http://www.meganjoyce.ca/professional-experience daily 0.75 2026-03-05 http://www.meganjoyce.ca/east-sussex daily 0.75 2016-11-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1467033426585-44XRJZQ17FN28019U3Q5/IMG_0038.jpg East Sussex, U.K. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1467033648206-9EN1K8NTMLTE1HVMLS3P/IMG_0041.jpg East Sussex, U.K. - Spey House The wonderful place I've called home this summer. I've learned an incredible amount about English wildlife and horticulture. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1467193020686-3YHC1ZS1HNSKVPS96HN3/IMG_0193.JPG East Sussex, U.K. - Mr. Fox This is one of the resident foxes, he's a young male who likes to hunt in the early mornings. Sometimes he tries to catch his breakfast around the bird table. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1467196536505-MUPWF3SRSX246ID5DEPN/IMG_0469.JPG East Sussex, U.K. - Bull Finch An amazing part to being in the middle of Sussex countryside is the presence of otherwise rare wildlife sightings. This Bull Finch is a rarity this time of year, but this juvenile stopped by one afternoon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1467196663966-Z1K5Q13S46GX4Z9YQY7C/IMG_0473.JPG East Sussex, U.K. - Great Tit Sometimes the natural world accidentally comes inside. Found this little bird in the kitchen one morning, thankfully he easily flew back outside through the window. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1467193575548-NJVA414B0ZKSVWY1ADYA/IMG_0608.JPG East Sussex, U.K. - Wild Strawbs There's delicious wild strawberries that hide in the shrubbery. They are used as a ground cover, keeping 'manky' weeds out and providing natural sustenance for the wildlife that comes through the property. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1467198994930-O2EB6Q4S7058JDHME00E/IMG_0568.JPG East Sussex, U.K. - The Crew Much of my time this summer has been spent learning from an incredible naturalist, Charlotte de la Bedoyere. She has spent decades studying nature and working to preserve the indigenous wildlife of Sussex. Our three Leonbergers (Tia, Angel and Oscar) accompanied us on many of our adventures. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1467196939665-ZMP2C0PC7EN1OAQMCX6U/IMG_0137.JPG East Sussex, U.K. - English Bluebells One of my first introductions to ancient woodlands was with the English Bluebells. They blanketed the woods like nothing I've ever seen before. I found this white version only twice in the thousands of plants I've seen. I wonder if it's an example of a double recessive phenotype of a white mutation of the plant. We focused a great deal on evolution last year in school, and seeing this brought to life so many of our lessons. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1467211713265-67WF27VDZR5A0WWKBAMB/IMG_0660.JPG East Sussex, U.K. - Grassland Meadow There are two types of meadows grown in the U.K.: grassland meadows and corn field meadows. The one pictures is the former, it's full of ox-eye daisies, mallow, cowslips, wildflowers, thistles amongst others, providing a haven for bees and butterflies. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1467196260048-ZT2GWM67R4OPUPPTB8G8/IMG_0617.JPG East Sussex, U.K. - My trusted associate, Oscar This lovely Leonberger partook in all the work and learning I've been doing over here. He patiently surveys while I'm in the shrubbery and he is always game to explore the woods when need be. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1467210864708-4SHGVX8ENZQFBEW9MCSC/IMG_0562.JPG East Sussex, U.K. - Woodlands Spey also has woodlands, home to badgers, deer, foxes and other creatures. There are a number of ponds and bog areas that make it quite diverse. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1478359570024-Z3RYGDCHHDMEB9SBPC0B/IMG_4681.JPG East Sussex, U.K. http://www.meganjoyce.ca/cano-palma-costa-rica daily 0.75 2016-11-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1467232211287-J87T7J1CJ2P62FWNUUD9/IMG_6210.JPG Cano Palma, Costa Rica https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1467235144095-XD9WSTQOW0MWSV4GU39G/Miche+pics+180.jpg Cano Palma, Costa Rica - Cano Palma Biological Station CPBS: home for the summer of 2013. I was a successful candidate of the York International Internship Program and won funding to complete field work in the Costa Rican rainforest. The station is affiliated with COTERC, a Canadian organization focused on conservation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1478359697867-N2L2Q6I5998CQA5BEA52/IMG_4876.JPG Cano Palma, Costa Rica https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1467234753669-RDF9SQ80VXY8OX2PAQGG/IMG_1268.JPG Cano Palma, Costa Rica - Green Turtle Once in a rare while you're lucky enough to come across a nesting turtle returning to sea in daylight. Pictures aren't taken on night patrols to keep from disturbing the nesting females. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1467235275500-4Z2Q4K511FBE6I5IGSWX/PICT2393.JPG Cano Palma, Costa Rica - Turtle Tracks This is likely a Green sea turtle track made as she was heading back to sea. The fin marks point the direction the turtle is headed (she digs them in ahead of herself and drags herself forward). