baBIES, BABIES, bABieS!!!

It's getting to be that time of year again....babies!  Bison calves are expected any day now.  We had to do a bit of bison wrangling last week after work.  Last year's youngest calf has been limping a bit so we decided to pull him from the herd so we could better examine him.  This first pic was before Scott and I ran into the herd to grab the calf.  Mike Miller is driving the tractor so he could feed the grain out to separate the herd.

 ok it's go time!  Let's go get this bison!

 ok.....that calf was faster than we thought.....he is back in the herd now what?

In the end the calf was captured and was started on a round of penicillin to get his abscess taking care of.  We have been calling him "Rocky".  

 Later, in the week we snow machined out to Spencer Glacier.  It was so cool to be on a lake I went kayaking on last summer.  Kara in the first picture is a returning intern from last summer.  Kara plans on staying in Alaska more than just a summer. :)







Kara, Sarah, and I all went out to the glacier.  once we returned; Sarah and I went out a second time with Jeremy, another co-worker.

Now I can explain the title of this blog.  We have musk ox calves!

 Ok, Ok, I know this is a pink shoestring hanging around this calf, but he is a boy.  In fact, they both are.  We named them Chugach and Kenai is the younger one in the back.  They are named after alaskan mountain ranges.

 On another note; we had a photo shoot using some of our animals.  Roxy, the clothing brand for girls, had some models that they wanted to get pictures of with our animals.  it is not a very close photo but if you look hard enough you might see a little fur ball on the log with the model.  any guesses which critter it was?

Snickers!  He did so well!  In the end they got all the pictures they had hoped for.




We still had the school programs going as well.  On wednesday Sarah and I went to Chugiak Elementary with Snickers.  We then went to another school in anchorage to do another 2 programs on bones and Fur.  Whew!  This has been a busy few weeks!

 So after all that serious work I felt like pulling a prank on someone.  What do you do when you have 133 balloons that need a home?  You fill your room mates room up with them of course!

no need to explain the outcome....

 Oh but just when we thought the calves were done arriving with our musk ox a third one was born!  This little guy, and yes I said it was a boy, his name is Wrangle.  So the 5 streak male calves continues with our Musk Ox.









I ended my busy week with Keeper for a day on Saturday.  We had a group of 6 kids ranging from 4rth-6th grade.  They came ready to work.  we made more paper maches for snickers, bear popsicles, and even taped up hay bales.  Well that sounds like a productive day to end on.

Goodnight Lower 48,
Erin

Keeper for a Day

We couldn't have asked for a better day than to show 11 kids around the center what we do on a daily basis.

The age of the kids ranged from 3yrs-7yrs.  This year the size of the group doubled from last year!  I am excited that word is getting about about all of our programs.  After we walked the kids out to the brown bears and did a bit of training; we went to the barn and did a couple of different crafts.

One of the crafts that we did with the kids was make paper maches.  They were making these for our porcupine snickers.  It was really messy!  Good thing it was just flour and water!

DID I MENTION THAT IT WAS VERY MESSY!

 We also made bear pops.  We layed a variety of treats on the table and the kids would make their own bear popsicles.  We then put them in the freezer and will use these to feed to our Black bears through out the week.   We had celery, crackers, dog food, peanut butter, honey, peanuts, carrots, and then topped the mixtures off with snapple juice.   mmmmmmm those black bear are going to love these goodies.

 Today was an awesome day to spot Bald Eagles around our center.  I think we counted at least 5 or 6 different eagles.  This juvenile flew in and landed just above a mature Bald Eagle.  I don't think the adult eagle really appreciated his space being invaded by this younger eagle.

 Later, once the center was closed, the sun was still out and I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to catch some more photos.  I rarely get to photo eagles perched this close together.  they were hanging around the brown bear enclosure hoping to catch some scraps.














Even the wood bison were photogenic today.  Usually when I approach them this close they run off.  They must have been thinking I was going to feed them or something.  This young female was getting closer and closer.  Notice her horns....she has her left one really worn down.  It is possible for bison to lose a horn.  However, since horns are permanent they do not grow them back if they lose them.

Tomorrow is my day off and I don't know what I am going to do.  If the weather stays beautiful like this I might just have to go on an adventure!

Goodnight Lower 48,
ErIn

SURPRISE! It's payback!

