Week Round-Up

A lot has happened in the past week, so here a few highlights. I got to spend 4 days at home for Christmas and got to see some family and a few friends YAY!

Tried out a couple recipes - these are key lime white chocolate chip.

Ella and I on Christmas Eve

Christmas Cat!

Went Cross Country Skiing with a couple friends in Wausau.

After my nice break at home it was back to work right away. Each year, Audubon has Winter Family Escape where families come for four days. Its fun because it is a very low key program with people of all ages.  One of the activities this year was to build a snow zoo. I built a falcon (that no one could properly ID) and a giant snake.

My snow Kestrel

My giant snow snake!

The only bummer to the whole week was that I have been feeling under the weather. I have been running a low fever, nausea, had a headache for much of the week and slept a TON! Hopefully I can kick whatever it is soon and enjoy the new year!

Let It Snow!

I went for my first cross country ski of the season on Sunday. It was a bit rough, in part because I was skiing without trails. Anyways, I went down one of my favorite routes and was on the lookout for critters the whole time. Sadly I didn't see any owls or porkies but it was still nice to get out and about.

As a bonus, it has been snowing here quite a bit the past few days. The bummer is having to shovel all the birdies out. Oh well, at least everything looks pretty for a bit!

Another Eagle

Today, a staff member found a bald eagle on the ground near our dining hall / office building. It was just sitting there and made not attempt to fly off when approached. I got to capture it and then walk the new interns though how do the physical exam on the eagle. There were no obvious physical injuries so based on its attitude and fiestiness, I am guessing it is another victim to lead.

Demonstrating to the interns how to do a physical exam

Showing how to safely handle a raptor foot.

Demonstrating more of the physical.

A bird print in the snow near where the eagle was found.

A wing brush in the snow.

One thing that I noticed about this eagle was its feather patterns. This eagle was probably about 3 years old based on the amount of white the bird had. If you look closely at the face you will notice that it almost has a face band like an osprey (I actually did a double take when I got close to it). As with all birds we get in like this, I hope it beats the odds and is released back to the wild.

Back to Work

After a lovely week off, Vancouver, snow storm and a migraine it was back to work for me on Monday.

Its always hard to get your mind back in the game after a break but my week has kept me fairly busy. On Wednesday, I took the new group of interns down to The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota. The kestrels needed a coping and then we met with a trainer to get tips. I always get excited to go down there because I learn something new every time. This time was a great review of animal training basics and trouble shooting the problem I am having with one of my birds.

Potters Snowman

I also built snowmen for the corvids (you have to love your job when you can go play in the snow for an afternoon!) I thought that it would be a fantastic enrichment idea but neither bird seemed interested in the creature that appeared. SAD!

Ice on Grindstone Lake

The other thing everyone was talking about this week was Grindstone Lake freezing over. The ice formed in a pretty cool way and I went out and took a bunch of pictures. I loved the way the ice crystals formed, it makes it appear there is snow out there even though there isn't!

Close up of the ice #1

Ice Close Up #2

Au Revoir

Today was my last day in Vancouver. As I write this, I am sitting in Vancouver International Airport with my fingers crossed that my flights do not get any more delayed. UGH - sometimes I hate winter and O'hare.

I spent my morning wandering around downtown one last time and grabbed a Starbucks. I have had more coffee these past few days than in the entire previous month. I know it is probably not the best for me but hey, I was on vacation! On a side note, it really entertained me that most things had french and english writings - like my coffee cup :)

Whilst wandering, I headed over to the Gastown where the sidewalks were brick and there were numerous cute little shops. I took a couple pictures of the neighborhoods icons - a steam clock and "gassy jack". One thing I noticed while here was that nothing besides cafes opens before 10 AM. This is good because it forced me to take my mornings at a more relaxing pace. Its also bad for people like me who get wake up early and want to get a jump on the day.

Then it was off to the airport. I was one of the lucky people who got to either get the pat down or the fancy new body scans. I chose the body scan - its a little weird but got me through security in less than half the time. I don't think that it is worth all the fuss you hear!

Its been another successful trip, now I need to start planning for my Denver trip. Fingers crossed that I get home tonight!

Vancouver: Day 3

My third day in Vancouver began at Granville Island. Its an area known because of its market and little shops. I grabbed breakfast here - a delicious bagel with scrabbled eggs and bacon. After that, I wandered around the area a bit.

The view of Vancouver from Granville Island

Next, I headed back to the downtown area in search of the Olympic Flame. This is the 4th time I've been to an Olympic city after the games. I also have pictures of Atlanta, Sydney and Salt Lake City's cauldrons.

