…who was named 2012 Mother of the Year at the Oregon Zoo.  The first-time mom gave birth to three energetic and playful kittens last June 8 in a behind-the-scenes nest box that keepers had prepared for the occasion. In the days leading up to and immediately following the birth, zoo animal-care staff monitored Peggy around the clock via remote camera. Keepers had volunteered for four-hour watches, sleeping on cots at the zoo between their shifts. Thankfully, she didn’t need much help from them. She did a great job on her own.”

Peggy came to the zoo in 2009 from a conservation center in Mena, Ark. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which coordinates nationwide breeding programs for many of the species housed by zoos, recommended her for breeding with the kittens’ father, Cricket, because the cats are from the same subspecies. Cricket was born at the Lory Park Zoo and Owl Sanctuary in South Africa, and moved to the Oregon Zoo in winter 2011.

The zoo’s caracal habitat, which was built with the support of Portland General Electric, is part of the zoo’s Predators of the Serengeti exhibit. The caracals have access to a heated den and a spacious landscape dotted with trees, shrubs, heated rocks and grassy knolls, all of which are enriching for the feline residents.

Caracals live in the woodlands and savannas of Africa, Southwest Asia and the Arabian Peninsula. While caracals are listed in the category of “least concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, hunting and habitat loss pose risks to wild populations. The caracal is listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. CITES is an international treaty controlling the trade of threatened and endangered plants and animals.

So, if you want to stop by the Oregon Zoo and give Peggy a thumbs up, you can find out all you need to know at http://www.oregonzoo.org/  It’s sure a lot cheaper than going to Africa, Southwest Asia or the Arabian Peninsula. Tell her hello for me – smile.

Luv,

Sissy

Yellow Warbler captured and briefly held in a birding class the first weekend of May; photo by Marvin Kellar

…. sit high in banana tree (music music)…. oops… wrong country… no banana trees in central Harney County and that’s where the little bugger was found. This yellow warbler (Dendroica petechia), was captured in an invisible net long enough for members of a birding class to take its picture.

The class took place in the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, which is one of the premiere sites for birds and birding in the U.S. Located in the center of the southeast quarter of the state, 30 miles south of Burns, the refuge consists of over 187,000 acres of habitat which include wetlands, riparian areas, meadows, and uplands.

The yellow warbler spends its winters in Central and South America, and doesn’t arrive in Oregon until April or May. It tends to begin heading south again in July, or August at the latest.

The photographers on this weekend trip (Marvin Kellar and Larry Rea), photographed 120 birds. You could do it too – except you are not licensed to net them – you just have to catch sight of them in the bushes – alas.

Luv,

Sissy

… are back – smile. Looks pretty snappy on that fancy red car, don’t you think? The first phase of the new Oregon State Capitol Foundation’s Oregon History Gateway’s project, will be primarily funded by sales of the special one-time reissue of 40,000 “retro commemorative” Pacific Wonderland license plates.  Oregon schoolchildren created the original plate in 1959 in honor of Oregon’s 100th birthday. The original ones were available until 1964.

Reissued to honor Oregon’s 150th birthday, sales of the plates ($100 buys “Pacific Wonderland” as a permanent commemorative) support the Oregon Historical Society and the Foundation’s Oregon History Gateway Project. The plates are available through any DMV office or download the application form on DMV’s website.

The Oregon State Capitol Foundation’s program, will feature our State Capitol as “The People’s Building.” Their core values are to educate people, preserve the past, showcase individuals and events, reflect our diversity and demonstrate the worth of remembering what has gone before. Find out more at: http://www.leg.state.or.us/cap_news/Capitol_HistCenter_Newsletter.html

We’ve got something to look forward to – smile.

Luv,

Sissy

Saturday, May 19, in Lincoln City Oregon

… coming up Saturday, May 19th, in Lincoln City. You know how jealous your dog gets when he watches those uppity dog shows? Well, here’s a show any ole dog can enter. Look at these categories and then go for the Gold.

1. Tail Wag Champ – looking for fast and unique.

2. Cutest Puppy – this one explains itself.

3. Fabulous Frisbee Catcher – you throw, dog catches, most stylish catch wins. Limited distance will be provided and catch will not be judged by distance.

4. Unusual Pet Trick – anything you can get your dog to do, this one is up to your dog and his/her human.

5. Most Distinguished Elder – dogs 7 years and older get to show their age – PROUDLY.

6. Sweetest Smoocher – dog kisses you, we judge the most passionate.

7. Best Handshake – you two shake on it, we judge best obedience and form.

8. Best Dressed – any costume will do

9. Most Unique Looking – odd breeds, underbites and tails – the rarer the better.

10. Dog Human Look-a-Like Contest – costumes encouraged.

There are prizes and ribbons and the Best of Show gets a Lincoln City Weekend Package in a pet friendly lodging. Registration starts at 11 am, the show starts at noon and the fee is only $3 per dog. If you don’t have a dog, you can come and watch for a small donation (or a bag of dry dog food). Kids 12 and under get in free – all proceeds (and dog food) goes to support the Lincoln County Animal Shelter and DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital.

Now I tell ya, where can you have more fun than that on such a little bit of money – smile. You can find out even more about it at: http://www.oregoncoast.org/mutt-masters/

Just remember, you heard it here.

Luv,

Sissy

… for sheep (and other livestock) need a lot of respect. They are fearless single focus dogs with one goal – to protect their sheep. Used as Livestock Guard Dogs (LGDs), the dogs are introduced to sheep flocks as puppies so they bond to the sheep. Some ranchers place Maremma puppies as young as 3–4 weeks old with young lambs though beginning this bonding process at 7–8 weeks is more typical. Although it is easiest to bond Maremma to sheep and goats, cattle ranchers have found that the dogs bond with cows and Maremma are increasingly used to protect range cattle. Some ranchers have found success training Maremmas to protect free-range fowl like chickens from predation from both ground threats such as coyotes, stray dogs and foxes as well as aerial threats such as raptors (hawks, eagles, owls, etc.).

What you need to remember is this. They are about the size of a sheep and the color of a sheep but they don’t act like sheep. They think for themselves and act based on what they think. Look for them as you drive by fields of sheep – they are hard to spot because they blend in. When you find them, give them a wide berth. If you want to know more about guard dogs, start by visiting: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maremma_Sheepdog

You’ll find out how sheep herders used them in the Great Pyrenees Mountains. Oh, and don’t confuse them with herding dogs because they aren’t and they don’t – smile. Fascinating stuff!

Luv,

Sissy