My Uncles Passing

I just learned this afternoon of the passing of my Uncle Don Gilcrease. The sadness overwhelms me this evening here in the gathering twilight.

Death likely caused by exposure Part 2

Don't anyone ever tell me that Fairbanks hasn't changed. I spent a better part of my youth growing up here in Fairbanks. Living here always had a ever lasting impact upon my life, but Fairbanks has changed. I don't remember reading these headlines as a kid but this morning in the Daily News Miner it jumped right out at me. "Teen found dead in South Fairbanks." "This could be the second suspected exposure death in less than a week." writes the author Chris Freiberg , Another young Native Alaskan life gone. We have come a long way baby, but we have lost something in the miles and years that have passed here in the Great Land.

Death likely caused by exposure

The beauty of our Northern climate in the winter is spectacular, but it hides something just below surface. Even here in our beautiful fair city on the banks of a beautiful scenic river, there is something just below the surface and every once in a while it rears it's deadly side. Another resident has died of exposure, "death likely caused by exposure" screams out from the headlines. How many times will we read that in our Sunday morning headlines over that hot cup of coffee this winter. Once, twice, three times. Will there be more. Will it jolt us from our warm comfortable lives. How many residents of our fair city are living on that edge. How many of the rest of us really care.

Living good on the Permafrost Ranch

My claim to fame, is the little squirrel shots I take. If you like them, at least let me know. Write a comment.

Half Hidden Away in the Far North

Here is how I feel sometimes, just half hidden from the world...

Squirrel Friends

todays squirrel friends shot of the day

Common RedPoll 2

Here is another shot of the Common RedPoll male bird.

Common RedPolls

These little birds are so colorful this time of the year, specially the males.

Slip sliding away

Living in the Land of Ice and Snow, has it's disadvantages for sure. I stepped off the front porch this afternoon and really took a bad fall. My left shoulder took the brunt of the fall and my weight. I'm hurting big time this evening.

Happy Valentines Day

All the squirrels here on the Permafrost Ranch want to wish all my female friends a Happy Valentines Day. May all your hearts wishes come true.

Hey Dad, where is the good stuff.

Sometimes I swear they know if they come to the window I'll bring them out pecans to eat. This little girl comes up to the window and looks at me, and I can just see it in her face. Don't anyone ever try to tell me they are not smart little creatures.

Bottom fell out of the Thermometer

It's been a long cold spell in the interior and the great Tanana Valley. I thought yesterday that we were slowly working our way out of the deep cold, but upon awakening this morning. The thermometer on the front porch read a cool -50 F. It's a deep biting cold that works it's way into everything. No matter what one does, it just makes it hard to do. Whether it be the drive into work or the grocery store. It affects equipment and cars and you. Everyone is bundled up and in the ice fog that comes with this deep cold, we all look like the Pillsbury doughboy in shape or the Michelin man. Nonetheless the little squirrels here on the Permafrost Ranch come to the feeders for something to eat. It doesn't seem to slow them down, and as I watch them through the window from the warmth of my office it never ceases to amaze me that they survive in these temps.

News Miner Blog Roll

Our local Daily News Miner of Fairbanks just completed a remake of their web page recently. It's got a new section of a group of blogs from the local area. The Squirrel Chatter is included but I thought I would post a link for others to enjoy.

http://newsminer.com/blogroll/

Here is a picture of the New Miner Article that featured the Great Alaskan Red Squirrel Cam

My Back Office Door

It's very cold here as you all know, and I've got a glass door on my office. When the temperatures are like this it makes me wonder why I installed it at times.

Frosty Red Squirrels of Alaska 4

Frosty Red Squirrels of Alaska and he's really frosty.

Colder Than Siberia

-48.5 this morning here on the Permafrost Ranch, Diane M sent this picture in of a flyer on the feeder last night.

Frosty Red Squirrels of Alaska 3

It's been extremely cold here at the Permafrost Ranch. This little frozen buddy is trying to fuel up against the cold.
One picture was sent in by Charles(gunrunner) He catches more squirrels on the feeder than almost anyone.

Alaskan Cold Snap

It sure hasn't warmed much since this morning... It's cold here on the Permafrost Ranch.

Alaskan Cold Snap

I awoke this morning to the temperature gauge showing -47.2 F here on the Permafrost Ranch.

Cold snap

It's cold here this morning. At 4:30 AM it's -42 degrees F.

Alaskan Squirrels

I have two types of squirrels who come to my feeders. The Red Squirrel and the Northern Flying Squirrel