A Year In The Life - Day 352, May 7, 2015

Today's pic of the day is one that also appears in the "Wood Frogs, Baby!"  post immediately following this one.  This is the short version. :)  "They're baaaaaaaack!!!"

Here is a shot of the flooded meadow where we found them:

And here is a duplicate with 'visual aids' :)  That's right, there are fifteen of them in this pic....at LEAST.  :)

Wood Frogs are awesome!  Here's a link:  More info about wood frogs!!

A Year In The Life - Day 351, May 6, 2015

So, on top of a tote of potting soil in my classroom, I keep my electric water heater for coffee.  I discovered that under the lid, where all that warmth apparently creates condensation to go along with all the darkness (from never opening the lid)...we have mushrooms!!!  I haven't identified species, yet, but if I can I will update...They are cool either way, but I surely am not going to try them :)

A Year In The Life - Day 350, May 5, 2015

Happy Cinco De Mayo!!

Here is a bit of bush Alaska uniqueness.  Here in RSM, we practice dog control the old fashioned way.  Hang a sign for notice, then drive around the village and cull the ferals.  Keep the children (and pets you'd like to keep) indoors...the twelve gauges are going to bark...

Don't knock it, it works like a charm.  If the lower 48 adopted this "draconian" set of tactics, (what THEY might call it) there'd be a lot less feral cats and dogs roaming around causing havoc...

Here's the sign, hanging in our 'town' store, right under everything for sale:  and Nope, I didn't print it myself :)  ...that office phone number is legit...

A Year In The Life - Day 349, May 4, 2015

A shot today of some spring meat hanging on the poles.  This time it's a brace of beavers, skinned and ready for the pot...

A Year In The Life - Day 348, May 3, 2015

The first robin photographed this spring.  Always remember how Grammy H used to say "Spring's not here 'til we see the first robin" back home in PA.  They're not the same indicator here necessarily, but every spring when they show up it feels the same.

A Year In The Life - Day 347, May 2, 2015

The birds are back in force now.  Can't go far outside without hearing a shot or two if you are up in the morning.  That's Warren's blaze orange camo beanie in the first pic as we looked up at the passing flock, and then got another as they moved away.

A Year In The Life - Day 346, May 1, 2015

Searching for the first wood frogs to emerge has begun.  The ponds down by the old airstrip are now ice free, but still no signs.  Started out slow last year, exploded, and then vanished almost instantly...we'll see how this spring goes...