Updates | Digital Naturalism

Groovy Science Band

(Photo from Peter Marting) Field day with Peter and his Band. They came into town from St. Louis Saturday evening prepped for the Neon Party on the ridge. Today they are working with us as field assistants who happen to break out into the occasional jam. As I ride in the back of the truck,…
1/3 Rabid

[The blog post in which I rapidly transcribe many half entries scrawled on bits of paper] Bats are quite often agents for spreading rabies. So, to be safe, any bat researchers that handle them need to get their full vaccines. This is a series of 3 shots taken over 3 weeks that can cost $1000-$1500…
Jungle Soap

For my second “Digital Naturalist” collaborator, Toni, we met up late one night to discuss which famous work of performance art she wanted to reenact in the jungle. We discussed Joe Beuys, Yoko Ono, (she brought up Abramovich’s piece with the gun), and more of Kaprow’s happenings. She really enjoyed reading about the piece for…
Toni’s first moisture sensor

Here is my first electronic creation – moisture sensor that can make a servo move with a different speed relative with the soil moisture… device that no one can survive without! But before to reach these high technological goals I first had to learn few more simple tricks. My first step was to build circuit…
Jungle Fluids

Doing any performance is much harder than you ever think. Our plans were set and Peter and I joined up to gather morning coolers before La Tienda Opened. 7am Grab the super nice volunteer Dallas along the way. It is crazy early for a bat person. To give my digital naturalists some practice at…
Jungle Ladder

Peter and I have hiked out to his secondary field site down old Gamboa Road. Unlike pipeline, this old road is barricaded, so we cannot drive our equipment down to his trees, and instead have to take his cameras, tripods, and full sized ladder through the jungle and up a creek. We set up the…
Digital Biocrafting Demos – Bee Counter
Relaxing, Reflecting, Letting things Happen

Things are feeling lighter. My initial wave of stress of getting things together and worrying about missed opportunities is calming down a bit. I am appreciating what is blooming in the seeds I have been able to sew already so far in the brief time I have. Misery seems to result from imposing one’s will…
Digital Biocrafting Demonstrations and MiniWorkshop

Held first set of demonstrations of sensors and actors that can be brought into the field. Over the weekend worked with Toni and Peter. Peter had arduino experience from my work with him last summer, so I started him on more advanced circuit making and the fickle problems of ATTinies. Toni on the other hand…
Azteca Shadow

Last night promised myself to sleep in and work on computer stuff with the single caveat that I would get into the field if peter was going. Right before going to bed, I get an email from peter asking if I am down to hit the field at 7am. Using the new female-female connector, I…