Day off!  First field trip of the year!  Thursday, the 31rst, a group of us went on the 26 Glacier Cruise out of Whittier,AK.  It was a rainy day.  However, once the ship left the docks the weather seemed to really clear up.  These two gals on the right are some really great interns at the center.  Sarah Howard, on the left is a third year returner.  Nicki Pinnell, on the right, is returner for her second summer at the center.  These 2 girls are going to be really fun to hang out with this summer!

 Kate and Nikki were also on the cruise.  Kate, next to me, is from Michigan; and Nikki has done work in Antarctica....which I think is really cool!

 Here is a pic of our whole group.  MT at the end of the table on the right is a cook at the center.  This is his third summer at the center.  He has also worked in Antarctica in the past. 









Some of the popular sea life that we usually see in this cruise are sea otters.  Sea otters can reach up to 5 feet long and weigh up to one hundred pounds!
 

 This little guy on the right was just jumping into the water as I snapped this pic. 

 Earlier in the week when I did that private boat cruise presentation I met the captain.  He was also the captain of this cruise as well.  He even invited us to stop by the Wheel house if we were interested.  Of course we had to stop by! 









Just some scenic shots along the way....

Our group stepped outside to get a group shot.  

 We also saw three mountain goats way up on a mountain.












This rookery is one of the last stops along the cruise route.  It is common to see a bald eagle hanging around to try and snatch a gull or two. 

Yesterday I also had the day off.  Kate, Claire, and I rode our bikes to portage lodge for some delicious grilled cheese sandwiches with criss cross fries.  This part of the 6 mile trail is my favorite spot.  It is called the enchanted forest.  The way the moss grows everywhere makes it seem like another planet almost.  This picture definitely does not do this spot justice. 

Well it's almost midnight and Sarah and I have a moose feeding coming up.  Now that there are 3 of these little guys it definitely makes it easier to have 2 people available for the feedings. 

Well it's almost midnight and Sarah and I have a moose feeding coming up.  Now that there are 3 of these little guys it definitely makes it easier to have 2 people available for the feedings. 
 Thought I would leave the readers with a few pictures from today's daily feedings...

On my way to give these hooligans another bottle :)

                                       Nicki giving Hammond one of his bottles today....

Goodnight Lower 48,
ErIn

Well in between the rainy days we have managed to have a few spots of dry weather.  This past week has been jam packed full of events.  On Friday, I went to Whittier,AK and hopped on a 4 hour day cruise.  I did a quick 20 minute speal about  the wildlife center.  I must say I did not mind doing a little bit of glacier sight seeing....even if it was raining.

This glacier posted above and below is called Black Stone glacier.  There was even a bit of wildlife hanging around.

 We were able to spot a Harbor Seal and her pup taking a break on a chunk of ice. 

 Finally the sun was able to make an appearance!  On Labor Day we had a perfect day for gardening.  These two gals posted on the right are a great addition to our intern program. 

 Kate, from Michigan, is on the left; and then Claire is from Hawaii, on the right in this photo.









I even took a quick photo of the lovely Kat Jacobs walking her boo, Hershey the reindeer. 

 Unfortunately the gardening project did not last long for me.  However, I was able to spend the rest of the day with Sarah.  Sarah is a third year returning intern.  I am very excited to be working with her again.  In fact, I will be interning with her tomorrow...woo hoo!

Anyways, back on schedule, so we got a call that we needed to pick up about 12 pallets full of donated meat!  We quickly jumped in the flat bed and drove all the way to Wasilla.  We then spent another hour loading up the flatbed.  As we noticed that the donation was piling up very high; I had to purchase another freezer to store all the meat.  Sarah and I were mentally exhausted from the stress caused by the drive back.  We were both worried that we almost had to  much weight on the flat bed.  However; all ended well.  At the end of the day the bears were getting sirloins, filet mignon, and other prime cuts. 

 Once we got to the center we both felt like a load was lifted off of our shoulders.

 I could definitely have taken a nap!

Well it is 2AM my time and I have to go bottle feed three moose calve soon.  Oh by way; Claire, Nicole, and I just got back from Soldotna with 2 more moose calves to raise with Sullivan.  Did I even mention Sullivan AKA Sully?  We got Sully about 8 days ago.  He was attacked by dogs and needed some basic medical attention.  He is doing better and better every day.  So back to the 2 moose.....We are now bottle raising 3 moose, 2 musk ox, and I may or may not have purchased 2 chickens for my own personal hobby.  Tomorrow I will take some snap shots of Boca and Tofu (my chicken's names) and introduce my readers to them.  I suppose I could even photo thee 3 calves along with Walter and Hammond.

Toodle Loo and Goodnight Lower 48
ErIn

 Wow!  What a busy week!  The interns have just about all arrived!  Here are two new gals added to the AWCC summer intern staff.  Claire and Kate were walking Hershey for the first time this summer!  I think Hershey was very happy to be getting some bread as a treat.






