CFZ PEOPLE: Doug Shoop

Happy Birthday to one cool dude

DOUG SHOOP'S PREHISTORIC BISON (CONTINUED)

Following on from yesterday's post...

Something in the back of my mind plus a little research made me suspect the purported age of this skull

may not have been accurate. So I wrote to the Minnesota Historical Society providing them with photos.

Two days later I received this reply from the head of Archaeology.

Still not bad news after all. And I just sold the skull to a school teacher who will continue to use it in education. Only now she can teach about this magnificent beast using real and accurate information.

“Thanks for sending the photos of the bison skull in your possession.  Based on these images, this does appear to be a specimen of Bison bison, the modern form of American bison, and not one of the larger extinct varieties.
 Estimating the age of this skull really isn't possible without some information about the context in which it was found.  Finds of bison bone are relatively common in Minnesota, and modern bison have been present in the state from at least 6000 years ago until the mid-19th century.  This specimen could potentially date to any time in that range.
 The Historical Society does not collect natural history specimens; that is, animal bone or similar items that have no verifiable connection to human activity.  Unless this bison skull was found in a context that indicates that it was, for instance, hunted and killed by humans, and you had evidence in hand to document that, this is not something that would be suitable for our collections.
 The Science Museum has a substantial collection of large mammal specimens.  You might check with them to see if they are interested in this skull.  But, again, without information about the context in which it was found, the research value is very limited.
 Thanks for your inquiry.
 Pat Emerson
Head of ArchaeologyMinnesota Historical Society”

DOUG SHOOP'S PREHISTORIC BISON

Jon,

Long story short. My parents are aging and divesting unwanted possessions. So today I took possession of an ancient bison skull my mother acquired many years ago. It turns out this bison skull dates back approx. 10,000 years or so, which brings it into the end of the last North American ice age. For years I never gave this object a thought, until today. 

Upon closer examination it became evident that this poor old beast was the victim of a horrible tussle, as best I can surmise based on a wicked wound over the left eye socket. The obvious evidence appears to be a wound from an opposing male in rut. There is a gaping hole to the skull above the left eye, which upon close inspection appears to have become infected. I can only guess that this majestic beast died a slow, horrible death.

Nonetheless, a brilliant view to the past.

DOUG SHOOP: I captured the elusive Sunflower frog today in our garden.

WEIRD WEEKEND SCRAPBOOK: From Doug Shoop

DOUG SHOOP: Introducing 'Fuzzy'

About three weeks ago when I lost my great feline friend Nigel, I promised some video of the new second-in-command male felid of the house. Due to a technical and financial glitch, I’m absent a necessary cable to enableme to upload my video. So that being said, I’ve provided a couple still photos of Fuzzy instead.

By the way he’s named Fuzzy not because he is, but because he has a bad habit of eating up all the dust bunnys anywhere to be found around the house. He also recently began ‘talking’ rather more than normal. My guess is that he’s finally realized his friend of nearly 11 years will not be coming home again.

Isn’t he a handsome boy?

A TALE OF TWO TRIFFIDS

DOUG SHOOP WRITES: It’s been an unusually cool and wet summer so far, putting our garden well behind schedule as compared to last year. However, the intrepid Triffid walking onions soldier on and have now reached approx 3 feet in height.

There’s no stopping them!



In the meantime, ours are doing OK, but are not reaching anywhere near the size of their American counterparts. Maybe they miss US soil...

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CFZ 'PEOPLE': Nigel

Our thoughts and prayers are with Doug Shoop who's cat Nigel died yesterday after seventeen and a half years by his side....

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DOUG SHOOP SENT THIS FASCINATING PIECE ON AN ANIMAL CHIROPRACTOR

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2011/05/04/animal-chiropractor-gallery/

The Minnesota Legislature passed a law in 2008 permitting specially trained chiropractors to offer their services to animals. The state now boasts 22 licensed animal chiropractors. Reporter Nikki Tundel met up with Kyla Awes, a lifelong animal lover who adjusts the spines of horses, dogs, cats, and the occasional potbellied pig.

