Roosters

Remembering Rodney

I saw this old bird and thought of Rodney, I miss Rodney and the Permafrost Ranch now and then.

Permafrost Ranch For Sale

For Sale

The Permafrost Ranch is for sale.  If your interested, please contact http://www.servingfairbanks.com

Peanut Butter Balls

Yummmmy

Old Bubba knows a good thing when he has found it.

Morning Clouds

Morning Clouds

This morning the sunrise with the warm weather the clouds being blown around by the chinook wind makes for a interesting start to our day.

Life in the Boreal Forest

Winter has settled in here on the old Permafrost Ranch

It's here, the hawk as it is called.  The hawk of winter.  Winter comes early and leaves late in this part of the Boreal Forest.  It sure changes the pattern of life for the squirrels and birds who frequent the feeders.  As the daylight hours shrink towards the long winters night the snow covered forest grows quieter.  At least that is the way it seems except the cold air really transmits sound quite efficiently.  You can hear the neighbors better, the crunch of footsteps out in the road or drive way.    The cars passing by out on the road or the trains lonely whistle over three miles away, all come through loud and clear.  The barking of dogs at night carries for long distances in the deep cold air that comes with the season.  The old squirrel agrees with me when I say us humans are a noisy bunch.  

New Snow

Grumpy Gus says it's snowing 

I'm still having sleep problems and it's snowing...  Making me a grumpy old squirrel

Awww cool clear water

Cool Clear Water

It dropped way below freezing last night to 21 degrees and all the water was hard.  They sure appreciate me putting it out fresh water for them this time of the year.  

Midnight Raider

Red Squirrel in the Dark

Caught this little guy on the feeder long after dark.  Our days are growing shorter by the minute, the leaves have mostly fallen and there is a hint of snow in the air.  The hawk returns.

Cold Wet Summer

Summer has been one of the wettest and coldest

Sunday Morning coffee and conversation with Budda Belly.  As he was saying, it's been one of the coldest and wettest summers he could remember.  At the time, this old squirrel was cruising the Informational Super Highway.  So, I showed him the article in the Anchorage Daily News  The by-line read:  "Summer is officially over in Alaska, and if you got out in the sun to enjoy both days of it you were lucky."  

Fall Colors

Taste of Fall in Alaska 

The signs of fall on the Permafrost ranch

Time for a nap

Nap Time here on the old Permafrost Ranch

Sleepy time here on the old permafrost ranch.  It's amazing how they feel comfortable enough to fall asleep on the feeder

Voles

I'm all Ears

This old vole was telling the squirrel this afternoon, that he was all ears and couldn't wait to hear Sarah Palins acceptance speech.  The old squirrel said even his aunti had called all the way from the Great State of Texas to ask about his thoughts on her.

Summer on the Permafrost Ranch

Summer is always a welcomed arrival here on the Permafrost Ranch. Nonetheless, along with warm weather comes another problem only seen in this welcomed season of warmth. Yesterday, was the first real warm day of summer. It was in the high 60's all day. I had the doors and windows thrown wide open. Both daughters stopped by with grand kids in tow and before we knew it. The house was full of mosquitos from the kids running in and out the front screen door. Alaskan mosquitos are known for their ferociousness and abundance. When the screen door is closed you can see the little vampires all over the outside trying to slip through the netting. Some wait patiently with evil intent for some unsuspecting agent to open the portal for them. Once inside they spread out hiding and waiting for the right moment to sneak up and get you. The bedroom is always one of their favorite hiding spots. They are sneaky ambushers waiting patiently for you to slip off into sleep and then they pounce. Buzzing and biting until one jumps up and looks for any and all available weapons to end the constant attacks. I have even resorted to chemical sprays with a poison gas attacks at times to eliminate them. Outside is another matter, like most Alaskans, summer means the season of mosquito repellant perfume. DEET, oh the sweet smell of DEET. Any and every Alaskan who spends time outside smells like DEET. DEET is the active ingredient in most bug repellents the works the best. I like mine strong enough to melt rubber or plastic. Only then do I think it's strong enough to keep the hungry hordes of blood suckers from draining me dry.