The ROM Field Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles of Ontario| Main | Archives | Aug 2006 → |
July 2006 Archives
So You Want to Be a Herpetologist
Posted by Jeff Hathaway on July 28, 2006 at 2:50 PM
We get asked a lot about careers involving reptiles! Kids often want to know how to become a herpetologist, which is a person who studies reptiles and amphibians. It isn't easy! The first advice we'd have to offer is to stay in school, study hard, and get good grades! Jobs in this field require post-secondary education, generally at the university level, though some college programs can also be a good choice. High school courses in sciences and maths are typically required for entry in these programs, and often there is competition for limited spaces, so reasonably high marks are necessary to get accepted into a program. This doesn't mean you have to be a genius- hard work can take you a long way!
Spruce Woods Provincial Park and the Spirit Sands
Posted by Jeff Hathaway on July 28, 2006 at 2:36 PM
We've been operating out of Spruce Woods for the last couple of days, doing programs at local public libraries. This region is one of our major target areas, since it is home to two very cool reptiles, the northern prairie skink and the western hognose snake. Hognose snakes are also found farther west, in Saskatchewan and Alberta (and the eastern hognose snake is found in Ontario, too). The prairie skink, however, is only found around here, in the sandy area known as the Carberry Sand Hills.
Introducing Bertha
Posted by Jeff Hathaway on July 24, 2006 at 5:58 PM
You get to hear some interesting exclamations when you drive around with big signs about snakes on your vehicle! The van does get funny looks from some people, but lots of compliments as well. So, we thought we'd tell you about her! Now, we don't normally name our vehicles. We've had a succession over the years, many of them fondly remembered despite the lack of personal titles. But late in 2000, we retired our second Nissan Multi and bought a used Suzuki Sidekick (the 4 door version, even we couldn't manage to pack a reptile display into the 2 door). The Suzuki came with the appropriate name Suzy from her previous owners. Within a month, we also bought this van, a 1988 Dodge B3500 12 passenger van. Quite the beast! The B certainly could stand for 'BIG', so we decided to call it Big Bertha, which quickly got shortened to just 'Bertha'.
A Brief History of Reptiles at Risk on the Road
Posted by Jeff Hathaway on July 24, 2006 at 5:44 PM
In the summer of 2004, Dan Hoops and I toured northwestern Ontario, spending 11 days on the road doing provincial parks, public libraries, etc. While at Rushing River and Blue Lake parks, we met quite a few people vacationing from Manitoba, and many of them asked us when we'd be doing programs near their hometowns. During the long drive back home, we started formulating a plan to go farther west, theoretically all the way out
to the west coast! It's interesting, the things one comes up with during long drives home!
Gray Wolf
Posted by Jeff Hathaway on July 21, 2006 at 5:30 PM
We're westbound on Hwy. 17, near Nipigon. Today is a day off for us! No shows, that is, but still lots of driving and admin stuff to do. However we planned to stop and fish for brook trout along the way.
Reflections Along the North Shore
Posted by Jeff Hathaway on July 21, 2006 at 5:26 PM
Last night before the program, Megan and I were sitting on the waterfront deck outside the Pukaskwa Visitor's Centre. I was thinking about the canoe trip that Stu Saunders, Glen Doyle, Trish Dingle, and I did up here in 1994.
Superior Rocks
Posted by Jeff Hathaway on July 20, 2006 at 12:11 PM
We're still in the Marathon area, at Pukaskwa National Park. We awoke this morning to the cries of a family merlins wheeling overhead, and headed off to do a morning radio show on CFNO, which went well. The host, Al Cresswell, was nervous about the snakes, but he did try holding both the black rat snake and the bullsnake, the two largest Canadian species. Go big or go home, as they say...
Morning in Marathon
Posted by Jeff Hathaway on July 19, 2006 at 11:33 AM
Crystal and Megan here, updating you all while Jeff is chatting on the phone (nothing out of the ordinary there!). We had a wonderful show in White Lake Provincial Park, with very helpful staff. The stay wasn't complete without a couple of hours of canoeing and pike fishing on Deer Lake.
Some Stormy Teamwork
Posted by Jeff Hathaway on July 18, 2006 at 11:14 AM
Monday morning was not destined to be the beautiful send off that we imagined. We awoke to a dark sky, with thunder in the distance.
Weekend Update: Part Two
Posted by Jeff Hathaway on July 16, 2006 at 11:06 AM
A mid-day start put us in Timmins with time to do a little shopping. Sunday was a big day, as Jenny and Crystal were set to meet us in the afternoon at Kettle Lakes Provincial Park. So we picked up some food to create a nice dinner for everyone.
Weekend Update: Part One
Posted by Jeff Hathaway on July 15, 2006 at 10:53 AM
So we headed north on friday night from Sudbury on Highway 144, destination: Ivanhoe Lake Provincial Park near Foleyet. We stopped for a picture, of course, at the Arctic Watershed sign. Somewhere north of that we were pulled over by the OPP, which was a little suprising since we were just barely over the speed limit at the most. The officer was very friendly and informed us that our trailer lights weren't working. Now this was definately a suprise since they were working before, and althogh one bulb could burn out they wouldnt all go at the same time.
Last Day in Sudbury
Posted by Jeff Hathaway on July 14, 2006 at 2:49 PM
It's been a great week here in Sudbury, but now we have to head out on the road. By tonight, we'll really get up into northern Ontario and cross into the Arctic watershed on our way to Ivanhoe Lake Provincial Park near Foleyet.
Day 4 in Sudbury
Posted by Jeff Hathaway on July 13, 2006 at 6:56 PM
Things are going well; we have one day left in Sudbury before heading up to the Timmins area. The shows here have been great; Graham, Megan and Amanda are doing very well, and are actually doing a program without me right now so that I can catch up on our blog entries and some administrative stuff. Lots to keep up with!
We're on the Road!
Posted by Jeff Hathaway on July 11, 2006 at 6:07 PM
We're back in Sudbury! This is Day 2 of 5 days here doing programs at the Sudbury public libraries. I meant to get another post up on the weekend, but we had way too much to do to get ready to go, since this is only the first week of 7 for me to be on the road! From here, we go to Foleyet and Timmins, and then out towards Lake Superior. After that, we'll head out to northwestern Ontario, and on to Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Hopefully I'll be able to put frequent updates on the site!
3 Days until Departure!
Posted by Jeff Hathaway on July 6, 2006 at 5:31 PM
Nice to see the progress on the new website! Lots of other things on the go as we gear up to leave for northern Ontario on July 9th, which also just happens to be my 36th birthday! We'll be in Sudbury for a week, and then roaming across northern Ontario until we reach the Manitoba border on July 24th.