2018 can see some projects now that photos don't have to go to waste and can be taken without worry about storage. I'll take a blanket approach to posting just to see what is out there however specific focuses can be looked into.

1 - roadkill recording and placement

2 - invasive/non-native species

3 - fish surveys

4 - spring flower placement

Hi. This may be a touchy subject (even sticky if you will pardon the pun) but I want to make a post on this subject. I will be posting pictures of animals in general (insects, arachnids, mammals, ect.) that I come across that are stuck on "sticky/glue" traps. I understand that such implements may be offensive or deemed "abusive" by some people however they are a series of products available on the market and have to be viewed with open understanding. It is not my job (or right) to judge a person or business for using a legal product in it's intended function even if there are casualties that result. (That being said I do NOT agree or support the use of these products to intentionally go out and trap wildlife, etc. Any illegal use of these products (ESPECIALLY in parks or wildlife areas) should be viewed as inappropriate/unacceptable and legal action by authorities then allowed.)
These traps whenever used by others have been a source of focus by me for years since even a "clean" basement may have unknown wonders pop up on these traps. Although I do not recommend these for intentionally catching wildlife there is a unique opportunity I will try to show with this database now available to put such photos on. I apologize in advance if this may offend anyone however the full loss would be to ignore the beauty wherever possible.
So much unseen life occurs "behind the scenes" and is normally impossible to witness let alone note and photograph. I find it amazing when things appear on such "sticky" traps and there is no indication that there ever was those things in the area. So if I post pictures showing what is on such a trap it is not to offend or upset. I want others to realize that in an area such as a town, house, basement, etc. there can be so much life worth noticing that it is possible to then remove the traps for a night and walk around with a flashlight to see them alive and moving through.
I will not be intentionally and have never intentionally set these traps in order to just "kill". I find that if these traps are used for mice (for example) then the mice can easily be removed from the trap by using olive oil/ canola oil and released outside. Even spiders, insects, snakes, ect. can be removed carefully from the traps if time is taken. There are videos on removing animals from such traps on YouTube and I recommend watching a few for reference.
Thank you for your time reading this. I hope you have a wonderful day.

I had previously caught a few Round Gobies at this location back in 2009. Unfortunately the information turned over on them did not get posted to the USGS website and therefore there is no direct posting for these collections. I wanted to be able to show that this species is unfortunately at this location and I will try to show distribution and density if possible.
When photographing it is best to try and get the profile and then the underside to get the "eye spot" and the pelvic disk. I will try to include at least 3 photos showing these characteristics and then a photo showing location and/or relation to one another for the visit (group photo). A photo showing the number of individuals as they add up at a location for a visit can really help to show the density in my opinion. I do apologize if size is not fully illustrated but I will try to use a ruler if applicable.
When trying to catch Round Goby at this location it is best to look for the rocks and logs along the shore especially around the rail bridge. Use a standard hook in order to "pre-catch" any sunfish or natives and in order to try and avoid those fish "swallowing" the smaller hooks. Use a piece of worm and try to go as small as possible. Size 10 or smaller hooks are necessary in order to get the smaller gobies. The gobies have a very bad tendency to "strip" a hook of bait and so the smaller hooks can be eaten by them. The gobies also have a very bad tendency to pull the hook and line under the surrounding structure. The hook when pulled can then get caught on the rock, etc. that the goby is hiding under and the fish tends to get away. Do not be surprised if it takes multiple attempts and try to "bob" the hook gently up and down to get their attention. I do however find that gobies eat throughout the water column including the surface at time.
RG

I had previously caught many Round Gobies at this location back in 2009. Unfortunately the information turned over on them did not get posted to the USGS website and therefore there is no direct posting for these collections. I wanted to be able to show that this species is unfortunately at this location worse than advised and I will try to show distribution and density if possible.
When photographing it is best to try and get the profile and then the underside to get the "eye spot" and the pelvic disk. I will try to include at least 3 photos showing these characteristics and then a photo showing location and/or relation to one another for the visit (group photo). A photo showing the number of individuals as they add up at a location for a visit can really help to show the density in my opinion. I do apologize if size is not fully illustrated but I will try to use a ruler if applicable.
When trying to catch Round Goby at this location it is best to look for the rocks and logs along the shore especially around the road bridge and docks. Use a standard hook in order to "pre-catch" any sunfish or natives and in order to try and avoid those fish "swallowing" the smaller hooks. Use a piece of worm and try to go as small as possible. Size 10 or smaller hooks are necessary in order to get the smaller gobies. The gobies have a very bad tendency to "strip" a hook of bait and so the smaller hooks can be eaten by them. The gobies also have a very bad tendency to pull the hook and line under the surrounding structure. The hook when pulled can then get caught on the rock, etc. that the goby is hiding under and the fish tends to get away. Do not be surprised if it takes multiple attempts and try to "bob" the hook gently up and down to get their attention. I do however find that gobies eat throughout the water column including the surface at times.
This area I consider to be the worst infestation I have found as of 2009.
RG

