back to the grind

Well, it hasn't rained more than a few drops for 3 months. I get to Banner Elk, and we get a huge wave of precipitation from the hurricane. It literally rained 36 hours without stopping. But me and Carson got the mountain bikes out and brushed up the technical skills on our course while it was nice and glacial. Actually, it wasn't bad at all, it turned out to be a blast. 

The standard "first day of classes are a joke" is over with no punch line. I actually had to take notes in three of my classes on the first day haha. At least they don't give you any hope from the gun. My course schedule looks good though: Ornithology, Principles of Ecology, World Religion and Beginning Painting. Should be a good mix of everything: difficult, easy, stressful, relaxing, all wrapped into one semester. 

It's different knowing this is my last semester, I guess last year I knew I would be back. It seems like I should put out the extra effort to enjoy my time here as it winds down. But, this is two straight text-only posts, and I know that's weak, so I'll make sure and get some pictures up next time,

e

Olympics: In Review

Here is my take on the Olympics, I actually watched a tremendous amount of it surprisingly and found it very interesting. 

Most Memorable Performances

1. Phelps collective effort

2. Nastia Liukin all-around Gold in Gymnastics, Silver in uneven bars 

3. May/Walsh Gold in Beach Volleyball

4. Rogers/Daulhauser Gold in Beach Volleyball

5. Shana Johnson Gold in Beam and Silver in all-around, Gymnastics

6. Usain Bolt in 100m  and 200m, Track

7. Jason Lezak anchor leg in 4x100 free relay

8. Jonathon Horton on High Bar, Gymnastics

9. Yelena Isinbayeva Gold and new WR in women's pole Vault

10. Dara Torres winning medals at 41

Honorable Mention

-Walter Dix in 100m and 200m, Track

-USA men's and women's Water Polo

Most Disappointing Performances 

1. Lolo Jones in women's 110 Hurdles

2. Tyson Gay in 100m and 4x100 relay

3. Bernard Legot in men's 1500m

4. Liu Xiang in men's 110 hurdles

5. Abubacher Kaki in men's 800m

6. Paolo Bettini in men's Road Race, Cycling 

TDF month aka July

Not a lot has been going on lately. Been riding a lot, sucks cause its been like a million degrees everyday but it has done wonders for the tan lines haha. I guess school starts in 4 weeks, I am not sure what I think about that, I am kind of looking forward to it but also kind of scared about starting my last semester. 

The TDF is wrapping up this weekend. I am gonna go ahead and say that Cadel Evans will rip the yellows jersey off of Sastre in the TT by the 30k mark. You heard it here. I also think Vandevelde will win the TT. 

Well that's about it, I'll try and have something sweet for next time

e

random

True love, Broad-headed Lizard style

My sidekick, taking a nap in the truck.
"when i grow up i wanna be a caterpillar" -Ralph Wigham
I just though this image was cool.

e

Graduate Research on how this guys brain works?

Copyright © 2008 Edward Burress 

So I am applying to Graduate school, or will be soon. After a stint in Psychology at Lees McRae I have decided to go into a Biology program. It's sort of strange having to decide what to do research on, research that will last the next 6-7 years of my life haha. But it is also exciting at the same time. I want to go into animal behavior research, so maybe fish? I am not sure, but probably. They were the first vertebrates on our planet so surely they are interesting enough haha. In December I am going to Uruguay to collect some wild fish to use for my research next year when I start in a grad program. I have a particular destination of preference but I suppose I will withhold that until it is a done deal. I mainly want to research species recognition, mate selection, and maybe some genetic work on species boundaries. All with South American fishes,of the genera Geophagus and Gymnogeophagus. But, long run I am fairly settled on being a professor. The next step is the GRE so we'll see how that goes, and go from there.

e

the new ride...

Well it isn't "new" per say, I've had the frameset since 2002 but its been my TT bike. I just switched all of my sram stuff off of my BMC onto the Giant. 15.8 lbs as pictured above, race ready. The crank bros quattros, aluminum bars and seat post are killing the weight but I am done with carbon bars and seat posts, so I'll live with it. It's still over a pound lighter than the BMC. 

This is pic is training style, rocking the powertap. I was pleasantly surprised that it still functions haha. 
It's weird being back on compact geometry but no complaints, ten times better ride than the BMC and I'm a fan of the "blacked out" look. 

e

Not a whole lotta lotta update

Me and my hiking buddy chillin' on Roan Mountain. Not the best place for dogs to hike because there is no water and no shade. But luckily she is a baller and luckily I carried like 3 bottles of water for her haha. 

I've just been riding a bit, studying a bit, and doing a lot of nothing in between. I get to take the GRE soon how exciting is that? I can barely contain myself. 

