Ben and Carrie Tracks

Long time no sea....

noreply@blogger.com (Ben and Carrie Tracks) — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 10:51:00 +0000

Catch up with us on our last two months of travels, won't you?

Rocky mountains and local snow shoe-ing wildlife below....

This wile coyote made his presence known long enough for a few camera snaps, while the rest of his pack slunk away into the forest...

Unfortunately, on our most fortunate of hikes our camera batteries decided to call it quits. At least the cell phone back-up allowed us to capture proof of the moose as well as mountain lion tracks we followed ~ 1/2 mile down the trail.

Emerald lake was blistery cold but worth the snowshoe to see such grand peaks up-close, even if for just a few minutes...

A little finch watched as we left the mainland for the rainbow state in early March...

We went from temperature extremes of -30°F to 80°F in less than two weeks!

It wouldn't be a Ben and Carrie Tracks post without a sunset picture now would it?

Safe to say we've had a fair helping of snorkeling all around the island....the green sea turtle shots above were taken in Shark's Cove along the North shore.

Our journey begins this weekend for the NW Hawaiian Islands (see post below)... and while we have enjoyed our time in Oahu, we have no qualms at all about leaving civilization and the hustle and bustle of Waikiki shown in the picture above.

Inconceivable!

noreply@blogger.com (Ben and Carrie Tracks) — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 21:16:00 +0000

You might recall our very first blog post

about working in the most remote place within the lower 48 United States; areas of the Teton Wilderness during Summer of 2009 working with moose. Now we can truly say we are headed to one of the most remote places in the world....

Starting in March, we're off to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands to work
with the endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal for 6 months!

Photo Credit - Wikepedia. We'll have our own pictures soon enough!

As Monk Seals inhabit multiple NW Hawiaiian islands,
we will be living and working on separate (tiny!) islands;
Ben at French Frigate Shoals and Carrie at Laysan Island.

On Laysan Island, Carrie, living in a tent, will have no contact with the "outside world" other than a few minutes on a satellite phone each month. This means Ben will be getting a crash course in blogging and tend to the upkeep and updates from life on French Frigate Shoals :)

Laysan Island - photo credit google map

French Frigate Shoals - Photo credit google map

We are absolutely elated and can't wait to share

our newest adventure with all of you...
- we're ready to leave stat!
When March rolls around, then we'll be off to Honolulu for the first 3 weeks for training before we set sail to our islands.

(3 Day Boat Trip to French Frigate Shoals and 5 to Laysan)

But first, we're headed back to Rocky Mountain National Park's
wintry wonderland for some fun in the snow.

The main goal of the project is the recovery of the seal's population. For more information on the Hawaiian Monk Seal check out the following links:

NOAA Fisheries Protected Resources

Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center

From our Camera to Your Living Room

noreply@blogger.com (Ben and Carrie Tracks) — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 21:26:00 +0000

Over the past few years, our wildlife jobs have allowed us the opportunity to visit, see, and experience so many diverse places and animals.

From birds of the Peruvian Amazon

Gulf Coast Alligators

Mexican Grey Wolves in Arizona and New Mexico

Teton and Yellowstone Wilderness Moose

Pine Martens of the Adirondacks in New York

Pacific Northwest Spotted Owls

Travel in between it all

When we weren't busy tracking, trapping, calling, weighing, measuring, drawing blood, giving vaccines, or radio-collaring wildlife....we managed to snap more than a few pictures and think it's high time we gave everyone the chance to share in the experiences; not only on our blog, but also through
Our brand spankin-new Photography Sale Website.

We've chosen for our photos to be made at a professional photo lab in California, with exceptional quality prints and canvas, who ships orders directly to you. What's really cool is that once your order has been placed, we get to preview the proofs from your order before they are created and shipped to you. This way, we can notify you if we see any part of your order we think you may be dissatisfied with (such as the way a photo has been cropped). Speaking of cropped photos... with our photography site you're given the option to crop photos to fit your specific print/product size you've chosen to your liking.
AND if you're ever unhappy about the product you receive just LET US KNOW! Give us the opportunity to make a print that you like, or to refund your money - after all it's YOUR satisfaction that is most important :)

Head over to Ben and Carrie Tracks Photography to see for yourself.

Sea-faring, scuba-diving, sight-seers

noreply@blogger.com (Ben and Carrie Tracks) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 12:00:00 +0000

We've been a couple of lucky pups while away from the blogging scene....

