Magical moments

Yertl the Turtle is what my son and I used to call sea turtles when he was a toddler.  We'd walk over very early in the morning to sit on the black rock point at the beach.  The sun would begin it's ascent over the dormant volcano, Haleakala, and soon burn off the shadow of night, replacing it with warmth and blue sky.   We'd choose a fairly smooth rock on which to perch then silently watch the ocean.  Nary a peep would come from my son as he'd sit beside me or on my lap.  His blue-grey eyes sweeping left then right.  Intent on seeing the shell or better still the head bob up for air.

"I see him, Mom" he'd say excitedly but not too loudly.  He'd point in the direction of movement with those indescribably cute little child hands.  The hands that every Mom knows and misses as her child grows up.  He'd turn his head to be sure I'd heard him and I'd see the excitement in his eyes.  He'd look and look again.  Then he'd sit back on my lap and we'd make up stories about what Yertl might be doing today.

"I think he's eating seaweed, Mom" to which I'd agree.  "How come the waves don't bother him?" to which the answer was it's his home and he's very, very strong.  "Where are the other turtles?" was apparently not answered to his liking when I said, "They're probably done with breakfast and are swimming somewhere else now".  My son, big hearted and ever-caring, kept his eyes on Yertl and said tenderly, "Well, that's not very nice.  His friends should have woke him up so they could all go together". 

Today as I went snorkeling I saw Yertl.  In fact, Yertl was quite content floating along so closely to me that we could have kissed.  I moved backward by circling my arms to push water and slowly distance us.  Yet he seemed happy to follow me.  Maybe Yertl saw us all those years ago watching him and feeling badly that his friends didn't wake him.  That's what the little boy of years ago might think.  But we know better.  

My son is a teenager now and, of course, has a more mature view of what Yertl does.  It doesn't mean, however, that his mom wouldn't have loved to have shared her magical Yertl encounter with him. 

Who goes there?

Many a critter skittered, waddled, walked and crawled on the beach before 7am. 

Toadally unexpected

These purple beauties demanded their photo be taken and I obligingly took several.  I sat by the pond for several minutes looking at them and the breathtaking view out over the Pacific Ocean along the Hana Highway.  At one point in my peripheral view, it seemed the lily pads moved, surged up.  I watched the pond intently.  No movement, perhaps the Maui sun has baked my brain.

 

A cooling wind stirred.  I leaned my head back to watch the palm fronds sway against the backdrop of the tropical blue sky.  When I decided to get up off the ground, I looked squarely into two angry eyes staring intently at me.  She sat still so I did the same.  I sat still some more.  She moved......toward me, grumbled something that if interpreted was most likely akin to "Mama's gonna mess you up".  It was then that I saw many black tadpoles wriggling amongst the lily pads and Mama's feet.  Not one to aggravate the wildlife, I packed up and moved on with the day.

It would seem she is a Cane Toad.  Also called Marine Toad or Bufo marinus.  They like to be near water for breeding and apparently it's breeding/birthing time on Maui by the looks of this one up above.   They secrete a poisonous substance from the glands in their neck if they feel threatened.  A dog could die if they bite one.  Scientists strongly advise against licking them as it can cause a horrible tongue fungus or even death.  What??!?!  Here I was looking for a stick laying about on which to have a Toadipop.  Sorry, you'd clearly have to be stoned out of your gourd to lick a toad.  Just sayin'.

Happy Birthday!

Birthday boy, Artemis

Artemis (aka #1018 or The A.I. Baby around campus)

Lightning (aka #739 around campus)

Pure luck afforded me the privilege one year ago today to be present when the reindeer you see in the first two photos was born.  Go here to read more on that.

Although there was no pomp and circumstance--he is after all a research animal--I thought it only fitting to get a baby's first birthday photo.  Thank you to George Aguiar of the Reindeer Research Program at UAF for taking the time to listen to my silly request to find out The Baby's number and location.  Without his help, I would never have figured out which reindeer was the right one.  Additionally helpful was the website for the Reindeer Research Program listing all the reindeer names. So now I can tell you that #1018 was dubbed Artemis.

The bottom photo is Lightning.  She's Artemis' mom.  Seems only fair to include her since she did all the work. Last time I saw her she was worn out from a long birth, the poor girl.  Looking good now though, wouldn't you say? 

If you'd like to take part in naming a reindeer, here's a link.  Go ahead.  Use your imagination.  Put a name in the hat and maybe your name will be chosen for some lucky reindeer!

Where's my mama?

pausing for a bite to eat

This little guy or gal (??) visited our back yard last night.  For lack of knowing if he's a she or she's a he, we named it Saskatoon.  You weren't expecting Pat or Terry, were you?  After silently munching on willow, Saskatoon slowly ventured over the hillside and into the valley.  The snow loudly shooshed down the slope and winter's dried, brittle underbrush cracked loudly letting us know the route taken.  We never saw or heard Mama in the area.  Maybe 'Toon is alone in the world.  We'll be keeping an out for more visits though.

Thematic Photographic #141 - Windows

Zazu in role of Sad Dog

Just a few minutes prior to this photo Zazu was bounding around the living room, playful.  "Smiling" the way dogs sometimes do.  Flashing chestnut colored catch-me-if-you-can eyes up at me as he'd slam his front paws down, bum in the air, tail wagging.  A barely audible "boof" said "you're it, chase me".  We played for a couple more minutes then I stepped onto the deck, leaving him inside.

A single glass window separated us.  Yet his eyes stared off into eternity.  My heart sank at the sight.  Yes he's a dog but his eyes could be the windows to his soul too.  Sad eyes.  Cruelly left there alone in the world.  Oh, the despair!  Woe is him.  He pretended not to notice me.  Even as I spoke aloud letting him know I'd be right back.  Apparently though he's an elite member of CAG (Canine Actor's Guild).  His eyes never acknowledged outside contact.  Nary a twitch of a doggie brow was seen.  The ears remained stick straight.   Oooh this Sad Dog character was good, deserving of a Wag-Emmy Award.

Not surprisingly Sad Dog was nowhere to be found when I re-entered the house.  Just Zazu, aka Happy Dog, greeted his human upon my return from the far, far away side of the evil window.

(For more Thematic Photographic 141 - Windows, visit Carmi at Written Inc.  You'll be glad you did.  Guaranteed.)

Thematic Photographic #140 - By Land, Sea or Air

Now that's a porta-potty!

Driving across Washington state one autumn I managed to choose the time of day when truckers were out in force.  There were belly dumps of gravel, truckloads of bovine, a chemical load or two, the usual grocery haulers and oodles of the usual other stuff on wheels.  What I didn't expect to see was a restroom in the middle of the road.  I'd imagine it's final destination might have been a park or roadside rest area. Or maybe it was being retired.  Wonder if anyone ventured inside when he pulled over?

Driving.  You never know what you'll see.

(Thank you to Carmi of Written Inc for another fun topic By Land, Sea or Air)