I finally had an adventure all it took was to go looking for love. Yes, it is the time of year where all Great Horned Owls are looking for love. It is mating season for these beautiful birds. It also time for bored biologist that have been stuck in their office glued to their computer to go out and count the love sick owls. Owls call more during mating season so it is a great time to listen for them. Conditions have to be right though, winds below 12 mph and no precipitation. Those kind of days that are rare in King Salmon. Last night was perfect weather for an owl survey and we took advantage of it.
The survey began 30 minutes after sunset. Still twilight but good. Our first stop was Lake Camp. The last survey was performed in 2001 and out of the 12 sites visited only two owls were counted. We were hoping for three. Not high goals but that was it. At each stop you listen for 10 minutes hoping to hear the owls call. There we stood in the growing darkness with just my flashlight and my partner was wearing a headlamp. Ten minutes later no owls.
Stop 2 was a mile away. Now it was really dark. The wind was slight and cloud cover was 100%. Then we heard it. One gray horned owl calling. Not once but three times.
Stop 3. We heard one owl, then a second answered. The two of them calling back and forth. And then a coyote called. He sang his song not far from us. We listened to all of them call into the night. After our ten minutes my partner said she thought the coyote was going to eat us it was so close.
Stop 4. It was really dark now. We heard an owl off in the distance. Then quiet after about five minutes of darkness a strange noise occured not to far from where we were standing. Not knowing what it was we ran back towards the doors of the truck. I raised my flashlight but we saw nothing. After our time was over we tried to guess what it was that we heard. My partner was sure it was a moose. I thought it sound like a scared ptarmagin taking flight. Then again something would have startled it to make it flush.
Stop 5. More owls calling.
Stop 6. We heard what sounded like a duck. During the ten minutes we try not to talk so that we can hear the owls. So niether of us said anything as the duck like noises continued. We were not near waterfowl habitat all our stops are in boreal habitat. So the chance of it being a duck were very slim. Yet duck like noises do not make people jumpy. We decided that it must have been a porcupine as they are known to make unusual sounds.
Stop 6. More owls.
Stop 7. More owls.
Stop 8. More owls.
Stop 9. We were a few feet from an intersection of two dirt roads. We heard kids out into the woods off my side of the truck. We heard an owl. Then we heard the snap of a branch. I asked my partner if she heard it. She said yes and that it was coming towards us. It is on your side of the road she said. I raised my flashlight watching. We could hear it coming towards us. I watched the woods. Then I heard a growling sound. I focused my flashlight on the area the sound came from and there in the night shone two green eyes looking at me. Then another growling sound. I told my partner to get into the truck. We dimmed the lights hoping it would come out but we didn't see anything. My partner said it must be a wolf but I have been close to a lot of wolves and have never been growled at. I think it might have been a wild dog. But who knows all the mysteries of the night are still that mysteries.
Stop 10. More owls.
Stop 11. More owls.
Stop 12. This stop was three blocks from my house and I told my partner if we hear growling I am going to be a little nervous walking to work for awhile. No growling but three more owls.
Both of us decided that 1. You don't do this survey alone. 2. We heard over 20 owls, we will tally it this morning. and 3. It was a blast to do. We are planning on performing the survey every two weeks through April as mating season for different species of owls start at different times. It was about time to have fun!!!!!!!
Friday, February 24, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
I Want March
I have been complaining that there are no adventures in Alaska right now. But yesterday talking to my boss I was told that March is the best time of the year. The days are longer, the weather isn't as cold. All of the water is frozen so that you can go anywhere. Anywhere that is if you have a plane. Then he offered to take me where ever I would like to go as he has a plane and loves to fly. The catch? He is taking the whole month of March off this year so I will have to wait until next March. But maybe March will be good to those of us that have no plane also.
Maybe I should dream of April. In April I am spending four days in Anchorage to attend the state Wildlife Society Meeting. Then at the end of the month I head to the Grand Canyon for two weeks of training. Then it is off to MN for a week with the family before coming up here for the beginning of the summer fun. I will get back just as the bears are coming out of their dens. I just have to get through February.