After finishing up our time in the fall colored Colorado Rockies last month, we headed to the Florida Keys, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel Mexico for some family, sun, and scuba.

These pictures are not National Geographic worthy, but are what we have come to expect given our budget for dive cameras and the ocean depth's filtering out much of the light and color spectrum.

Communication under the water is slim for folks like us with little sign language knowledge. But universal hand signals for underwater animals do exist and when followed up by an exaggerated index-finer point, the animal who otherwise may slipped away un-detected by your dive-partner is often spotted. The hand signal in the lower right picture means turtle. A green sea turtle joined us for awhile munching away on the reef.....however, upon loading our pictures we learned that 2 of our 4 dive's shots were missing/deleted. Bummer indeed - but tough to complain about after the experience. (After- all, at least we got a few memory provoking pictures this dive trip....During our honeymoon to Curacao we dove every day and came back with squat.)

Zoo's are always a thought provoking attraction to visit.... While many super intelligent animals, sadly do not receive the enrichment they deserve in captivity... it is comforting to know the KC Zoo boasts a Chimpanzee enclosure called "one of the finest chimpanzee exhibits in North America" by the awe inspiring Jane Goodall.

The chimps above were raising their hands in hopes of attracting the attention of a care-taker dishing out fun treats. Lemons, pine-cones filled with jam and honey, and other snacks were prizes whose left-overs were deemed worthy of smelling the ground for, as seen in the picture to the right.

Cheetahs and a Grey Crowned African Crane soaking up the late-afternoon rays...

Here a duck, there a duck, everywhere a

noreply@blogger.com (Ben and Carrie Tracks) — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 00:09:00 +0000

"I think a good product would be "Baby Duck Hat". It's a fake baby duck, which you strap on top of your head. Then you go swimming underwater until you find a mommy duck and her babies, and you join them. Then, all of a sudden, you stand up out of the water and roar like Godzilla. Man, those ducks really take off! Also, Baby Duck Hat is good for parties."

- Jack Handy

Some of the best scenery in Rocky Mountain National Park, other than the mountains themselves, are the streams and rivers which meander alongside trails....

Lily Lake 2008 Wedding ☞ Lily Lake 2010 Visit

The sweet sweet reward at the top of Lily Mountain....

After breaking for lunch, decided to feast the eyes too....

All shots are part of the following:

♬ Colorado Rocky Mountain High

noreply@blogger.com (Ben and Carrie Tracks) — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 00:42:00 +0000

Gas one way from KC to the Rockies - $58

Entrance fee to Rocky Mountain NP - $20/wk

One cup of Spiced Pumpkin Latte @ Kind Coffee in Estes - $3.65

Seemingly unlimited time to play in a giant National Park..... Priceless

Sometimes you feel like a beach-Sometimes you don't

noreply@blogger.com (Ben and Carrie Tracks) — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 23:50:00 +0000

OK, we aren't fooling anyone....we always feel like a beach. However, when our seasonal owl work ended along the coast of Oregon last month, we made the cross-country trek back to the Midwest....

We will see you again Oregon....promise.

Meanwhile, in the Midwest - life centers around a crab apple tree in the yard...

From one pool of giant water to a significantly smaller and less salty one...

Hello summer temperatures - lucky for us, we were fortunate enough to dodge you in Oregon for most of the season.

Redwoods - Ben and Carrie Approved.

noreply@blogger.com (Ben and Carrie Tracks) — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 07:03:00 +0000

Time to spend a few moments with us in the Redwoods -
Did you remember to bring the smores?

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings
Nature's peace will flow into you
As sunshine flows into trees
The winds will blow their own
Freshness into you and the storms
Their energy while cares will
Drop off like autumn leaves.
~John Muir

This was too classic to pass up.
Thank you random women ....
for keeping us in focus / knowing what button to push :)

Without the right perspective this tree could be located in anyone's backyard.

This giant, known as Big Tree, towers at 301 feet and has a 21 ft diameter.

To infinity

Hard to believe it was a mere 41 years ago the original park was dedicated. Did you know that only 4% of the country's old growth Redwoods remain today? To fell a giant Redwood in the past of ~ 10-12 ft diameter took two to three days of work.

Steller's Jay made a cameo

We were blown away.

