The Belize Zoo Tour

At the end of my week in Belize (more on that to follow in future posts), I arranged a trip to the Belize Zoo on our way back to the airport.  I was in Belize for work, so this was one of my only "touristy" adventures, besides my trip to the Saturday Market (Mercado) and the Mayan ruins right next door to our hotel.     

The Belize Zoo was an important visit for me because Jay and I both read The Last Flight of the Scarlet Macaw, which is about Sharon Matola's fight against a dam.  Sharon is the woman who created the Belize Zoo, so the book includes a lot of information about the zoo and the collection of native Belizian animals that live in the zoo. Each animal has a story of rescue, and each animal would not be alive if it weren't for the zoo and Sharon's efforts. Sharon's right-hand-man at the Zoo is Tony, and he was our tour guide!!!   Here is a Lonely Planet review of the zoo:  Belize Zoo Background. The zoo exceeded my expectations.  What follows is a virtual tour of the zoo. Enjoy!!

A little shrine of books....

The whole zoo is in the jungle.   I think that's why the animals are so happy. They live in their jungle, with its temperature, moisture, sounds, smells. They are home.

The Zoo Education Center

West Indian Manatee skeleton.

Balboa the 10-year-old Boa Constrictor

Tony headed to get the little boa.....

I meet Balboa.

Balboa is beautiful and wonderful.  He wrapped my wrist like a bracelet with his tail.

The King Vulture

The vulture is in there somewhere....

Just had to go around the corner. There he/she is!

Hello King Vulture!

Follow the Paths, the Myriad Paths....

The path into the zoo....

Throughout the zoo, hand painted signs abound.  Many rhyme. All are educational.

 The Kinkajou

Lured out with a banana....  This mammal is nocturnal.

 Poem About Hurricane Richard.....

The Belize White-Tailed Deer

Yes, the deer really stay in this short fence.   That makes me think they are very happy.

The male deer was sterilized the wrong time of year, and its horns grow like this as a result....

Tapirs!  Central American Tapirs!!

April the Tapir's skeleton.

April lived a long life. One of the longest lived Tapir's in captivity.

Tapirs are related to Rhinos and Horses.

Tempting a tapir with a tapered carrot....

Tapir tenderly takes the carrot.

Tapir munching carrot in background....

Story of the baby tapir, adopted by a Belize Zoo tapir mom.

Adopted tapir on the left, good mom tapir on the right.  Tapirs have great prehensile noses. They remind me of Berhwood and Giovanna!

 Blue Crown Mot-Mot

Check out the way cool bob of a blue tail!

  Ornate Hawk Eagle

Talk about a regal bird.....

Black Spider Monkey Family

Tony talking about spider monkeys.

Far in the tree, see the monkeys?

Posing for pictures.

They came close for treats.

Moving through the jungle....Walk this way....

Pathway to the next area. The whole place is a jungle....

Scarlet Macaws

Facts about the Dam that flooded Macaw nesting grounds.

Turtles and Crocodiles...

Pathway to the pond and turtles.....

Tony sprinkled some dog kibble in the pond, and suddenly there were many turtles!!!

Pathways Through the Jungle....

Where to next?

Pacas

Didn't get to see the Pacas. They must have been sleeping, too!

The Keel Billed Toucan

A chair to sit and watch the toucans.

Posing pair.

Feeding Raisins to Toucans!

 The Aracaris (Belizian Toucan)

Feeding the Aracaris a raisin!

Yum, yum.

Ocelot, the Small Spotted Cat

Tony leading the way to the Ocelot.

 

Tree near Ocelot, with vine winding up the trunk. Way cool.

From above.  This ocelot is about 2 years old, and will be about 30 pounds when full grown.

Growling loudly, it's this cat's purr.  More chicken?

 Black Howler Monkeys

 

Family in the distance.

Coming down for a treat.

Mama with baby, very new baby, hanging on.

We howler monkeys deserve our name!  Hey!  Of the six species of howlers, ours is the most rare!  What do we like to eat?  Leaves, leaves, leaves. Just leave us leaves!

