Dmmetler Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 The group picture from JMIH is out. DD is pretty visible (not going to link it as an image, given the recent problems, so if you want to see it, you'll have to click on it). DD's mentor figures that when she gives the Plenary address in about 50 years or so, she can use it as her focusing slide :) http://www.dce.k-state.edu/conf/jointmeeting/images/JMIH2014_groupshot.jpg We're also heading out tomorrow for a regional conference-she's got her conference bag, her wardrobe of reptile and amphibian themed attire, her field study backpack and three stuffed snakes, a frog, and an axolotl packed. She'll get to do a couple of days of conference sessions, a behind the scenes research tour of a zoo, and participate in a bio-blitz (trying to classify as many species as possible in a general area) at a national reserve. This will be the first event she's done without her official mentor present, but she was invited to participate by one of the faculty members at the hosting university this summer. She's also excited because it's hosted by a Baptist college-which means that the social events are alcohol free, so she can participate in them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 Super-cute pic! Hope she has fun at the regional conference :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maize Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 Love it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acurtis75 Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 She was pretty easy to spot :lol: Very cute. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urthmama Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 that is awesome!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrunchyGirl Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 Love it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Runningmom80 Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 Ha! Love it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clemota Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 Awesome - love her choice of snakewear! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 Adorable! The snake accessories are a cute addition. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gil Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 I'm glad that she had fun. But I have to ask--is that an actual picture or did they photo-shop (some or) all of the attendants in to it? Several people don't seem like that are really in the photo to me or the boys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wetong Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 :drool: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ninanoo Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 That is so awesome! I would love love love to hear about how she got started in all of this. It sounds like a lot of what she does is by invitation. How did she get invited in the first place? She is so cute in that picture! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted September 24, 2014 Author Share Posted September 24, 2014 As far as I know, that's the actual picture. How DD got started really is lots and lots of luck. It's having a kid who is up for going to everything even remotely related to snakes, lizards, or biology in general and isn't shy about asking questions or talking to adults (and having an adult who is willing to take a 6 yr old to university lectures and seminars). Adults talk to each other, and eventually that led to her getting noticed by people who were in a position to help her and who are running field studies, on committees for conferences, and just are active in the field. It's kind of a "if you give a mouse a cookie" situation. If a herp-crazy kid meets a herpetologist, they'll probably have a project. If the kid participates in a project, they'll meet more herpetologists.....etc. She's also active on the herpticulture side as well-and honestly probably gets more actual animal time with the herpticulturists, because they're the folks that are MORE than willing to let her spend a couple of hours a week cleaning tanks and weighing and measuring their snakes. I do think DD picked a good field-it's one that tends to be heavy on manual labor that doesn't require a lot of precise skills (the primary research project DD has been involved in requires her to go to specific sites, count dead frogs, count frog calls, and take water samples. Basically, it needs someone willing to go, spend the time, and get bitten by mosquitoes, and definitely doesn't require a graduate degree in biology). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodland Mist Academy Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 Just wanted to echo what dmmetler wrote. That's been our experience as well. Just showing up, being interested, and asking questions can sometimes start an avalanche of activities. (Dd is currently trying to decide which opportunities to take advantage of this week - she has received several offers...) It may take a bit of trial and error to show up to the right activities with the right groups, but just keep trying! Branch out into nearby areas if needed. Personalities and goals of the groups really do make a difference! ETA: No worries if your child isn't interested in snakes! My dd works with many other animals, in addition to snakes. There are also opportunities in astronomy, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maize Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 By the way, your new avatar photo makes me smile every time I see it. I keep wondering who is studying whom... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8filltheheart Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 By the way, your new avatar photo makes me smile every time I see it. I keep wondering who is studying whom... :iagree: BTW, dmmetler, I was talking about you earlier today. My 4 yod asked if she could get an anaconda for Christmas. :leaving: :confused1: :leaving: When I said no absolutely NO WAY, she said, "How about a king snake, then?" I told her no b/c her mom hates snakes, but then I told her about a lucky little girl whose mom lets her have pet snakes. FWIW, I have no idea where this kid gets ideas. Anaconda?? Clueless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 I told her no b/c her mom hates snakes, but then I told her about a lucky little girl whose mom lets her have pet snakes. This happened with us this summer too. DS got to hold a ball python and I told him I knew of a little girl who had one. He said, "Cool, let's get one! Or the Argentine Boa...." Um, no. They were beautiful snakes, I just wouldn't want to feed them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiMi 4under3 Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 Your DD is awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted September 25, 2014 Author Share Posted September 25, 2014 Tell her anacondas don't make good pets-unless you have a swimming pool. Kings can be bitey (they eat basically anything in the wild, so they tend to have a "Hmmm...Is this food?" Attitude to everything, including hands.) I'll tell you what not to do. Do NOT tell your writing-phobic child that they can have a snake when they prove they know what it takes to care for one. A 12 page computer-printed proposal, including comparison of care needs for three different species and a detailed budget later, we were bringing home a corn snake. Ball pythons are sweet. I quite like Pinkie Py(thon). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maize Posted September 25, 2014 Share Posted September 25, 2014 Ds9 brought a garter snake to the back door just this afternoon, he said he found it under the trampoline. The snakes in the backyard are about as close to pet snakes as we're likely to come, I don't need any more animals to take care of :) I thought of dmmetler's dd and took a picture of ds holding the snake up to show me before sending him off to release it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
La Condessa Posted September 26, 2014 Share Posted September 26, 2014 Dmmetler, has your daughter seen this news article? http://t.thestar.com/#/article/news/gta/2014/09/25/windsor_man_charged_with_smuggling_51_turtles_in_sweatpants.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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