Käyttäjän senseofplaceriz päiväkirja

I was just getting outside the general store when I saw this massive Raven sitting on top of the oil tanker, at first I thought maybe it’s just a sign or like a 2d poster but as a turned my head I , there was mass and it became very much 3D. I quickly hurdled in my car and dropped the instant noodles I had gotten and took out my phone, The first few pictures are just a black figurine of the animal where you couldn't even tell any of its body parts just a rough outline until I waited for it to get into the sun a little bit and see the feathers and others identifying features of the beautiful black bird. In my life I have seen lots of crows and even in India, where its actually considered lucky if they poop on you or your car and maybe 1-2 ravens here or there but these ravens are just massive in size and not only size but in their coloration too it's like someone had taken a felt tip maker and given it the glistening black it has . I knew I had to get this one for my observation.
In terms of the Alaskan Native context Ravens are no strangers to the Natives not to mention the tribes that are literally called Raven. This specific bird has a lot of meanings in Alaskan Culture, and I know this from the books we have read specifically A Blonde Indian. On the web additionally I found that they are called "tricksters" (“Alaska Ravens”) and do not think twice when playing around with animals or humans. I can vouch for this as in my first semester here I had got soup from the canteen and left it outside the library bench for exactly 3 minutes to show my brother the library via facetime as it was new to me and really pretty too, anyways when I came back outside I saw 2 Ravens just devouring my soup with the lid open and everything and even ripped through the plastic bag!!. The same source that calls them "tricksters' ' said that they are extremely intelligent animals and that they are able to adapt to the cold habitats and hot ones too, no wonder they are here all season. Some size measurements from the source are "The largest member of the Crow Family, Alaska ravens average 24 inches tall, with a wingspan of 46-56 inches."(“Alaska Ravens”). In terms of myths " Raven was a shape changer, who could assume any form – human or animal. Raven was a glutton and trickster, but he showed pity for the naked people he found in a giant clamshell. His trickery brought them the essentials for existence in a harsh world – game and fish and fowl, fire, clothing, shelter – and with them the rituals that would protect them from the dark spirits lurking about." (“Alaska Ravens”).

Another source mentions that these birds are not only the smartest birds but also are great in air acrobats which makes me think if they were to race an eagle which one would win , considering they are the smartest and use logic to solve problems that would be an entertaining one to watch additionally when it comes to mythical and spiritual aspects I found this from the second source "The Tlingit, Haida, Tsimshian, Bella Bella, and Kwakiutl viewed raven as the creator of the world and the bringer of daylight, as well as an incurable trickster." ("Common Raven"). , which is similar to the first source calling them tricksters.

Citations in MLA According to Purdue owl-

"Alaska Ravens." Alaska Trekker,
https://alaskatrekker.com/alaska-wildlife/alaska-ravens/.

"Common Raven." Alaska Department of Fish and Game,
https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=commonraven.main#:~:text=The%20raven%20is%20a%20year,and%20mountains%20of%20Southeast%20Alaska.

I’m curious have any of you ever played with Ravens? if you did please let me know how that experience went for you guys.:)

The pictures you are going to sea are of an anemone ! ( I thought that would rhyme and be a pun at the same time in my head) , now that I say it out loud I see it does not. Well moving on for this weeks post I have a anemone , and I found a bunch of these guys near eagle creek center , of Louisa road. This is really special to me as it was my first time seeing not just one but a whole beach filled with starfish , anemone's, and even different inter-tidal worms and not to mentions 1000's of mussels in aggregation clumped up. Truly magical it felt like I was transported into a Nat Geo documentary , it's a pity I cant upload the video's. Alright enough of me blabbering about the inter tidal species , lets get to the specifics of the Anemone I found. The anemone that you are seeing (green and red , pink tentacles) is known as the Christmas anemone because it has the colors red and green on its body, the scientific name for the species is Urticina crassicornis and is part of the class Hexacorrilia. They live in areas such as the pelagic zones , benthic and tidal. My classmate is a diver and he said that they are not that easy to spot the ones that are sessile and grounded on the ocean floor substrate but since the tides were low I was able to to see many of them , that's why I think I was just lucky. They live a very sedentary lifestyle and believe it or not as harmless as they look they are carnivorous and eat things like plankton , small fish and even different worms,mussels and other smaller molluscs . This keeps the ocean floor clean and it reminds of the the very First finding Nemo movie and that very first seen when the dad and son are playing inside the anemone , they also act as symbionts for some species.

