An Otter-ly, Stingray Tuesday!

There was no way that I was going to get out of bed after I flipped on my Weather Bug app on my phone this morning.  Heber Valley - Provo River...  -8 degrees.  Burrrr... I have fleece and great gloves, but 15 degrees above is where I draw the line.  Anything less...well, the fish won't be biting anyway.  So, while tossing side to side, I knew that a back up plan had to be in the works...and it had to have something to do with fish. Not laundry!!! I have been wanting to check out my "neighborhood aquarium" just a few miles down the road.  There have been quite the crowds patrons there since it opened and now I know why... The Living Planet Aquarium, is AMAZING!!!  Yes, the stingrays were awesome to touch at the petting pond, but my favorite was actually the...

OTTERS!!!!  They are so much fun to watch!

I have seen a few river otters along the Weber River here in Utah and on my journeys out of state as well.  But, watching them behind the glass today gave me a little more of an idea how silly and humorous these guys are.  They love to play!  We saw quite a show...I found out that the North American River Otter is the only river otter found north of Mexico. Its luscious pelt is waterproof and helps keep it warm.  The river otter will settle in a location with sufficient coverage, usually vegetation or physical structures, such as rock piles.  And that is usually where I have seen them; behind an old tree trunk that has fallen over in the river. 

Next, my friends in tuxedos...I always love the Penguins!!

Then, there was this guy...A Dwarf Caiman (small croc)

 And this guy was up in arms...Mr. Octopus scratching his nose!

Jellyfish are way cool...more so behind glass instead of under your foot!

Beautiful Lion Fish, but you don't want to meet one...very potent venom.

The Four Eyed Fish...it swims along the surface using one set of eyes, each with two sections!!

It can see above and below the water...cool!!

Yep, even some familiar faces...many different species of trout

And a few suckers!!!

All in all, it was a great way to spend a cold day inside with a few friends from the outside.

And shaking petting a stingrays wing... : )

I am so glad that we can patronize these incredible Aquariums.  It is one way that we can learn to respect, observe and understand the complexities and importance of freshwater environments, rain forests and the world´s oceans.  It's an incredible adventure...Check one out if you have one in your area!

Last but, not least...one picture for Jay...

Yes, our lovely King Snake!

High Sticking!

High sticking with Kelly...
This guy knows his business...no doubt about it.  This is also one of my favorite techniques...Enjoy.
Oh, and it is on my beloved Madison River, of course!!

Miracles Great and Small ~ Sunday Tippets, Damsel Style

                                                                       Things Work Out
                                                                       By Edgar A. Guest

Because it rains when we wish it wouldn't,
Because men do what they often shouldn't,
Because crops fail, and plans go wrong
Some of us grumble all day long.
But somehow, in spite of the care and doubt,
It seems at last that things work out.

Because we lose where we hoped to gain,
Because we suffer a little pain,
Because we must work when we'd like to play
Some of us whimper along life's way.
But somehow, as day always follows the night,
Most of our troubles work out all right.

Because we cannot forever smile,
Because we must trudge in the dust awhile,
Because we think that the way is long
Some of us whimper that life's all wrong.
But somehow we live and our sky grows bright,
And everything seems to work out all right.

So bend to your trouble and meet your care,
For the clouds must break, and the sky grow fair.
Let the rain come down, as it must and will,
But keep on working and hoping still.
                                                                    For in spite of the grumblers who stand about,
                                                                       Somehow, it seems, all things work out.

A miracle does not become a “Miracle” without a trial, most of the time...I have seen many miracles in my life...great and small.  Most recently, at Christmas.  People cease to amaze me!  My heart was humbled and a greater love for friends and neighbors was felt.  Yes, all things do work out.

May each of you have......

Enough happiness to keep you sweet,
Enough trials to keep you strong,
Enough sorrow to keep you human,
Enough hope to keep you happy;
Enough failure to keep you humble,
Enough success to keep you eager,
Enough friends to give you comfort,
Enough wealth to meet your needs;
Enough enthusiasm to look forward,
Enough faith to banish depression,
Enough determination to make each day better than yesterday.

Author Unknown

Post inspired by Will King, The Riparian Corridor...His father is miraculously fighting back from a serious stroke.  Best wishes go out to him and his family...The clouds are breaking and the sky is growing brighter!!

Winter White...Or Is It?

A SLOW YEAR FOR SNOW!!

But, blink!  And it could very well change...

THIS YEAR...

The OBN has a "Photo Prompt" going on of what winter looks like in our area of the world.  Well, this is what it looks like in the Park City, UT. area on my way to the Provo River.  I wish that I could say that it looks like the picture below...but...it is what it is.  Last year we had a record snow fall.  800+ inches in the mountains.  I'm still waiting it out for a few more feet.  Hopefully, we will get some storms this month, as Deer Valley is having their annual hosting of the "Freestyle World Championships" which I volunteer each year.  Snow Dance!!!  Even with poor snowfall,  Deer Valley makes lots of snow and there is plenty to ski.  Locals are just spoiled!!

LAST YEAR...

 The black dot in the middle would be me... ; )  The orange safety barrier near the bottom is there to tell me to SLOW DOWN!!  And I do...then.  Wait until the Go Pro Cam gets rolling at fast speed!!  Heehaw!

I LOVE POWDER...Bet you didn't know that I was the "Powder Girl" before I became the "River Damsel"!  Whenever I would give out my old email to people, they would ask me if I sold Mary Kay...duh. 

My Playground...

This is what you call a "good time!  And I had a part in it...I believe that you can see me again...the black dot up there on the left.  I love the new "freshies" first thing in the morning before there are tracks.  Yeah, a few of those squigglies are mine... : )  

C'mon Mother Nature...BRING IT!

(Sometimes, I do a little more than fish!  Sometimes.)

Rubber Ducky Tuesday

OK...I am big enough to admit it.  Today STUNK, like in SKUNK!!  A beautiful day in every way...but in the wrong place at the wrong time.  Let me give you a quick synopsis of how the day went.  Every fly shop in town said the same thing...fish closer to the dam where the water isn't as cold.  So, I  gear up, ready to bring in a few brown trout on my "Fish Tuesday".  Well, I didn't expect it to be something like Troutrageous experienced recently with fish in hiding.  I wanted it to be more like what Trout Underground found on a winter's day. 

And All I Got Was This!!

Couldn't beat the weather though...sunny skies and 35 degrees...even took off my gloves and sweatshirt.

So, after three hours of "nuttin", I packed up and went down the road to the local fly shop.

I thought that this was kind of an interesting sign...hmmmm.  Maybe they meant the temp. for the day.

Interestingly enough, they told me that I was at the wrong section of the river today...I should have been about 8-10 miles downstream from where I was.  I usually get pretty good info from the Salt Lake fly shops, but today...the Heber Valley shop which is down the street from the river had the inside scoop.

Talking about scoops...to make me feel better after the shellacking, I went a few more blocks and got myself a Raspberry Banana Shake..mmmm... I always substitute the drink in the kid's meal for a big ol' shake!
 Go figure.  Well, why not?  Lol.

Well...I didn't totally go home empty handed.  Now, don't be jealous...I did get a rubber ducky as the toy in the meal...haha.  So comforting...