I had previously caught a few Round Gobies at this location back in 2009. Unfortunately the information turned over on them did not get posted to the USGS website and therefore there is no direct posting for these collections. I wanted to be able to show that this species is unfortunately at this location and I will try to show distribution and density if possible. There is some potential to dig up these fish at this location due to the shoreline length and people visiting should not be targeting this species directly.
When photographing it is best to try and get the profile and then the underside to get the "eye spot" and the pelvic disk. I will try to include at least 3 photos showing these characteristics and then a photo showing location and/or relation to one another for the visit (group photo). A photo showing the number of individuals as they add up at a location for a visit can really help to show the density in my opinion. I do apologize if size is not fully illustrated but I will try to use a ruler if applicable.
When trying to catch Round Goby at this location it is best to look for the rocks and logs along the shore. Use a standard hook in order to "pre-catch" any sunfish or natives and in order to try and avoid those fish "swallowing" the smaller hooks. Use a piece of worm and try to go as small as possible. Size 10 or smaller hooks are necessary in order to get the smaller gobies. The gobies have a very bad tendency to "strip" a hook of bait and so the smaller hooks can be eaten by them. The gobies also have a very bad tendency to pull the hook and line under the surrounding structure. The hook when pulled can then get caught on the rock, etc. that the goby is hiding under and the fish tends to get away. Do not be surprised if it takes multiple attempts and try to "bob" the hook gently up and down to get their attention. I do however find that gobies eat throughout the water column including the surface at time.
RG

I had not previously caught Round Gobies at this location so I am trying here for 2018. I wanted to be able to show that this species has the potential to be at this location and I will try to show distribution and density if possible.
When photographing it is best to try and get the profile and then the underside to get the "eye spot" and the pelvic disk. I will try to include at least 3 photos showing these characteristics and then a photo showing location and/or relation to one another for the visit (group photo). A photo showing the number of individuals as they add up at a location for a visit can really help to show the density in my opinion. I do apologize if size is not fully illustrated but I will try to use a ruler if applicable.
When trying to catch Round Goby at this location it is best to look for the rocks and logs along the shore especially around the rail bridge. Use a standard hook in order to "pre-catch" any sunfish or natives and in order to try and avoid those fish "swallowing" the smaller hooks. Use a piece of worm and try to go as small as possible. Size 10 or smaller hooks are necessary in order to get the smaller gobies. The gobies have a very bad tendency to "strip" a hook of bait and so the smaller hooks can be eaten by them. The gobies also have a very bad tendency to pull the hook and line under the surrounding structure. The hook when pulled can then get caught on the rock, etc. that the goby is hiding under and the fish tends to get away. Do not be surprised if it takes multiple attempts and try to "bob" the hook gently up and down to get their attention. I do however find that gobies eat throughout the water column including the surface at time.

I had previously caught a few Round Gobies at this location back in 2009. Unfortunately the information turned over on them did not get posted to the USGS website and therefore there is no direct posting for these collections. I wanted to be able to show that this species is unfortunately at this location and I will try to show distribution and density if possible.
When photographing it is best to try and get the profile and then the underside to get the "eye spot" and the pelvic disk. I will try to include at least 3 photos showing these characteristics and then a photo showing location and/or relation to one another for the visit (group photo). A photo showing the number of individuals as they add up at a location for a visit can really help to show the density in my opinion. I do apologize if size is not fully illustrated but I will try to use a ruler if applicable.
When trying to catch Round Goby at this location it is best to look for the rocks and logs along the shore especially around the spillway and bridges although throughout the area could yield a fish. Use a standard hook in order to "pre-catch" any sunfish or natives and in order to try and avoid those fish "swallowing" the smaller hooks. Use a piece of worm and try to go as small as possible. Size 10 or smaller hooks are necessary in order to get the smaller gobies. The gobies have a very bad tendency to "strip" a hook of bait and so the smaller hooks can be eaten by them. The gobies also have a very bad tendency to pull the hook and line under the surrounding structure. The hook when pulled can then get caught on the rock, etc. that the goby is hiding under and the fish tends to get away. Do not be surprised if it takes multiple attempts and try to "bob" the hook gently up and down to get their attention. I do however find that gobies eat throughout the water column including the surface at time.
There does seem to be a good native population so catching them is sometimes necessary to get to the gobies. Feel free to retry areas and go over the same spot many times in order to catch the fish there. It is nice to be able to note all fish and include pictures.
RG