This species is found in a variety of marine environments, including the intertidal and subtidal zones of Alaska, where it contributes to the biodiversity and health of these ecosystems.
Urticina crassicornis is known for its long lifespan, which can extend up to 80 years, and its ability to inhabit both shallow and deeper waters, from the Gulf of Alaska to Monterey, California. This anemone plays a crucial role as a predator in its ecosystem, feeding on a variety of invertebrates and fish, thereby maintaining the balance of marine life in its habitat (Animalia).
Moreover, the Christmas anemone exhibits interesting behaviors and adaptations, such as the ability to move by inflating its body and using currents to roll along the ocean floor. This is particularly useful for avoiding predators or seeking better conditions in terms of light and food availability(Animal World).

Citations in MLA (PURDUE OWL)

1. "Urticina crassicornis - Facts, Diet, Habitat & Pictures on Animalia.bio." Animalia, www.animalia.bio/urticina-crassicornis. Accessed 12 Apr. 2024.
2. "Painted anemone • Urticina crassicornis - Biodiversity of the Central Coast." Biodiversity of the Central Coast, www.centralcoastbiodiversity.org/painted-anemone-bull-urticina-crassicornis.html. Accessed 12 Apr. 2024.
3. "Christmas Anemone." Animal World, animal-world.com/encyclo/marine/anemones/ChristmasAnemone.php. Accessed 12 Apr. 2024.

I HAVE PUT THE 3RD SOURCE^ INCASE ANYONE WANTS TO READ UP !!.

Since this is the last Inat Journal post we will have for this week I took the liberty of sort of creative and comedic writing on this journal post , I hope you guys enjoy-

Alaskan Adventure – A Star Encounter at Auke Recreational Village

Dear Journal, Today was no ordinary day; it was the day I met the rockstars of Auke Recreational Village’s tidepools. Armed with my boots and a childlike curiosity, I waded through the shallow pools like a cross between Jacques Cousteau and a pirate on a treasure hunt. And oh, what a treasure I found – the enigmatic and somewhat sticky Pisaster ochraceus! Also known as the ochre sea star, it’s the Mick Jagger of the echinoderm world, flaunting its purple hues and spiny, textured skin like a rockstar’s glittery costume. This wasn’t just any star; it was a five-armed wonder, clinging to rocks with the tenacity of a toddler refusing to leave a candy store. It’s rumored that these echinoderms can regrow lost arms, turning catastrophic mishaps into miraculous comebacks, much like a celebrity scandal. But it’s not all about looks; these stars have a grip that would make a wrestling champion envious, thanks to their tube feet that work like a battalion of mini suction cups. Here I was, a tidepool newbie, face to face with a creature that could literally stomach its food outside its body. That’s right – it ejects its stomach like a party trick no one asked for, digesting mussels with a gusto that would put competitive eaters to shame. What an introduction to the wild stars of the sea! A star-studded performance on the rocks, and let me tell you, they didn’t even need a stage. Just the majestic backdrop of Juneau, the soundtrack of waves, and an audience of one, utterly starstruck by the tidal fanfare.
Signing off, a newly minted star gazer.

Why this species of starfish is important to Alaskan marine environments? (Purdue owl style MLA intext and citations)

The ochre sea star (Pisaster ochraceus) plays an essential role in the marine ecosystems of Alaska. Recognized as a keystone species, the ochre sea star exerts a significant impact on its environment, disproportionately larger than its own abundance might suggest. These sea stars are predators of the California mussel (Mytilus californianus), and their predation habits help control the mussel populations. This balance allows other macroinvertebrates to flourish, creating a diverse and robust intertidal community. When the ochre sea stars are absent, the mussel population can become nearly dominant, leading to a decrease in biodiversity in these intertidal zones (Wikipedia).

The importance of the ochre sea star extends beyond the direct predation on mussels. Its feeding habits indirectly provide living spaces and resources for numerous other species, hence contributing to a more dynamic and diversified ecosystem. This starfish's presence ensures that no single species monopolizes the limited space and resources in the tidal zones, thus maintaining the ecological equilibrium (Oregon Conservation Strategy).