Puma "Red Tiger"

Coming through the brush to see Tony.

Looking at the chicken that accidently landed on the electric fence. Weighing the options...  Tony flicked it off with a stick before he launched.

Check out the paws!

 Collared Pecccaries

herd sleeping in the distance.

Herd going for the scattered treats.

Look our for the newborns!!  Two 2-day-old baby peccaries in amongst the adults.

Can not get enough of these peccaries!  Way cute. Both babies are in this picture.

 Pathways and Signs....

Where should we go next?

 Agouti, the Belize Rabbit

The agoutis were sleeping....

 Lucky Boy the Black Jaguar

Lucky's Story.  A very lucky jaguar, indeed.

Doing the "high 5" for chicken.

Looking sleek and regal. This is a special cage we are in, that is next to Lucky Boy's pen.

Chewing Chicken.

Japanese Lantern Flower

So beautiful, hanging in the path.  We wondered, what is this flower?

Ah, of course, there's a sign!

Runt the Ambassador Toucan

Runt eyes the raisin with his one good eye.

Posing while chewing.

Posing with Runt, who is eyeing for another raisin....

 The Margay was sleeping.....

Tayra the Bushdog

The bushdog is related to the weasel.

 

Junior Buddy the Jaguar

Junior Buddy looking for chicken.

Born to a rescued mom, who then rejected him, Junior was raised in captivity by the Belize Zoo.

Jaguar food

Junior Buddy's story.....

Junior Buddy's mom and friend jaguar.

Junior following Tony.

 Harpy Eagles!!!!

Panama the Harpy Eagle

 Great Curassow

 Common Black Hawk

Was not able to see this hawk....

 
Coatimundi, the Tree Sausages....

There it is snuggled in the crook of a tree.

Once you know what to look for, they are everywhere!

Here's a rare blond coatamundi, sleeping on the ground. A ground sausage!

 Barn Owls

There they are, looking like bats in their cave.

 Spotted Owls

We've been "eyed" by the owl....

 Mottled Owl

This owl was hiding too well for us!

 Yellow Headed Amazon Parrots

Like the parrot, Lelu, that Pat and I used to babysit long, long ago....

 That concludes our tour!  

I signed the guest book!

Take a Chance

September ended with a bang here in Ukiah. A storm of substantial proportions, both weather wise, and life wise.  Now that October is fully here, the more personal events of September beg for reflection. 

I'm a firm believer that the universe will provide what we need, if we can only be quiet enough to hear, and openminded enough to see and understand the design that emerges.  Sometimes I follow the lead well. Other times my ego gets in the way. I "think" I know what I'm supposed to do, and I put my energies behind that.  My original move up to Boise was an example of that approach, forcing things to happen even when it all feels wrong.  Moving the horses to the first place here in Ukiah is another example of ignoring what feels wrong. 

Other times, I open myself to the opportunities, and trust what unfolds. I throw out lots of threads, and the ones that get picked up, I follow.   I ask for what I want, and see what happens.  My move back to Trinidad from Boise (finding my place to live with the Mankas, and finding the horse pasture with the Homans), and my move to Lake County had large elements of trust and openness for me.   

My move to Ukiah had elements of trust (leaping without a job or home, believing that it was the right thing to do, and trusting in Jay and me).   However, mostly it's been an uphill struggle with my stubbornness, in all areas of  my life.   For many years, I have been on my own and relied on myself to take really good care of myself.  I am used to being very responsible and resourceful, and running my show.  With great patience, Jay waited for me to be ready to lean on him (that's where the title of this blog came from....he is my sturdy limb).  After my attempts at making the move on my own refused to work out, I finally let go and trusted Jay's lead. Absolutely one of the best decisions I've ever made, to make a home with him.
 

