Seattle Christmas.

So I need to get you caught on the happenings. Numbers are slow at Wolf Hollow and I got to take it down by one a week and a half ago by taking our Juvenile Bald Eagle for release up past Rockport along the Skagit River on my way to Seattle for Christmas vacation(though they did take in some critters while I was away). If you recall this one had been with us since the middle of June so he had lots of time to grow. Releasing him/him on the Skagit gives him a fairly easy chance of finding fish as the salmon are running and the eagles are congregating. Giving the best opportunity.

Eagle in the carrier just prior to release.

Less than a minute after the carrier was opened, out and in flight.

Had a great flight up and down the river before settling on the far bank.

After that I headed to Seattle to spend the holiday with friends and my brother. Had a good time, hung out with a few friends on their birthdays, especially a fun Seattle trip with my friend Zee. We rode the monorail, played at Pike's Place, and then went and explored the aquarium (man had it changed since my last visit, plus we spent a lot, A LOT, of time at the touch tanks).

The Monorail approaching West lake center!

Tropical exhibit at the aquarium.

That be a rock fish perched on her arm.

The well known Lion fish.

This guy was avoiding me taking his picture.

Nemo!!

Any guesses?? looks like an sucky disk of a octopus to me.

There he is.

This guy hangs outs in the Octopus tube.

this is a toy in the gift shop, it is suppose to be a sea cucumber.. hmm... looks less like a kids toy to me.

Oh, look they have a glow bead in them.. Thanks Zee for a great day!

I want one of these such a cute limpet!

Otters (but they weren't holding hands like the famous viral video)

They have river otters. Why the heck did I take pics of river otters when I have soo many of them already?

And so Christmas morning came, opened presents and got a new long lens for my camera!! Excellent so of course I had to try it out. Later that morning we went to brunch in W. Seattle at friends and then off to watch Sherlock Holmes at Lincoln Square. I highly recommend that movie. Home to North Bend to make a Christmas feast for Mark and I.

A close up of Fally's face.. look at those eyes. He is such a good kitty.

Chilling in the living room while we are opening gifts.

Onyx being bombarded by Mark's new toy a Nerf "tommy gun"

Another shot.

And another.

Mt. Rainier over West Seattle.

The Elwa docked in Anacortes, why I don't know??

Duck in Fidalgo bay!

Playing with the macro on my camera... my antenna.

another fun play with my camera.

Mt. Baker.. looks pretty close, but yet soo far away.

The rescue ring on the ferry.

The straits.

Birds outside my apartment. My guess? Warbler of some variety.

Robins in a tree.

So that is about it.. Came back to the island on Saturday and went to see Avatar on Sunday.. another movie I highly recommend. Love the story line, the message, and the blue people.

I am am looking forward to New Year's Eve and the good things to come in 2010. I think it is going to be a great year!

Finally!

Okay getting to this quicker than I thought. Back from helping my friend and you will see pictures later on that. So here I will share with you what has been going on and getting you up to day.

A few weeks ago I started up running again, and was doing really well I went running 4 times that week. It would have been more, but I hurt my back at work prepping for our fawn release and had some pain in my lower back :( It was better after a few days and then.... it got cold here... like below freezing and my drive to run got zapped. Temps are starting to come back up so I hope to get out there again soon, and also do some running when I head down to North Bend at the end of this week.

Sunset at American Camp Redoubt.

Click on this to see a larger panoramic.

Mt. Baker illuminated by the sinking sun

Eagles perched at work.

Animals were really slow coming in.. .like hadn't had any new arrivals in almost 2 weeks, then we got 5 in 2 days. Crazy for being December, some of the new kids include a Western Screech Owl, a Cooper's Hawk, a GW Gull, Fox Sparrow. But with getting all those in we also released our 5 fawns of the year. That makes me very happy, and hopefully the last time we have to use my truck to haul the trailer, as we now have the jeep which is being equipped with a tow hitch/receiver.

Our new little owl, hit by a car. I think there may only be minor head trauma there. at least I hope.

Cooper's Hawk, hit a window.. Seems to just have been stunned and weak. He/she is outside gaining strength.

Mr. Whitenose decided beside the compost was a warm place to sun himself in the freeze.

What happens when temps hit freezing and a stand pipe leaks.

All 5 of our fawns wander off. The last one is the wonky leg girl!

The big dark guy is in front. Remember the dark little fawn?

Checking on the others.

Making their way out of the trailer.

Of course there has been some nights out.. Karaoke, playing pool/darts, and just having an all around good time.

Gabrielle sings "Girls Just want to have fun".. pre-hair cut of the next morning.

Belting out.

Photo of the hair.. she was chopping it the next day... and then....

Gabby and Eric hang out for photos.

I stole Gabby's hat for a photo!

Gabby's new do and me :)

Playing some pool. As usual.. I lost :(

Gabby in her fuzzy hat.

Gabby loves her ESB.

First photo of the new do! Speaking of new dos.. Here is another, the one I just helped out with.

Eric as a candy can. Red and bleach stripped.

I hope you enjoyed the catch up! Til next time... have fun and keep out of trouble. I will be leaving for North Bend next Thursday to spend over a week at my brother's for the holiday. We will see what that week will bring.