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Photography / Animal related (non-anthro)
Species Cheetah
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I'm the special kind... king me!
Pic taken for the article: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-.....rate-Earth-Day
HAPPY EARTH DAY!!! :D
Pic taken for the article: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-.....rate-Earth-Day
HAPPY EARTH DAY!!! :D
Category Photography / Animal related (non-anthro)
Species Cheetah
Size 1102 x 1280px
File Size 193.3 kB
Thank you! I'm flattered :D
I have a few more pics taken at the same time. This one (and the other pic I posted) was just the best of the lot. I was taking pics for an article and when I do a gig like that I take -tons- of shots, most never make the cut. I should post some of the others in case anyone wants more shots for reference.
I have a few more pics taken at the same time. This one (and the other pic I posted) was just the best of the lot. I was taking pics for an article and when I do a gig like that I take -tons- of shots, most never make the cut. I should post some of the others in case anyone wants more shots for reference.
You're welcome!
Glad I met you too! No worries, ask anything! I had ton of questions and never got many answers to start with...then I got rejected from all of the grad schools I applied to cause the way I went about it, with paper application only is not how you get into grad school unless you are head of your class and top % in the nation type smart. I was all As and Bs and wasn't good enough to go that route. There are easier routes that are much more effective. I just spoke with a professor at UC Berkeley who heads up a very big lab. She gave me some pointers on how to go about it. HOWEVER! This all depends on what you want to accomplish. First off tell me what your goals are and such.
For me.. I didn't know what I wanted. I thought I wanted to do field work and still do but that's super tough to get into, at least with specific species. I had a very specific species and that was a hindrance, however you can work around that and get to where you want to be. It just sometimes isn't as direct as one would hope.
General idea tho is: Define what you would like to do. What research areas interest you? Question driven or species driven is ok, just the latter is sometimes seen as not as good by some older professors. I ran into that problem a LOT early on. There are ways around that.
So, after you get some question/interest or whatnot that you wish to aim your career along, find the professors who do that research now. Shoot them an email. Introduce yourself, tell them your interest and that you are interested in being their student and why you think you'd be a good match in their research lab. Also showing you are serious and know what you're getting into is another thing. That is where previous papers and research experience helps. They want to know you're not going to bail when you find out all the insane politics of modern research and academia (if that's the route you're going).
Basically go from there. Most professors will reply. If they don't reply within a few weeks or so, ping them once more and then if they don't reply.. don't bug them via that method anymore. Meeting them at conferences that are in your field of interest is good as well but sometimes that's not a possibility.
That's the general idea tho. Once the professor likes you and wants you in his lab as his student, then getting into that school is easy, you're sponsored.
I hope that helps! Of course there are always mitigating and confounding factors that come into play. That's where I got into issues but I've found work arounds for most.
Good luck and feel free to ask me anything. I will clarify anything that was confusing to the best of my ability.
Glad I met you too! No worries, ask anything! I had ton of questions and never got many answers to start with...then I got rejected from all of the grad schools I applied to cause the way I went about it, with paper application only is not how you get into grad school unless you are head of your class and top % in the nation type smart. I was all As and Bs and wasn't good enough to go that route. There are easier routes that are much more effective. I just spoke with a professor at UC Berkeley who heads up a very big lab. She gave me some pointers on how to go about it. HOWEVER! This all depends on what you want to accomplish. First off tell me what your goals are and such.
For me.. I didn't know what I wanted. I thought I wanted to do field work and still do but that's super tough to get into, at least with specific species. I had a very specific species and that was a hindrance, however you can work around that and get to where you want to be. It just sometimes isn't as direct as one would hope.
General idea tho is: Define what you would like to do. What research areas interest you? Question driven or species driven is ok, just the latter is sometimes seen as not as good by some older professors. I ran into that problem a LOT early on. There are ways around that.
So, after you get some question/interest or whatnot that you wish to aim your career along, find the professors who do that research now. Shoot them an email. Introduce yourself, tell them your interest and that you are interested in being their student and why you think you'd be a good match in their research lab. Also showing you are serious and know what you're getting into is another thing. That is where previous papers and research experience helps. They want to know you're not going to bail when you find out all the insane politics of modern research and academia (if that's the route you're going).
Basically go from there. Most professors will reply. If they don't reply within a few weeks or so, ping them once more and then if they don't reply.. don't bug them via that method anymore. Meeting them at conferences that are in your field of interest is good as well but sometimes that's not a possibility.
That's the general idea tho. Once the professor likes you and wants you in his lab as his student, then getting into that school is easy, you're sponsored.
I hope that helps! Of course there are always mitigating and confounding factors that come into play. That's where I got into issues but I've found work arounds for most.
