End of Field Season

Just as quickly as it arrived, the field season is over.

Six months ago, I was planning what to do with the summer. I was not sure what I would be doing this field season. My program is highly interdisciplinary and thus there is no one-way to complete the program (more on this later). My background in ecology has engrained in me a preconceived notion that the “summer season” is the field season. So, naturally, I decided to spend the summer in the field.

This isn’t as nonchalant as it sounds – it was a big decision to commit my summer to field work. Do I love it? Of course. It is sometimes more difficult than working a job in an office? Absolutely. Field work has its drawbacks. Shocking – I know, especially to the people who think I just run around chasing bees and butterflies all day. Well…this might be partially true, but it’s not always easy!

Some mornings I would rather wake up in a bed, not on the ground, dry, not damp or soaking wet, and to the friendly faces of my partner and cat, not alone. On the other hand, there is nothing like sleeping in a tent, falling asleep under the stars, breathing in the crisp air. In the mornings, sometimes no alarm in necessary, for the birds make sure you know that the sun has begun to rise.

Later on, throughout the day, field work will throw many things at you. You might miss a boat that was supposed to bring you to a field site (by ten minutes might I add). You might spend hours driving to a field site only to find that it has none of what you are looking for, and a lot of everything you’re not. You might find a tick on your scalp, cheek, or neck after waking being in the bush. You might have to hike 20 kilometers, because a short-cut turned out not to be so short.

What one may also encounter during the day is the sighting of a rare species, declining throughout its range. One may also find themselves witnessing the dynamics of the forest first-hand. One may also find that after hiking straight up a mountain – ok, so it was a hill – that the view from the top is more beautiful than could have been expected.

Field work is a unique part of our work as biologists. We all have different challenges and limitations in our lives, yet we always seem to relate in the field. Working together in the field can bring us closer together, as we double check that everyone brought their water bottle, bug spray, or sunscreen. We make sure everyone is doing okay, eating enough, and waking up on time. Our job is unique. It is one that is incredibly challenging, but also grossly rewarding.

It seems every year that just as quickly as the season arrives, it is over.