2020
This year, my life course drastically altered. I was seventeen, unsure about any careers I wanted to pursue. I had always loved the outdoors and had been photographing wildlife for about six years. It was June, and my mom and I were exploring northeastern Oregon, searching for wildlife, when I read about a burrowing owl conservation project. I did a little more digging and found this wonderful documentary on the project by the Oregon Field Guide. Interested in volunteering, I sent a shot-in-the-dark email to the project director asking if I could help. I was met shortly after with a YES! I arrived at the project site and met the director, David H. Johnson, and his current intern, Julia Mello. Little did I know how much of an impact they would have on my life.
The very first burrowing owl I held.
DJ and I working on the finishing touches (front patios) for two newly installed burrows.
DJ and I posing with the new burrow site.
A clutch of 2-3 day-old nestlings.
Myself with a juvenile BUOW.
My friend Izzy (left), DJ (middle), and Julia (right) working on capturing and banding a clutch of American kestrel nestlings.
Us posing for a photo with them. They were some stinky birds! From left to right: Izzy, Julia, me, and DJ.
Me with a juvenile AMKE.
Izzy and I with two juvenile AMKE.
Myself with a juvenile barn owl.
Myslef with a juvenile BUOW.
Izzy, Julia, and I holding baby burrowing owls.