Postcards from the Field: Hurst Gannon

Shell Conservation Intern Hurst Gannon

Hello!

So far this summer, I’ve been having a great time. In just a few short months I’ll have travelled from the Atlantic Coast of Nova Scotia to as far West as the Rocky Mountains, from Nova Scotia’s South Shore to the Cape Breton Highlands. I never would have guessed my summer would send me so many different places! The morning commute with my field partner (Jennifer Lau) has included everything from airplanes to kayaks. We’ve canoed pristine lakes and we’ve hiked through salt marshes. This is supposed to be work?!

Gaff Point, Nova Scotia

Thanks to Shell Canada Limited and NCC, I’ve seen nesting Piping Plovers - a critically endangered species in Nova Scotia; I’ve watched a pair of ravens feed their young; I’ve seen White-tailed Deer drinking from a pristine lake, miles from the nearest disturbance; and I’ve seen Loons carrying their young on their backs, calmly paddling past our canoe. Really, it’s the best experience I’ve ever had.

When the fall rolls around, I’ll be heading back to school at the Maritime College of Forest Technology in New Brunswick. After that, who knows? All I know for now is I’m having a great time and I can’t wait to get back to "work” in the field.

Well, I have to start sorting through my photos so I can add to the records of what I’ve seen so far...

Cheers!

Hurst Gannon