Maybe I should dream of April. In April I am spending four days in Anchorage to attend the state Wildlife Society Meeting. Then at the end of the month I head to the Grand Canyon for two weeks of training. Then it is off to MN for a week with the family before coming up here for the beginning of the summer fun. I will get back just as the bears are coming out of their dens. I just have to get through February.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Stories Left Unfinished
I told you about a few mysteries in the a while ago. They dealt with fish dropped over a lake in a crater and fox released on the islands. I wrote a grant to see if we could answer the mystery but I found out yesterday that the grant will not be passed on to the national office for review. I am so disappointed. My grant to study wolverines did not make it pass either. In Alaska four species are studied over all others as they provide food for families. Moose, Caribou, Bear and Salmon. Katmai will be doing a very large bear study. It will be fun to see where the numbers are today after years of large salmon escapements. I will have to try again next year. It is too bad that you have to convince others you need to study all the animals.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Where are the Adventures?
I haven't written anything for a few days. Not because I was in the field. Not because I was sick. I haven't written because there has been nothing going on. I am in the office either working on data, writing reports or grants or attending meetings. I come home and go for walks but I see nothing. Even days where the wind howls is just another day.
Now I understand why people go on vacation for weeks this time of year. Every week our office has less and less people in it as workers take off for vacation. I would love to join them but I have to go back and forth to MN so many times this year that all my vacation time and money is being saved for that. Why can't colleges graduate the class in March in stead of May or June.
My only hope is that the wind stays down and the sun comes out so moose surveys can be performed. But I am not holding my breath. The weather just does not understand that I want out of the office.
Now I understand why people go on vacation for weeks this time of year. Every week our office has less and less people in it as workers take off for vacation. I would love to join them but I have to go back and forth to MN so many times this year that all my vacation time and money is being saved for that. Why can't colleges graduate the class in March in stead of May or June.
My only hope is that the wind stays down and the sun comes out so moose surveys can be performed. But I am not holding my breath. The weather just does not understand that I want out of the office.
Friday, February 17, 2012
New Technology for Katmai
I have been working with the chief of interpretation of Katmai and placing our book of most common bears on an app for people to download for their IPad and IPhone. It is very cool. We have great pictures, videos and amazing facts. He is taking it into town to show Alaska Geographic. We are hoping that they will make our ebook for sale for the public by Summer. We have even put 284 in the book. I love it.
Besides creating this app and trying to get a citizen science app for Katmai but still lack funding for creation I am making changes in our bear monitoring techniques. I have bought my team I touches to carry in their pocket to record bear activities and incidents on. It should make our lives simpler and save lots of paper. I have never been an apple person but I have to admit that I got so excited about these new products that I ordered an I touch for myself. The summer is going to be exciting!
Besides creating this app and trying to get a citizen science app for Katmai but still lack funding for creation I am making changes in our bear monitoring techniques. I have bought my team I touches to carry in their pocket to record bear activities and incidents on. It should make our lives simpler and save lots of paper. I have never been an apple person but I have to admit that I got so excited about these new products that I ordered an I touch for myself. The summer is going to be exciting!
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Constant Change
Do you ever wonder about the weather? Yesterday I thought about it all day. I thought about how strange the weather in King Salmon is. When I got up yesterday we had 40 mph winds in the morning with gusts reaching 70 mph. The gusts were occurring often. The pine trees were bending in half, the house shuttered, and the wind roared. I tried to walk to work but I could not walk against the wind. My eyeballs dried out before reaching the corner. I had to call a neighbor to get a lift as there was just no way I could walk a mile in that stuff.
By 9:30 it was a whole different story. The winds had died the temps fell and so did the snow. Large quarter size snowflakes. They danced through the air but there were many of them that you could not see anything but white when you looked out the window. So much snow was falling that the office satellite dish was quickly covered and our Internet service was down.
By 12:30 the temps rose and the snow turned to rain. It melted the snow that had fallen and made everything slick and slippery.
By 2:00 the sun was out and not a cloud could be found in the sky. It too melted more snow and ice.
By 4:30 when I walked home the wind was again building up. All in the same day. Weather here is just too crazy!
