Pictures prior to passing my examination

One of the first milestones as a graduate student in the doctoral program is passing the comprehensive/qualifying examination.  This exam is designed to get you to think about your research from a broad perspective, as well as to test your general knowledge about your research.  I have heard different opinions about this type of examination, some said it was fairly easy, while others said they blanked out during the questioning period, got sick, etc.  After months of preparation, I passed my comprehensive exam this morning without too much trouble, and so I am now officially a Ph.D. candidate (I am not entirely sure what am I before this - just a regular graduate student?).

Anyways, due to this nerve-wrecking examination, I have not been out taking as many photos (with my new camera) as I would have liked.  Nonetheless, I still tried to take some photos when I came across critters in my place or during my walk to the grocery store/bus station.

Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) in flight.

It was a cloudy day, so some of the photos were not so great.

Common rough woodlouse (Porcellio scaber) crawling on my carpet.  This blogger has posted some good photos and information on the same species (see here).

Unknown sac spider (Cheiracanthium sp.).  This spider actually got irritated with me getting too close with my camera and tried to jump me.  It was quite scary when you are looking at the magnified spider through the camera viewfinder.

Full moon on March 5th.

Common Mergansers (Mergus merganser) on open parts of Sawmill Creek.

Female Mallard with a leg band.  Too bad my photo was not good enough to see any information on the band.

If the weather is permitting this weekend, I might go out and do some serious wildlife-watching and test my camera more thoroughly.