Colin “White Tail”

Turned 24 on island in July
Hometown: Wall, New Jersey near Asbury Park
Education: BS in Wildlife Biology and Natural Resource Ecology (double majored) from the University of Vermont

Jobs on the island: Ant Farms, Bike maintenance

Why did he apply to this position?

It seemed cool. There was no cost coming from him, like a plane ticket or food, so he was all for it. The fact that it was work with breeding birds on an island was a really exciting to Colin. He has experience banding birds but he wanted to do more. He has a friend who was part of an earlier CAST crew and he said it was cool experience. It was also cold when Colin applied and the thought of a being on a warm tropical island was nice. Colin also has a friend, Jack, in Hawaii. He was able to visit him while we were in Hawaii.
Colin’s entomological experience with mosquitoes gave him confidence in applying to work with ants. The fact that the whole island is surrounded by coral reefs was another reason for applying for this position as the snorkeling was calling him.

What does he do for fun on the island?

Colin is often found slacklining and reading lots of books. He enjoys playing games and teaches us games we have never heard of. The man has good taste in games. If he is not sleeping, he is whistling, singing, making bird sounds, or saying something in an accent. He is our champion beard grower. It is getting out of control. During our working times, he is our D.J. Even when we aren’t working, we are usually listening to his music. He is working on his tan and has found snorkeling – although his weird pruny finger condition doesn’t allow him to stay out as long as he would like. He is our official New Jersey representative with his phrases. We all recall him being honked at in Hawaii and his response of “Blow it out your ass!” At the beginning of the trip he was a vegetarian, then flexitarian, and is now a carnivore. While Reggie the Tropicbird was here, Colin had a love/hate relationship with him. During Colin’s personal time, he is doing yoga, lifting weights, doing Insanity and applying coconut oil to his beard.

What do you hope to get out of island?

Colin would like to achieve maximum beard growth, learn all about the birds here, tan, obtain muscle definition. He likes that he is working for federal government. It may help him land future jobs.
There is also a nice concentrated chunk of field experience that he will get to experience. He is glad this is not an office job; being outside is much better.

What’s next for Colin?

Something in wildlife. He really enjoys working with birds. Colin possibly wants to go to school…but in the future. His most immediate concern is shopping for Christmas when he gets home.

What do you miss most from home?

Dogs – Rooney, World Cup, beer, family, friends, summertime things like Jersey Beach, Strollo’s (Italian ice place), having people serve him food, driving and listening to music really loud, the woods, and thunderstorms. Also he is bummed he missed Doug’s wedding.

How long has it been since you have worn underwear?

Some point over the changeover period…like since day one.

What is your spirit animal?

A Mockingbird because I am always whistling.

You are on death row, what do you have as your last meal?

Turkey club sandwich on pumpernickel bread from Hincks Turkey Farm, Chocolate dessert, Brownie a la mode, lots of beer and whole milk, but in separate glasses.

You have one day to live, what do you do?

I would go to Six Flags with Liv Tyler and ride all cool rides with her. She would meet my family on the plane ride to a fjord. We would be married by the time we landed. I would slackline over the fjord with a Peregrine Falcon sitting on my shoulder. Mid slackline, we would both shot gun a beer that is in my parachute pack. We would both jump and eat Leonard’s malasadas that my parachute pack is full of. I would then fall into my funeral crater. I would D.J. my own funeral.
Then the falcon, wearing a veil, would give a eulogy as Liv consoles him. Everyone would get super drunk after…the end.