May 18th, 2009

Sheldon Jackson Aquarium is super amazing and also a bit creepy to those who are slightly afraid of what lies under the waters surface. Luckily the aquarium stayed open to the public when Sheldon Jackson College shut down. I was a bit hesitant to put my hands on some of these creatures but once you touch one thing it leads to touching the next weird thing. Very cool this was.








-a whizzing sea cucumber



I even saw my first black tailed deer! They are very small, short legged, muscular looking animals. Half the size of a white tail. These deer weren't afraid of much. They calmly watched as I took thier picture.

May 16th, 2009

Mount Verstovia! What a hike. I was sweating like a pig, if pigs could sweat that is. -Just a little raptor center humor for those who know. Thank God I got a pair of insoles for my hiking boots or I would have been hurting. I had no idea how difficult a hike this was when I agreed to go, not that I wouldn’t do it all over again. The reward was reaching the very top of the mountain and seeing tiny Sitka from high above. What a view! I will never forget it. Next stop Arrowhead Mountain.


-Tiny Sitka. See the airport landing strip




-Arrowhead is behind me


-Arrowhead Mountain


-Tex and Steve romping around


-Me, Lindsey, Steve, Morgan and Tex on the way back down

May 14th, 2009

You meet the most interesting people at the Raptor Center. Today I met a retired policeman that has been living as a nomad for the past 6 years. All he has brought with him was his truck and pull behind trailer. Traveling solo he’s driven all over the U.S. and has visited many foreign countrys. Alaska was his last stop before he heads home, wherever home may be I wish him luck.

I also had the privilege of taking a older couple from Australia on a tour. At first I had no idea If they even spoke English because all they seem to say was “Oh and Aha” while nodding to everything I said. Curious I asked them where they were from and they told me about themselves. I was fascinated to hear that the wife worked at a kangaroo rehabilitation park that took in orphaned joeys and other injured animals. We went on to talk about kangaroo burgers and her hobby farm where she often feeds wild kangaroos right out of her hand. She tolded me that she has never wanted children because animals are better. I still chuckle when thinking about her and how full of fire she was. She said her mother is still upset at her because she always wanted grandchildren. The lady told her mother that that was her own fault because she should of had more children! I love it!



The cruse ships make Sitka look small. Bring in a few more of them and every person in town could all cruse away. It’s neat to watch these ships grow small in the distance.

May 13th, 2009

After many days of practice, I gave my first presentation today at the Raptor Center. I made sure to write notes on my hand just incase I totally blanked out. But you know what, I did alright. The terror of the stage and the many people seated before me wasn’t as bad as I thought. I was shaking pretty good when I first started talking (a combination of excitement and nervousness) but as I kept going the shaking stopped. I haven’t overcome and accomplished something very difficult like that in a long time. At the end of the day I was rewarded with a Alaska Raptor Center pin and a round of applause from my coworkers. I now wear my pin with pride!

After work Jen let Steve, Morgan and I borrow her truck to scope out Mosquito Cove. The cove is at one end of the island by the ferry terminal. I just love the end of the island because the road just stops marked by a sign that says END.

May 11th, 2009

I love the Harry Race! I was introduced to the most magnificent milkshake I have ever tasted today, the marshmallow milkshake. While slurping down this delicious treat Steve and I walked around town.

May 9th, 2009

Went hiking with Stephen and Tex on Sawmill Creek trail today. I bet I saw 25 waterfalls, super beautiful! We scoped out the campgrounds and decided to come back latter to spend the night. After loading up on some essentials (hot dogs and chocolate) we headed back to the campsite. From the truck window I spotted a large moving object in the bay area. A grey whale! Two of them! We had to stop and we quickly ran to the ocean to watch the huge beasts. Tide was out so many other creatures were to be found including starfish and crabs.


-Tex loves rolling rocks!








-Huge Landslide!


-This large boat looks so small.


-There she blows!





Latter after a whole can of kerosene, our fire was a flop. The forest wood was simply too wet. We lightheartedly feasted on cold hotdogs, trailmix and triscuits. The large unburned woodpile was our sighn of defeat.

Today was a slow day at the center. There weren’t any ship's coming in so I helped out allot in the gift shop, learned how to work the front desk, phones and handle adoptions/donations. Around lunch I headed outside to take a few shots of the birds. The center currently has 19 raptors in residence and 5 recovering patients.


-Front of Center


-Presentation area


-Volta


-Karma


-Oliver in his habitat.


-Spotting a squirrel


-Pele


-Gandalf


-Flight training center. (The gym for recovering bald eagles)