Good luck and feel free to ask me anything. I will clarify anything that was confusing to the best of my ability.
Oh god wow o.o thanks for all the help
I haven't even gone into college yet >.> Senior this year... I've just known what I've wanted to do since I could understand what an animal was.
Basically heres the idea as rough as I have it.
I want to go into zoology, and I want to END UP with my own TV show like Jeff Corwin and stuff had. I want to stay in the states, canada, and europe because of the safety hazzards going elsewhere. I want to specialize in animals people haven't really heard of before like the striped owl and cross fox and others, but ONLY for the show. Meanwhile for a degree I am good with ANY animal research.
So far in terms of classes I have/will be taking I've got the standard Biology, Anatomy/Physiology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, and AP Biology. I feel like I'm missing some. I've always lived with pets, and when at friends houses end up getting distracted by taking care of their pets as well. I volunteered at a Wildlife Rehabilitation center for half a year, and take care of ALL the pets in our school. I plan on getting a job at Petsmart as a pet associate this year.
I'm just unsure of what to do when it comes to college. Your tips are greatly appreciated though!
I haven't even gone into college yet >.> Senior this year... I've just known what I've wanted to do since I could understand what an animal was.
Basically heres the idea as rough as I have it.
I want to go into zoology, and I want to END UP with my own TV show like Jeff Corwin and stuff had. I want to stay in the states, canada, and europe because of the safety hazzards going elsewhere. I want to specialize in animals people haven't really heard of before like the striped owl and cross fox and others, but ONLY for the show. Meanwhile for a degree I am good with ANY animal research.
So far in terms of classes I have/will be taking I've got the standard Biology, Anatomy/Physiology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, and AP Biology. I feel like I'm missing some. I've always lived with pets, and when at friends houses end up getting distracted by taking care of their pets as well. I volunteered at a Wildlife Rehabilitation center for half a year, and take care of ALL the pets in our school. I plan on getting a job at Petsmart as a pet associate this year.
I'm just unsure of what to do when it comes to college. Your tips are greatly appreciated though!
As an undergrad you should volunteer to help out with as many research projects as you can. It doesn't matter what as long as it's somehow related to zoology or whatever animal research they happen to have. Prepping for experiments, cleaning up after and all the grunt labor will get you in good with the profs and show them you are interested and you'll get to see what it is like. As you progress and get to know all the professors you will find your way easy enough.
My tips were more for when you get out with your BS in Biology/Zoology or whatnot. As an undergrad if you can help out enough with a research paper to get your name attached that is downright golden for showing grad schools you are serious.
When I was an undergrad getting my BS in biology I tried to volunteer with any research I could be there was very little at my university, as a result I did not get any experience there. They did not tell me how to get into grad school however. I also took 5 years to get my degree because I was able to double major. In that time I ended up taking every animal behavior/zoology class offered at the university and I got special permission to take a graduate level class in animal behavior. Once the professors realize you are focused and sure of yourself, once you get the basics out of the way and tackle the hard classes they are usually open to let you pursue your research interests as far as you wish. Had I know I would have pushed to do a research project as an undergrad even but that kinda over the top eagerness requires professors that understand your desire and wish to facilitate it.
As for getting your own show..well.. all I can say is having a strong tv personality and being in the right place at the right time with some MAJOR inside leads helps a lot. I've met a few of the TV zoologists and 90% don't have a degree at ALL, some have a BS in something. Being successful and really knowledgeable in your local scene (herp club, giving talks at the rehab center, local zoo etc on what you are an expert in) is how you get a foot in the door.
Steve Irwin just had a HS degree. Most of the herp folks who have TV shows just have general biology degrees.
I gave my first lecture on hyenas as an undergrad because I met someone who was a docent and they knew i had read ever single paper ever written on hyenas and had a working knowledge of how all that esoteric stuff fit into larger ecological constructs. If I had branched out into large african carnivores in general I might have been able to do a bigger lecture tour and gone from there but who knows.
I'd try to take a lot of acting/drama classes and hopefully make contacts there to see if that could drive your TV gig.
In the employment world and getting things like TV chances it is ALL in who you know. Networking is key. I don't think they stress that enough in HS or college but WOW..you have no idea how powerful networking is. You don't have to be the leading expert in herps to get your own herp show as long as you have friends who can give you the hookup!
Hope that helps...two sort of related paths..which one would be the most successful who knows. I say feel it out as you go. Perhaps start out in doing short youtube educational shorts on things like what to do if you find an injured animal... fold in what you have around you with the basic animal behavior knowledge to give people useful info and a bit of an education to boot... can't hurt to try.
