WanderingJustin.com » animals

San Diego Zoo Safari Park – Random Photo

WanderingJustin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 01:23:34 +0000

A quiet moment for an ape at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

There but for the grace of a few chromosomes go I.

In many ways, I don’t want to like places like the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

That’s because, genetically, not much separates me from being 0n the inside looking out. And sure, some wiseguys might say not much separates me hygienically.

I peer into the ape habitat at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park and marvel. And I feel … almost a voyeur. What’s on your mind, my nearly human friend? What’s it like for you to look out and see us watching you every day?

There’s nothing like seeing an ape. And few of us will ever see one in the wild, or so close. That makes a visit to a place like the San Diego Zoo Safari Park a real opportunity to get some understanding of the world. As cool as it is to see an ape or a big cat or a rare species of bird, there’s also something slightly disquieting about a zoo. Especially with an ape – there’s an echo of humanity in every facial expression and gesture.

It’s hard to think of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park as a zoo, really. It’s not like the zoos of the old days, all huge metal cages that look like a maximum-security prison. And you could argue that many of the animals have better lives here.

But something about this ape – its slumped posture and blank face – makes me wonder if it would agree.

Comments

January 19, 2012, Josh writes: This is a great photo! I have been wanting to check out the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, this post makes me want to do it again. I do wish it wasn't so expensive though, anyways, great photo!

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Best of Arizona – Pima & Dynamite Trail Network

WanderingJustin — Wed, 18 May 2011 03:11:50 +0000

A gila monster!

I almost don’t notice it. But the slow, wiggling movement catches my eye. A splotch of black and orange among shades of brown.

Yes! It’s a gila monster!

Thirty years of living in Arizona, and this is only the second one I’ve seen in the wild.

This is exactly what makes the trail network near Pima and Dynamite in Scottsdale one of the city’s best outdoor activities. You can rip through more than 50 miles of great trails. You can enjoy stark-but-beautiful high-desert scenery.

And you can come face-to-face with wildlife. Here at Pima & Dynamite, I’ve seen more than just this gila monster. Add to the list rattlesnakes, juvenile bald eagles, chuckwallas, jackrabbits and coyotes.

The entire area is riddle with trails.

About my pebbly, leathery gila monster friend: He moves slowly, but quickly enough to get away. I get a bit of video on my Fuji XP-10 (a nice complement to my handlebar-mounted Helmet Hero) before he scurries under a bush. He is venomous, but too shy and slow to be of much danger. The encounter puts a grin on my face for the rest of the day.

Ripping through a tight corners. Short bursts of power to muscle my way up climbs. Flying up and down rolling sections of trail … these are all great. But a glimpse of nature puts an extra shine on the day.

Fully loaded for a day at Pima & Dynamite.

Speed, excitement and fitness are great reasons to ride. But so is seeing the bigger world around you. There are few better places to bring it all together.

About Pima & Dynamite

Most of the trails are on Arizona State Trust Land. You need a permit to legally use the area. Check the State Land Department website for more information.

A map helps. And Dale Wiggins is a map master. Check out his offering for Pima & Dynamite.

Park at the intersection of Pima Road and Dynamite Boulevard. I usually park on Dynamite just off the westbound lane.

Another example of the crazy wildlife you'll find at Pima & Dynamite.

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Comments

June 9, 2011, the 'BeerBiker' writes: Great video. Heading out from the UK this weekend for the 24 Hours in the Enchanted Forest near Gallup NM. Coming back to PHX so will look out for this trail system, it looks fun. I have to say in our previous trips for biking & hiking we've been so lucky with wildlife, 3 Gila Monsters, 5 Rattlesnakes, a Bobcat, Skunks,& numerous Coyotes etc. You're lucky to live in such a great State. Cheers Roy
June 9, 2011, WanderingJustin writes: Thanks, Roy. That race in Gallup will be awesome. Are you riding solo? Unfortunately, the Phoenix area will be hotter than 10 feet up a dragon's butt. You HAVE had some wildlife luck! Enjoy yourself - let me know if you have any questions about other good stuff in Arizona. Especially breweries ... it's a specialty of mine!
June 10, 2011, the 'BeerBiker' writes: Justin, Running as a Mixed (Co-ed) pair with the wife @beer_babe on twitter, which is great cos we love the same things. We too love our beer and plan to hit Four Peaks, as usual for us saturday when we arrive. I see you recommend a couple, Sleepy Dog & Sun Up (went there some years ago when it was Sonora), anything else worth a visit. Also heading up to Flag, but have tried most except Lumberyard & Sedona so Oak Creek is on the list. You certainly have done some travelling, lucky you. Try Italy, we dscovered it 2 years ago as we raced down in Rome! We have driven down the last 2 years 2500 mile round trip but what FUN. Speak soon & thanks for your help. Roy
June 11, 2011, WanderingJustin writes: Awesome category ... I'd love to do that one with my wife. But she broke her arm mountain biking and became a triathlon pervert. Sun Up is still my favorite because they have the best cask ales I've ever found. Papago Brewing is also great, and has an extensive guest brew list. Up in Flagstaff ... Flagstaff Brewing Company is by far my favorite. Great stout, and I love the Sitka Spruce Ale when they have it. If you like coffee, too, check out Late for the Train. The more travel, the better! The place I want to visit most in Italy is Stromboli. Enjoy yourselves!