By 9:30 it was a whole different story. The winds had died the temps fell and so did the snow. Large quarter size snowflakes. They danced through the air but there were many of them that you could not see anything but white when you looked out the window. So much snow was falling that the office satellite dish was quickly covered and our Internet service was down.
By 12:30 the temps rose and the snow turned to rain. It melted the snow that had fallen and made everything slick and slippery.
By 2:00 the sun was out and not a cloud could be found in the sky. It too melted more snow and ice.
By 4:30 when I walked home the wind was again building up. All in the same day. Weather here is just too crazy!
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Friday Adventure Supreme!
I thought I was going to spend just another friday sitting in the office working on proposals. We have one that is important to do but is running into a lot of red tape. So I thought I would be stuck in the office working on it. Then I was aksed if I wanted to join a patrol over the park for a three hour flight. I really wanted to go but I new the boss wanted me to work on this proposal. So I turned it down.
An hour later and another road block on the proposal and I was banging my head against the wall. My boss told me to do something else and get my mind of the problems we were facing. He said I was spending to much emotional time on this certain project that I needed a break so. I asked if I can go flying. He said yes!
I quickly headed to dispatch to see if they had left yet. No she said hurry and catch them. I got to the LE office and asked if the offer still stood. Yes, if the pilot okays it. I went to the pilots office. Asked if I could go. He looked at me. I said I haven't eaten since 6am and I have my dramine and plastic bag with me. I will bake you something sweet to eat tomorrow. Please can I go? He smiled and said yes.
The itenerary was to fly over all the lodges and cabins that are located in the park. Some of the cabins are privately owned others are historical cabins. This trip would mean that I would get to see more of the park than I had before. I was pumped. We took off and headed for Contact Creek. The snow had melted quite a bit in the past week with the warmer weather. All the lakes and ponds were frozen.
It was beautiful as we turned our direction towards the mountains. They were totally white and shining in the sun. Snow was tens of feet deep. We headed towards Brooks Camp. The falls were frozen but the mouth of the river was still open. Then we headed for the Valley. We managed to make it to three forks and the canyon looked so narrow with all the snow piled up. I was hoping to go to the crater but the cloud layer was too low so we headed up to the preserve.
This was all new territory for me. The winds were blowing at 35 mph. You could watch it blow the snow across the flat lands of the tundra. Then I saw a creature run across a river. I only caught a quick glimpse but my first thought was a wolverine. Then a few minutes later we saw a fox running across a lake. On ward we flew. Another spot on the ice, this time it turned out to be a wolf. One lone wolf of grayish color. Good size too. I am guessing it was a male.
The rivers were amazing to view. Most of them were frozen but some of the rivers are thermal heated and flowed freely, with stream coming off of them. Next up the Alagnak River.
An hour later and another road block on the proposal and I was banging my head against the wall. My boss told me to do something else and get my mind of the problems we were facing. He said I was spending to much emotional time on this certain project that I needed a break so. I asked if I can go flying. He said yes!
I quickly headed to dispatch to see if they had left yet. No she said hurry and catch them. I got to the LE office and asked if the offer still stood. Yes, if the pilot okays it. I went to the pilots office. Asked if I could go. He looked at me. I said I haven't eaten since 6am and I have my dramine and plastic bag with me. I will bake you something sweet to eat tomorrow. Please can I go? He smiled and said yes.
The itenerary was to fly over all the lodges and cabins that are located in the park. Some of the cabins are privately owned others are historical cabins. This trip would mean that I would get to see more of the park than I had before. I was pumped. We took off and headed for Contact Creek. The snow had melted quite a bit in the past week with the warmer weather. All the lakes and ponds were frozen.
It was beautiful as we turned our direction towards the mountains. They were totally white and shining in the sun. Snow was tens of feet deep. We headed towards Brooks Camp. The falls were frozen but the mouth of the river was still open. Then we headed for the Valley. We managed to make it to three forks and the canyon looked so narrow with all the snow piled up. I was hoping to go to the crater but the cloud layer was too low so we headed up to the preserve.
