Reasons why Alaska is my Home

Enjoy

Some of the Reasons I love Alaska

If you want to see the full screen version of this go the 

Alaska HDTV

Politics in the Oil Patch of Alaska

Explosion (Sarah Palin) in You Tube

Viral videos abound on you tube since Sarah Palin is running for VP

The Great Alaskan Red Squirrel Cam

www.thesquirrelcam.com

The squirrel cam's web site is back up for those who watch the cams and donate to the feeding of my little friends.

I Smell Winter Coming

Do you smell that

That old bird was right.  It smells like winter this morning, there is wood smoke in the air from the wood stoves and it's a cool 34 degrees this morning.  Hunting season is on and many a poor bullwinkle will fill some bodys freezer.  

Leaves are changing

Changing Colors of Fall

Trees are starting to change colors here on the old Permafrost Ranch and this old Camp Robber was wanting to know when I'm filling the bowl again.  It's time to put  out suet for them also he said. It looks like he's got goatee beard.

Politics in the Oil Patch of Alaska

Politics

You have to admit, we are living in interesting times says this old squirrel.

www.thesquirrelcam.com

Web Site is Down

The Web page is down at www.thesquirrelcam.com   and this old squirrel is upset.  You guys have heard me rant about the cost and the speed of our internet access here in the Great Land before.

So, I'm not going to say anything more, but as you see when you try to access the page, it's not there.  I can't ftp the server to fix it either.  It's not on my end and I notified them about the problem last night on the 29th.  When it failed to accept a new pic update through the ftp.

Being it's a holiday weekend. Well, you know the story. 

Vice Presidential Pick

Political Buzz

Canuck Jay here stopped by the feeder to tell me the news.  Our illustrious governor has been picked to be a Presidential running mate for the National Elections.

Birds of Alaska

Hairy Woodpecker

Picoides villosus

This little guy has been a regular visitor at the feeder.  I have both Hairy Woodpecker and the little Downy Woodpecker which looks almost the same but smaller.

History

Historical Events

Over coffee this morning here on the Permafrost Ranch, budda belly said.  "Wow, what a day yesterday.  History was made, you know there is milestones in ones life where we always look at where we are, where we have been, and where we think we are going.  Yesterday was one of those days.  The first time in the history of the United States of America that a man of color was nominated by the Democratic Convention to run for the President."  Do we think some day, we may see a Native American in this role

Camp Robbers

Camp Robbers aka Canadian Jays

The old squirrel this afternoon was fighting with a group of Jays trying to get his peanut butter dish.  They are little piggies when it comes to the chow.

Voles

Voles in the Peanut Butter bowel

Birds of Alaska

Rare Visitor to the Feeder

We don't often see these little NutHatches on the feeder.  It's only been in the last few years that I've seen them here at all.   Must be moving into the area.

Election Results

Did you vote he says

This old squirrel thought the election results from Alaska were really interesting this morning.

Being an old guard Republican politician under indictment and suspicion of illegal activities running for office doesn't seem to bring out the dichotomy that he sees in the body politic of Alaska Republican voters.  

They might be crooks but at least they are our crooks is the message he got from the results he says.

Birds of Alaska

Now if you want my opinion 

Those last pictures was for the birds.   I don't want to see any of them around the feeder here please.  Said my little buddy at the Permafrost Ranch as we were having breakfast this morning.

More Photo's of Bye Bye Birdy & One Wings Memorial

More Beautiful Pictures

Striking looking birds

We had a great time.

Bye Bye Birdie & One Wings Memorial Trip

This image says it all  Thank You

Bird Learning & Treatment Center

This next photo is one of the birds being shown

Another of the beautiful birds 

Here is another Link for some great Pictures 

Link 2

Link 3

Visits from Woody

Woody stops by now and then to knock out a tune.

Evening Visitor

Look who came to visit the feeders this evening.

Away for a few days

I'll be away for a few days, since I haven't a laptop to take with me on the road, you will have to do without any updates to the blog or new pictures. Sorry. I'll miss you berry berry much.

Bye Bye Birdie & One Wings Memorial

This was taken from the BLTC's web site:
20 Years of TLC
Bird Treatment and Learning Center Celebrates 20 Years of TLC:
Bird TLC has been returning birds to the wild and educating the public since 1988.
What: 20 Years of TLC: A Bye-Bye Birdie Event
Where: Bird TLC Property above Potter Marsh (aka Old Rabbit Hutch)
When: Saturday, August 23, 2008 11-4pm

Come celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Bird Treatment and Learning Center and the end of the migratory bird season.