Half expected a Velociraptor to pop its sneaky head out from around an enormous tree trunk.

"Clever girl"

Jedediah Smith State Park.

The most impressive area of the redwoods by far .... campground / day use park complete with trails through old old old growth forest, visitor center, tallest tree on earth (379 ft- but honestly, after seeing SO many trees nearby that are over 200ft - it's hard to tell the difference), and beach along the ultra-clear Smith River. The only river system in California that isn't dammed. The water is deeper than it looks. 15 or more feet in places - perfect for diving in from boulders along the banks to view fish hiding out in the shadows.

We followed the coast highway back home, camped, and enjoyed quite a few stop overs at various attractions along the way.
Devils Punch Bowl was quite the sea cave...with a collapsed roof allowing an inside view.

The Newport Aquarium was an indoor/outdoor surprise. While not as large as some aquariums we have visited, it's interpretive designs and species selection were the best we've ever seen.

Japanese Spider Crabs and Ben spent some time picking each other's brains.

Highly recommended. Ben and Carrie approved.

We'll bring the photos. You bring the smores.

noreply@blogger.com (Ben and Carrie Tracks) — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 02:38:00 +0000

For the next few days, we'll have a new temporary home... amongst the trees. And while its rather cramped and damp, we have come to enjoy it's earthy feel and frequent earthworm encounters. Backward, is the most appropriate way to enter.

Don't put it past us - both of us, as kids tried to dig secret hideouts into the ground. An hour or so digging with garden trowels and spoons, as you can imagine, left us with luxurious 1' x 4" holes in the topsoil....Just large enough to twist an ankle in after they had been forgotten about a week later.

We're actually headed to camp in the Redwoods for awhile. Somehow, within the past six months, we never realized we were within a days drive from them!

Plenty of picture sharing will ensue once we're back.

We'll bring the photos, you bring the smores.

On a side note - We enjoyed the company of this seemingly toupee wearing moth the other evening as we were preparing dinner in the kitchen. After a few oohs and ahhhs from us - he was scooped up and let outside. Any entomologists out there who can tell us this guys name?

A soon-to-be farewell sunset

Knock your breath out cold

noreply@blogger.com (Ben and Carrie Tracks) — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 23:01:00 +0000

Only a couple nights of Spotted Owl surveying left for us. Sadly, we will soon be leaving the great coast of Oregon and saying so-long to its....well....umm.....hmm....indescribable beauty.

BUT...not quite yet....

We're sticking around to gaze at a few last sights and try and soak up as much of the rain forest and salty coast smell into our pores and clothing as possible.

Where are we off to next?
What critters will we work with in the near future?

Well, those are good questions.

We're not sure yet, a few things are in the mix, but don't worry-

you'll be the first, or maybe third or fourth to know...

Adult Barred Owl vs. juvenile fledgling complete with fluff on top of head. Juvenile chicks often outweigh their parents during this period of life, but are quick to lose the excess weight after learning to hunt for themselves.

Northwestern Garter Snake -
Notice the musk dripping down the finger...Not to worry,
enjoying the little guy's company outweighs a few hours of stink any day.

Young's River Falls south of Astoria

Coldest pool of water EVER.... knock your breath out cold.

(Judging by your expressions, you'd like to know just how cold,
after all - how cold is cold?)

We would say it rivals the Pacific Ocean's temps right now ~ 58 °F.

Colder than last summer's river crossing Teton Wilderness escapades.

Basking rocks for afterward, however, were conveniently scattered about.

The sun was ridiculously bright this evening- even for a sunset. Luckily, we happened to drive by an overlook that provided us with the opportunity to see above the cloud line as well as to the ocean below. Almost like something you'd see out of an airplane window.

The sky is falling! The sky is falling!

noreply@blogger.com (Ben and Carrie Tracks) — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 09:26:00 +0000

What did you do last night? If your answer does not include gazing up at the sky - don't fret, you still have a night or two when the ★ Perseid Meteor Shower ★ will be close to its peak. Grab your lawn chairs and beach towels - join us and others around the world...

Courtesy Youtube tmophoto

"Through our eyes, the universe is perceiving itself. Through our ears, the universe is listening to its harmonies. We are the witnesses through which the universe becomes conscious of its glory, of its magnificence." - Alan Watts

The view from here. And there.

noreply@blogger.com (Ben and Carrie Tracks) — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 00:16:00 +0000

What is it about the perspective of the landscape from a high place that is so captivating?