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Rattlesnake Encounter – What Should You Do?

WanderingJustin — Tue, 10 May 2011 03:05:51 +0000

Photo by Tigerhawkvok/Wikipedia.

I’ve already written about how to deal with rattlesnake encounters. The folks from the Maricopa County Parks Department gave me some great advice.

Turns out, not everyone agrees with it.

I recently encountered a rattler curled in the shade of a creosote bush right alongside the Desert Classic Trail at South Mountain in Phoenix. Some other riders had stopped to warn people.

They were just warning people. Which is great for the amount of time they’re there.

What about the people who walk or ride by after everyone else is gone? Chances are, they’ll never see the rattler. And they might take that wrong step that results in one nasty, painful, dangerous, potentially life-threatening wound.

That was my logic behind tossing a few stones near the rattler, as I’d learned to do from the ranger I interviewed for my last piece about rattlers. The stones got progressively larger, but I made sure not to actually hit the snake. I was hoping to cause enough vibration to make it slither away. The snake wasn’t having any of it – too comfortable in the shade, I guess. And there were no sticks long or sturdy enough that I’d use to herd it.

“That’s stupid. You’re just going to piss him off,” one other rider said, anthropomorphizing far too much. Anger doesn’t make a snake bite – feeling threatened makes a snake bite.

I told him that this is the advice I got from people who know what they’re doing. He rode away muttering about how much he knew about snakes. Probably not as much as a county ranger, I’d guess.

I tried my best to move the snake, but couldn’t. It didn’t even rattle or hiss. And I wasn’t willing to get any closer. Nor was I willing to kill it … it was just being a snake.

I felt we were at least responsible for trying to make the trail safer.

What do you think?

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Desert Museum is Worth a Drive to Tucson, Ariz.

WanderingJustin — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 16:51:58 +0000

Visitors to Phoenix probably don’t give enough credit to Tucson. That’s a mistake – the Tucson area has some great cultural attractions, and the outstanding Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is one you shouldn’t miss.

An owl readies for stardom at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum's Raptor Free Flight.

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Wandering Justin – Friend of the Black Cats

WanderingJustin — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 19:05:24 +0000

This is Noir. He enjoys lurking and running up and down staircases.

Okay, this has nothing to do with travel or adventurin’ … but I really should stay out of the cat adoption area at PetSmart. There was a young black cat in there who looked just like a young version of my buddy Noir. And acted like it. He saw me come into the room and immediately meowed and rubbed up against the bars of his cage.

There’s something about black cats – they all seem to love me. Even in Reykjavik – we were walking along and spotted a black cat lounging on the sidewalk. He meowed up a storm as he came over for a petting. He even rolled over on his back for a tummy rub. I suppose this black cat affinity could’ve gotten me burned at the stake a few hundred years ago!

This cat at PetSmart … I would’ve taken him home, but Noir doesn’t get along with other animals – humans only. He’s probably 14 years old, so he’s pretty much earned the right to enjoy his life. Another cat would make him miserable.

In the meantime, note to self: No more looking at cats up for adoption!

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Nordic Chihuahuas and Glacier Dogs – Pets in Iceland

WanderingJustin — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 17:03:24 +0000

"Spot" takes a break while exploring the pseudocraters.

NOTE: To see more of Iceland, see my Flickr Photostream.

People in Iceland really seem to love domestic animals – from the smallest yappy dog to the stoutest horse. Being an animal lover myself (domestic and wild), I take a lot of notice about pets’ role in a society I’m visiting. Here are a few things I noticed about pets in Iceland.

A Nordic Chihuahua?

I noticed an astounding number of chihuahuas in Iceland. Most of them were around Reykjavik, but I spotted a few in smaller towns, too. This really shocked me, since I associate them with the Southwest – wear it’s an advantage to have barely any fur.