This was all new territory for me. The winds were blowing at 35 mph. You could watch it blow the snow across the flat lands of the tundra. Then I saw a creature run across a river. I only caught a quick glimpse but my first thought was a wolverine. Then a few minutes later we saw a fox running across a lake. On ward we flew. Another spot on the ice, this time it turned out to be a wolf. One lone wolf of grayish color. Good size too. I am guessing it was a male.
The rivers were amazing to view. Most of them were frozen but some of the rivers are thermal heated and flowed freely, with stream coming off of them. Next up the Alagnak River.
Moose Report
Three moose were spotted in the housing area yesterday at noon. I could not wait to get home. I changed clothes and grabbed the dog and off we went. Unfortunately we saw no moose. We looked for them and finally found the tracks of one of them that had just recently walked through as the tracks were fresh. I kept my eyes pealed all evening hoping they would saunter through the yard. No luck!
I am about to leave for work so maybe I will get a glimpse of them this morning but then again I think seeing them in the day light would be better than surprised by them in the dark.
I am about to leave for work so maybe I will get a glimpse of them this morning but then again I think seeing them in the day light would be better than surprised by them in the dark.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Tracks and Trails
My weekend of was pretty unadventurous but yesterday I thought I would walk to walk using the snow covered trail. This was an adventure as when I walk to work it is pitch black outside and the beam of my flashlight is not that big so I had to go slow and watch were walked.
Slowing down was not bad as boy did I see tracks. It had snowed a few hours before I left for work so I saw the forest come to life in the tracks I saw. Starting off the neighborhood fox was right at our front door. I followed his footsteps to the woods. From there I followed the tracks down the trail. Then the hare tracks appeared. Casual steps at first then they went everywhere. In circles, over the trails and under brush and back again. Next to the hare tracks were lynx tracks. I guess the lynx wanted his breakfast and the hare did not want to cooperate. I am not sure if there was a winner but I did not see any blood on the ground.
On my walk I saw vole tracks and I saw raven claw marks in the fresh snow. It was a wonderful walk to work.
Slowing down was not bad as boy did I see tracks. It had snowed a few hours before I left for work so I saw the forest come to life in the tracks I saw. Starting off the neighborhood fox was right at our front door. I followed his footsteps to the woods. From there I followed the tracks down the trail. Then the hare tracks appeared. Casual steps at first then they went everywhere. In circles, over the trails and under brush and back again. Next to the hare tracks were lynx tracks. I guess the lynx wanted his breakfast and the hare did not want to cooperate. I am not sure if there was a winner but I did not see any blood on the ground.
On my walk I saw vole tracks and I saw raven claw marks in the fresh snow. It was a wonderful walk to work.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
I thought I was going to spend just another Friday sitting in the office working on proposals. We have one that is important to do but is running into a lot of red tape. So I thought I would be stuck in the office working on it. Then I was asked if I wanted to join a patrol over the park for a three hour flight. I really wanted to go but I knew the boss wanted me to work on this proposal. So I turned it down.
An hour later and another road block on the proposal and I was banging my head against the wall. My boss told me to do something else and get my mind of the problems we were facing. He said I was spending to much emotional time on this certain project that I needed a break so. I asked if I can go flying. He said yes!
I quickly headed to dispatch to see if they had left yet. No she said hurry and catch them. I got to the LE office and asked if the offer still stood. Yes, if the pilot okays it. I went to the pilots office. Asked if I could go. He looked at me. I said I haven't eaten since 6am and I have my dramamine and plastic bag with me. I will bake you something sweet to eat tomorrow. Please can I go? He smiled and said yes.
The itinerary was to fly over all the lodges and cabins that are located in the park. Some of the cabins are privately owned others are historical cabins. This trip would mean that I would get to see more of the park than I had before. I was pumped. We took off and headed for Contact Creek. The snow had melted quite a bit in the past week with the warmer weather. All the lakes and ponds were frozen.
It was beautiful as we turned our direction towards the mountains. They were totally white and shining in the sun. Snow was tens of feet deep. We headed towards Brooks Camp. The falls were frozen but the mouth of the river was still open. Then we headed for the Valley. We managed to make it to three forks and the canyon looked so narrow with all the snow piled up. I was hoping to go to the crater but the cloud layer was too low so we headed up to the preserve.
