Education Programs

These past few days we have been busy with school programs.  Yesterday, Sarah an intern, did a reindeer presentation at Girdwood Elementary.

After the kids learned about reindeer, which are domesticated caribou, Sarah had them make their own reindeer puppet out of a brown paper bag.  Once the kids were finished with their craft they went outside to meet our reindeer named Bert.

Today, Thursday, we had porcupine presentations in anchorage.
So we loaded up the yukon with Snickers our porcupine and headed to town.
But before we left Portage we had a few mouths to feed...

                                                    Can you guess who this belongs to?

Today's porcupine program was at Russian Jack Elementary.  First, Scott and Sarah presented to the ASSDHH. This stands for the Alaska State School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing.  Scott has taken 2 years worth of sign language studies in college.  This came in handy today.  The teachers were very impressed with his skills.  By the end of the 2 programs we all learned a few more signs.

Meanwhile, back at the center, Doug Lindstrand took some amazing photos of the animals enjoying the little bit of sunshine that they had.

                               Walter sure was being a photo bomber!  He is so handsome!

Photo courtesy of Doug Lindstrand

Hooty and Snappy were also photogenic today.  Actually, I think every animal is photogenic when Doug Lindstrand is behind the camera. They were also awaiting their meal which was a nice fat rat.

photo courtesy of Doug Lindstrand

Jeremy fed the lynx for us today since we were in town all day.  You may not see it in this picture, but I am sure Jeremy was terrified the whole time.







                 Photo courtesy of Doug Lindstrand

Well the reindeer have almost lost all their antlers. Out of the five we have in the herd I think only 2 reindeer have one left each.  The reindeer lose their antlers to signal that rut is over.  Rut is the time of year when they are breeding.  People ask me if it is a painful process.  I like to compare it to losing a baby tooth; just a little uncomfortable.

photo courtesy of Doug Lindstrand

It has been a very productive day along with educational.  I better catch some shut eye so I can get ready for Groundhog's Day Alaskan style!  Oh I can't tell you what it is yet....you will just have to wait and read!

Goodnight Lower 48,
ErIn

What's that bright thing shining in the sky?

Boy did I wake up to a nice surprise today...the sun is shining!  December and January in Portage, Ak; or any where in Alaska for that matter, are the darkest months out of the year.  On top of having the shortest days these past few month we have had so much rain.  When I would usually be able to step out my door into a few feet of snow; I find myself wearing my mukboots on a rainy day.
So today was a pleasant surprise to have a sunny day off.  I hopped in my truck and drove around the center to take advantage of the nice weather.  oh, and did I mention that it was also a warm 38 degrees...no seriously that is warm weather right now.

Normally I don't get very good photos of the musk ox herd because they are either too close to me or trying to charge me.


This photo shows the three senior females in the front  , with Slide our bull in the back.

Slide managed to get in this next photo.  I still can not imagine Walter, last summer's calf, getting this big!  You can really tell the size difference between the males and females just by comparing their horns.

 Look how big our 2 calves from this summer are!  I remember when Gilly and Nelson, who are now going on 2 years old were this size.  Soon enough we will be moving these 2 moose in with the other 3 moose.  Jack, billy, and Nelson, will have 2 knew roommates!

Even Patron, the 9 year old brown bear was sunbathing a bit today.

With the warm winter we have been having our bears have been up more than usual.  The rain also drives them out of their dens sometimes.







                              I also had fun visiting the lynx today.  Venetie and Kaltag were curious to see if  I had a special treat for them.  Sometimes we like to spray different scents in their enclosure.  They really like bath and body works scents.  I have a few extra from home that I brought back with me.

             
Goodnight lower 48,
ErIn

Back from a long Vacation

Well it's been nice texas but time to go back to Alaska and play with the critters.  I miss them!

But first here is a quick recap of the past month's adventures:

 I went to Pennsylvania for the first time ever!  I went with my Boyfriend to see the Liberty Bell.

We also went to the Hershey museum on the way to Philadelphia.  I was to o excited to see all the chocolate to even take pictures.

There were so many historical statues and buildings in the area.  it was nice learning our nations history.




One of the things I miss most about Texas, besides my friends and family, are the dogs!  This is Low Rider AKA-Rider.

 One of my friends works at the Houston Aqaurium.

 She let me hang out with her for the day.  I thought aquariums only had marine animals?  Nope, they also have a variety of birds, 4 white bengal Tigers, 1 sloth, serval, and a cute fox.

This is Katie in the picture on the right.

Thanks again Katie!

 Katie was showing me some of the commands that the birds know.

This is a serval that the aquarium also has.

So back to my own turf.  when I went back to work I was amazed at how big some of the animals have gotten in the past month!  This is solo on the left.  he is starting to bulk up like a male deer should.  I wonder if he is going to be territorial this summer with the 2 other female deer?






Well since I have returned the weather has been sort of yucky.  I used one of these photos that Doug Lindstrand sent back in november.  This is the bull elk that was used for breeding this year.  My oh my he sure is handsome!

                              Photo courtesy of: Doug Lindstrand - http://douglindstrand.com

Once I see the sun again I will be sure to post some more photos of the critters.  I know you just miss seeing Snickers cute face.  (at least you can't smell him..... )

Goodnight Lower 48,
ErIn