Wild Pantex

Article by Jim Ray, Pantex Wildlife Biologist/Scientist

Article by Jim Ray, Pantex Wildlife Biologist/Scientist

Normally, I would not write what looks like an obituary for one of my study animals. Having worked in this profession for more than 24 years I have seen study animals come and go and have worked die-offs, where victims number into the thousands. Nor do I normally name animals, unless it is a band number, or perhaps an ear tag color-combination. Like many of my colleagues, I’m more of a “populations” kind of guy, than becoming focused on individuals.

Article by Jim Ray, Pantex Wildlife Biologist/Scientist

Article by Jim Ray, Pantex Wildlife Biologist/Scientist

This week I have a guest blogger, one that we have collaborated with on burrowing owl research. I will follow this up next week with more information on the research project itself.

Nancy McIntyre is Professor of Biological Sciences and Curator of Birds at Texas Tech University. She writes:

Article by Jim Ray, Pantex Wildlife Biologist/Scientist

Article by Jim Ray, Pantex Wildlife Biologist/Scientist

Recently a Pantexan couple were fortunate enough to see and photograph a strange mouse at their new home in my neighborhood north of Canyon. This mouse was “different” in that it had a very short tail. Their visitor was one of the most unique mammals in our area, and I was impressed that my neighbors had already properly identified it as a grasshopper mouse.

Article by Jim Ray, Pantex Wildlife Biologist/Scientist

We take them for granted. Bugs, insects, arachnids, mollusks, crustaceans, invertebrates – the little guys.

Me personally – I can walk right up to a hidden rattlesnake that I am radio-tracking and record its location with a GPS Unit. I can let a bobcat out of a trap after we have poked and prodded him.

However, that spider that I am trying to remove from the wall in the kitchen – well, let’s just say that a sudden move by the spider is likely to cause a similar reaction in me.

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.