This was all new territory for me. The winds were blowing at 35 mph. You could watch it blow the snow across the flat lands of the tundra. Then I saw a creature run across a river. I only caught a quick glimpse but my first thought was a wolverine. Then a few minutes later we saw a fox running across a lake. On ward we flew. Another spot on the ice, this time it turned out to be a wolf. One lone wolf of grayish color. Good size too. I am guessing it was a male.
The rivers were amazing to view. Most of them were frozen but some of the rivers are thermal heated and flowed freely, with stream coming off of them. Next up the Alagnak River. Down into the river bottoms and what should we see. Why yes it is a moose. Not one moose but three moose. We kept to the river three more moose. I started a tally. Look there is a moose and then I noticed it still had antlers. Amazing! Nine, ten, eleven. Onward we flew. The pilot counted three more, I saw two wait no three more. By the time we got to the end of the river we had counted 30 moose. It was unbelievable. I can now say we do have moose at Katmai.
Then the pilot said we will fly across the tundra to look for the caribou herd. I sat on the edge of my seat. Across the tundra we went. But those sly caribou had moved out of the area. Oh Well! I had a great adventure. Then as we reached the last ten miles before home I got air sick. Not bad just a little but I was well prepared. I had almost made it. Next week the weather looks good for moose surveys. Lets hope it is so I can go! Looking for moose was a blast!
An hour later and another road block on the proposal and I was banging my head against the wall. My boss told me to do something else and get my mind of the problems we were facing. He said I was spending to much emotional time on this certain project that I needed a break so. I asked if I can go flying. He said yes!
I quickly headed to dispatch to see if they had left yet. No she said hurry and catch them. I got to the LE office and asked if the offer still stood. Yes, if the pilot okays it. I went to the pilots office. Asked if I could go. He looked at me. I said I haven't eaten since 6am and I have my dramamine and plastic bag with me. I will bake you something sweet to eat tomorrow. Please can I go? He smiled and said yes.
The itinerary was to fly over all the lodges and cabins that are located in the park. Some of the cabins are privately owned others are historical cabins. This trip would mean that I would get to see more of the park than I had before. I was pumped. We took off and headed for Contact Creek. The snow had melted quite a bit in the past week with the warmer weather. All the lakes and ponds were frozen.
It was beautiful as we turned our direction towards the mountains. They were totally white and shining in the sun. Snow was tens of feet deep. We headed towards Brooks Camp. The falls were frozen but the mouth of the river was still open. Then we headed for the Valley. We managed to make it to three forks and the canyon looked so narrow with all the snow piled up. I was hoping to go to the crater but the cloud layer was too low so we headed up to the preserve.
This was all new territory for me. The winds were blowing at 35 mph. You could watch it blow the snow across the flat lands of the tundra. Then I saw a creature run across a river. I only caught a quick glimpse but my first thought was a wolverine. Then a few minutes later we saw a fox running across a lake. On ward we flew. Another spot on the ice, this time it turned out to be a wolf. One lone wolf of grayish color. Good size too. I am guessing it was a male.
The rivers were amazing to view. Most of them were frozen but some of the rivers are thermal heated and flowed freely, with stream coming off of them. Next up the Alagnak River. Down into the river bottoms and what should we see. Why yes it is a moose. Not one moose but three moose. We kept to the river three more moose. I started a tally. Look there is a moose and then I noticed it still had antlers. Amazing! Nine, ten, eleven. Onward we flew. The pilot counted three more, I saw two wait no three more. By the time we got to the end of the river we had counted 30 moose. It was unbelievable. I can now say we do have moose at Katmai.
Then the pilot said we will fly across the tundra to look for the caribou herd. I sat on the edge of my seat. Across the tundra we went. But those sly caribou had moved out of the area. Oh Well! I had a great adventure. Then as we reached the last ten miles before home I got air sick. Not bad just a little but I was well prepared. I had almost made it. Next week the weather looks good for moose surveys. Lets hope it is so I can go! Looking for moose was a blast!