My tips were more for when you get out with your BS in Biology/Zoology or whatnot. As an undergrad if you can help out enough with a research paper to get your name attached that is downright golden for showing grad schools you are serious.
When I was an undergrad getting my BS in biology I tried to volunteer with any research I could be there was very little at my university, as a result I did not get any experience there. They did not tell me how to get into grad school however. I also took 5 years to get my degree because I was able to double major. In that time I ended up taking every animal behavior/zoology class offered at the university and I got special permission to take a graduate level class in animal behavior. Once the professors realize you are focused and sure of yourself, once you get the basics out of the way and tackle the hard classes they are usually open to let you pursue your research interests as far as you wish. Had I know I would have pushed to do a research project as an undergrad even but that kinda over the top eagerness requires professors that understand your desire and wish to facilitate it.
As for getting your own show..well.. all I can say is having a strong tv personality and being in the right place at the right time with some MAJOR inside leads helps a lot. I've met a few of the TV zoologists and 90% don't have a degree at ALL, some have a BS in something. Being successful and really knowledgeable in your local scene (herp club, giving talks at the rehab center, local zoo etc on what you are an expert in) is how you get a foot in the door.
Steve Irwin just had a HS degree. Most of the herp folks who have TV shows just have general biology degrees.
I gave my first lecture on hyenas as an undergrad because I met someone who was a docent and they knew i had read ever single paper ever written on hyenas and had a working knowledge of how all that esoteric stuff fit into larger ecological constructs. If I had branched out into large african carnivores in general I might have been able to do a bigger lecture tour and gone from there but who knows.
I'd try to take a lot of acting/drama classes and hopefully make contacts there to see if that could drive your TV gig.
In the employment world and getting things like TV chances it is ALL in who you know. Networking is key. I don't think they stress that enough in HS or college but WOW..you have no idea how powerful networking is. You don't have to be the leading expert in herps to get your own herp show as long as you have friends who can give you the hookup!
Hope that helps...two sort of related paths..which one would be the most successful who knows. I say feel it out as you go. Perhaps start out in doing short youtube educational shorts on things like what to do if you find an injured animal... fold in what you have around you with the basic animal behavior knowledge to give people useful info and a bit of an education to boot... can't hurt to try.
For a GREAT example on experts in their fields without higher degrees doing GREAT TV quality work check out Snake Bytes on youtube. That is the best webisode series on. He has a HUGE fan base. He would have gotten a TV deal but Animal Planet (heavily funded by HSUS) does not want to host anything positive on reptiles. Discovery either cause they own Animal Planet. So his only option was NatGeo but they've not said anything yet AFAIK.
HSUS which is NOT the local humane society. HSUS does nothing but lobbying work, no animal outreach. HSUS and PETA are trying to shut down the herp trade by tossing millions of dollars in lobbying efforts for things like the Lacey act inclusions and such. Sorry for the tangent!
HSUS which is NOT the local humane society. HSUS does nothing but lobbying work, no animal outreach. HSUS and PETA are trying to shut down the herp trade by tossing millions of dollars in lobbying efforts for things like the Lacey act inclusions and such. Sorry for the tangent!
Oh man I'm saving all these tips in an email folder o.o thank you so so much
I will definitely see what I can do with those professors and such, I already know one because she runs the Wildlife Rehabilitation center I worked at for a time, and she said she'd recommend me if I ever contacted her again for anything in my degree
I'll look up Snake Bytes, although its a shame that they wont fund something positive on reptiles :/ Seems theres a lot of politics in this that I wasn't even aware of.
I seriously hope NatGeo gets him though.
And no problem for the tangent I loved it, I'm just sorry I don't have more to write back in reply, its mostly just an absorption of information for me reading this
Thank you so much! Hell if I ever get big I'm definitely including you in the whole "people who helped me get to where I am now" <3
I will definitely see what I can do with those professors and such, I already know one because she runs the Wildlife Rehabilitation center I worked at for a time, and she said she'd recommend me if I ever contacted her again for anything in my degree
I'll look up Snake Bytes, although its a shame that they wont fund something positive on reptiles :/ Seems theres a lot of politics in this that I wasn't even aware of.
I seriously hope NatGeo gets him though.
And no problem for the tangent I loved it, I'm just sorry I don't have more to write back in reply, its mostly just an absorption of information for me reading this
Thank you so much! Hell if I ever get big I'm definitely including you in the whole "people who helped me get to where I am now" <3
You're welcome!
Yeah, the HSUS and PETA both fund a lot of political moves geared towards ending animal ownership. In trying to pass laws they have funded bunk research. As a researcher being approached to do research to further agendas does happen but it is rare. Not something to worry about.
