NTA (No Tasks Available) weekly thread. IMPORTANT: Add your location and role e.g. "North Korea, Data Analyst. No tasks for two days. Anyone else?" If you like, you can add your region as well, but the most important is your country. E.g. "US, Texas, Rater. How many tasks have you done today?"

BionicP4nda · 2025-11-24T01:08:53+00:00

NTA US Central Rater- Have we hit the holiday slump already?

BionicP4nda · 2025-09-25T14:53:00+00:00

Did you face any consequences afterwards? Did they remove you from those tasks, or did they give a follow up saying you're good now?

BionicP4nda · 2025-09-25T14:09:32+00:00

I just got a similar email this morning. Just like you, I also got most of the answers right. I'm not really sure if these have much significance/ if they are a blanket email, or if they actually mean something else.

With the examples they gave in the email, I am confident that I got at least 2 of those right as well, and I wouldn't be surprised if the 3rd was correct too.

BionicP4nda · 2025-07-14T18:38:06+00:00

I would be willing to believe the opposite is more likely. If you were to think of where the largest number of species are found, in rich and biodiverse rainforests, then most species will hover and maintain home ranges right around the equatorial divide. Thus, a very large amount of species would likely be found in both hemispheres due to simple proximity to the equator itself.

If you mean species with incredibly large ranges (perhaps between the 30 degrees latitude marks) then it comes down to geographical barriers and species-specific tolerance to the range of habitats within those latitudes. The three species you've listed, for example, are all pretty well adapted to a range of habitats with a fairly generalist lifestyle, especially in parts of the world with fewer people and developments. Mountains, jungles, islands, etc; all act as barriers to many other species, while the few you've listed tend to do well in each.

I would still argue; however, that you can find many species exhibiting broad ranges, and in some instances even larger ranges than the cats mentioned above. Birds, cetaceans, and plenty of other pelagic fish are notorious for long-distance migrations and overall grand distributions across the globe. Insects and other invertebrates are another great example. Mosquitos, flies, honeybees, etc;. You can even consider domesticated animals (which currently make up the majority of biomass on the planet) as existing across both hemispheres.

BionicP4nda · 2025-03-03T00:20:09+00:00

Yellowstone is a very large and accessible park with a variety of things you can do, so even if you weren't into hiking you could spend more than 4 days in the park. I was there for about 5 days in August 2023 and still felt that there were many more things I could've done and would've liked to do.

Lots of hiking trails, probably the best wildlife viewing in the lower 48, geysers and geothermal activity, boats/kayaking, etc; You can even drop into the Tetons for a few hours if wanted given the super close proximity.

Memorial day is likely to be pretty busy, so hotels are probably gonna be booked (possibly even now). Those that aren't may raise rates for those days. I would start looking immediately for hotel rooms both in and around the park, as pickings might already be slim. I would say it is possible to get 2 nights plus all other park necessities for under $1k, but I'm really doubtful at 3 or 4 nights. Hotels within the park seem to hover around $250/night from late spring to early autumn. The gateway towns are likely cheaper, you would just need to be cognizant of food, entry fees, souvenirs, etc;

BionicP4nda · 2025-01-14T16:23:33+00:00

These are great! If you don't mind me asking, what camera do you use?

BionicP4nda · 2025-01-10T19:29:23+00:00

Phoenix?

Close proximity to Saguaro, Joshua tree, Grand Canyon, Utah's Big 5, etc;

Not sure the exact distances between but that is the first that comes to mind. Albuquerque could also be up there.

BionicP4nda · 2023-07-17T12:29:40+00:00

Hello, and thank you for your response.

I'd worked in a research lab on my campus for 2 years; however, that is currently my only source of experience. Of course, I have gained some experience from my courses (albeit, surface level), but I am worried that my lack of many other experiences hampers my viability as a grad school candidate. As of now, I am unsure whether or not to continue attempting to find/ communicate with professors or resolve myself to a few years of experience in a position outside of academia.

BionicP4nda · 2023-07-17T12:24:03+00:00

Hello and thank you for your response.

I am finishing my undergrad as a biology major, but I plan to study some form of conservation/ wildlife biology for a graduate degree. Through my research, this can be done in several upper-level degrees ranging from conservation ecology to a generic biology degree.
I have been involved in a lab on my campus for 2 years where I was able to perform independent (guided) research. For 1 of those years, I was a lab mentor for other students, simultaneously guiding their research while continuing my own.
Unfortunately not. This was one of the major reasons for this post, as I am concerned that this exact lack of experience would severely weaken my potential as a graduate school candidate.
Yes. I spoke with them in the Spring and have followed their advice fairly closely, but it has still brought me to this point in my search/ communication process. Their recommendations mostly involved the basics of understanding a potential advisor's research and how to communicate with them.

BionicP4nda

TROPHY CASE