Ohh and since I am a wanna-be biologist I should tell you to check out that Sorbus aucuparia behind us in the picture (the Mountain Ash). Til next time,

e

Hike at Roan Mountain for Appalachian Ecology

Black Berries are actually threatening the "grassy bald habitat" on top of Roan Mountain. A project is actually underway to bring in Angora Goats to help control the black berry and keep it from over growing the bald. 
A close up of Rock Tripe, it is edible but a little too spongey for my taste.
Rock Tripe growing on a rock in the understory of a Spruce-Fir Forest.  
False Hellebore is a common plant, albeit one that looks slightly out of place, on top of Roan Mountain.
Roan Mountain Bluet is a very distinctive small flower.
Patches of Blue Berry are also common, scattered throughout the "grassy bald".
Close-up of a bud on a Blue Berry bush. 
A shot of the Blue Berry leaves.
A "grassy bald" on Roan Mountain.
Round Bald, elevation 5826 feet.
The side of grandfather, showing the merger of "High Elevation Deciduous Forest" (light green) and "Spruce Fir Forest" (dark green). 
The understory of a "Spruce Fir Forest" is made up of nothing but "duff" which is a mixture of pine needle debris. 
Green Alder, a relict of ice ages. Roan Mountain supports an isolated population of this plant, which otherwise is only found in the northern most Appalachians, in and around Vermont. 
The most distinctive most of the understory, within a thinner forest, such as were the deciduous and Spruce Fir forests converge. Here, the moss is sending off spore stalks.
In this forest, moss dominates the understory and covers everything.
Three different types of lichen share residence on a rock.
Life is pretty tough at 6,000 ft.
A few shots of the view from Roan Mountain.

This was one of my favorite hikes. My Appalachian Ecology class is over now, so I will have to come up with more things to post, until then,

e

Hike at Beech Creek Bog for Appalachian Ecology

Beech Creek Bog is located on the northward slope of Beech Mountain. Sphagnum Moss forms mounds that are raised, which allow other plants to grow on top of them, that would not otherwise grow in a bog (in this case Rose Bay Rhododendron, such situations allow the plants to grow but they are typically stunted). These Mounds are called a Humic.
Close up of Sphagnum Moss, a good indicator of a bog habitat.
Cinnamon Fern is also common in wetland areas. It gets its name from the spore stalks, resembling cinnamon.
Here is the Beech Creek, it does not directly feed the bog, making it a "true" bog, which is fed by ground water.
Beaver Pond further down Beech Creek.
Effective little chain saws ehh?
If you walk upslope, out of the bog you enter a "mixed oak forest" where the shrub layer is largely made up of only three plants: May Apple, Hay Scented Fern and a species of thin Grass.

A few more pictures...

Hike in Linville Gorge Wilderness for Appalachian Ecology

Without doubt, the Linville River offers some premier rock hoppin' terrain. 
This one is for Sarah (because it is the best and most beautiful haha). Amazing view of the Linville River Gorge and "table top" in the background. Looks like a postcard ehh? 
Postcard shot number 2, same scene, different viewing angle. 
Eastern Hemlock that has died either from Pine Bore Beetle infestation or Wooly Adelgid infestation. It is shedding its bark significantly. Good thing mom wasn't there to see the bark or I would have been carrying it to our backyard. 
Some fry in the edge of the Linville River, probably Trout. There is a good amount of sediment in this river since there are so many roads that cross it, such as 221 and 105. 
Dr. Skeate's dog "Buck Eye" fetching sticks on the river. Wasn't too effective but very entertaining. 

Only two hikes left, but more pictures to come...

e

Hike at Big Yellow Mountain for Appalachian Ecology

The bald at the summit of Big Yellow Mountain, elevation 4,535 ft. Grandfather Mountain in the background.
Another angle of the bald, the trail cutting through is the AT. The "natural" tree line is very abrupt. The forest here is a high elevation deciduous forest, with surprisingly few evergreens, and mostly Yellow Birch and Beech, with the occasionaly Northern Red Oak and Ash. The bald is thought to of been formed either by glaciers, or by the once common Elk which would of kept it from growing up. The open field is now managed and the land is leased so that cattle can be kept here to keep the bald from growing in.  
"Dwarf Beech Forest" Along the ridge of Big Yellow Mountain, thick forests of Beech are abundant. However, these trees that are probably hundreds of years old never grow more than 3-5" thick and 20 feet tall due to the temperature and high wind. Just a few hundred yards down the side of the mountain, the same trees are 30" thick.
American Bird Grasshopper (Schistocerca americana). Can't tell from the photo but this guy was about 4" long. A true beast. 

Hike at Wilson Creek for Appalachian Ecology

Little Lost Cove Creek. "Hunt Fish Falls" and following swimming hole. 
The local "hot spot" for chillin' purposes for all the teenage Osteichthyes fishes. 
The most natural sauna I have ever seen. If only the water was 105 degrees instead of 50. Ohh well, maybe next time. I am sure at some point during the summer it gets close to 60.
I took this one for Sarah, of some sp. of Lepidoptera
The water is amazingly clear all along Little Lost Cove creek.
"Hunt Fish Falls"
More pictures to follow,

e