End of S17 and more data collection

It's a data collection day. I set up my data collection sites at 9 am and I leave them out until 4 or 5 pm, checking them every 60-90 minutes. This morning's set up was rife with hazards. I was swarmed by mosquitoes as soon as I stepped out the door. I had to use my clipboard to shoo them away from my face. Then came the biting flies. They took a big chunk out of my elbow! When I came back in, I noticed that my flip flops are covered in pollen. It's almost 3 pm and the mosquitoes are still out in full force. It started raining a little bit between my last two checks of the livers, but not enough to measure. The rain isn't deterring the mosquitoes at all.

We have eggs! The liver in the grass site has been colonized. All three sites (tall tree, short tree, and grass) are about the same temperature and humidity. The only difference is light levels. The light level at the grass site is higher than the other two sites. All three sites have had flies on them, but only the grass site has eggs so far. Still no eggs on the other two sites at 2 pm. I didn't see any flies on the liver under the tall trees.  Pics at the bottom if you want to look.

I am taking thesis credits in the fall with the hope that I will be defending at the end of fall quarter. Since I didn't take credits during spring quarter, I had to file a returning student form with the college to reactivate my admission status. Also, since I didn't take any credits during spring quarter, my student loan servicer was nice enough to email me that not only are my student loans incurring interest, but I have to start paying on them in September unless I ask for a deferral. I will do so since I will be back in school or at least be taking thesis credits from home.

Writing is still pretty much stalled at this point. I know what I need to write, but getting it onto paper (or screen) is difficult. But, I'll get there.

Liver and fly egg pics below (Stop here if you are squeamish!)
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