Picture of the Common Loon close up. Isn't she a beaut?
OK, so these next two aren't close up. The one up above is me and Rick (one of the researchers) about to let the loon go. 
And there she goes! It was so exciting. I wish I could do that everyday. They have an awesome job.
This and the next couple of pictures are from our weekend in St. Augustine. I went with my two roommates, Megan and Jesse. That was an adventure. Since the trip wasn't really planned, we kind of got up and drove. So no arrangements as to where we were going to sleep for the night were arranged. So that meant I spent my first night in a car in a public parking lot next to the beach. What an experience. The next morning, I woke up just in time to walk down the boardwalk and to the shoreline. I spread out a towel, sat down and watched as the sun slowly rose above the ocean surface. And what a beautiful sunrise it was.
The reflection of the sun onto the water was absolutely fantastic. Reds, oranges, yellows, violets and colors of all hues spread out onto the water like a rainbow.
Then after gazing at the sun for an hour or so, we made a visit to the St. Augustine lighthouse. It wasn't open yet, so we couldn't go up inside...but I was still able to get some good photos of the outside of it.
This is a photograph of one part of the Flagler College campus. Absolutely gorgeous campus. Most of the college used to be a hotel, which since has been converted into a university-like setting. In 1888, Henry Flager built the luxury resort Hotel Ponce de Leon, so many parts of the campus are over a hundred years old. Many buildings throughout the town were built or commissioned by Flagler, so the town has a ton of history. Much of Flager college has ornately-decorated buildings with doors of intricate design. I would love to go to school here. A shame that the school only offers 12 majors. Or something like that.
Here's one of the two lion heads that guard the entrance to the college. Notice what ol' Leon the lion here has in his mouth...what a rebel.
After taking a stroll through the campus, we visited the fort. Officially named the Castillo de San Marcos, this monument of stone and mortar was built by the Spaniards in 1672. As all of you should know, St. Augustine is the oldest city in the U.S. The fort itself is the oldest masonry and only extant 17th century fort in North America. It still has some of the original cannons and weaponry used at the time.
Here's one of the cannons. Notice the intricate design inlaid on the metal.
These are my two roommates inside one of the four lookout towers. Jesse is on the left, Megan on the right. 
And there I am, not looking angry. The fort was once surrounded by a moat, but there behind me is the Atlantic flowing into the St. Augustine marina.
Two weekends ago, my friend Tessa and I went camping at Manatee Springs in Chiefland, FL. The campground is right next to a set of natural springs that stay around 70-76 degrees F year-round. The turquoise-clear water was surrounded by Bald Cypress trees on all sides. 
Here's me and Tessa, blinking away sleep at 8 in the morning. Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed are we! There's my tiny tent that I bought in Alaska. It still had a bit of AK trail spice in it. Sigh.
This is what we got to wake up to in the morning. We saw her and many other deer during our trip. It was awesome getting to see them so close, but was also sad to realize they they are too acclimated to human activity. 
Then Tessa and I went kayaking along the Suwannee River. It was a nice 4-hour paddle in beautiful, overcast weather. Of course, as soon as we got done, the sun decided to grace us with its presence.
More kayakers!
Did you suddenly start hearing Rocky's theme with this photo? I sure did.
Pretty leaves.
The next string of photos are from my 21st birthday. The first one is at Friday's restaurant. There was about 14 of us all together at dinner. Tessa got me this very embarassing headband to wear, which you'll notice in the photo below.
This was a night we went out to the Melting Pot for dessert. From left, is Shannon, Ana, and Ashley, three girls I've met at my apartment complex. Megan, my roommate, is right beside me.
This is my roommate and me on my birthday. I was completely sober.
And last but not least, I had to give you a picture of the cats. I have four other roommates, but these are the two I care about the most. Megan and Jesse have two cats, a Ball python, and Mika, their beagle (who is thoroughly annoying). This handsome fellow below is Pokey. 
And this is Sylvia. She likes to get into everything. I saw her cutely laying in this box and just had to take a picture.
Anyway, although my title says otherwise...today it wasn't hot. Miraculous! We've been enjoying cool, breezy weather that's been staying around the 70s. At night, it gets to 58. Very nice. I don't think I've gotten to enjoy such temperatures since I was in Alaska. Sad, isn't it? Hopefully I'll get to enjoy even cooler temperatures this weekend in NC. I hope you all enjoyed the update. I'll post more later.
This is a marmot! I know I mentioned a marmot when I talked about Sam's and my hike. I didn't put a photo up because none of mine were close enough. But, while Eve was tra-la-la-ing along the trail and taking a breakie-poo, out popped a marmot out of its little hole! So she then immediately aborted the said breakie-poo and snapped as many pictures of Mr. Marmot as fast as her little fingers could go. Then they held hands and continued to tra-la-la along the trail.
I even had a little nappie-poo!
Surviving the elements. Or, at least attempting to walk in snow. This is the most snow I've ever seen and/or been in. I had seen a lot of snow when I went skiiing in Utah, but it was nothing compared to this. Fortunately, people that had done the trail before us left definite tracks in the snow...so I carefully followed their footsteps, so I wouldn't go cascading down the mountain and die. True fax. 
We made it to the top! From the left, that's me, Eve, and Sam. Many thanks to Julia for sacrificing herself and taking this picture. 
Unless global warming kicks up into high gear, this ice will stay here forever. How unfathomable is that?!
Me at the top! The snow was so bright, that all of us were almost silhouettes in comparison. Unfortunate you can't see us that well, but I'm not complaining. 
Picture of surrounding area. Look, you can even seen a bit of green! (in the lower right hand corner, just in case you were having trouble.) 
While looking at this picture, don't you just hear Handel's "Hallelujah" chorus singing in the background? Well, we did...and sung it the entire way down the trail. (As a matter of fact, I'm playing it right now as I write this post. It has a little ring to it, I think.) Eve got us started singing the Hills....are alivvvvvvve....with the sound of muuuuuusic, too. It was glorious. 
Of course, I had to get the hair-down picture. Beautiful view. I'm talking about the mountains, of course.
Then, at the end of the day, trail conquered, legs shaking and us questioning who we were and where we came from, we went to a Greek restaurant and ate dinner. We were all rewarded with this delicious, fattening, chocolatey piece of cake. Sam's expression is absolutely priceless. I love this picture.
And so was I. I got down there, went elbow-deep in muck, and pulled those little suckers outta there. It was exhilerating. Might I add that Sam and I made a clam chowdah out of them and it was absolutely delicious. 
At the top of the summit, overlooking the surrounding mountains. I think my expression is one of strained happiness. Good one, Emily.