We actually saw porpoises this day. Off the Oregon Coast - a rare site indeed.

Our ideal town.

Don't be surprised if you find us here again in the future.

Even cramped on a plane next to infants, who are apparently always ~~hungry~~, ~~grabbing, producing foul odors~~, on the verge of dying (based on their blood curdling screams), we can't escape the sunset....

Thank you tiny window of sanity.

Almost all of our owl surveying takes place in areas just like this. ---We'll just leave the images of logged areas for your imagination--- However, capturing a picture without a brown patch of clear cut is difficult :(

On a happy note, finding a Spotted Owl = no logging in that area.

Tranquility on a mountain top.

What goes bump in the night.....

noreply@blogger.com (Ben and Carrie Tracks) — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 23:05:00 +0000

Dusk on the job

Slugssss, as slimy as they may be....are quite adorable close up-
Before they are squished from riding along on your tire.

Tiny elk butts everywhere.
In the middle of the night. In the middle of the road.
They seem to choose the past of least resistance and, just as a cartoon character would, travel down the clear path in front of the moving vehicle rather than veer off to the side into the relative safety of the forest.

Pacific Tree Frog

For those of you daring enough -
Leave a comment and guess the following night sounds...

Owl-y prizes (we're serious) and respect awarded for
correct answers and/or creativity

Name that owl #1...

Name that Owl #2

Name that Owl #3

The "Rainy City" minus the rainy

noreply@blogger.com (Ben and Carrie Tracks) — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 08:21:00 +0000

Three guesses where we went last week.....view from our hotel window

Griffey Jr. backwards cap night at Mariners Stadium.....✔

Mt. Rainer in the backround of
a ferry ride to Bainbridge Island on a hot but unfortunately smoggy day

On the drive home
This was a mandatory pull the car over and jump out

- Astoria Oregon Bridge/ Youngs Bay

To conclude the weekend we ran into this guy on the beach.....
A Pacific Mole Crab!
Known more commonly as sand crabs, this species lives all along the Pacific Coast and are masters at doing everything backwards. Their eyestalks as well as two sets of antennae reach above the sand when buried for both breathing and feeding.

Flabbergasted

noreply@blogger.com (Ben and Carrie Tracks) — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 00:07:00 +0000

Calling night stations for owls can often seem monotonous and you find yourself trying to make every little noise in the forest into something much cooler than it actually is. Although you do hear and see the occasional black bear, porcupine, raccoon, and of course elk and deer. However, on that rare, or should we say endangered, occasion.... a faint 4-note of a Spotted Owl filters through the canopy. This is it, you tell yourself. This is a moment to be savored. All of your senses become heightened and alert. Now it is time to track the sound of that owl and try to get a visual on it...that is, if your smiling eyes would open up large enough to see anything clearly....

Luck is on your side...or maybe it is skill. The undergrowth is no match for you tonight; after all, you are on a mission. Moments later, you find yourself standing underneath a ball-of-fluff predator who musters enough strength for his tail feathers to twitch with each call.

Unfortunately you have to say goodbye for now to your new acquaintance.... there is more work to be done tonight. You know you will be back tomorrow, mice in hand... so you hike back to your truck, high on nature.

Day two.... a return trip to find the Spotted Owl, this time in daylight. You have brought along 2 co-workers and 8 mice. The terrain is steep and you cross your fingers hoping the sleepy owl will awaken and show himself off somewhere close-by.

Flabbergasted.
Once again, the owl responds to your calls and is found relatively quick and easily.

Now it is time to mouse.
(Click to see a past post about how and why we mouse, etc.)

A stick is gathered and you place the unsuspecting mouse upon it

and make squeaky mouse imitating sounds.

The Spotted Owl leaves his perch and you catch a glimpse of its outer toe swiveling from the front to face the rear and grasp it's cylindrical prey....... an easy meal.

For the next hour and a half you follow the owl from perch to perch while juggling mice on sticks, mosquitoes, and cameras. You're there to see what he does with those mice.

What an exquisite creature.... You could sit for hours and hours just watching.
Even if the owl decided to close its' eyes and sit motionless.

Nonetheless, there is more work to be done and the evening is coming to a close. A once in a lifetime experience? Certainly hope not. You spend the rest of the night calling stations nearby wishing, for the Spotted Owl's sake, not to hear a Barred owl too close by.

