Winter's Arrival

Winter arrived today, it was 18 degrees here on the old Permafrost Ranch.

hand feeding my Squirrels

Sent in by tengrrl, thanks.

Red Squirrel cuties

Here is today's capture. This is the one who comes to the feeder and looks in the window at me, or the door. Saying Papa come give me some pecans. She takes them right from my hands.

Dirty Little River Town 2

I know I'm beating a dead horse with this, but I'm going to flail
away. I submitted a letter to the editor called " A Dirty Little
River Town" (Sept. 12, 2007). I had a response to that letter written by several
members of management at the agency I recently quit from. I left there because of
what I and others perceive to be corruption of or at least mismanagement by
the board of directors relating to personnel matters within the agency.

Now, I won't take offense at the remark that it was me who had the
blackened shriveled rock for a heart or the remarks from the others. My first sentence in my
previous letter was "Overall the people of Alaska are fairly
decent folks" and I'll stand by that statement. It's not all people
of Alaska who are corrupted. It's a small minority of those in power or in
positions of trust who seem to be tainted and those few who follow them or want to be just like them. Their hypocrisy knows no bounds. The sad part of this is just as I
stated in the earlier blog: "The big movers and shakers of business in Alaska are
all mostly tainted with corruption, cronyism and dirty dealings."

I have to admit that my original statement wasn't entirely correct. I should have said the big movers and shakers of business and politics in Alaska. My mistake.

I could list them if you wish, but I'll leave that up to the readers
to research that for themselves. Although I will add this to
the mix. The Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
(CREW) released its third annual report on the most corrupt members
of Congress. Their web site is http://www.beyonddelay.org/node/373

I'll let you look for yourself and you make the decision as to where
Alaska stands in the eyes of the rest of the country. Now before
anyone takes offense to this letter, let me say that Alaskans don't do it
like they do it outside of here. We do it our way. I'm not betting on this dead horse but I think we will come in first when the race is over.

Fox Sparrow

I love these little birds, called Fox Sparrows. I only see them in the summer and fall of the year, they seem to go away during the winter time. It was cool this morning when I awoke. 32 degrees, I'm afraid our summer has just faded away.

For us

I listened to a local politicians interview yesterday. A good man and like most politicians, he is all for Alaska and Alaskans. Just as those who have fallen from power, they are just good old boys trying to help us out and do the right thing. Of course, we should believe him, he has no personal ax to grind and just wants to do right. That's why he ran for office. To do good and what's right for Alaskans. Oh and those he admired and emulated did made mistakes but it was because they are just good old boys who didn't know any better. Small mistakes not intentional and that's how business was done. The intent was good but you have to remember. We did it for you, just as all of the decisions that we make are for. Okay, I'll buy into that. So, I won't judge you on those you have supported in the past or how you voted for and on issues that have failed, because you did it for us. That was your intent and it was to help Alaska and Alaskans.
I just have to remember, he's there for us. Working hard everyday to make sure Alaska and Alaskans get what's coming to them.

End of Summer

I know for many in the lower 48 you are still locked into the dog days of summer. Well, stay tuned because fall has arrived here in the Great Land.

Red sunrise and Rainbow

I awoke the other mornig and watched the sky turned a really deep red...so I quickly grabbed my camera and headed out the front door. On that side of the house was a rainbow in a red sky. These pictures don't really do it much justice but I thought I would post them anyway.

This Dirty Little River Town

Overall, the people of Alaska are fairly decent folks. None the less, one has to remember we have more than our fair share of crooks, cons, thieves and dirty politicians. If the recent events doesn't remind you of this and makes one shake their head in amazement, then you haven't been paying close attention. From the highest office of the our Government and Governor to the lowest dealings of past Mayor of Fairbanks. The big movers and shakers of business in Alaska are all mostly tainted with corruption, cronyism, and dirty dealings. It filters down to and permeates almost everything. It is a extremely dirty little river town, that was founded by a crook here on the banks of the Chena river. A dead and departed local business man and city founder once told me that, and he said people here will stab you in the back for the gold in your teeth, while smiling and shaking your hand. Being young and foolish, I didn't believe him. It's true though and The Golden Heart of Alaska really is a blackened shriveled rock. It is overwhelming us with the stench of rot, even while standing among the flowers and pristine beauty of our Great Land here in this Dirty Little River Town

Birds of Alaska

One is a Fox Sparrow and the other is the Hoary Woodpecker.

Snow Shoe Hare

This little hare was up on the stump eating sunflower seeds

Canadian Jays(Camp Robbers)

The jays have been hitting the feeder bowls really hard. I'm going through about a bowl a day of molasses and peanut butter. The greedy little suckers. Not only them, but my Magpie buddy, who I haven't seen all summer has showed up at the feeders this early fall. Winter is coming, the leaves on the trees are changing colors and it's been in the low 30's already. I'm never ready for winter it seems.