Then there's my horses.  With them, I had several false starts, and expended extensive energy making short-term situations work while combing the county for a long term solution. What was it the universe wanted?   I got the message and started networking, meeting many wonderful people. I began to feel like I belonged in Ukiah after putting out lots and lots of threads.  I emerged from the forest holding one good thread that led to a good home for Ber and Gio.  Over a month later, it is still a beautiful decision that has worked out well for all involved. Including  me, with my 13 mile round trip on the bike every day!

Professionally, I tried (again and again and again) to find a "real" job.  For five months I applied to everything I could find that I had the skills for.  Nothing to show for it but a pile of rejection letters, emails, and phone messages.  This has been the biggest hurdle for me. What did my heart want to do?   Promote the book and share the Culture of Hope with the world.  That's risky, and gutsy, and necessitates courage and tenacity.  I kept ignoring my heart, because I thought logically I needed to have a job and THEN I could promote the book.   How would I pay my bills, let alone the travel costs that are sure to mount up?

The last rejection email really stung because the job was a coach for the county, in school improvement and common core standards--exactly what I am extremely qualified to do. Not even an invitation to interview.  I was stumped.  Sitting on the couch, muttering to myself about blind alleys and dead ends and working myself up to a good G-rated curse at the universe, Jay cleared his throat and ventured, "Sweetheart, I think you have before you a wonderful opportunity.  Maybe you aren't getting a job because you aren't supposed to get a job.   Maybe you are supposed to get behind the book like you keep talking about.  Maybe everything that has happened is to this end.  Go for it. I got your back."     

Ah, the love and wisdom of a good man.  Yes, he was right.  Like the joke about the family on the roof in the flood, refusing every offer of help that came along, while they continued to pray for help   Eventually, their god asked what they were waiting for, after refusing the jeep, canoe, boat, raft, helicopter, and hang glider that had been sent in answer to their prayers.  In my quest for a job, I wasn't seeing the message embedded in the heap of rejection.   Thank you, Jay, for being the sturdy branch and helping me accept this opportunity.

So that is how I came to this place of dedicating the next year of my life to doing everything I can to support, promote, and launch the Culture of Hope.    It is my job.  I've spent this week building a web page (www.cultureofhope.com), blog (http://cultureofhope.blogspot.com/), and facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/cultureofhope).  They are still works in progress as I learn the ins and outs.  I am working on flyers and promotional materials and thinking about the types of talks I could do to introduce the book, like free sessions at the Library and local bookstores, and sessions for schools.   Bob (co-author) and I are talking about what we can do together, and we talk about this passing of the torch, from seasoned consultant to rookie.   I couldn't ask for a better mentor than Bob....   

It is all so exhilarating and extremely motivating. It is also VERY scary.  I wonder where this bravery and commitment come from... 

Oh yeah, I have a sturdy branch that will catch me if I fall. I have a love that makes me stronger than I ever thought possible, and encourages me to dream large.  I am a very, very lucky lady.

Home on the Ridge

Home Again!!!   Ber and Gio moved in to their new pasture on Wednesday!!!    

It is Saturday, and I am grateful  to be home, working on pear butter, catching up on computer stuff, and generally enjoying not cleaning pens and smelling like ammonia and manure.    Ber and Gio stepped out of the trailer and settled right in, like they belonged there.  Big hug of gratitude for Jay's help. He's becoming quite the horse hand. Could not have loaded them, unloaded them, and introduced them to their new home without his patient, focused hand.  :)

Gio and Ber's  new friend, Dancer, is very happy to have a herd again, too. She's in her 20's, and she has been alone for about a year.   She's stiff, and the moving around is doing her good. 

I'm enjoying riding  my bike there every day. It's about 32 minutes there, and 26 minutes back, thanks to the big hill at the end, climbing up to the pasture. I didn't realize how much the road climbed until I was shifting down into low to haul the trailer and horses up!  Wow.   

We have miles of trails to explore around the lake, after we get settled in.  Here's a trail map if you want to see: http://www.mendotrails.org/downloads/Lake_mendo_trails.pdf

To share the celebration, here is a collection of pictures from moving day.

View up the pasture, happy grazing horses.

New Herd: Ber, Dancer, Gio.