Friday, February 10, 2012
Eight Minutes a Day!
What can you do with 8 extra minutes. That is how much daylight we are gaining per day. Eight minutes. I am told that I will be amazed at how fast the days will lengthen now. Eight more minutes of sunlight to enjoy the outdoors. Eight more minutes of daylight means the animals have eight more minutes to be observed. Eight more minutes to get energy back because it is dark all the time you tend to feel tired even though in the summer you are wide awake at the same time of day. Eight more minutes of sunlight to melt the ice. Which my dog would rather not happen as she fell through the ice on the driveway. Yes I have that thick of ice on my driveway. When there is no place for the melting snow to go it freezes where ever.
Eight minutes doesn't sound like a lot but add a week or two weeks up and it is glorious to those of us that lived with only four hours of daylight. I hope you enjoy your extra eight minutes today!
Eight minutes doesn't sound like a lot but add a week or two weeks up and it is glorious to those of us that lived with only four hours of daylight. I hope you enjoy your extra eight minutes today!
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Five Favorite Sounds
I have five sounds that I just love to hear. One is the sound of my husbands voice. The second is the sound of my kids laughing. Nothing can beat those two sounds but then there are the sounds of nature that I love and give me peace and make me smile.
The first is the wind through the trees. I love to listen to the sound of the wind as it rustles the branches and sways the tops of trees. Yesterday on the way to work the wind was blowing 30 miles and hour and the sound of it through the trees was amazing. You just had to smile and laugh as it listened.
Next sound I love is the sound of ice crinkling in moving water. As I passed Eskimo creek I hear the running water under the ice. Not quite the sound I love but close. To be it is the sound of spring. which I know may not be true yet but I still like to hear it.
Lastly there is nothing like the sound of a wolf howling to its family. Again yesterday morning I heard that howl. Just one long howl. No one anwered back or maybe the wind carried the voices away from me but I did here the one. It made me want to howl an answer in return. I have to say I had a very good morning walking to work!
The first is the wind through the trees. I love to listen to the sound of the wind as it rustles the branches and sways the tops of trees. Yesterday on the way to work the wind was blowing 30 miles and hour and the sound of it through the trees was amazing. You just had to smile and laugh as it listened.
Next sound I love is the sound of ice crinkling in moving water. As I passed Eskimo creek I hear the running water under the ice. Not quite the sound I love but close. To be it is the sound of spring. which I know may not be true yet but I still like to hear it.
Lastly there is nothing like the sound of a wolf howling to its family. Again yesterday morning I heard that howl. Just one long howl. No one anwered back or maybe the wind carried the voices away from me but I did here the one. It made me want to howl an answer in return. I have to say I had a very good morning walking to work!
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
World of Water
We have been in the forties for the last few days. Temperature wise I suppose that is good as it is much better than the below zero stuff we had been living in. But it is melting all our snow and leaving pools of water everywhere. In the yard, in the streets, on top of ice, pools of water are everywhere. I was told this was the worst time of year and I believe it.
I can't go snowshoeing as there is little snow. I really can't hike far unless I want to swim the puddles on the trail. The roads are covered in ice and topped with water. It is frustrating as it is finally nice to be outside and there isn't a lot outside to do.
We do have wind. Lots of it. What I should do is send for ice skates and create a sail then I could fly across the ice on the wind. I would think that would be fun. Well, at least until I hit a rock. Oh well, should I pray for more snow or hope spring is on the way?
I can't go snowshoeing as there is little snow. I really can't hike far unless I want to swim the puddles on the trail. The roads are covered in ice and topped with water. It is frustrating as it is finally nice to be outside and there isn't a lot outside to do.
We do have wind. Lots of it. What I should do is send for ice skates and create a sail then I could fly across the ice on the wind. I would think that would be fun. Well, at least until I hit a rock. Oh well, should I pray for more snow or hope spring is on the way?
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Walking to Work
It has become warm enough for me to begin walking to work again. The air was warm and the wind light and the skies are still dark. It was a wonderful morning for a walk. I started out the door and realized that the warm air and wind had turned our snow covered roads back into a skating rink. So I turned around to grab the ice grippers.
