Checking my bag. I caught something.
A prairie vole, Microtus ochrogaster (my study animal).
Palpating the vole to see if she is pregnant. Depending on how far along she is, I'll have to release her back in the field.
A href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peromyscus">Deer Mouse, Peromyscus (not my study animal).
Releasing the mouse back to the field. Click on picture to enlarge.
I caught a Least weasel, Mustela nivalis, too. Definitely NOT my study animal. They prey on other two guys above. 
After hissing at me, and baring scary teeth, he released himself back into the field. LOL!
Releasing the mouse back to the field. Click on picture to enlarge.I caught a Least weasel, Mustela nivalis, too. Definitely NOT my study animal. They prey on other two guys above. 
After hissing at me, and baring scary teeth, he released himself back into the field. LOL!Don't let the size or cuteness fool you. This is the world's smallest carnivore, and all Mustelid.
If only writing the dissertation were as much fun as this part. But I've got 7,766 words for Chapter 2 and I have prelimanary results for Chapters 3 & 4. Writing continues.