These little dogs must spend the entire winter shivering or kept indoors. Unless Zo-On makes some cool winter clothes tailored for small dogs! To give them credit for adaptation, none of the chihuahuas I saw were nervous, shivering or yappy. They were certainly more calm and friendly than the ones who lived next door to me (I don’t miss being barked at every day!).

“Spot” Roams the Lava Flow

In the small town of Kirkjubaeklaustar (Icelanders got a lot of laughs out of hearing me try to pronounce this), we stayed at the Hotel Laki Efri-Vik. A dog lived at the hotel, and seemed to be in a permanent state of bliss. She met all sorts of people, and she was pretty successful at following them for short walks around the nearby lake and enticing them to throw sticks for her (though there are not many sticks on the old lava flow that constitutes the entire area). The dog, whose name is the Icelandic word for “Spot,” even followed us on a 5-mile walk through the pseudocraters dotting the landscape.

She seemed the most carefree dog ever, given full range to roam the land. There was barely any traffic to worry her, and all the guests were happy to be her friend during their stay.

The Mighty Sheepdog of the Glaciers

When I met the crew of Arctic Adventures at Skaftafell, I knew I’d made the right choice of tour companies – any company that has a dog mascot is doing something right. Even better, it’s mascot was named Hekla (after the volcano), and she is an Icelandic sheepdog. She was friendly to the visitors, smart and attentive to her owner (one of the glacier guides). She travelled everywhere her person went, dutifully loading into her dog carrier with no fuss whenever she had to ride on the Arctic Adventures bus.

I’m not sure, but I suppose the dog in Kirkjubaeblaustar was also an Icelandic sheepdog. Her coloring was much different from Hekla’s, though.

Cats Rule in Reykjavik

Though chihuahuas are common, it seems like cats really have the capitol city in their grasp. But unlike the furtive, somewhat nervous behavior of most American cats on the loose, Icelandic cats were very confident. They would lie on a busy sidewalk while the people flowed around them. They didn’t seem to get worried about being stepped on or harassed.

I think only one cat I met refused to come and get a petting from me. One black cat even though it was playtime, rolling on his back and nibbling at my hand and giving me a playful swat with his paws (he did the same to my wife, but accidentally got a little too much claw into the action).

I’d have to guess that people treat cats pretty well here since they obviously didn’t treat humans like a threat.

Yep, this Icelandic horse is full-grown.

Horse or Pony?

Icelandic horses look a lot different from what I see in the Southwest. The Icelandic horse is considerably smaller with. And furrier – it was obvious that most of the ones he saw had been shaved for the summer “heat.” They acted like typical horses, with most being pretty aloof. We were able to lure a few over with the promise of some fresh greens from our side of their fences.

The horses were pretty common outside of Reykjavik. We didn’t see one community after that where the horses weren’t close to people. A few different tour companies offer rides, so be sure to check it out if horses are your bag.

It seems the horse tours are popular: Our flight from Reykjavik to Akureyri was stuff with people wearing English-style riding gear, and most even carried their helmets aboard. I’d say 75 percent of the passengers were in riding gear.

Of course, you’ll also see miscellaneous livestock. I’d say Iceland can give New Zealand a run for its money in sheep per capita. You’ll also see some cattle, but it’s really sheep that rule here.

I didn’t get to say any Arctic foxes except at the Reykjavik Zoo. It’s not the world’s most exciting zoo, but it has a very local flavor since it focus only on animals you’ll find in Iceland. And you’ll be able to get really close to the seals, which was pretty cool.

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Comments

July 4, 2010, Alex writes: Hi there, This is an interesting read; but I would just say that from your phot, Spot appears to be a border collie and not an Icelandic sheepdog. The border collie is what the British call a sheepdog. Nice blog nevertheless!!
July 4, 2010, admin writes: I actually didn't mean to make it sound like Spot is in Icelandic. Hekla is the one I know was an Icelandic, but I don't have a photo of her. I'm not really sure what Spot was, but from what I understand Icelandics come in a variety of colors. Spot was considerably bigger than Hekla, though, so there's a good chance you're right.

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Essential Tips for a Rattlesnake Encounter

WanderingJustin — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 01:56:13 +0000

This sidewinderlooks just like the one I saw. Photo by Tigerhawkvok/Wikipedia.

WanderingJustin.com thanks the Maricopa County Park staff for providing this great information on how to handle encountering a rattlesnake.