Once more I headed out the door. I was ready. The sound of my feet hitting the ice was the only sound. Then I heard it. A long howl from the south. Not too far away. Then his answer was called back. Not just by one but by many. The call of a pack of wolves. I counted five separate calls. I guessed they were on the shores of the river. Close but not too close. Their voices carried on the breeze.
As I walked and listened I wondered if they were playing. After a night of hunting were they chasing each other up and down the river bank? I have seen that behavior in Minnesota. I kept my flashlight looking through the woods hoping that I may catch a glimpse of one. Then again it was only me and the sound of my boots on the ice. It was a nice greeting to start the day.
Once more I headed out the door. I was ready. The sound of my feet hitting the ice was the only sound. Then I heard it. A long howl from the south. Not too far away. Then his answer was called back. Not just by one but by many. The call of a pack of wolves. I counted five separate calls. I guessed they were on the shores of the river. Close but not too close. Their voices carried on the breeze.
As I walked and listened I wondered if they were playing. After a night of hunting were they chasing each other up and down the river bank? I have seen that behavior in Minnesota. I kept my flashlight looking through the woods hoping that I may catch a glimpse of one. Then again it was only me and the sound of my boots on the ice. It was a nice greeting to start the day.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Winter Weather and Winter colds
We have gone through chinook winds and below zero temps. And while all this was occurring I was fighting the battle of the cold that would not let go. I spent the last four days sleeping and eating and drinking everything with vitamin C in it to try and get better. I think I am finally feeling human again.
While I was fighting the cold with long naps and followed by fits of sneezing and coughing the Naknek fishtival was going on. I missed the penquin dip. The temperature outside was above freezing but the winds were gusting above 40 mph and the neighbors tell me lots of brave souls jumped into the water. No one over 40 did the crazy thing but there were quite a few who had to show their bravery. It was cold out on the ice with the wind blowing and you shivered just watching the proceedings I was told.
We have had all this beautiful snow and I have been sick since I got back from vacation so I haven't been able to enjoy it. Yesterday it was almost 40 degrees outside and our snow is beginning to melt. I am not happy about that as I have yet to get the snowshoes out and enjoy the snow. As I lay on the couch resting yesterday I heard a rumble. The sound grew louder and as I looked out the window I saw an avalange of snow fall from my roof. Mounds of snow roared as it slid down the roof and tumbled to the ground. I did not realize that I had so much snow on the roof. The sound was ominous and the sight was funny. And that is as much adventure as I have had this weekend. Not much!
While I was fighting the cold with long naps and followed by fits of sneezing and coughing the Naknek fishtival was going on. I missed the penquin dip. The temperature outside was above freezing but the winds were gusting above 40 mph and the neighbors tell me lots of brave souls jumped into the water. No one over 40 did the crazy thing but there were quite a few who had to show their bravery. It was cold out on the ice with the wind blowing and you shivered just watching the proceedings I was told.
We have had all this beautiful snow and I have been sick since I got back from vacation so I haven't been able to enjoy it. Yesterday it was almost 40 degrees outside and our snow is beginning to melt. I am not happy about that as I have yet to get the snowshoes out and enjoy the snow. As I lay on the couch resting yesterday I heard a rumble. The sound grew louder and as I looked out the window I saw an avalange of snow fall from my roof. Mounds of snow roared as it slid down the roof and tumbled to the ground. I did not realize that I had so much snow on the roof. The sound was ominous and the sight was funny. And that is as much adventure as I have had this weekend. Not much!
Thursday, February 2, 2012
A Proper Blizzard
Yesterday afternoon we were all told that the highway was closing due to the blizzard weather we were having. You had two choices; stay and work and try to make it home later or try to go home now before things got worse. I had driven the neighbors car and I can't seem to shake this cold so I chose to go home. I knew the winds were howling because I cold hear the roars through the trees in the morning when I walked my dog. When I started for home you could see little snow devils blowing across the road. Big gusts of wind blew sheets of white in front of you. It was going to be a proper storm.