My New Medicine Bag

Here is my new Medicine Bag, made by Tonya Esmailka for me.

Hand Feeding my Squirrels

It's amazing to me, but I have gotten my squirrels to take food from my hand. At the feeders only.

Monday Morning Squirrel

Here is todays Monday morning Squirrel

Squirrels are us

Here is a little capture I caught today....

New Director

I have a new director of the organization I work for. If you care to know, I work for ALPA, or the Adult Learning Programs of Alaska. The new director is Lynette Bergh.

Red Squirrel Calendar

Hello Everyone, I've got a beautiful gift from the Permafrost Ranch, it's a Red Squirrel Calendar. Go to this web page and order yours right away. My little squirrel buddies will thank you for it.

http://www.thesquirrelcam.com/calendar.html

Double Dose of Red Squirrel Day

I've been lax in posting daily. I should be doing productive work, but what is more productive than taking care of my little buddies. So here is a double dose of the good squirrel life here on the Permafrost Ranch.

4th of July Parade

Brown Color Phase Snowshoe Hare

Summer Hare visiting the feeders for sunflower seeds to eat.

Yummy

Filling up on the high octane bowl here at the Permafrost Ranch: www.thesquirrelcam.com

Todays Capture at the Feeder

Here is todays shot of the Day.

New photos shot here at the Permafrost Ranch

I haven't posted any squirrel or bird shots in a while. So here it is.

2007 Powwow

I'm sure everyone has been wondering where I've been. I've been at our local powwow. I was chosen this year to be the MC of our event. It's always special but to be the MC makes it even more special to me. Thanks to the Midnight Sun Intertribal Powwow First Council for this honor. Here is a picture of the lodge after we got it set up the day before the event.

4th of July

I was taking pictures downtown on the 4th of July for the Native Veterans Association I belong to and of some of our participants in the parade. The Soldiers in front of the Striker have recently return from Iraq.

RIP little Girl

We lost the little female that was born this spring out on the road I'm sorry to say. Here is the last couple of photographs I got of her. It really saddens me, I miss her antics in the yard and her voice when I walk out to the green house where she had taken up residence. If I could stop them from crossing the road I would.

Yawning Squirrels

Caught this little one just waking up on the feeder this morning.

Squirrel Chatter: giving me some lip

Sometimes, they are just too cute.

Sunday Morning at Breakfast

Sunday Morning Breakfast here at the Permafrost Ranch. www.thesquirrelcam.com

Summer Squirrel

Summer squirrel

Silhouette of Squirrel

Sixty Minutes had an article on Silhouette today, (Fathers Day) so I thought I would post this one.

Red Squirrel

This old boy has taken Fatboy's place. Fatboy was a squirrel who I named that and he owned the west side of the lot. He went missing last year but has left a legacy. This fellow has taken his place, and is almost as chunky as he was.

I must be feeding them to well. lol

Daily Red Squirrel Fix for my Squirrel Friend Junkies

Ok, here it is you red squirrel junkies. Your fix.

MIdnight Sun Intertribal Powwow

Spruce Bud Worm Information

http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/fidls/westbw/fidl-wbw.htm

http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/fidls/sbw/budworm.htm

Here is some information everyone may find interesting about the problem and how widespread it seems to be.

Feeder Raider

This little female is raiding my feeders early

Spruce Bud Worm Movie

Wild Roses on the Breeze

I was sitting here yesterday with the back door open and evey once in a while the breeze would drift in just loaded with the smell of wild roses. Oh so sweet. Summer is grand.

SOTD

Here is today's capture...enjoy

Bud Worm Infestation

This is the 3 year in a row that the Spruce Bud Worm Infestation has attacked my Spruce Trees, I'm afraid it's to late for most of them. They are all starting to die. I'll show you a picture of the infestation and they I'll get another of one of the beautiful spruces that has died because of it and post it on another post.

Red Squirrel

This little female born this spring here at the permafrost ranch is so pretty. She's still very spooky of me taking her picture. If she sees me in the window, she leaves right away.

Image correction

It's funny but sometimes I can over correct an image. Photoshopping so to say. What's your thoughts on this image?

Daily News Miner

The Daily News Minor today published a photograph of mine. It's a shame they didn't give me credit for it. They did give the organization I work for the free plug though and that's a good thing. Here is the picture they used.

Todays Capture at the Feeder

If looks could convey a message, what do you think this guy is saying.

Yesterday

Yesterday, I took a double shot of the day photograph. So, I'm going to post it today. Then I'm looking at the photographs I took today for my work. Hopefully they all came out.

bob