Well, in the 2 years that I have now lived in Alaska my mom has surprised me twice with a visit.  It was time to pay her back!  Because I have such a wonderful boyfriend, that also happens to be a pilot, we were able to plan a surprise visit to Texas.  I must also add that I have great friends in Alaska that were able to cover my shifts in order to allow me 2 extra days in texas.

one thing that I am always excited about is to see my dogs as well.
low Rider AKA Rider is the bigger dog.  both of our dogs are rescue dogs.  Rider was one of those dogs that you walk into Petsmart not having a clue you are going to leave with a dog from the pound.
Delilah, the miniature dachshund, was found by a dumpster when I was in college in Louisiana.

Devin and I also love being able to take them for a walk without having to worry about snow....or an eagle taking Delilah (hint of sarcasm).

 One of my favorite parts about flying home was visiting my great  grandmother.  Yeah you read it right, my nana is 95 years old and still a spit fire.

                                                      I also visited my papa, Grandfather.
                                                               love you most Papa!

Well, sadly it was eventually time to return back to Alaska.  We are getting prepared for our easter event.  Sarah boiled 2 dozen eggs and after work we had fun dying them.

This year we got a bit more creative than just dying them simple colors.  We used wax crayons, duct tape, and even vegetable oil to get all kinds of effects.

I think I may have to buy another dozen tonight.  I still haven't quite got my Easter egg dying itch fulfilled.

Hmmmm, I may have to google some more ways to dye them.

Any suggestions?

Goodnight Lower 48,

ErIn

Devin's Here!

Well even though it has been a few weeks since his visit I haven't blogged in over a month!  And it isn't even summer yet when things really get busy!  My boyfriend, Devin, visited me in Alaska on a few of his days off.  he had never been further south than Anchorage so I really wanted to give him an alaskan experience.  What better way than feeding a moose!

I was also dog sitting two Brittany's at the time.  Devin and I went snowshoeing while walking them
one day.  It was a first for both of us.  This dog is named "Cream".

And of course Devin had to meet the famous "snickers"!

Earlier in the week a few other interns decided to build an igloo.  Perfect timing!  Even though it is collapsed now it was still fun to say we got to sit in an igloo in Alaska.

Snowshoeing was fun, but Devin soon learned that there can be some hidden holes in the snow.  I wouldn't dare post the picture showing Devin stuck in the hole.....hehe.










This was the best picture I was able to get of the two brittanys.  "Cream is the younger one on the left.   "Brandy Rose" is the mother of "Cream".  

Cream was having a little bit of fun....what do you think?

Doug Lindstrand snapped some great photos of our 2 youngest musk ox playing around on March 16th.  Mukluk and Walter are getting along great.


Photo Courtesy of Doug Lindstrand

Well I will end this blog on one last note.  Notice anything that's not supposed to be in this picture?

If you look closely you night see a different type of deer poking her head out from behind a tree.

Leia, one of our Sitka Black Tailed Deer, jumped the fence into the elk enclosure!  At least she was getting along well with the elk.  I wonder how many people thought they were looking at a baby elk that day?

Goodnight Lower 48,
ErIn

Portage’s Prickly Prognosticator

Happy Groundhog Day....alaskan style!

 Even though it's been a week I guess it's better late than never.  Last saturday we had our first annual Groundhog Day with Snickers the porcupine.  What was the outcome you ask?  snickers determined that there is not going to be 6 more weeks of winter.  He also said that even if he did see his shadow he wouldn't tell us; he is ready for summer!

photo courtesy of Doug Lindstrand

Sarah and I did the presentation for about 25 people.  Even though that doesn't seem like a high number; we were quite happy with the turnout considering it was the first annual AWCC groundhog day.  Afterwards, we moved the presentation to our barn where we had coffee and hot chocolate to warm up with.
                                                                        Photo courtesy of Doug Lindstrand

photo courtesy of Doug Lindstrand

Our Sitka Black Tailed deer are sure growing up fast.  Leia, the female, deer was enjoying the sunshine we had on 2/9.  

                                   Solo, the male, wanted to see if I had any treats for him.

On my day off today it was pretty crummy weather.  MT, a friend of mine, and I hoped in my car and drove to portage lake to checkout the weather there.  it was even worse, but we still got a quick video to show the viewers how bad it was.  

sorry it's a short blog but not too much going on at the center right now.  Well, I need to go make some playdo now for the upcoming porcupine presentations.

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