About Me

My photo
Native Californian, biologist, wildlife conservation consultant, retired Smithsonian scientist, father of two daughters, grandfather of 4 small primates. INTJ. Believes nature is infinitely more interesting than shopping malls. Born 100 years too late.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Struck out






Last week was a no-show. Three cams, no pictures.

The hollow canyon live oak was my biggest disappointment.

I was about to leap squirrel-like into its mossy arms when I noticed my camera lying there face down at my feet.

Apparently something dislodged it to reach a dab of castoreum, and it tumbled down through the hollow trunk. 

What to do?

Defer further attempts at a cavity set.

I set the camera away from the tree to see what manner of beast caused the disturbance.

Plan B will depend on the critter. 

7 comments:

Trailblazer said...

Bummer, Codge!

Nothing worse than when a set your excited about yields nothing!

Camera Trap Codger said...

It was disappointing, but not enough to sing the blues.

JK said...

Make like a Drosophila and have a beer.

Camera Trap Codger said...

Good advice, mein Junge. That's exactly what I did.

biobabbler said...

I appreciate the fact that you posted when you got a zero.

Just so people see that this happens, even if it doesn't make it into the headlines, often. MOST the time I'm checking buckets for salamanders, say 400 buckets in a morning (the gang & I), we get NONE. But do I post that? Oh, no. I post the ONE salamander we get after a week of 400 bucket days. =)

THIS is why people think wildlife work is glamorous.

It CAN be v. cool, but zeros are quite common. =)

I'm excited to see if you learn who the camera flinger might have been.

Camera Trap Codger said...

Right on , BB -- only a few know what we go through.

Oilman said...

I have many days with no results ,and know well how frustrating it can be. Keep plugging away!WW