Over the weekend, I was out for a nice hike with my wife at Spur Cross Ranch, a conservation area that’s part of Maricopa County’s excellent system of parks. We wound up on a trail that took us outside the boundary and into some forest land.

There were signs posted at the Spur Cross trailhead reminding hikers to watch for rattlesnakes. It is that time of year to be on the lookout – the snakes are quite active throughout the middle of the day.

We finally saw ours in a gully with a flowing stream on one side of the trail, and a sheer rock wall on the other. I’d actually been distracted by some bright yellow algae in the stream, and failed to notice the dusty brown snake (possibly a sidewinder) lounging at the water’s edge. I was about five feet away when I first spotted it. I told my wife to hang back, and I retreated so we could figure out how to deal with it.

I tried tossing a few pebbles its way. It didn’t care. Ditto for a gentle poke from a stick branch. I even banged a large river rock on the ground, hoping the vibrations would urge it to move. Nada. Zip. This was one stubborn snake. We eventually decided to skirt around it close to the rock wall. The snake was long enough to reach us, but he wasn’t cornered. We slipped past without incident.

This got me to thinking – what would an expert do? That led me to contact the Maricopa County Parks staff, who hooked me up with John Gunn, supervisor of Spur Cross. Here’s what he had to say:

1. Realize that every rattlesnake encounter is different.

2. Consider going back the way you came. That’s not always possible with certain loop hikes or point-to-point hikes.

3. Try throwing a handful of pebbles or some sand near the snake. Maybe even consider a gentle poke with a (long!) hiking stick. That’s often enough to encourage a rattler to move. “They have nothing to gain, but everything to lose in an encounter with a human,” Gunn said.

4. Stick to the center of the trail. That keeps you out of tall grass lining the trail, where rattlers can hang out and wait for a tasty rodent meal. Bear in mind: snakes realize “a human leg is not a suitable meal.” Often, you’ll pass them without realizing they’re there – no rattle, no striking. The trouble comes if you don’t see a snake and you step on it. “Then, you get bit like a mouse trap,” Gunn said.

5. Carry a walking stick or trekking pole. Use it to gently fluff any weeds or tall growth alongside the trail. This can also help move a snake and provoke a warning rattle.

6. As the weather gets hotter, snakes will be more nocturnal. So they’ll be less active during daylight, and more active at dusk, night and dawn. Act accordingly.

7. Try not to kill the snake unless there’s no other choice.

8. Keep your brain engaged and realize that not every stick lying in the trail is a stick. Look for the eyes, diamond patterns and, of course, a rattle.

Stomping along the trail doesn’t do much, Gunn said. He’s tried it, and it doesn’t seem to help. He believes humans might not have enough force, where a horse clomping along can generate vibrations that encourage a snake to move on.

If you do get bitten, though, a cell phone is your best friend. Here’s what to do.

1. Determine whether it was a rattlesnake. If you can’t immediately see a rattle, a “liquid fire sensation” near the wound will tell you that it was a rattler.

2. Dial 9-1-1 and ask for a helicopter to evacuate you by air.

3. Let the responders know that you want a “full-bore” saline solution to be delivered intravenously. This combats a potential shut-down of your kidney functions. I’d never heard about this before, but I found an interesting newspaper story mentioning it. This is a piece of information any desert dweller or visitor should know.

Even with proper, prompt treatment, a rattlesnake strike involving a discharge of venom is what Gunn describes as “a grevious wound.” Bite victims can be out of commission for up to two weeks. The first few days are painful, and might include some serious swelling, endema and skin blisters.

You may have noticed that I qualified this by saying “… strike involving a full discharge of venom.” That’s because some strikes might be “dry” or less than full-strength. My mother was once bitten by a rattler that had just eaten. It had discharged its venom on the prey that was in its belly digesting. She never swelled up to the point that she required anti-venin, and she was discharged from the hospital the same day.

I’d also add that you should stay calm, hike with a GPS and preferably hike in a group. And you should NOT try sucking venom from the wounds. It might seem obvious to all but those who have watched too many spaghetti westerns. Just don’t do it. And don’t apply anything cold or icy to the wound.

Something else you should consider: If you hike with a dog, keep it leashed. Not only is it the rule in Maricopa County parks, it’s common courtesy – and not just for other trail users: It’s the good thing to do for your furry friend, too. Don’t be responsible for your dog being struck by a rattlesnake. As their human, it’s up to you to protect them. They’re part of your family, so be good to them and keep ‘em leashed.

Before I sign off, here are a few more tips.

Be careful out there – keep this all in mind when you encounter a rattlesnake. A little foresight and care can turn this into a memorable and positive encounter with a really amazing creature rather than a painful emergency.

