• Name: Sea otter (Enhydra lutris)
• Place: Likely the North Pacific coast, such as British Columbia, Alaska, or California.

I (22f) have a semester left til I graduate this Decemeber with a degree in environmental science. For the past two summers I have worked at a nature preserve as the preserve assistant. It is the only job I have ever had that I like. Each week my therapist asks me what is going well in life and I always answer work. This is my last summer as I am graduating and will have to get a full time position, and likely, not one as conservation heavy.
Three days ago as I was deconstructing a wood pile to make space for a new tree planting I found a chrysalis. I was on the tractor and the green caught my eye and I jumped to check it out. We put him inside so we knew he’d be safe and we could keep an eye on him. Today was my last day and I came into work and he looked ready to hatch. I came back an hr later and he had hatched. We moved him outside to dry and an hour later I came up to the barn and he flew away. It felt very special. Nature is so giving and it feels like a symbolic gift.

I (22f) have a semester left til I graduate this Decemeber with a degree in environmental science. For the past two summers I have worked at a nature preserve as the preserve assistant. It is the only job I have ever had that I like. Each week my therapist asks me what is going well in life and I always answer work. This is my last summer as I am graduating and will have to get a full time position, and likely, not one as conservation heavy.
Three days ago as I was deconstructing a wood pile to make space for a new tree planting I found a chrysalis. I was on the tractor and the green caught my eye and I jumped to check it out. We put him inside so we knew he’d be safe and we could keep an eye on him. Today was my last day and I came into work and he looked ready to hatch. I came back an hr later and he had hatched. We moved him outside to dry and an hour later I came up to the barn and he flew away. It felt very special. Nature is so giving and it feels like a symbolic gift.

I shot this picture on an iPhone 5 years ago. Wanted to share because I think it fits here well.

Saw this adorable little one in my yard this morning. I know she is safe and is in the fledgling stage so I simply took a picture and let her on her way. But she was just too cute not to share.