CoffeeJitters » critters

The most fascinating animal at the zoo

Judy Schwartz Haley — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 18:33:08 +0000

Camels, tigers, polar bears… what animal at the zoo would most capture a toddler’s attention?

Could it be a squirrel?

Dee took us to the Alaska Zoo during our recent visit, and Gem was captivated by this little red squirrel.

He didn’t move a lot at first

But I promise he was real

see…

They played peek-a-boo and hide and seek for a while

Then one last peek as we said good bye.

Dandelions

Judy Schwartz Haley — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 16:14:43 +0000

I love dandelions.

They are such simple, earnest, friendly, happy flowers. I understand that people tend to despise the weed, but they warm my heart. They’re like children; they may make a mess of the yard, but really they just want to make you smile.

Besides, their greens are yummy.

These bear cubs thought so too. They were making quite a nice meal of Dandelions right alongside the highway. (We were a little east of Whitehorse, YT, here.)

Posh digs for a beaver

Judy Schwartz Haley — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:56:07 +0000

This is where the wealthy, well-to-do beavers live.

On our drive through Canada, we’ve encountered countless beaver dams and lodges, but this area covered acres of stepped dams with lodges back farther away from the road.

These little lakes created by the beavers were surrounded by babbling brooks, mosses, and wildflowers.

As it was, I spent quite a while traipsing around their back yard, and invading their privacy

I would have stayed longer, but mom and the baby were waiting (besides, I was wearing flip-flops and shorts – and walking through an area where all the little trees and bushes were sawed off by the beavers at ankle height)

Somebody big was napping here

Judy Schwartz Haley — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 04:18:52 +0000

Walking on a boardwalk on the wild side of the river in Leavenworth, I encountered this very large matted area in the grass – it was about four feet in diameter. My first thought was that something very large must have been napping in this space, after which I proceed directly into the woods…

and then I came to this sign

The missing word on that sign couldn’t possibly be bears…

Right?

We’ve seen quite a few bears on this trip, but none while I was wandering around on foot. I was always safely encased in the car.

Rockabye

Judy Schwartz Haley — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 06:35:43 +0000

Orangutan nap time at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, Washington

Hungry Hungry Hippo

Judy Schwartz Haley — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 05:09:13 +0000

Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle

Duck

Judy Schwartz Haley — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 06:18:54 +0000

One year ago: Best view in the house
Three years ago: Beaver Dam

Bellingham Bay

Judy Schwartz Haley — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 02:59:40 +0000

In 2001, I drove my little dodge dakota alone off the ferry from Alaska, through the town of Bellingham without a second thought as I made my way to my new life in Seattle. In 2007, my husband and I overnighted in Bellingham before catching a 7 am cruise to Victoria, BC. This past weekend my husband and daughter and I thought we’d finally stop and see what Bellingham had to offer.

We didn’t spend much time downtown, but we were charmed by the boardwalk along Bellingham Bay.

Hosted by Cecily and ???

Early bird

Judy Schwartz Haley — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 09:10:47 +0000

Ladybug Convention

Judy Schwartz Haley — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 02:51:42 +0000

Photos of a convention of lady bugs found along Ship Canal in Seattle, Washington.