This time of year brings back memories of fishing

This is the photograph (below, right) that this blog is named after. About 45 years ago, mom clipped this out of a paper and framed it, and then gave it to my dad for Christmas.

She said he was a salmon swimming upstream (from New Mexico back to Washington State in this case.) Yesterday, we were down at Cabela's looking at all the folksy stuff, as well as stuff to fish or shoot critters with. And then we stopped at the walk through trout pond, where my daughter snapped this(left).

Fishing (trout and salmon) was one of the few ways my dad and I bonded, especially after I realized, at about 12, he was an alcoholic. As a result, New Years is not one of my favorite holidays. And it's nice to see Gary and Jennifer bond over fishing - which they do without me - without the crushing angst that disease brings to the table. I wrote and essay about it, but can't seem to pop it for the Web right now. When I do, I'll post. Happy New Year everyone.

And by the by, my daughter wants everyone to know, she took this snap!



She is pretty handy with that camera phone she has. Look for more of her stuff next year.

A bird count on the fly

Didn't formally join the Rainier Audubon Society's bird round up today, but I did take a count in my back yard (seems when I broke out the binocs, all birds decided to go somewhere else, including the flock of robins and flickers that were out there all day yesterday.)

I did catch a few before we went shopping. Five black-capped chickadees, two purple finches, seven pine siskins (I think) and 5 juncos. The was the usually mob of rock pigeons by the Texaco station at the bottom of Gowe Street and one lone seagull in Mill Creek Park. I also saw three red tailed hawks (2 immature) in the wild area along Highway 167.

I wish, however, that the count had been yesterday. Then, ta da, I saw a townsend's warbler. Very cool. These guys are supposed to be in Mexico, I read later. This one must have missed the memo.

Pictures courtesy of Seattle Audubon.

A slither down memory lane

Stopped in a local Petco today, and lo' after oggling at the beardies, there were Canadian garter snakes for sale.

I remember catching these snakes in New Mexico, and then again in Everett, Wa. when I was growing up. I did see a few when we first moved here to Kent, 20 years ago, but now, not at all. In looking at this article, I think if there are any around, they would be hibernating right now. But still, I wonder if all the urbanization has trashed the habitat of these gentle creatures that hold so many memories for me.

There is one species in the San Fran area that is endangered, I guess. I don't know about the NW Garter snake, however.

Best for last in Seahurst beach walk

This pic of a red octopus was taken by Barbara Williams, on the People for Puget Sound, Environmental Center, et al. beach walk last week. Wouldn't you know it, the one beach walk I miss, and they find an octopus!

Rainier Audubon bird count this Sunday

Just FYI. I checked the Seattle site, and they seem to be all filled up, except for the early AM owl patrol.

However, the Kent/Auburn area Audubon (Rainier Audubon) still has room, so contact nancy and pick a spot. Then report your findings at the end of the day.

Picture courtesy of Dan Streiffert of the Rainier Audubon Society. Taken out at the Kent Ponds.

And a carbon-neutral festivus to you!

Or boxing day if you prefer. I figure this crowd would probably appreciate this totally ridiculous greeting sent to me by my bro in New Mexico.

Enjoy, and Merry Christmas, dammit.

HAVE A POLITICALLY CORRECT INTERVAL!

Best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, non-addictive, gender and carbon neutral, winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most joyous traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, but with respect for the religious persuasion of others who choose to practice their own religion as well as those who choose not to practice any religion at all; plus, a fairly taxed, fiscally successful, personally fulfilling, and medically uncomplicated recognition of the generally accepted calendar year 2008, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of the other cultures whose contributions have helped make our society great, without regard to the race, creed, color, religious, or sexual preference of the wishees.

Disclaimer: This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for himself or others and no responsibility for any unintended emotional stress these greetings may bring to those not caught up in the holiday spirit.

Pictures from Seahurst Beach night walk

Okay, got lost, and missed a great beach walk, I'm told.

So here are the pictures, courtesy of Daoud Miller, of People for Puget Sound. The next beach walk is taking place on Jan. 19, same time I think, so be there (I plan to be, with good directions from Daoud. As a warning, DO NOT use map quest to get there unless you want to end up at a gated community, very pretty Christmas lights, but no beach.

Some take some explaining, like this one, which is of shrimp (grey things that taper into pointed tails on the rocks. yeah, those are shrimp.)

Most are folks looking cold, looking for critters or warming up by the fire.