Winter Wonderland

Ahhhhhh! Winter is here. Put on some warm clothing and head out to explore!

The photo is Yellowstone's Mammoth Terraces. Last year I believe.

Idaho Fish Pollution Control

The state of Idaho, the nation's largest producer of rainbow trout, has come up with a plan to reduce waterway pollution from farmed fishes. Much of the water pollution is caused by increased phosphorus levels coming from fish "emissions" at the farms. The plan is similar to the nation's current air pollution permitting process. Fish producers will be given permits based on operation size. Just like air permits, these water permits will be transferrable. Basically, there is one overall standard for phosporus levels but specific fish growers may still be able to pollute above the standard because of the tranfers. I'm just glad there is finally a maximum allowable level. It is a start.

EPA Targets Fish Farms With Permits

Photo: Rainbow trout from NPS archives

Thanksgiving Day Is Here

Be thankful for all the world's animals.


Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day here in the United States. Millions of turkeys will be the main dish for feasts across the nation. I don't advocate eating turkeys one bit but I do encourage learning about them, especially Heritage turkeys (those that are native to the U. S.). I watched a story about the following turkey ranch and found it very interesting. There's lots of information about these beautiful birds and what makes them Hertiage breeds. There's even a turkey film and webcam.

Good Shepherd Turkey Ranch

Give the turkeys a break this year, eat something else-preferably no meat.

(photo: http://www.slowfoodusa.org/ark/narragansett.html)

San Franscisco Bay Wildlife In Danger

Yet another tanker spill has leaked toxic substances into our oceans:

Spill closes bay beaches as oil spreads, kills wildlife


(Photo: CBS News)

Response to this incident at the time of occurance was reported to be "slower than usual." Can't say I am surprised. Anyway, more sea creatures are being harmed and killed, as are birds and other animals on the beaches of this area.

It would be nice to have enough money to be able to travel to places like this in times when volunteers are needed to help clean up the wildlife. Much thanks to those that can help.

On The Bear Front

Another hunter was mauled by a grizzly last week. "They" are saying that bears are more aggressive this year than years past. My thoughts are still on worrying about the plight of these bears after their recent delisting. The bears are not acting any more agressively than they have before; they are just being encountered more frequently as habitat dwindles. Of course a bear will react to danger.

Now Ponder This:

Last week I was lucky enough to listen to a vegetarian, actually a vegan, speaker defend the practice through the Bible! The argument is very compelling and puts a twist in our current ways of thinking. Now, don't ask me to repeat the arguements because I am not good at that type of thing and not as well versed as I would like to be in Bible verses. However, I will find out if there are published works from this professional. If so, I will pass that information along.

Don't Be A Grinch!

This is something near and dear to me that is not about wildlife. I contibute a box to this project every year. Operation Christmas Child (through Samaritan's Purse) delivers shoe boxes filled with Christmas surprises to boys and girls in poverty stricken nations. The shoe boxes or same size plastic containers can be wrapped, lid seperately, in holiday paper. You can also pick gifts for a child of a particular age, just write a note on the box. I'm not sure how countries other than the U. S. get them all together but here certain churches are the drop-off point. The boxes are collected this year from November 12-19. Or the boxes can be sent to:

Samaritan's Purse International Relief (click for website)
P. O. Box 3000
Boone, NC 28607
Phone: 1-800-665-2483

So, all of you people out there that can spare a few dollars this holiday season, please stuff a box full of goodies for a great kid and get it sent out soon! God bless.

Just Slithering Around & Awards

This snake (probably a Western Terrestrial Garter Snake) has made a home in a pile of leaves under my bicycle. One day, it was resting on the patio and I didn't see it and nearly crushed it as I walked by. What a relief when I didn't. You probably never saw someone so excited to discover a snake living on their patio! Well, that's all I've been up to lately-slithering around in my busy world.


Sad to say there is hunting news I was going to report on but I have been so busy I forgot what the news was.

And now, on to the awards...

I have been tagged with 2 more neat and interesting awards through Livingsword. Both awards are to be passed on to notable other bloggers.


I will pass the above award on to the following bloggers:
Victorya
Waitress4Life
Louise

This second award I may be unable to accept. Lately, I have been quite preoccupied with the daily grind and have had little chance to connect with others the way I once used to. I do miss everyone and hope all is well.


I pass this one along to:
Louise
Amel

A while ago my post "And The Heavens Cried" was tagged for excellence by Livingsword. I am humbled and surprised by the award for this post. I do think it clearly shows my feelings about wildlife. It is me; it shows rawly the stuff I think about every day and feel deep within my soul.

I would like to pass this awesome award on the the following:

Victorya (Certainly a talented writer! Check out her other posts so see her amazing way with words.)
Angela May (Angela is very creative. This post made me laugh soooo hard and brightened may day.)
Skyblu (Always great thoughts well written about my favorite place. This is not saying that I hold or do not hold the same opinions, I just enjoy this blog and it makes me think.)