a different approach to conservation

Lately I have been asking myself; "am I doing my best in conserving the earth's animals?".

While I still love my job at the AWCC;  I have been wondering if there are also other animals I could be helping.

I have been picking up a new hobby in my down time.  I have really taken an interest in art ; more specifically acrylic painting.  I always thought being an artist meant you were good at drawing perfect portraits, or sitting in class and drawing a nude person.  What I didn't realize is that there are all types of art.  You can mix this with that and get a different combination each time.  I realize every painting is as unique as a thumbprint.  Everyone has their own combinations in art that they like to use.

So for the heck of it I started making "animal art portraits" .

I recently joined a website named " The Dodo"

https://www.thedodo.com

It is a good source for update news in the animal world.  I have a read a few concerning articles:

https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3705644897911403394#editor/target=post;postID=960817088519693694

Both the Elephants and Rhinos are suffering from one large concerning issue: the illegal ivory trade.
I felt suddenly like I wanted to draw an elephant.  The below picture is an attempt at taking on animal conservation from a new approach.  I also happen to have my very first art show going on at The Java Haus in Girdwood, Ak.  If the painting sells; 100% of the proceeds will go to "Save Elephant Foundation"

http://www.saveelephant.org

price: $200

When I read an article on a Northern White Rhino death I was shocked to hear that there are now only 6 Northern White Rhinos left in the world!

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/10/141020-rhinoceros-death-suni-kenya-science-world-endangered-animals/

The next piece will also have 100% of the proceeds donated to: "Ol Pejeta Conservancy"

Price $100
1ftX2ft

These are just my first 2 conservation paintings.  If they don't sell.....well that won't stop me from trying to paint others.  This is something I am going to really put some sweat into for the time being.
I will keep you posted on how things are going in this animal art project. Until next time....

Goodnight Lower 48,
E and Z

Fall:looking back on summer 2014

Well, it isn't the best picture but you tell a Sitka black Tailed deer to stop and smile for the camera.  HINT: It doesn't work.

Solo is the 2 year old deer on the left of the photo that we cared for when he was found as an orphan.

"Solo" 2 years ago in the photo on the right.

Photo courtesy of Doug Lindstrand




"Solstice" was smaller deer on the right with Solo.  He looked a lot smaller when he was born on June 21rst (Summer Solstice).  The longest day of sunlight in Alaska every year.  It is basically a holiday here.




                                              Next photo is how big he has gotten!
                             Leia is his mother. Also a 2 year old orphaned we raised.

photo courtesy of Doug Lindstrand

Every year we still get the veggies that were used in the Palmer State Fair vegetable competitions.  Here is a display of the largest veggies we received.  Cabbages are lining the ground with a large rutabaga on each end.  A large zucchini is on the right side of the table.  In the center is a cauliflower head surrounded by various other types of veggies like turnips, squash, radishes, rhubarb, and peppers.

The bears appreciated them very much.                      photo courtesy of Doug Lindstrand

We also start to clear our own garden out that we take care of all summer.  The musk oxen really enjoy the cabbages from our garden.

photo courtesy of Doug Lindstrand

Now the other thing I really enjoy about the fall is the fact that things in general slow done at the center.  This means I get to play with the animals more!  I started my work day by playing with Jade our handsome red fox.  

Remember when Tectonic looked like this?

   

Now he looks like this!!!!!  He lost his baby coat of fur and is finally filling in his lanky body.  

alright. moose play time!

Hey Tectonic let's both stick our tongues out at the same time for a selfie. 

1.2.3! 

Wait wait wait! Tectonic you stuck you tongue out too early!

                                                                         OK
                                                                     1.2.3!
                                                                      Danggit!  Now I did it to early!

                           
                                                                     Ok let's just smile.

Goodnight lower 48,
E and Z

Favorite pictures

  I have worked with many species of animals.  I Started with the basics: dogs, hamsters, fish, hermit crabs, birds and guinea pigs.  you know the one every parent ends up taking care of.  I like to think I was decent at taking care of my "pet".

Then in College I upgraded to volunteer work at the Houston Zoo. -Which by the way if you think you are ever interested in working with animals I recommend volunteering as early in age as possible and applying for internships all through college.

The Houston zoo taught me a lot about farm animals.  Goats, chicken, Llamas, pigs, ox, sheep, ducks were all a part of the children's zoo area.  You definitely learn how to rake really well as a volunteer in that area.

Alligators, Eagle, otters, snakes, rabbits, chinchilla, raccoon, white tail deer, fox, are also some more of the species in the children' zoo there.  This was the time that I decided "I don't know if I want to work in a zoo".  Don't get me wrong I think zoos are a very important factor in  conservation.  I was more interested in the training aspect of animals.  I didn't really want to go the vet route since I want to work more with healthy animals and raising them.  I also wanted to work more in natural settings.