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1467235304875-D0I419D30OE80UWRN559/PICT2298.JPG Cano Palma, Costa Rica - Leatherback Turtle Eggs Sometimes when a nest doesn't hatch it is excavated to see what interfered with the cycle. These are examples of a yolked egg (left) and yolkless eggs (right). There are various theories of why yolkless eggs are laid last, sitting on top of the nest. Some scientists believe it adds excess moisture to the nest while others believe them to deter nest predation. Sadly this nest was laid on the beach when waters were high, the eggs were 'cooked' within days of being deposited, none of them developed an embryo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1467236268448-9C7873XOTWFIQATHA1O6/PICT2363.JPG Cano Palma, Costa Rica - Ocelot Print Sometimes night walks were organized. It was a great opportunity to try and catch glimpses of nocturnal species. We didn't encounter this wild cat, but we did not it's presence. Mammal surveys would have recorded GPS locations and directions in data collection. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1467236354824-173U35DD6IMS61M9BJ46/PICT2375.JPG Cano Palma, Costa Rica - Micro Environments Tiny environments. Just as cool as large ones. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1467233897495-I32TO9WNV910CB3SN32J/IMG_1447.jpg Cano Palma, Costa Rica - Snake Handling During Caiman and Mammal surveys, groups would collect snakes they encountered (recording GPS locations so they would be returned to where they were picked up). Here, I'm learning how to hold the snake and assist in recording measurements. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1467212502772-TPKBCRB7CYZNE5W4VXLM/1009515_10101839051393342_1067465078_o.jpg Cano Palma, Costa Rica - Capuchin Monkey The local Costa Rican rainforest is home to three species of primates (and a fourth in other areas of the country). The one featured here, is the white faced capuchin monkey. They are really curious, and would come through base ever few weeks. This mother was seen carrying her young offsping on her back. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1467277168285-T90S85UPDYQ1ZKHWMFGT/IMG_1593.JPG Cano Palma, Costa Rica - Spider Monkey Spider monkeys were popular mammals visible on transects. They would curiously approach while eating and swinging through the canopy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1467234494723-LMHLFG41LVTTM7MJ87FT/21.jpg Cano Palma, Costa Rica - Howler Monkey Howler monkeys were my favourite. Early in the morning, around dawn, the males could be heard, loudly vocalizing to alert neighbouring troops of their presence. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1467277370404-W2WYYDPCIPF3TPIVS54H/IMG_1514.jpg Cano Palma, Costa Rica - Three-toed Sloth This juvenile three-toed sloth was spotted near base, alone. Its mother must have been in a tree nearby, since juveniles tend to remain with their mothers the 12-18 months of their lives, learning to feed on a diverse array of foliage. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1467234233089-FP8FQ7NFQ4NW9H7E258Q/IMG_1507.jpg Cano Palma, Costa Rica - Bottlebrush-nosed Weevil One of my favourite bugs I came across. It was quickly able to cross surfaces, and had the sweetest little face/nose. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1467234870740-C3CWGEAPZZOCI75E74F6/IMG_1526.jpg Cano Palma, Costa Rica - Butterfly This beautiful butterfly was my favourite. I spotted it on the sandy trail while walking to the nearby village. http://www.meganjoyce.ca/des-moines-iowa daily 0.75 2016-11-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1467544723530-FL1TFVFFC53H3OSQH8OG/482012_10101280912578002_1007815212_n.jpg Des Moines, Iowa https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1467544341783-17GTT6QRASC5ECWQIU8B/482012_10101280912578002_1007815212_n.jpg Des Moines, Iowa https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1478359799963-IRR35GQ0K3M5QYG37Y1S/FullSizeRender.jpg Des Moines, Iowa https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1478359889537-NAIV6F8A0O5M1FE4FOZS/IMG_0547.JPG Des Moines, Iowa Matata using the lexigram board https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1478359800491-TXVIHB3LIHCO6N1WD39M/IMG_0915.JPG Des Moines, Iowa Nyota being groomed by Maisha. Grooming is a really important activity for building social relationships in bonobo societies. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1478359801733-ADVB4IHUVC0OJB6MAYC8/IMG_3865.JPG Des Moines, Iowa http://www.meganjoyce.ca/welcome1 daily 1.0 2025-12-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1596292820643-VEDTMFM8Z5M7AXWVYQRG/IMG_3569.JPG Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1578589870577-KOAX8GZ6A07VDDNY5TQZ/IMG_1323.JPG Home In my element collecting data at the Awajishima Monkey Centre on Awaji Island, Japan. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1578590446400-BBBJAHWOHIYZTR90UZAH/5.jpg Home Rudy, an adult male Japanese macaque, defends resources against a Sika deer during a trial in my multi-destination foraging experiment. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1478312433658-FUZCVGWKM5B2JG594U23/image-asset.jpeg Home Nyota eating an ice surprise (ice with hidden berries!) http://www.meganjoyce.ca/toronto-on daily 0.75 2016-11-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1478360308738-SIG6EF30SPO9IKHOS0BL/IMG_5582.JPG Toronto, ON Early Toronto morning, sometimes I forget just how beautiful the city can be. