Ursa Major?

So today we saw a bear walking along the shore. We followed her along in the boat and were able to watch her go for a swim ,catch a fish and chase the gulls around. It was quite incredible. The other picture is from the afore mentioned fish measuring field trip. (Daniel and Casey waiting for some fish to get sleepy). More later as I have dishes waiting to get washed.

It's Raining, It's Pouring

Well, despite the sunshine in these pictures, it has been pouring down rain for about two solid weeks, with the exception of Sunday which was blessedly warm. There have been about five, maybe six, sunny days since I arrived here and I feel like I've been blessed with a second winter this year. So, on the weather side of things, I will be happy to get back to California, dry out and warm up a bit. It really is still quite beautiful, though. There is nothing wrong with watching rain drip off the ferns and spruce. The loons call out all day and all night and the wind is ferocious and wild. The waves beat so strong on the shore that they whip up a thick foam - which is fun to paint on the sides of the boats and make beards with. I really do love it. And Luna and I have fun all the same. Sometimes we go out, but it really is quite chilly so mostly we stay in and play and tell stories and sing and dance and bake. I got to go out in the field a couple of days ago. It was quite an adventure. I helped Daniel and Casey put nets out and pull in about 200 fish. They needed to measure them and record how much scarring they had from gill nets. The first group of salmon we didn't quite get enough so we had to put the nets out again. After pulling them into the nets, they have to be untangled from the nets and thrown into a little cage thing (I'll post the pictures soon). This was fun! I got bit a few times. Salmon have sharp teeth. I also fell in the water a few times (tripped on the net) - making the waders somewhat ineffectual. (Keep in mind - this is in the pouring down rain, standing in water that is about 7 degrees celcius) I was the data recorder. It took several hours to get all the fish done. By the time we were finished I was so cold my hands wouldn't even grip the pencil and I couldn't zip up my life vest for the boat ride back. Thank goodness for that special science paper that you can write in in the rain. It stood up well when I dropped it in the lake twice. Oh well. A bowl of chili and a cup of hot tang (back at camp) and I was good as new again. Despite the cold, I really had a great time wrangling fish. I'm not sure Daniel and Casey were too thrilled to have a hypothermic newbie in the field with them. But I had fun. And they were really nice about it all.

As far as the pics go: one is of a leisurely evening in camp (pete w/ a butterfly net, daniel peeling potatoes w/ luna playing nearby, andrew sitting); my bed in the bunkhouse (somebody asked where I sleep); and Luna making fairy soup.

I've got to turn the generator off, so that's all for now. I hope you're all doing well. See you in a couple weeks!

Random Stuff

So here are a couple of pics I've been meaning to get up: Luna and I canoeing and a picture of a Lund (boat). We have several Lunds in camp and it is the main boat we use to go "out in the field" to the different sites. I'm learning to drive it. *evil grin* You may notice this particular lund does not have a motor on it yet and is backward in the water. I took a picture of it my first day in Alaska. Camp wasn't quite running yet and they were still getting motors on boats after having them stored in the shed all winter. Details. You asked about the boats we use - there you go.

The last couple of days have been blessedly warm and sunny! We swapped out a few people with Aleknagik a couple of days ago: lost Juliette and Gordon but gained back Pete and his friend, Andrew, and also the camp cook, Marlene, who is here for a few days of vacation. We had a nice 4th of July - grilled Salmon on the beach and got rained on a bit, but is was pleasant. Today I had the pleasure of trying a kayak for the first time. I still think I prefer a canoe, but it was fun. Pete and Andrew are watching a mama moose and her two babies graze across the bay right now. Amazing wildlife here. I've been collecting porcupine quills to bring back with me and am hoping to get a good picture of a porcupine. I also have some excellent moose fur, salmon jaws, and a wide assortment of flowers, plants and eagle feathers. I mean seagull feathers! And excellent rocks! Oh the rocks! Science teachers - put your orders in now! I have to say - there is a severe lack of bugs, though. At least the neat kind. There are PLENTY of the biting kind. No reptiles either. Sad. Only one species of frog. (And I found one!) Today Luna and I made fairy bracelets (backwards packing tape with flowers on it - very beautiful!) and I think I like them better than the flower press. The colors are nice and you can see both sides of the leaves and flowers. Hmmmm. . . . I'm just babbling now. I'll post the pics and go to bed. I hope you're all doing well! Luvs yas!

Something You Don't See Everyday - Even Here!

Luna and I saw this as we walked out the door after lunch today. We thought we'd share. Enjoy!