The search continues...

Last week I worked with the 2 USGS otter biologists, Robert and Carolyn, in the continuing, but nearly completed, inventory of potential otter latrines and snare sites. Carolyn and I hiked down the Lake Mills trail on the east side of the Elwha with the lead of a potential latrine site. Unfortunately we found no signs, but the ticks found me - 2 of the little bastards were on the attack, but luckily I discovered their trespassing before they really dug in...yum. The day continued with a lot of river searching with little luck, but I did discover some stellar swimming holes and good jumping spots (definitely on the agenda for this summer...or sooner). Robert and Carolyn expect to have this initial inventory done soon and then we'll begin to check every snare site on a weekly basis, collecting hair follicles and sending them in for DNA analysis. The weather's been awesome, and I'm loving my time spent outside~