Hope you like Snake Bytes. I find it pretty fun to watch.
If you ever have any more questions feel free to ask. They will come up as time goes on. Also take what I say with a healthy dose of skepticism as you should with all free advice ;) My path is different from the one you will take so as always, your experiences will vary. Good luck tho! I really do hope you can get a break and have your own show one day! I grew up on David Attenborough and Jacques Cousteau. They made me want to be a behaviorist. Through the power of the media you can accomplish great things and motivate millions!
Good luck!
Yeah, the HSUS and PETA both fund a lot of political moves geared towards ending animal ownership. In trying to pass laws they have funded bunk research. As a researcher being approached to do research to further agendas does happen but it is rare. Not something to worry about.
Hope you like Snake Bytes. I find it pretty fun to watch.
If you ever have any more questions feel free to ask. They will come up as time goes on. Also take what I say with a healthy dose of skepticism as you should with all free advice ;) My path is different from the one you will take so as always, your experiences will vary. Good luck tho! I really do hope you can get a break and have your own show one day! I grew up on David Attenborough and Jacques Cousteau. They made me want to be a behaviorist. Through the power of the media you can accomplish great things and motivate millions!
Good luck!
Interesting, I was also told that HSUS stopped some funding because they didn't want too many positive shows on wildlife for fear it would encourage people to go out and do things like, say, disrupt a black bear and her cubs. I suppose I'll get to all that when I get to it.
Snake Bytes is amazing o.o I definitely hope he gets the show
I will keep you in my contacts. Do you have a Linkdin profile perchance? Maybe I could add you and get some added "oomph" to my career? Its up to you of course.
I grew up on Steve Irwin, Jeff Corwin, some Scottish guy I forget the name of, Emergency Vet, and Animal Police. They all taught me I want to get up close with the wild animals, even if I might go into the hospital a few times. I mean of course I'll be careful, and I don't plan on disturbing them like Steve did, but it comes with the job I think. I just watched a documentary tonight on how most of China's wildlife hasn't even been video taped yet! Maybe I could work there for awhile.
Thank you so much again ^^
Snake Bytes is amazing o.o I definitely hope he gets the show
I will keep you in my contacts. Do you have a Linkdin profile perchance? Maybe I could add you and get some added "oomph" to my career? Its up to you of course.
I grew up on Steve Irwin, Jeff Corwin, some Scottish guy I forget the name of, Emergency Vet, and Animal Police. They all taught me I want to get up close with the wild animals, even if I might go into the hospital a few times. I mean of course I'll be careful, and I don't plan on disturbing them like Steve did, but it comes with the job I think. I just watched a documentary tonight on how most of China's wildlife hasn't even been video taped yet! Maybe I could work there for awhile.
Thank you so much again ^^
Yeah HSUS just has the same idea as PETA, no one should own an animal period. Personally I think they are more money making machines than anything. Just a bummer when folks donate to HSUS they think they are helping their local Humane Society which nothing could be further from the truth.
Yeah, he is great fun to watch! Personality is a HUGE key to if a wildlife show will go or not. I mean think about /why/ you liked the shows you did? The ones that do well give a little knowledge and have a lot of personality from the host.
I do have a linked in but I don't use it. Hit me up over a private note for it.
Yeah, nothing is safe, life is not safe. I'd not worry about it too much and if doing what you love does end up costing you your life, well I can think of no better way I'd rather die than doing something I loved with every fiber of my being. Sad to pass on 'sooner' than expected but still.. gotta go sometime.
Yeah, China is a great place to go get new species filmed. Go places folks don't... Vietnamese jungles, South America etc. Listen to the locals and see what is out there. We NEED more good shows like Cousteau and Attenborough! I mean there are STILL places in Africa that animals have never seen people. That just blows my mind.
You're welcome again :)
Yeah, he is great fun to watch! Personality is a HUGE key to if a wildlife show will go or not. I mean think about /why/ you liked the shows you did? The ones that do well give a little knowledge and have a lot of personality from the host.
I do have a linked in but I don't use it. Hit me up over a private note for it.
Yeah, nothing is safe, life is not safe. I'd not worry about it too much and if doing what you love does end up costing you your life, well I can think of no better way I'd rather die than doing something I loved with every fiber of my being. Sad to pass on 'sooner' than expected but still.. gotta go sometime.
Yeah, China is a great place to go get new species filmed. Go places folks don't... Vietnamese jungles, South America etc. Listen to the locals and see what is out there. We NEED more good shows like Cousteau and Attenborough! I mean there are STILL places in Africa that animals have never seen people. That just blows my mind.
You're welcome again :)
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