Jim Ray

Article by Jim Ray, Pantex Wildlife Biologist/Scientist

Who doesn’t love bald eagles? My first exposures to them were the several that spent the winters at Lake Rita Blanca near my hometown of Dalhart, TX, when I was growing up. During those months each year of my childhood, it was a big deal to see this majestic bird. They’d be perched in a tree, sitting on the ice, or soaring above the lake. If the latter, the thousands of Rita Blanca’s ducks and geese would whirl around in the sky above the lake with nervousness.

Article by Jim Ray, Pantex Wildlife Biologist/Scientist

Article by Jim Ray, Pantex Wildlife Biologist/Scientist

​I had just got to work, settled in at my desk, read a few e-mails, and then my phone rang. The caller proceeded to tell me they were trying to work, but were interrupted by the presence of a rattlesnake. I strapped on my snake leggings, hopped in my truck and headed out toward the location, which involved a 10-15 minute drive.

Article by Jim Ray, Pantex Wildlife Biologist/Scientist

Pantex and West Texas A&M have been working on bobcat research since 2009. Actually, this work has since transcended from "research" to "management" of the cats. Sunday, the work made the Amarillo Globe-News.

Enjoy the story here.

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Article by Jim Ray, Pantex Wildlife Biologist/Scientist

Recent media coverage on our wildlife work at Pantex elicited the following comment in the Amarillo Globe News. “That’s cool….but, I don’t get the connection between what Pantex does and them studying birds.” Well, that’s pretty easy to answer so I’ll do it here.

Article by Jim Ray, Pantex Wildlife Biologist/Scientist

Frequently, after checking my e-mail real quick in the mornings, I’ll venture out in my truck to check various trapsets that we have set for bobcats. On October 4, I made the first of five scheduled stops. I walked around the end of the treerow and made my way to the first trapset which consisted of two box traps.

Article by Jim Ray, Pantex Wildlife Biologist/Scientist

The first edition of this blog served as an introduction and, while it explained our primary mission, it also set this blog series up for coverage of the not so well known aspect of our work – wildlife management and research.

Article by Jim Ray, Pantex Wildlife Biologist/Scientist

What is the purpose of this blog? Well, Pantex has a story tell. One that is far removed from perception that naturally arises concerning a facility that serves as the primary disassembly and maintenance location for the nation’s nuclear weapons arsenal.