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1478360308738-SIG6EF30SPO9IKHOS0BL/IMG_5582.JPG Toronto, ON Early Toronto morning, sometimes I forget just how beautiful the city can be. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1478360309648-726JC0NACIJ0QU16HCHA/IMG_5520.JPG Toronto, ON Fall colours were impeccable this year https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1478360290230-N4E690P612BWCB7JYJPJ/IMG_5157.JPG Toronto, ON https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1478360293904-A2PPB6WS2PF8FK7GI6SN/IMG_5307.JPG Toronto, ON Trading the city for some northern adventures. Chippy came to scavange some lunch https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1478360295473-L0BTE3XJJXWPC3MLAHHP/IMG_5315.JPG Toronto, ON Minnow trapping in the creek https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1478360296668-Y8PD2JFSI0O1R45UWPAC/IMG_5322.JPG Toronto, ON Our single big catch, not the one we were initially interested in but still exciting to identify! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1478360289826-P9WU2B881C8TVBKW0ORU/IMG_5280.JPG Toronto, ON There were a number of these pretty mushrooms growing on the property. We think it might be an Amanita muscaria (or the Fly agaric). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1478360296232-LE85NO8GAILN1PH5PR7S/IMG_5319.JPG Toronto, ON The end remnants of the wild blackberry crop. Still delicious though! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1478364685903-JEI6Z0UCBV677NJCE6I9/IMG_5474.JPG Toronto, ON Collection of 10 of the flakes that we made in lab class using soft-hammer percussion techniques. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1478360298058-T33GQGYL78MVAW2DL93B/IMG_5407.JPG Toronto, ON One of my favourite flakes made in lab class using hard-hammer percussion techniques. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1478360301886-6WWL4VG7O38JEPV8P0Y0/IMG_5460.JPG Toronto, ON For our first primate lab we ventured to the zoo to collect 4 hours of positional behaviour activities. I studied the gorillas, but couldn't resist going over to check in on the orangs. http://www.meganjoyce.ca/japan daily 0.75 2020-08-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1560467164836-9FM5PO8UA9VS3QPUEVE1/IMG_2799.JPG Japan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1560467164836-9FM5PO8UA9VS3QPUEVE1/IMG_2799.JPG Japan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1596293374489-XN9RBM9K5VZCMIFPB9I5/IMG_4046.JPG Japan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1596293034436-1DK21N7366F709L0TRKY/IMG_3569.JPG Japan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1596293700396-9HUF3JTC906Z1FEONIE2/IMG_3138.JPG Japan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1596293154215-JWR2KV94I2HI4KWMFKH5/Propeller+vs+Deer+1.jpg Japan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1596293799957-X7UZY28WFDMDXOANW58L/IMG_3171.JPG Japan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1596293316680-8MTCB3XW8PXRVOSZ5LDM/IMG_3940.JPG Japan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1596293393105-WVOPDTQ8NGVV0J7CC0FG/IMG_4054.JPG Japan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1596293426651-MPY9VXV290UT7ZKNUEL4/IMG_4121.JPG Japan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1596293516940-S6B3D6LJCB29PTKA8QZL/IMG_4230.JPG Japan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1596293543896-S5MU9MEVOESH96ZKPAC5/IMG_4268.JPG Japan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1596293582840-4J4WG82Q1VMUVP2QHCNS/IMG_2976.JPG Japan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1596293605044-H37M6AZMLDNPTSM9OJL9/IMG_2991.JPG Japan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1596293649553-91Y8AUKXRXX3OT6ESOHP/IMG_3074.JPG Japan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1596293080947-CF63OMQJK0OZO4Q4F08R/IMG_1323.jpg Japan http://www.meganjoyce.ca/montreal-quebec daily 0.75 2020-08-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1596294667297-9N3N18DMSNNZB2EOO05X/IMG_2042.jpg Montreal, Quebec https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1596294347338-610L620AEQDBDOC8SI6M/IMG_8478.JPG Montreal, Quebec https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1596294667297-9N3N18DMSNNZB2EOO05X/IMG_2042.jpg Montreal, Quebec https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1596294693452-OKFW5VKZFFZR2GUJHQWM/IMG_8478.JPG Montreal, Quebec https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1596294743591-U1VOCODO0WX2KCE5JMRJ/IMG_2037.jpg Montreal, Quebec https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1596294782291-GX79JVCR6ZIZE80G307J/IMG_2119.jpg Montreal, Quebec https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1596294814440-VK3QVUI6H3BYQU1638H8/IMG_2102.jpg Montreal, Quebec https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1596294850200-7YYZFP0NZR7ABRYI8N0Q/IMG_2027.jpg Montreal, Quebec https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5767bf953e00be24e54fb7de/1596294871335-S93FFUSMCVHZLJIX6J7D/IMG_1916.jpg Montreal, Quebec http://www.meganjoyce.ca/news daily 0.75 2025-12-11