4 November 2009
Once in awhile, we have something special to take pride in, in fact people we can all take pride in.
Congratulations Bro. Thanks for your years of service to Canada and the World. I am very proud to have you in the family.
Jorma
20 Sept 2009
You travel by 4 x 4 east of sugar lake along an unmaintained FSR to a fork and go right to the trailhead, crossing two logging bridges along the way.
Start of the trail in Interior Cedar Hemlock stands and early second growth regeneration from recent logging.
A steep trail takes one quickly to the alpine where snow slides have created fabulous berry and glacier lily gardens for wildlife. Pika's mark our passage by squeaking their alarm calls.
Right about here we ran across a large grizzly bed about a week old and from the ripe berries about figured the big boy was close by so we left the area. I don't ever want to have to shoot one of those magnificent animals. We were visited by passing migrating hawks dropping in out of the clouds looking for voles and pikas for lunch. The place was abuzz with birds in migration taking advantage of a high pressure system with north winds blowing.
Copyright 2009 Jorma Jyrkkanen. All rights reserved.
19 Sept 2009
I hereby propose a resolution that all UN members adopt to reallocate 50% of global military spending by 2012 to climate solution technology implementation. By agreeing to this resolution, Member Nations will reduce risk of war, increase the productivity and ecosystem health of all countries, and increase peace, security and stability to the planet. It will also help to reduce hunger which is based in good part on environmental degradation.
An Ecological Reserve demonstrating the incredible productivity of healthy nature.
Please help to promote this resolution by passing it on to all who care about planet earth.
Jorma Jyrkkanen
14 Sept 2009
This is a fabulous hike in the Glacier National Park. 6.5 kms of grunting. For those in Moderate condition. Long and strenuous.
The trail up along a lateral moraine recently exposed by climaate related glacier melting.
Narrow, fairly stable and steepish.
Mother Ptarmigan with three teenagers pondering our intrusion.
Copyright 2009 Jorma Jyrkkanen. All rights reserved.
30 August 2009
I have lots of girl friends who say hi everytime I come around. Here is one with two beautiful kids. Her name is Rose and I love her dearly.
She has ears that are perhaps a tad too big, a nose a tad too long, and issues with body hair but she is so gorgeous and gentle I love her. Her kids are so beautiful just like her.
Copyright 2009 Jorma Jyrkkanen. All rights reserved.
30 August 2009
Fir and Pine trees being checked by a busy Hairy female.
Copyright 2009 Jorma Jyrkkanen. All rights reserved.
30 August 2009
In the Okanagan IDF biogeoclimatic zone, one encounters migrating doves in abundance feeding on grass seeds, conifer seeds and gravel on roads. Here is one taking a break due to my disturbance. One of my best photos.
I want this one in my end of season year book.
Copyright 2009 Jorma Jyrkkanen. All rights reserved.
27 August 2009
On a road survey of deer congregations in meadows frequented by Does prior to estrus, I ran across this warm maternal scene. The fawn was so happy to see its mom and so in need of a drink, it ran up to her oblivious to my presence and stopped at the milk bar.
Deer share their most intimate moments when they feel unthreatened by humans.
Here a mother Mule deer suckles her large fawn. Putting on weight before the snow flies is essential for overwinter survival and for a mother deer, this has the highest priority.
Copyright 2009 Jorma Jyrkkanen. All rights reserved.
26 August 2009
When visiting the Gas Bar I found this bat floating face down in the lake. What caused its death is unknown to me. West Nile virus is known to have reached the Okanagan this year and this makes me wonder if it was not a victim of that disease.
White nose fungus disease is decimating bats North America wide and this is a disease we should be watching for. Unfortunately, I did not have a chance to collect if for analysis by the District Health people.
Bats can eat their body weight in mosquitoes per night so the deaths of any bats is serious cause for concern since it can facilitate spread of tropical diseases on the move. I have noticed a decline in bat numbers since coming to the Okanagan just 12 years ago.
Chief Batologist.
Copyright 2009 Jorma Jyrkkanen. All rights reserved.
25 August 2009
To my shock and horror, as I was cleaning Blue bird nests, an Alien landed beside me. I got a few pics of him before he took off again. He was able to fly.
It asked me if there was intelligent life on this planet. I said "your talking to it". It said "where is your Leader". I said, "she's at work right now".
I asked if it came in peace? He said, no I came for a feed of grasshoppers! I said Carry on.
A blue energy field enveloped him and he took off. I got a great shot of him just before he took off.
22 August 2009
Here is a pic we got today of the now teenager with no more pin feathers and flying.