Moreover, the ochre sea star has an intriguing reproductive strategy that contributes to its role in the ecosystem. They reproduce through broadcast spawning, where fertilization occurs in the water column, and develop through several larval stages. The juveniles are typically found in the crevices and under rocks in the intertidal zones (Animal Diversity Web).

However, the ochre sea star population faces threats from sea star wasting syndrome, which has significantly reduced their numbers. The syndrome is characterized by lesions, tissue decay, and death, and its outbreaks have caused a decline of 85 to 90% in ochre sea star populations in some areas within just a few months. The decline of this keystone predator can lead to profound ecological consequences, such as the unchecked growth of mussel populations and subsequent biodiversity loss. Research is ongoing to understand the syndrome's causes and mitigate its impacts on sea star populations (Oregon Conservation Strategy).

In summary, the ochre sea star is not only a charismatic symbol of the marine life in Alaska but also a vital player in the health of its coastal ecosystems. Conservation efforts and monitoring of this species are critical to maintaining the diversity and resilience of these marine habitats.

Citations in MLA according to Purdue Owl (Alphabetical Order) -

"ADW: Pisaster ochraceus: INFORMATION." Animal Diversity Web. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, animaldiversity.org/accounts/Pisaster_ochraceus/. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024. https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Pisaster_ochraceus/.

"Ochre Sea Star – Oregon Conservation Strategy." Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, www.oregonconservationstrategy.org/strategy-species/ochre-sea-star/. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

Wikipedia contributors. "Pisaster ochraceus." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 13 Apr. 2024. Web. 19 Apr. 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pisaster_ochraceus.

PS- (As a college student I am aware of the dangers of using Wikipedia as a source but the Inat GUIDELINES for this course require us to use 2 sources , in this case Wikipedia is the 3rd one as there are a total of 3 sources. With that being said Wikipedia can be a starting point for research due to its ease of access and the breadth of knowledge it contains. The references and external links at the bottom of each Wikipedia page can be particularly valuable, directing readers to primary sources and peer-reviewed articles. I checked the information on other websites and it checks out and even asked the important characteristics about the species with my zoology professor but yet I know in general and for those who do not know or not familiar if they were not already - academically speaking, Wikipedia is not considered a reliable source for citation in research papers or academic publications. This is primarily because Wikipedia is a tertiary resource that can be edited by anyone, which may sometimes lead to inaccuracies or unverified information. The only reason I have used it is because the information is valid and checks out and I do not want to NOT cite where I got the info from if that makes sense ?.

As the Alaskan summer begins to thaw the last vestiges of winter in Juneau, the days stretch longer, and the veil of cold recedes. Today, just outside my workplace, nature graced me with a serene encounter – a deer, unfazed by the hustle of our human lives, contentedly feeding on the dandelions that had reclaimed the ground. It’s that time of year, when the wildlife in Juneau reminds us of their quiet coexistence with us. Watching the deer, a picture of calm and ease amidst the wildflowers, was a gentle pause in my day. These moments are not unfamiliar in my life, yet each one brings a unique touch of wonder and a reminder of the world beyond our constructed walls. But as the clock hands moved, so too did I have to, back to the responsibilities waiting inside.

In Alaska, these beautiful creatures, known as Sitka black-tailed deer, are both admired in the wild and managed as game species. With the deer hunting season generally starting in August and ending in late December or early January, hunters take to the units where regulations permit harvesting bucks and/or does. These regulations ensure the sustainable management of deer populations and hunters must follow specific guidelines and obtain necessary permits (A-Z Animals).

Roadkill and hunting incidents are part of the challenges faced by wildlife populations. As such, Alaskan authorities enforce strict hunting regulations to ensure safety and conservation. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game outlines that shooting across roads or highways is not allowed and emphasizes the use of weapons in a responsible manner to avoid accidents and overharvesting (DeerSeason.Org).

Ciatations-

Alaska Department of Fish and Game. "Sitka Black-tailed Deer Hunting Information." Alaska Department of Fish and Game, www.adfg.alaska.gov. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.

A-Z Animals. "Deer Season In Alaska: Everything You Need To Know To Be Prepared." A-Z Animals, a-z-animals.com. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.