do a good job, he'll also hire me over the summer, which would be awesome!

It's pretty badass work as well. I'll be working with lesser prairie chickens, a species of bird that is rapidly nearing the endangered species list. Out in the field I'll be observing the leks, trapping the chickens and collecting data from them, conducting vegetation analysis, and possibly even riding around on ATVs tracking the prairie chickens via radio telemetry.

I'm pretty excited as this is my first major related paid position. Finally a significant step towards my career! The pay is shit, but I'm doing it more for the experience anyway. Makes the resume look good n' all.

I was talking with the PHD student about taking pictures of the prairie chickens and he said he would be willing to set up a blind for me on one of the leks so that I could get some up close photos. So, expect to see some shots of prairie chickens in the near future!