Its very gratifying when you see a youngster make it to the fledgling stage. Life is hazardous and precarious for wild creatures and serendipity plays a big part in success. Makes me very pleased to be a Ranger in these parts.
Copyright 2009 Jorma Jyrkkanen. All rights reserved.
22 August 2009
A few days ago we held a meeting at this spot and a big rattlesnake attended. I didn't have my camera so I thought I'll go back and look for him. Sure enough there he was waiting for my return.
My partner said, they look so dangerous. I replied, not nearly as dangerous as we are honey. They only have poison. We have poison, guns, clubs, spears, pollution, global warming, pavement, highways, developments, gender benders, nuclear bombs, radio activity blah blah blah coupled to arrogance, greed and stupidity.
Even T Rex wouldn't stand a chance against us for one day.
But they are so beautiful. I said; 'Don't worry little fellow, I love you and will make sure you have a place to live.'
Sunday things got easy. I ran into a snake on the road and he gave me one or two poses that pretty much tell the story about rattlesnakes.
Copyright 2009 Jorma Jyrkkanen. All rights reserved.
22 August 2009
Today I observed rutting behavior and estrous behavior in mule deer. Females were presenting in lordosis and a 2 x 2 buck with an older doe with a fawn and a yearling doe, were the recipients of all the attention.
The buck rubbed his lacrimal glands against the willing neck of the yearling who then went on to rub her neck against a cottonwood tree. The buck was also sniffing the does and throttling his throat to inhale pheromones of estrous.
Here is a pic of him inspecting the girls all in lordosis presentation.
A few days ago we saw a 4 x 4 buck with nine girls in tow all jockeying for first place when he comes into rut. He was obviously a popular guy. This was Stallone of course.
Copyright 2009 Jorma Jyrkkanen. All rights reserved.
22 August 2009
While checking Blue bird boxes, I found myself being checked by a carcass reviewing Black bear. Good thing he wasn't interested in me cause I was defenseless and too far from the truck to get away.
He is visiting an old kill that no doubt still has fat in the marrow but takes a fair bit of chewing and crunching. Has that sun dried meaty flavor of venison also.
Copyright 2009 Jorma Jyrkkanen. All rights reserved.
21 August 2009
Often grouse will go to a tree when they feel threatened on the ground. It makes for a great shot or two, be it camera or 22 rifle.
Facing Right
Facing Left
Thanks grouse.
Copyright 2009 Jorma Jyrkkanen. All rights reserved.
21 August 2009
Whilst driving the roads of the Vernon area on regular Ranger patrol, I often stumble upon something interesting. This time it is a juvenile Great basin gopher snake. Here are a few snaps.
Facial pattern
Top of the head pattern.
I have seen this snake quite frequently now in the vicinity of Vernon and believe that this is part of its normal home range.
Copyright 2009 Jorma Jyrkkanen. All rights reserved.
18 August 2009
This dear bird has brought its two young here not long ago and they seem to be off elsewhere this day.
It has been a while since I got close enough for a decent shot but serendipity favors the intrepid ornithologist.
Copyright 2009 Jorma Jyrkkanen. All rights reserved.
18 August 2009
Often in my travels to and from work and the store, I run across interesting things. Today it was an osprey and he was kind enough to let me take a few snaps.
What a finely tuned evolution product this creature be.
Copyright 2009 Jorma Jyrkkanen. All rights reserved.
18 August 2009
He was interested in a fawn that had taken refuge in a dense clump nearby. Our presence, the fawns large size and its mother nearby however, made the eagle a bit shy about following through. I think they only take them when they are young.
I confirmed the identity with feathered tarsus and golden nape. It was Aquila chrysaetos. That Golden eagles are capable of taking deer is well known to Steppes Falconers who hunt gazelle with them. It has been reported by Sami that they take Reindeer and has now been filmed by a BBC crew. I myself had a mother caribou stand on her hind legs and kick towards our hovering helicopter with her front legs in an apparent instinctive response to aerial predation. (J. Jyrkkanen and R. Priesten, F. F. Slaney & Co., May 1973, MacKenzie R/W). For BBC footage see http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_ne
Copyright 2009 Jorma Jyrkkanen. All rights reserved.
18 Spet 2009
I ran into a massive midge hatch in the upper meadow where the winds of Klamalka Lake had delivered these 2 mm long tykes by the millions.
The air was so thick I was inhaling them.
Here are a couple doing some prenuptial kissing on the hood of my vehicle.
Interesting.
Copyright 2009 Jorma Jyrkkanen. All rights reserved.
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