1-15-15 Field Study

     Today I began my field research. I drove down to a farm near Pleasantville just as the sun's first rays began to creep over the eastern horizon. Today was the first warm day of a long warm front here in Iowa. Often times larger mammals such as deer and turkey do not need to search for food in weather like this, which may account for why I did not see any of those species. I found myself situated between a few different types of habitat: a bean field, a brushy hillside, and a stand of timber. As the sun continued to rise numerous species of songbirds began to sing their various tunes. Five or six squirrels were quite active climbing trees, chasing each other, and basking in the sun's warmth. At one point a pair of these squirrels went screaming up a tree barking at each other, as they met they rushed each other, and like in a cartoon, they turned into a two-headed ball of fury. After a few moments the loser of the two males flew down the tree and left his rival to reign over this prime habitat. A few inches of snow still remained on the ground and the tracks of rabbits, deer, mice, and more could be found. Evidence that these animals all survived the sub-zero temperatures of the previous week.  Crows could often be heard in distance, once flying directly over head. These migratory birds seem to do nothing but yell at each other, but like any other animal in an ecosystem they provide an important piece of the environmental puzzle. After the first day in the field and witnessing animal interactions, I know I will begin to see a bigger picture evolve in the relationships of wildlife.