Since I'm studying Ecology, you would think that I do tons of field work. I don't, so when my Entomology class when to a nature preserve to collect bugs, I was out of my natural environment. The tall grass, the crisp, clean air, the mud in between the treads of my shoes; I've lived in the city all of my life and you don't get this stuff here. The closely I get to nature on a daily bases is the squirrels that look at me outside my window.
At first, I was a bit awkward. I trudged around in the grass looking for insects, while the pros ran around, catching dragonflies and damselflies. It wasn't until I caught a grasshopper that I became more excited. It was sitting on a blade of grass. Immediately, I grabbed it in my hand. The grasshopper was kicking and chirping and so alive. I felt such a thrill, throwing it into my kill jar. And the best thing was it was the first out of many. I caught some metallic beetles, yellow and black lady bugs, shield beetles, earwigs, butterflies, ants, a wasp, bees, mosquitoes and a praying mantis.
I think I like field work now.
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