With my first week at Capulin in the books, I have a pretty good idea of how I’m going to be spending the summer. For the past few years, people in my position have worked hard to create a pollen identification guide for the local...
Hello! Welcome to the Xavier Rivera edition of the Capulin Volcano National Monument blog. It will be hosted by yours truly, Xavier Rivera. As I write this post, I have arrived at my yurt in Capulin after three-ish long days on the road. I am...
This summer has flown by, just as I knew it would. This is my last full week at Capulin Volcano National Monument, before heading to Denver for our Mosaics in Science workshop in Lakewood, Colorado. While I am sad that my internship is quickly coming...
[caption id="attachment_8107" align="alignright" width="225"] Redwhisker clammyweed[/caption] The weather here at Capulin Volcano National Monument is much different than what I usually experience in coastal California. California's Mediterranean climate means cool wet winters and hot dry summers. Here at Capulin we tend to have hot, sometimes humid...
This week we had a special event at Capulin Volcano National Monument, BioBlitz 2018! Our BioBlitz is a yearly event where we invite the public to take part in several fun and educational activities not offered year round. A big part of a BioBlitz is...
[caption id="attachment_7725" align="alignleft" width="300"] Hummingbird enjoying a sweet treat at the feeder.[/caption] Here at Capulin Volcano we continue to monitor our migratory hummingbird species. So far we have only captured broad-tailed and black-chinned hummingbirds, but the rufous and calliope hummingbirds should be joining us shortly! Our...
Capulin Volcano National Monument (CAVO) is of course known for its nearly intact cinder cone volcano, but that’s not all that makes this park so special! CAVO is on the migratory path of four species of hummingbirds that visit us from every summer: calliope, broad-tailed,...
Last week the resource team went on an adventure to Washita Battlefield National Historic Site in Cheyenne, Oklahoma. The drive from Capulin Volcano National Monument took approximately five hours, and we camped in Oklahoma for three days. The purpose of the trip was to help...
I spent most of this week in park wide training for first season park service staff but at the end of the week I led a hike on the Chilkoot Trail with the goal to reach several sample sites. When I was not in training...
Working in a National Park doesn’t always mean working outdoors! That was the case for me last week, as much of my time was spent at a computer. The great thing about living at a park however, is that you’re just steps away from trails...