♫ Nothin' but blue skies ♫

noreply@blogger.com (Ben and Carrie Tracks) — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 05:50:00 +0000

↑

Sandcastle Competition Favorites

at Cannon Beach

↓

For Rent?
Old growth trees are unfortunately hard to come by outside of the State Parks...
You can be sure that those left standing else where are prime real estate for many species, including the Spotted Owl

At almost every beach around us, fresh water can be seen draining into the ocean

Light House, Puffins, Peregrine Falcons, Dramatic Cliff sides....Cape Meares

Snowy Mt. Hood amongst the lush green

Hard at work :)

What's that you say?
Oh no, we promise we are not all play and no work,

but now that you mention it - maybe our work is play?

3 Beaches, 2 Days of Sun, 1 Weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Ben and Carrie Tracks) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 00:41:00 +0000

1. Cannon Beach - Haystack Rock

A Sea Lion decided to spend an inconspicuous weekend at Haystack Rock...

When the tide comes in, you have to really work to see what lives beneath that rock...

2. Garabaldi/Rockaway Beach - The Three Graces

The little things in life....

3. Manzanita Beach - Evening Turned into Night Bonfire

After thousands of years, we're still intrigued and congregating by the fire....

Dibs

noreply@blogger.com (Ben and Carrie Tracks) — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 06:43:00 +0000

"The first time I ever saw the ocean I was real disappointed. "That's the ocean?!" I said. No, said Mom and Dad, that's just the parking lot. When we pulled into the lot, I was real disappointed in it. It was hard to find a spot, and the spaces seemed way too narrow, in my book. The ocean was okay, I guess, but I still can't get over how disappointing that parking lot was."

- Jack Handey

Deliberately whooo'd at... :)

Pair of Barred Owls (sound only) cackling away...

We've already called dibs on the two outer swings.....but could use a 4-legged-being to try and fit on the awkward middle swing....?

Extra Extra...

noreply@blogger.com (Ben and Carrie Tracks) — Sun, 30 May 2010 05:24:00 +0000

Can't walk half a block around town without a glimpse of these spectacular Rhododendrons...

Hi Rough Skinned Newt, we think you are oh so cute....

A day in the life of a piece of driftwood - not bad...

★ Extra Extra: No Owls in Site, Mouse Lives to Tell Frightening Tale ★

Amusing Mousings

noreply@blogger.com (Ben and Carrie Tracks) — Tue, 25 May 2010 01:03:00 +0000

When a Spotted or Sbarred owl (hybrid of Spotted and Barred)
is heard, we make a follow-up visit to the area.
A technique called mousing is used to find out whether or not the owl
has a mate or young; its' nesting status.

Sbarred Owl...

Has a blend of bars and spots on the chest
like a Barred and Spotted Owl.

A melded look...

Mousing - A mouse is placed in plain site of the owl. In this case, on a long stick.
The owl will either ignore the mouse, eat the mouse, or take it to a mate or nest.

It is possible that hybridization could add to the decline

of the Northern Spotted Owl. Especially in the long run

if Northern Spotted Owl populations continue to stay so low.
Gotta keep the ol' gene pool clean.

...We're gonna have to go with nature on this one -
we always knew it was OK to play with your food.

Stunning and wise. Both the moss-lichen covered tree and the Sbarred Owl.

Videos, Sounds, and Nostalgia Galore

noreply@blogger.com (Ben and Carrie Tracks) — Tue, 18 May 2010 07:38:00 +0000

.
.

This video discusses one of the Northern Spotted Owl's most controversial threats....Barred Owls; as well as loss of old growth forest and habitat.

Note: "Most Spotted Owls (90%) will be found in 200+ year old multi-layer forests

and few in less than 100-year-old forests"

Each night from a "boombox" 10 minutes worth of hooting is played at each pre-determinned survey station in hopes of calling-in the owls. The types of calls used include the classic 4-note and series, as well as contact calls (high pitched "shreeek", and barking calls (similar to crow calls). In an upcoming post, we'll show you the mousing procedure that takes place once a Spotted or Sbarred Owl (Hybrid of spotted and Barred) is detected.

Click to hear a Series and 4-Note call of a Spotted Owl.