This event will include live education birds on display from 11-1pm with a special presentation featuring some of the oldest birds in our program at 12:30. Various speakers will speak on the history of our organization, the importance of wildlife rehabilitation and the significance of our community partnerships over the years. We will hear Dr. James Scott, DVM, founder of Bird TLC will share his memories. There will be activities for children in a kid’s activity tent from 11-1, and food and beverage available from local vendors. Bird TLC merchandise will be on sale at a discounted price. And, of course, a Bye-Bye Birdie Event wouldn’t be complete without a rehabilitated bald eagle release which will take place around 3:00pm.

This occasion also lends the opportunity for Bird TLC to say farewell to our dear friend One-Wing who recently passed away. One-Wing was one of the first bald eagles to come through the center after the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill in 1989. Due to injuries sustained One-Wing could not be released and became the mascot and blood donor for other unfortunate eagles. He was with us for close to 20 years until this past spring when he passed away due to natural causes. Native drum groups and elders from around the state will be present to help us commemorate his passing with an ash spreading ceremony.

This event is free and open to the public. We hope you will join us in celebrating 20 Years of TLC! For more information call Bird TLC at 562-4852 or visit our website at www.birdtlc.net.

Winging in for a bite

Look who I caught on cam winging in for a bite to eat.

I'm Up

Woke Up, fell out of bed
Dragged a comb across my head

Good Morning from the Permafrost Ranch

And the beat goes on

Drums keep pounding rhythm to the brain. La da di dee la de da di doo

As we were all sitting around the peanut butter bowel discussing the news here on the Permafrost Ranch this morning. One of the locals was saying

"Every day in the local and national news, the movers and shakers of Alaska politics are implicated in one more or another some kind of scheme."

Now history has turned a page Uh huh.

And the beat goes on.

Fungus 3

Here is some more fungus shots. The last must be good eating... the squirrels have been at it.

Fungus

There was just a few days between the first picture and the last. Isn't it amazing how fast they disintegrate.

Internet Speeds on the Permafrost Ranch

Wow imagine, something I've been harping about for a long time. Internet speeds and the cost of our connections. Our download speeds are the slowest in the country. Read this article in the Anchorage Daily News Story.
I'm just screaming mad about it and what we pay is out of this world compared to others in the US and as an addendum. The Fairbanks Daily News Miner got in on the story too.

Nice Day

Wow, says this old squirrel, it's such a nice day, I can just hang out at the old watering hole. Enjoying the first nice day we have had in a few weeks yesterday's photo.

Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center

All the politicians are gathering in Fairbanks today for the Morris Thompson Center Opening downtown. I was wondering if there is a squirrel size set of hip boots to wear if I attend. I'm sure it's going to get deep, and not from all this rain we just had either says this old squirrel.

Mushrooms

It's been raining so long, the woods are alive with mushrooms of all types and colors.

40 days and 40 nights

I swear said this old squirrel, we are going to wash away down the river if this keeps up. Either that or it will turn to snow and freeze us all in solid. Pictures of Flooding

Birds of Alaska

The birds are molting and looking a little shaggy here at the Permafrost Ranch.

Voles

Arctic Voles have such beady little eyes. I've seen some of our esteemed politicians in this state have the same expression. Like deer caught in the headlights.

Share of the Wealth

I see the guys and gals in Juneau decided to gives us a share of the nut pie, they have squirreled away.

Price of Milk in Barrow Alaska

Whew...and I thought we were getting robbed in Fairbanks.

I've had enough rain

It's wet and raining... and I'm sick and tired of it.

Life in the Boreal Forest

This old squirrel was telling me that this summer has been very wet and cool and he can smell snow in the air. Early winter is coming according to the Fire Weed. It's bloomed all the way to the top already. We are both wishing for a long Indian Summer this fall. To make up for the summer that never quite made it to the Boreal Forest this year.

Who would you vote for.

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

At this stage of the game, she might just make the best candidate to vote for. :-)

Politics in the Oil Patch of Alaska

I was just saying, why do the politicians in Juneau think they can or should spend the surplus of 10-12 Billion better than we can. Republicans mostly, old guard conservatives they say but really believe big government can do it better. Give me my share now says this old squirrel, I need it to make it through a tough winter. Don't give me a token payment a little peanut just to ease your conscience or to take my mind off the real nut. Give me my share, cash or check. I know where to spend it better than you do. Now who's the ones really acting like little piggies in Juneau. The excuse given by some is the Permanent Fund Check will be 2K or bigger this year and that should satisfy the greedy little piggie citizens. Look at who the real pigs are...