To:  

Walt Disney World Animal Kingdom Internship Program

 
From:  

Michael Thomas Harbuck
1915 Center Drive
Casselberry, Florida  32707 
407-574-1170

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a pleasure to inform you that this morning I have seen and observed more species than most see in a month. 

The coots are wintering here as usual, but have begun to flock in even more urban areas than I would have ever imagined,...

The fresh water otter pair broke the calm lake with their undulating feeding swim as I stood on the dock trying to catch the Lepomids that are both prey and predator in the aquatic food chain.  Gently and methodically searching the aquatic vegetation for unsuspecting fish to dine upon, they cruise their territory while the hustle and bustle of nonchalant commuters passes sleepily by. 

As I walked to a different spot the common grackle used the opportunity to steal a piece of hot dog from my bait bucket, and then fended off his rival, who had also been aware of the easy breakfast. 

The pond chicken, a relative of the coot but a non gregarious species, was as usual alone and unoffensive in her breeding spot which she had chosen near a well thought out feeding ground, awaiting a mate for the spring season. 

A lone seagull, who may have followed some transportation from the coast to the urban area swooped down to take a look at the bait which I had just cast out. 

Hundreds of small minnows danced up to the surface in the new morning sun as the warmth reached the groups of millimeter size flying gnats began to descend onto the water to drink.  The appearance was that of a rain shower without a cloud in the sky. 

A lone swallow flitted above my head in curiosity while I kept my patience with an attentive eye on the bobber.  

My goal was the large lurking predatory fish which must be there, but remained unseen, to be hunted another day.

Animal Behavior 

While most are viewing media which someone produces, and markets, I am out in the field, out where the animals on our planet live and thrive.  Be this the backyard of your home, where the Redbirds are cracking the seeds which have been set out for them, or the hidden Florida lake, where the sounds of the multilane highway in some miraculous manner does not seem to invade, or the wildlife management area, where the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake I stumbled upon while hunting game birds concentrated upon the hot shot-shell which at just that moment ejected allowing me to rapidly go my own way in a thankful rush of adrenaline. Is the mourning dove aware that I am aware that she is perched on the tree branch waiting for me to vacate her feeding area?  What caused the Bobwhite quail to remain as silent and inconspicuous as possible while I trample across the field?  The mallard duck at the boat dock did not seem to respond to humans as others do last week as I searched for a weedless access to the lake.  His head bedded down and contorted onto his back, he seemed unconcerned that a I was standing less than a foot from him, while his hen-less companion retreated onto the safety of the water as I approached.  

Reproductive Biology

I recently read a very informative textbook on sexual selection, and was astounded my the variety of reproductive systems in place in the animal kingdom.  Although the theories on the necessity and or purpose of sex have been debated for years, it is incredible in itself, that our organic systems have become so complex. 

The societal givens and the unsuspected are at play at all times, purporting to allow the traits and the characteristics which will be most advantageous to the offspring to be passed further into the ever changing history of our planet. 

Is there really a chemical signal which is present in animals which will transmit the major histocompatibility complex of an organism to a possible mate, whereby the immune traits and experiences can be cast into the cauldron of sexual choice variables?\par

Polyandry, polygamy, monogamy, hermaphroditism, biological sex changes in response to climatic change:  nature has a multitude of responses to the different situations which do and will arise.  

Conservation and Behavior 

Unfortunately there is a large gray area when humans are involved in active conservation, being that humans will more likely choose to benefit the human, while leaving the endangered and or protected animals at the whim of what has been left over after humans have taken what they want or feel they need. 

I would very much like to be involved at a higher level concerning the decision made about the animals which humans have intruded upon, how to help them, and to obtain a symbiotic balance which hopefully would allow both to benefit.   Nature is not a constant, always in motion and evolving.  The only constant is that of definite change and adaptation.  

Being a hunter and understanding the ecology of regions, and animals groups of all types of regions, it is important to view all sides and possibilities of conservation efforts.  Some species are more than able to adapt without the direct intervention of man, while others are more susceptible to habitat change, having been much more specialized to a particular characteristic, each case much me viewed separately, but viewed as a whole system.

Interesting,  would be behavioural changes due to conservation measures, and I would like to study these in-depth.  I am sure I have witnessed bahaviour which has been modified my man, and or intrusion, but the direct instance and cause of which, I cannot document.  This would make a very good research topic to complete a degree.

Note:

I was not aware that I must already have completed my second year.  I require 5 more classes for which I am currently enrolled.  I hope that this will not hinder my acceptance, and or hope that you will be able to offer me a position/Internship which would be beneficial to all.