Tonight MT, and Nikki were taught how to feed baby musk ox.  With a possible 3 moose calves arriving any day now I am training as many people to help out with bottle feedings as possible. 

Walter and Hammond are growing so fast!  Walter weighs nearly 35 pounds.  Hammond is coming up to 30 pounds fairly quickly as well. 

 After work I wanted to take Tug, my boss' dog, to burn some of his puppy energy at the "beach".  It is a nice little strip of land located on the back property of the center.  Instead of sand it is basically a silt like mudd.

 Tug was wearing me out!  He had so much energy!  By the way, if you have a dog with lots of energy that likes to jump....taking him to a beach made of mudd isn't the best idea.....

After work today; I went for a bike ride with a few other friends to good ole Portage Lake.  Last time I made that ride was over a year ago.  As usual; I am always astounded at the scenery that I live in. 

 I loved how the mountain's reflection was peaking through the bits of Lake breaking through the ice. 

Well, this blog was short and sweet with lots of pics.  I am tired and have a 4AM bottle feeding with a 2 day old moose calf.  Don't worry I will post pics of this little guy soon!

Goodnight Lower 48,
Erin

summer has arrived and so have new people!

 The adventures have begun!  Kat and I have been checking out the local rock gym a lot lately.  We even brought two more friends along with us.  Marcie on the left is one of the gift store employees that has returned for the summer.  It was her first time to climb...Kat was giving her a pep talk. 






Meanwhile...... back at the c!!enter....
the musk ox calves have been sprouting like weeds!  Walter is getting so big!  Jonathan gave him his bottle and he downed it in about 3 seconds!!!

                                        It's official meet....Hammond...AKA HAMM!

 The same day we had a huge donation of bananas!  Cyndy Lopez donated about 120 pounds of bananas!!!!!!  Gilly and Nelson were very happy with their treat.

Thanks Mrs. Cyndy!!!!!!








Even Snickers was given a donated Corn on the cobb...oh man did he love that!!!!

 It was my turn later in the day to feed the two boys...I didn't even have to look at what I was doing.  Walter could handle it on his own.  Hammond was slowly approaching for his bottle.










On my way home...yes I said home....I was walking home to a beautiful scenery.  Because we have so many employees living at the center this summer the center has rented to cabins for the summer.  I will be living with Kat.  Marcie and Sarah, two other employees, will be living in another cabin.  I will basically be camping all summer.  We do not have running water.  Typically this would be a bit harder to do; however, we do only live across the street from the wildlife center. 

 Today, Thursday, was my day off.  MT, another employee, and I went hiking.  I decided, while I was in a very energetic mood, that I  would sign up for a trail race on June 17th.  It is a hike that is 3 miles and 3400 feet elevation.

Today we did the Falls Creek Trail.  It was a 4 mile trail (one way) with a 4000 ft. elevation.

I can honestly say that the 2 scoops of ice cream topped with hot fudge and whip cream I chased down afterwards were well earned!    

 This picture on the right with my feet was when we reached the top.  I was too tired to even stand up too take the pictures.









All around the view was outstanding!

Well, it has been a long day!  I am exhausted!  I finally was able to post since I don't have internet over at the cabin. 

Until next time,
Goodnight Lower 48,
ErIn

Walter and ?

Sorry I have spaced out these blogs a bit more than I have liked.  I have been so busy with not only Walter, the nearly 2 week old musk ox, but we now have a second musk ox calf!  We have yet to name him, hint the title of the blog, but we definitely have a few ideas in mind.

Here is Walter at 1 day old before we took him into our care in order to provide him with more nutrients that mom was not able to provide. 

                                                  photo courtesy of Doug Lindstrand
Walter in his new enclosure.....

                                                       Photo Courtesy of Doug Linstrand
Boy, with these 2 little guys time sure has flown!

New calf number 2!
Any name suggestions?  We were thinking Hamm?

I can't imagine what we are gonna do if we get any orphaned moose calves!

This summer sure is going to be a busy one; but a fun one!!!!

Raising any orphans or calves as young as the musk ox there are protocols that we must follow.  In order to make sure we don't bring any illness into the musk ox calf enclosure; or out, we must always wear gloves, bleach our shoes before and after the bottle feedings, clean their enclosure every few days, and even use a specified sponge on their dishes.

Kat and I did the 8PM bottle feeding last night, and I was FINALLY able to grab some photos.  Walter is on the left of us.  You can tell he is very comfortable and curious with us.  

We have also been weighing them every other day to make sure they are gaining the proper weight; and therefore getting the proper amount of formula.  If we were to give them too much they could get sick.  Their stomachs are very sensitive; the formula is fairly high in lactose so we do weigh out the powder when mixing their bottles.

For now they are getting 6 bottles a day!  So every four hours they are given a bottle; which means I better hurry out to the 8AM bottle feeding!

 http://www.ktuu.com/gotoak/ktuu-alaska-wildlife-conservation-center-names-baby-musk-ox--20120507,0,6060987.story

Goodnight Lower 48,
ErIn