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Dog in Hot Tub Soils Reliable Hotel

WanderingJustin — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 21:37:40 +0000

I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve stayed at the Travelodge on Butler Avenue in Flagstaff, Ariz. It’s been a haven for its reasonable price, hot tub, sauna and proximity to good food.

But it’s time to pull up stakes and find a new place. I think the low prices have pulled in a new sort of clientele that doesn’t seem to have any clue how to behave in a hotel. I didn’t think “don’t put your dog in the hot tub” would need to be among the written pool rules. The band of hillbillies during my last visit, however, proved me wrong.

Even worse, the staff didn’t seem interested in doing anything about it. I didn’t even see any sign that they cleaned the hot tub after learning that some people mistook it for a dog bath.

A bummer, that is. I was really looking forward to a good soak after a day on the slopes. But I got deprived of an amenity I always enjoyed. But now, I kind of regret my frequent trips to the Travelodge hot tub. I can’t help what else has floated in there unchecked over the years.

See ya, Travelodge on Butler. It’s been a good run. But no more. If you’re headed to Flagstaff, don’t be tempted by the price. Unless you’re comfortable with the possibility of splashing around with someone else’s hound.

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Oscar the Puppy Needs You!

WanderingJustin — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 00:36:32 +0000

"I can haz new home?" Become Oscar's new human, and keep a little dog -and a dude recovering from hip surgery- happy.

Attention, Mountain Bike Monday fans! I’m pre-empting this week’s regularly scheduled feature to answer the call of a puppy in need. Read on!

Imagine what it’s like to be Oscar. This golden retriever/German shepherd mix was abandoned in an empty house with his littermate, left behind by the sort of people who shouldn’t have pets.

That’s when the mighty Doug burst into the house. My ol’ mountain bike buddy and his special lady friend were cruising around in Miami, Ariz., recently checking out houses. Something led them to this particular abandoned house. Good thing for Oscar and Molly, his sister.

Doug wasn’t about to ignore two puppies in need. So he loaded them up and took them home to care for them.

Here’s where it gets rough: Doug is about to head into some serious hip surgery, and he won’t be able to care for Oscar during his long recovery. He’s already found a home for Molly, but Oscar needs someone who will be able to keep up with him and his puppy antics. Plus Doug’s landlord isn’t cool with dogs, apparently.

This is one of those times when it’s really hard to be a travelin’ man with a dictatorial, possessive, territorial, imperialistic ol’ tomcat lording over the house. My frequent absences are okay for an independent animal, but the situation wouldn’t be very good for a dog.

So Oscar needs you, if you’re an big-hearted animal (even better if you have a yard to match that big heart). In exchange for taking him in, he’ll be your ever-loyal friend, protector and therapist. Contact me at wandering.justins@gmail.com if you want to get in touch with Doug to become Oscar’s new human.

“It breaks my heart to give him up, but it will be best for him,” Doug says.

I know it’ll help Doug to see his new buddy paired up with a good human. So c’mon, animal lovers. Let’s come through for Doug and Oscar.

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January 13, 2010, Bree writes: Don't know where the dog is located, but you may want to connect with Retrieve a Golden of Minnesota (ragom.org) to help Oscar get placed - they have connections across the country. Good luck.

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2 Highly Annoying Habits of Some Pet Owners

WanderingJustin — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 19:46:43 +0000

I love dogs. I grew up with ‘em in all sizes. So I can understand where some over-zealous pet owners are coming from. But these are two habits that push far past my boundary of being a good dog owner.

1. Riding a bike with your dog on a leash – I just saw a grand example of this during my road ride this morning: A woman on a hybrid with a rambunctious dog. Cars are whizzing past as the dog scuttles around the tires, nearly jerking the rider into traffic. Riding with a leashed dog is unsafe for the rider. It’s unsafe for other cyclist. Most importantly, it’s unsafe to the one who has no voice in the matter – namely, the dog. Pet owners have a responsibility to do the best for their pets. If your walking speed is too slow to exercise the dog, put down the donuts and learn to run with your dog. Or take it to the dog park.

2. Driving with your dog on your lap – Seriously, are some people really that co-dependent? It’s not like putting the dog in the back seat or in a pet carrier is going to kill it. Or you – seriously, you need to drive, not pet your dog. Really, maybe the dog would also like to relax instead of being your plaything constantly. My Akitas used to love the car – I’d open the window, they’d happily sniff the air for awhile, and then they’d collapse out asleep. Especially on long drives. Your pets need their “me time”, too.

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