Spotted Owl sound bite Owls sound bites

You might be familiar with the explanation for a Barred Owl Call sounding like "Who cooks for you, who cooks for you all". Some of the Spotted Owl's calls are similar to those of Barred Owls, but in general they tend to be shorter, higher pitch, and lack the gurgley throat sounds which are oh so prevalent among Barred Owl Calls.

Click to hear a Male Barred Owl 8-Note.

Barred Owl sound bite Owls sound bites

The same moose(s) -Did they just say mooses?-
we worked with last summer in the Teton Wilderness.
Scott, shown in the video, was the original University of Wyoming Grad Student to conduct the study which was then passed down to our boss for whom we worked. Our field season focused on what the video mentioned as "lack of quality nutrients". (See previous posts from last summer)
Now do you understand the excitement of finding poo??

Welp, this is a video of the Mexican Grey Wolf Reintroduction Program. The video is exactly the work we did. Other duties included daily telemetry to triangulate wolf and den locations, aerial telemetry, scat collection and tracking. This video is a reminder for us of how amazing our colleagues and day to day activities truly were! Going into the pens to capture, handle, and prep a wolf for a release was one of our favorite things to do....However the act of releasing the wolf into the wild was even better....

Gone Tidepoolin'

noreply@blogger.com (Ben and Carrie Tracks) — Thu, 13 May 2010 04:29:00 +0000

At Arcadia Beach for a windless, sun and tide pool filled afternoon...
So much animal life!

Intertidal zone covered mostly by goose and acorn barnacles.

The Oregon cost has semi-diurnal tides
(two high tides and two low tides each day)

Anemone, mussels, and sea star filled pool...

"....so just then, the sea cucumber looks over to the mollusk and says: with friends like these, who needs anemones." - Finding Nemo

Look Ma, no feet!

Molts, Molts, everywhere...

Mass molting is happening all over beaches during this time of year
...So fresh and so clean, clean, crab for all; especially the birds

* New Link to check out on the "wood panel" top of page -
our Pre-Blog Work Photos *

Bountiful Twilight

noreply@blogger.com (Ben and Carrie Tracks) — Thu, 06 May 2010 22:53:00 +0000

"The wise man can pick up a grain of sand and envision a whole universe.

But the stupid man will just lie down on some seaweed

and roll around until he's completely draped in it.

Then he'll stand up and go, "Hey, I'm Vine Man."
- Jack Handey

One of our favorite photos taken thus far

A blustery, rainbow filled evening turned into a magnificent sunset

A not-so-shy beaver.

Rabies?

Well, let's just say he wasn't foaming at the mouth or gnawing on Ben's leg...

Northwestern Salamander

You might say this is not as picturesque as the Black Bear that Ben saw this week.

You might be right.

If only the bear was willing to lay motionless amongst the leaf liter for a close-up

We decided we could build a little "bubble box" around ourselves and sit through the blowing sand and rain and wait for moments just like this one....

Cut up chunks of fish, anyone?

noreply@blogger.com (Ben and Carrie Tracks) — Sat, 01 May 2010 22:05:00 +0000

Manaznita Coastline...
Nehalem Bay can be seen in the upper back portion of photo below the ridge line

Went and took a visit to Seaside for their aquarium and who could resist doing some crayon rubbings?

Pacific Harbor Seal Smile :)

The Seaside Aquarium was the first in the country to successfully breed Pacific Harbor Seals. Some of the seals are 3rd or 4th generation offspring

Wolf Eel! Can grow up to 6 -7 feet in length and weigh 40 pounds...this one was massive! Believe it or not; their temperament is quite mild,
but their face is one only a mother could love....
guess that makes us "mothers"

One neat aspect about the aquarium is that it features only animals found along the Pacific Coastline (Cali-Alaska). The Giant Pacific Octopus, for example, in the video above....

None of the seals have been trained. They have each acquired their own set of skills to attract the attention and fish of the visitors. This seal named Greta has her technique down pretty well....

Gazing

Lately...

noreply@blogger.com (Ben and Carrie Tracks) — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 03:48:00 +0000

100% Bona Fide

Sublime Evening

Hwy 101 (follows the Oregon Coast) View

Pacific Harbor Seals!
As soon as we get our State Park pass we won't have to sneak
around and zoom in quite so much to get shots of these guys

The view from one of our study areas overlooking the Columbia River into Washington

Sea Foam Outline