I got home and decided that the storm looked bad enough that I ought to prepare. So I made sure my coleman stove and fuel tanks were ready to go. I fill pictures of water and placed them in the frig. I took out candles and the matches in case the power went out and of course had my flashlight near by. I also, for good measure filled one of the tubs about 1/3 of the way with water so in case I need it for a number of reasons I would be prepared. I was ready. Bring on the storm.
I then did what everyone should do through a storm and has a cold. I went to bed, curled up under my fleece sheets and fell instantly asleep. One and a half hours later I awoke. The house was quiet and when I looked out the window the wind no longer seemed to be howling and the snow had stopped. What? What kind of blizzard is this?
A proper blizzard would last for days. The wind would shake the very foundations of the house. Snow would accumilate by the ton. We would loose power and cuddle under mounds of blankets reading adventure tales by the light of your flashlight. You would guzzle hot chocolate and eat all the junk food you like as you may not survive the storm. That is a proper snowstorm but no. Not much of anything. I was so disappointed. Can you tell I am ready to get out of the office?
I got home and decided that the storm looked bad enough that I ought to prepare. So I made sure my coleman stove and fuel tanks were ready to go. I fill pictures of water and placed them in the frig. I took out candles and the matches in case the power went out and of course had my flashlight near by. I also, for good measure filled one of the tubs about 1/3 of the way with water so in case I need it for a number of reasons I would be prepared. I was ready. Bring on the storm.
I then did what everyone should do through a storm and has a cold. I went to bed, curled up under my fleece sheets and fell instantly asleep. One and a half hours later I awoke. The house was quiet and when I looked out the window the wind no longer seemed to be howling and the snow had stopped. What? What kind of blizzard is this?
A proper blizzard would last for days. The wind would shake the very foundations of the house. Snow would accumilate by the ton. We would loose power and cuddle under mounds of blankets reading adventure tales by the light of your flashlight. You would guzzle hot chocolate and eat all the junk food you like as you may not survive the storm. That is a proper snowstorm but no. Not much of anything. I was so disappointed. Can you tell I am ready to get out of the office?
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Writing Herd Histories
As much as I would like to be out observing the herds of animals we have in the park I am unfortunately in the office writing about them. Not that it is boring. I have learned quite a bit but really I would love to be in the air flying around seeing things.
I spent the last two days writing about the history of the moose and caribou of Katmai. Caribou were first spotted in the park in 1818 by Russian-American Fur Company agents this herd is now called the Mulchatna Herd. By 1860 they were increasing in numbers. By 1880 numbers had decreased so much that the migration had ceased. No, they were hunted to death that is just the way Caribou are. Their populations go up and down. In the 1930s the population had begun to increase then a decade later another decrease. In 1960 they estimated only 1000 caribou..By 1997 there were close to 200,000 caribou. Then the decline started and as of today we are hoping that the decline is over and things are stabilizing so that the herd can grow again.
Hunting is allowed within the herd but the harvest taken from the hunters is less than 3% of the herd. I hear that they are tricky to hunt. you can't call them in like a moose. You basically have to be lucky and find where they are, set up a camp and hope they go by you. I hope someday I can go and find the herd as seeing 30,000 caribou (the size of the herd today) would be awesome.
I spent the last two days writing about the history of the moose and caribou of Katmai. Caribou were first spotted in the park in 1818 by Russian-American Fur Company agents this herd is now called the Mulchatna Herd. By 1860 they were increasing in numbers. By 1880 numbers had decreased so much that the migration had ceased. No, they were hunted to death that is just the way Caribou are. Their populations go up and down. In the 1930s the population had begun to increase then a decade later another decrease. In 1960 they estimated only 1000 caribou..By 1997 there were close to 200,000 caribou. Then the decline started and as of today we are hoping that the decline is over and things are stabilizing so that the herd can grow again.
Hunting is allowed within the herd but the harvest taken from the hunters is less than 3% of the herd. I hear that they are tricky to hunt. you can't call them in like a moose. You basically have to be lucky and find where they are, set up a camp and hope they go by you. I hope someday I can go and find the herd as seeing 30,000 caribou (the size of the herd today) would be awesome.
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