After I graduated College I soon found myself saying "What do I do now?"

Luckily with a little bit of persistence and annoying phone calls; I got my first internship at TGR Exotics.

Again,  I took another step up in varying animal species.  Camels, lemurs, tiger, serval (that tall cat in pictures standing next to egyptians, you know the one), PORCUPINE, kangaroo, muntjac deer, sloth, and others I can't remember; were all new species for me to work with.

After hearing from my supervisor that there was this cool place in Alaska looking for an intern to train bears; I thought "It can't hurt to try."

Again, with lot's of luck (and I mean lots from above) I got the internship.  Well 3.5 years later I am still working at that same place.  The Alaska wildlife Conservation Center has taught me so much about myself.  Working with (and I can name them all) black bear, brown bear, coyote, porcupine, eagle, owls, red fox, sitka Black Tailed Deer, reindeer, elk, moose, bison, and Canadian Lynx has never been a boring day.  There is never a boring day here.  I have realized over the past year that my purpose in life to work in conservation.   All the days at work here have left me with a lot of cool pictures.  This blog is dedicated to my favorite pictures working at the AWCC.  ENJOY.

PHOTO COURTESY:DOUG LINDSTRAND

PHOTO COURTESY: DOUG LINDSTRAND

PHOTO COURTESY: DOUG LINDSTRAND

PHOTO COURTESY:DOUG LINDSTRAND

Goodnight lower 48,
E and Z

Many adventures in the past few weeks

Been a very busy month....

First off I would like to give credit to the amazing interns we have had this summer.  Sadly some of these interns have already returned back to their hometowns for College.
From left: Kayla Jackson -New York, Suzanne Steinert-Kentucky, Jeremy Brooks-Montana, Connor O'Brien-Georgia, Hanna Sundstrom-Minnesota, Erin (Me), bottom row from left Allison Dahl-Alaska,
Rachel Skrobot-Ohio, Katelyn Dotson-Kentucky.  Without these fabulous interns we wouldn't be able to do all the animal programs or have healthy baby animals.  Thank you interns for all your hard work this summer!

photo credit: Doug Lindstrand

We also added a new intern to our group..

Meet Amanda from New Jersey

 The baby animals are doing great!  Our 2 moose calves Richtor and Tectonic are growing so fast!

The Musk Oxen calves are also continuing to thrive at the AWCC.  Tsuni Must weigh near 100 pounds!

On a separate note; my mom visited Alaska about 3 weeks ago.  We went to Denali National Park where we then hopped on the bus and rode through the park.  Denali National Park is roughly 6 million acres in size!  The first thing we saw as we entered the park was something hiding in the bushes.  Any guesses?  I will tell you at the end of the blog. Hint:  Either a moose or a caribou.






             Me and my mom posing for a few pictures in the park. :)

This little guy was my favorite animal that we saw in the park.  Just after we left the rest stop called Eilson to return back; this red fox was spotted walking along the side of the road.

Reminded me of Jade at the center

A few days ago I was lucky enough to give a private tour to the one and only John Oates.

They were a group of 6 and all very nice to tour with.  They even shared their bananas with a tourist so they could feed the moose.

The latest adventure that I went on was back to Homer, Alaska.  This is the Halibut capital of the world.  We had a very kind lady named Cyndy ask a few of us to go on a halibut Charter in her place.  Cyndy always donates a bunch of bananas for the moose when she visits the center.  Thank you again Mrs. Cyndy!

The charter was based out of Ninilchik,AK.  We camped about an hour away in Homer,Ak.  As I was waking up this morning their was a Bald Eagle perched on a nearby satellite.  

FISH ON!!!!  I caught a 30 pound halibut!

Everyone in our group limited out with 2 halibut per person.

 This was the big one of the charter trip.  And I only got sea sick 1 time!!!!

lastly the AWCC was challenged in the ALS Icebucket challenge!  I think we passed the challenge.

Goodnight lower 48,
E and Z

answer: CARIBOU

CAN'T DECIDE

What is your favorite thing about your job?  No really?  I think about it. all. the. time.

FAMILY

 RESCUES

                                                                                                                                                                       BLUE SKIES

QUESTIONS

                                    JOKES

KISSES

MORE KISSES

                                                                                                               PUDDLES

GANGSTERS

PALS

 HAYRIDES

 ZZZZZZ'S

    SELFIES                                                                                                                                                                

                                                                     MEMORIES

CONSERVATION.

Goodnight lower 48,

E and Z