Labour Day weekend at YYC

Oh labour day weekend.  It's that last weekend of camping you can fit into your summer before fall sets in.  It's that last little hope that summer isn't quite gone....  Well for me, I got to miss out on that weekend because I'm working.  Yay for me :(

There are some nice perks about working this weekend though...  Like today, we saw a couple of Swainson's Hawks along one of the haul roads.  

And I though I'd share a couple of pictures of the action going on here...  I used to feel terrified of walking around these machines... but now it feels normal.  As for my job, I just drive around all day making sure that all environmental protocols are followed and resolve any situations that may occur.

It's not a bad job for the weekend, but I can't wait to get back to writing my reports on results that I found personally... It's far more gratifying when you see reports going off to clients.  It's a finished product.  All I need now is a finished master's... 

In memory of Tiki Lucas, my beloved pet cat and family member

This post is to honor the passing of my dearest cat, Tiki Lucas.  We also called her Mimi or Meez, or MiMeez.
We will always love you.  You were the best cat in the world and I'm sad to see you go.  You were my best friend and I want you to know that I felt terrible leaving you behind when I went to university in Waterloo, but Ottawa was better for you anyways.  It broke my heart to leave you behind, and I'm sorry it broke yours too.  I'm sorry that I couldn't be there when you had to go but I'm glad that mom and dad were there for you.  I want you to know that you were always on my mind.  I miss you.
- Your long lost friend.

 Tiki Lucas, 1997-2011

Forest Fires in Northern Alberta

Many of you have likely heard of the wildfires that destroyed half of Slave Lake, AB...

The town of Slave Lake is located just at the bottom right hand corner of Lesser Slave Lake (Source: NASA)

But you might not have heard about the out of control fire north of Lesser Slave Lake near Utikuma Lake.  Over 30,000 hectares have been burned already and that includes the area where our research camp used to be.  You can see the fire I'm talking about in the photograph above, which is the largest and centre-most fire.

Link to the most up-to-date map of active fires in the province of Alberta

Unfortunately, we have lost some equipment as well as our shelter at camp.  As of right now, I have no idea if my research site at Pond 40 (about 20km west of camp) is intact or has burned to the ground.  If the fire has gone through our site, then a decade worth of research has gone into the history books.  Unfortunately, we've run out of funding for this research... However, since the site was so well studied, it would be great for the next generations of students to go out there and see how differently the site behaves after a fire than a harvesting event.  It would be kind of epic.  But alas, no money=no research.

As for now, I'm wrapping up my thesis on a study site that may or may not exist anymore, which makes me kind of sad.  After all, it was my home for two whole summers.

My friends from Slave Lake are in shelters scattered across the province and no one knows when they'll be able to go back home.  Slave Lake was a beautiful town and it can be once again with your help.  Please help by donating to the Canadian Red Cross.  Thanks.

 Slave Lake Relief - Canadian Red Cross

Global News Edmonton Footage of the Aftermath