We Chicks have had to do a lot of things that seemed okay on paper, iffy in the truck, and then darned scary when we got there. It’s not unusual to hear nervous laughter on occasion. Somehow, though, by the middle part of the task at hand we seem to find the beauty or wonder in it and we forget – totally – that we were terrified.
That’s the case every time at some sites. One, in particular, on a confidential site, is a “wetland” of epic depth. It is typically a nice day and we are headed there to do the monitoring of the vegetation. You see, we want our clients to succeed and it’s our job to go out and see what’s doing well and what’s not working. Then, we make recommendations based on what we see.
Nuphar lutea
This “wetland” (which is, in reality, a small lake) is rather deep for a wetland. I would say that it comes up to my chest and I am 5’8”. Our job is to walk the transects (lines across the “wetland”) and list tree heights and such and take a look at what plants are thriving.
Now, the water is fairly clear. The bottom is sandy. It’s easy to see the bottom once the organics settle. BUT – and this is a big BUT….there is a lot of floating vegetation and the presence of alligators is a definite!
Something happens….something odd. When you enter the water at first, there is almost always snickering of the nervous type. Somewhere in the middle of the “wetland”, when the water is about thigh high, you get nervous and wait up for the other person. Then, the magic happens.
You notice the nuphar or floating lilies, the minnows, and the cool twirly tendrils of the plants in the clear water. You see that some of the little trees are doing better than last time. You start to relax. You start to think how pretty the water is. You wonder if you can see under water because it’s so pretty.
You forget…you are no longer threatened by the unknown but you are impassioned by the known. You are engaged. You are fully immersed in the watery world and all that live in it. You are no longer afraid.
The Wetland
That’s when I know I am doing what I love – how do you know? I want to hear.
Uh… alligators? They have teeth, right? What happens when you meet one?
LikeLike
They have been fairly small so far so you just keep on moving….they usually just take a quick peek and then move on.
LikeLike
Almost every time I go to the field I feel that I’m in the right place but lately, during a routine weekly monitory to a new dam that is located to the south of “El Yunque” rainforest. It is a beautiful place about one hour drive from the office (in an island like Puerto Rico is kind of far). Every time I’m there all the struggles of the job just vanish (god I love my job!)
LikeLike
Let me know when you need a guest assistant from Florida!
LikeLike
I’ll keep you posted!
LikeLike
You are far braver than I, and that makes me all the more grateful that you do what you do. I thank you most sincerely.
LikeLike
You might surprise yourself and zone in to the wonder!!
LikeLike
ha. i have been in this exact situation. EXCEPT when i was about waste high the water around my coworker and me started moving… let me tell you those nervous giggles turned to girly screams really quick! Once we calmed down and looked, we realized we weren’t going to get eaten by alligators but that the movement was from tilapia… i was still extremely freaked out as i had to continue monitoring that lake of a wetland!
LikeLike
Well said. My coworker and I call it Pond Therapy, where the charm of walking through a crystal clear wetland makes all the anxieties in life seem a little farther away. Well, sometimes there is that one small anxiety about whoever else might be in the water with me, but the wetlands we restore are only about 18″ deep, so I like to think I can see what’s coming at me from a long way away.
LikeLike
Dear Chicks,
I enjoy your site and love your mission! I have been a professor of wildlife biology for 11 years and have had the pleasure of advising graduate and undergraduate student field research. As a male, I freely admit that some of my toughest, most hard-working students were and are women. I don’t have room to tell you half the tails of strength, fearlessness, and endurance but I will argue with my last breath that there is no difference whatever between men and women in the outdoors. Quite the contrary, women are often more open to learning then men, largely because some men act macho and have a “I already know this” attitude that keeps them from participating fully in certain learning situations.
Keep up the good work! I will follow your blog. P.S. I grew up in Florida and enjoyed reading about my home state in the “Wetland”.
Sincerely,
Ray Matlack
LikeLike
Ray,
We are pleased that you follow the blog. It isn’t necessarily written solely for women, but we do seek to empower more women to enjoy outdoor activities and explore adventurous places. In our experience, there are still too many young girls and women who aren’t aware that it’s okay to be muddy, sweaty, and full of wonder….
Please consider writing one of your favorite stories for us to post for all to read and enjoy. You never know who you will inspire or empower!! 300-800 words and a photo or three if you like. We thank you for your support!
Jacqueline S. Levine
LikeLike
These photos look very similar to the Black Run Preserve photos I have and have hiked recently. Wetlands are a very important ecosystem. Love your attitude and fearlessness!
LikeLike