The telephone rang incessantly. The calls ranged from timid to whining to angry. The texts included ALL CAPS and exclamation points. The emoji cannot be transcribed. “Hey, no rush but I was wondering if there was Bug Night tonight,” queried one volunteer. Maybe it was too much for them all having the last week off. […]
Dear Bug Night-ers, We hope that you enjoy a week off. There will be no April 25, 2018 Bug Night. We will see you next week, May 2, 2018. For further updates, please visit http://www.merrimackriver.org/forum
The evening huddle was informative. Everyone was instructed on the difference between fingernail clams and Asian Clams. Advice on technology and practical tips were provided. “What about the dim bulb ‘scope?” asked a Bug Night-er. “See if there is another ‘scope or if your neighbour is willing to trade with you,” said the male White […]
The male White Coat was alone. Utterly and completely alone. There was no one to fetch scopes and proctor the sit-down room. It was the first full night of identification and for some Bug Night-ers, their first chance to use the Macroinvertebrates of the Upper Merrimack picture and dichotomous key. It was going to be […]
The White Coats were worried. One of them was always worried but now the concern was evident in both of them. In the spring, a young Bug Night-er’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love. If that were true, April was the cruelest month for Bug Nights. With sorting on the verge of completion, the […]
There was a Bug Night-er who felt that now was the time to exercise the better part of valour. They did not have the best tactical advantage. There was the late start, the uncooperative weather, the sand and algae… “What do I do?” lamented one of the Bug Night-ers, “There are so many—maybe we should […]
“My ‘scope feels sticky,” lamented one of the Bug Night-ers. The White Coats exchanged meaningful glances as they prepared the materials for the evening’s session. Who hasn’t been stuck with a sticky ‘scope at Bug Nights? This was a busy laboratory with many students, eager for knowledge, cramming knowledge and candy all day. “There are […]
Honestly, she thought, the attention to simple details seems to be all but gone. How hard can it be? As she walked along Silk Farm Road, she could not help noticing the consternation in their faces. The confusion in their eyes. The frustration that emanated from their pores. She overheard snippets of conversations as they […]
We love the Bug Night people. We want them to be safe and happy and come back to Bug Nights for years to come. That is why we have made the decision to cancel the March 7, 2018 Bug Night. Right now, the forecast includes significant snowfall that will occur at what would have been […]
The White Coat returned the Bug Night-er’s petri dish after the obligatory quality control check. “Nice work—there was a leech curled up under the oak leaf fragment, be sure to click it into your counts.” “OK,” he said sheepishly. This was the third time this season that he missed the leech. It was the same for […]
Her statement at Bug Nights was dramatic and unequivocal. “I’ve got a fist full of insects and they are burning a hole in my pocket.” The White Coats glanced up from their quality control checks and exchanged looks across the laboratory. The she-volunteer’s statement hung in the air. Everyone tried to look busy but wondered […]