Olympic Cauldron

One of the things that has amazed me the most during my stay here is the public transportation. I have been using the buses, trains and ferries A LOT because of the weather. In my travels to other cities, every time you get on public transport you have to swipe your ticket. Here, more often you don't. Very trusting but a little confusing to someone who is used to validating tickets.

Inukshuk Sculpture

I feel like this picture sums up the weather of my trip

After grabbing lunch I spent the remainder of my afternoon just enjoying the city and walking around. I must say that I am actually sore because of all my walking. I saw a couple more statues and went to Chinatown. After another busy day in the city, I need to pack and figure out what I can do in the morning before its time to head home!

Me in Chinatown

Vancouver: Day 2

Maple Leaf: I am in Canada after all!

Today was my second day in Vancouver! I started my day by walking to the waterfront station, grabbing a coffee and then hopping on a seabus (aka a ferry). Next, I hopped on a bus and was off to see the Capilano Suspension Bridge. This was the best thing I have done so far. This is a bridge over a canyon - the views are absolutely amazing. At one point, a juvenile bald eagle flew underneath me! Once you cross the bridge, there are a bunch of displays about the forest.

On the Capilano Suspension Bridge

One of the things on my day zero list, was to hug a tree. Here is a picture of my hugging a giant Douglas Fir. This beauty is over 300 years old, 250 feet tall and weighs over 40 tons!

Fir hugging a fir :)

 Even though the weather wasn't the greatest, I headed up to Grouse Mountain next. When I got there, it was pouring rain at the foot of the mountain and snowing at the top with fog.  Luckily, after I watched an introduction video, it cleared up a bit and I was able to see the city of Vancouver.

The view of Vancouver from Grouse Mountain

A sign at Grouse Mountain that made me smile

After all that wandering, I am ready for an early night so I can do it all again tomorrow!

Bienvenue!

 Today was my first day in Vancouver, Canada! It was a LONG day that started by hoping on a plane in central Wisconsin at 7AM. I arrived in Vancouver at noon local time. After a quick bite to eat and checking into my hotel, I was off and running. I spent my afternoon wandering around downtown Vancouver. It was not the best weather for my exploring but I didn't have high expectations and made the most of it. It is warm here (a high in the mid-40's) and rainy.

I walked a chunk of the seawall today - mountains AND water in one view!!

At one point, I went into Safeway - a grocery store chain that I shopped at while in Australia. Turns out they carry several of the same brands. I have to admit that I was having a flashback. This whole city reminds me of my time in Oz. I can't put my finger on it but the public transport, lightrails downtown and all of the tourists take me back.

Some driftwood along the seawall with the city in the background

The totem poles of Stanley Park

Seawall

Transit station with Canada Tower in the back

Beautiful!

My hotel room - its small but pretty nice for the price AND its right downtown!

 

 

Anyways, so far so good. Hopefully, I get a good night sleep because I am exhausted after today. I'm looking forward to more city wanderings tomorrow!

Minty Goodness!

Its the holiday season and that means lots of family times, snow and mint! I LOVE mint - its my latest obsession. The bummer is that a lot of mint things are only available around Christmas!  Here are just a few of my peppermint favorites!

Peppermint bark

Wasn't sure about this at first but after they discontinued my favorite flavor I decided to give it a go. Its a winner (and it makes lots of fun crackling sounds when you add it to the coffee)!

M & M's - I discovered theses while living in Australia. I look forward to finding these every year - and they are fantastic in cookies too!

Cookies!

I mentioned in a post awhile back that the oven at the intern house was broken. I haven't been able to bake anything lately. Since I am home, I figured it would be good to take advantage. I baked several dozen cookies today :)

Chocolate Chip

Checkers looked like she wanted to help bake :)

M&M Cookies!

I made the M&M cookies with classic M&M's and mint M&M's. I think the mint ones add a fun flavor to a classic cookie.

Wolves

This past week was pretty relaxing. Most of the staff was back. YAY! I only taught one class and it was to a group of high schools. I taught "Wolves of the North Woods" which is a class all about wolves.

The "researchers" in search of the "wolf pack"

The best part of the class (for me and the students) is when we go out and do radio telemetry. This is basically a giant game of hide-and-seek. The class is split into 2 and one group hides with the transmitter - they are the wolf pack. The second group act like researchers and need to find the pack. As a bonus, we had gotten a bunch of snow earlier in the week. This made walking through the woods absolutely gorgeous!