Gio says Move!  Ber leaps up the hill.

Gio eats where Ber vacated from. Ber circles around....

Happy happy happy!!

Gio using her muscles!

Ber being all regal and looking at the lake...

Settling in.  Can almost see Lake Mendocino...

Hard working man taking a break in the shade.

Anderson Marsh

On Sunday, I traveled to Lake County to visit friends.   The day started out with a hike at Anderson Marsh with Nikki and Marta.  I was captivated by the visual beauty of the park.   So this post is mostly photos! 

  I was also delighted to find a healthy patch of blackberries.   I'd been seeking blackberries and thought I'd missed the season here in the hotter climate.   Every patch I'd found had shriveled up, mummified berries that had evaporated all juice.    This patch was growing right next to a channel full of water, so it still had fat juicy berries!   However, I did not bring anything to pick berries in, besides my small bucket.  Nikki and Marta donated water bottles and cups, I used my water bottle and picking bucket.    All told, I was able to get about 2 quarts of berries. Yay!!  My arms and legs are scratched to prove I actually picked them, too.  :)  Going to totally enjoy the blackberry crisp in my near future....

After berry picking, I stopped at Studebaker's in Kelseyville to have lunch with Susan and visit. Wonderful to catch up with everyone, and I look forward to my September visit.  :) 

 

Bumps in the Road...

 

Middle of new pasture, great tree!

Well, here I am, back to the blog finally.  Emerging from August with hope in my heart again.  Where have I been for a month?  Finding a new place for Ber and Gio to call home.   The short story is Gio got hurt on the fence, I moved them to a stable where they lived in the equivalent of equine jail cells, and I spent the last month cleaning their pens every day, getting them out once or twice a day, and hunting for new place.  Found one, spent the last week working on fence, and they are set to move in the next few days.  When I look back, it is awesome it only took me a month to find a place.  But the day to day reality of that month was awfully excruciating.   Every day, seeing them in their pens, and not able to explain to them what was happening and that they would only be there for a short while....

Horse jail....Very nice place, excellent people, but still confinement.

The wounds, cleaned and ready to bandage....nice to have an ER nurse around!!

Ouch.   Cleaned and ready for bandages....

Right leg.

Left leg.

 I'll take pictures of her today, which is a bit over 4 weeks since she hurt herself.   They look really good now, and she seems to have no ill effects from the experience.  Besides the effects of being locked up for a month, which includes stinking really bad!

Right hind at 5 weeks

Left hind a 5 weeks.

Both, 5 weeks.

Happier days, enjoying the good life at Twinings.....

At Twinings, enjoying the good life.....

 
Long story.....Ber and Gio loved the pastures at Twinings and being part of a herd. Best thing ever for them.   However,, Giovanna did not concern herself with the fence or with how closely she rolled to the fence. Best I can tell, she plunked herself down in a beautiful soft dirt pile that happened to be right next to the smooth wire fence.  When she rolled, she laid her hind legs over the bottom wire, got tangled up, and eventually extricated herself.   She will have some nice scars, but has healed up nicely.

Wounds one week later.

Wounds one week later.

Ukiah is not a hotbed of horse boarding, and I was surprised at how hard it was to find a place. Fortunately, J-Arena had openings, and the people that own it are wonderful.   I moved Ber and Gio just 4 days after she hurt herself. They've been safe at J-Arena.   Of course, Berhwood found a way to skin his face on the beam of the roof of his shelter.  It's a lovely zig-zag which would look neat if it grew in with white hair....

The new pasture will be good for them.  It's hilly, with some flat spots, so they will get a lot of exercise moseying about. They have a neighbor, and will eventually have the ability to roam the whole property. There are three pastures and we need to do fence work on the other two pastures before they can go there.    There's a view of Lake Mendocino, and we have full access to all the trails around the lake.    Stay tuned for more horse adventures to come!!!

View of pasture from the road.  White electric fence is what we put up.  Pasture in foreground is the next one to work on.

View of Lake Mendocino from the upper corner of the pasture.