1 Maple Plain, MN, USA — Certified animal chiropractor Kyla Awes adjusts Lola, an American Warmblood, on April 7, 2011, in Maple Plain, Minn., as assistant Stacy Sletten observes. Awes travels to barns across central and southern Minnesota to see her equine patients. (MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel)


2 Maple Plain, MN, USA — Kyla Awes checks Lola's neck for any restriction of movement. Awes first studied to become a human chiropractor and received her Doctorate of Chiropractic degree from Northwestern Health Sciences University in Bloomington, Minn. She then studied at Options for Animals College of Animal Chiropractic in Wellsville, Kan., one of the few schools in the world devoted entirely to animal chiropractic. "There are differences in anatomy between humans and animals. But the adjusting is very similar. You can adjust anything that has a spine," says Awes. (MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel)

3 Maple Plain, MN, USA — Kyla Awes works on an Appendix Quarter Horse named Elle. Minnesota law requires that animal chiropractors, like Awes, obtain a referral from the animal's veterinarian before providing services to that animal. "Chiropractic care is intended to complement traditional veterinary care, not replace it," says Awes. (MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel)

4 Maple Plain, MN, USA — Animal chiropractor Kyla Awes adjusts Lola's spine using a quick thrust to improve alignment. Many of Awes' clients are competition horses. "They're athletes," says Awes. "What I'm trying to do is help the animal be its best. This is a natural therapy with very few side effects. And this can make a really big difference in their performance." (MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel)

5 Maple Plain, MN, USA — Chiropractic treatments are often relaxing for horses. Many animals will yawn, sigh, or lick and chew during an adjustment. Here Lola, an American Warmblood, stretches her neck towards chiropractic assistant Stacy Sletten during her treatment. (MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel) link to this photo

6 Prior Lake, MN, USA — When she's not working on horses, Kyla Awes treats dogs, cats, and other small animals at the Cleary Lake Veterinary Clinic in Prior Lake, Minn. The first thing Awes does during an appointment is watch the patient walk. Here she observes canine client Olivia on April 27, 2011. "I'm looking for any asymmetry in their movement. I'm watching the movement of the neck, back, and pelvis as well as the length of the strides as they move," says Awes. "I watch everything. It helps me to establish a baseline for where they are at." (MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel) link to this photo

7 Prior Lake, MN, USA — Animal chiropractor Kyla Awes works on Hiro, a 3-legged dog with hip dysplasia and arthritis. "I often see dogs where surgery isn't an option," says Awes. "Maybe the owner can't afford it or maybe surgery is too risky. I can do a lot to make those dogs more comfortable and to improve their quality of life." (MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel)

8 Prior Lake, MN, USA — Kyla Awes gives Olivia a neck adjustment at Cleary Lake Veterinary Clinic in Prior Lake, Minn., on April 27, 2011. "When I'm working on an animal, I'm feeling the motion of the joints," says Awes. "What I'm looking for is any restriction of movement. And that's where I need to adjust." (MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel) link to this photo

9 Prior Lake, MN, USA — Kyla Awes (left) and Julie Fahey share stories about their pets in an exam room at Cleary Lake Veterinary Clinic as Fahey's dog Molly looks on. Awes treats many dogs like Molly, a Corgi. "When a dog's back is longer than its legs, that can put extra stress on the spine," says Awes. (MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel)

10 Maple Plain, MN, USA — Assistant Stacy Sletten (left) watches as animal chiropractor Kyla Awes works on Elle, who's part Thoroughbred and part Quarter Horse, at a private barn in Maple Plain, Minn., on April 7, 2011. "I'm still amazed all the time by the impact chiropractic care can have," says Awes. "I had one horse that was bucking to the point where it was a safety issue for the rider. After one adjustment, the bucking stopped. The horse had been in pain and he was simply trying to tell us that." (MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel)

11 Maple Plain, MN, USA — Charlie, a Quarter Horse, relaxes as Kyla Awes adjusts her spine. "You do need more force on an adult horse than, say, a human," says Awes. "But how you get that is with the speed of your movement -- because force is equal to mass times acceleration. That means that the adjustments are very quick, and I'm effective without having to be aggressive. This makes the adjustments more gentle for the horse." (MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel)

12 Maple Plain, MN, USA — "I really love my job," says animal chiropractor Kyla Awes, with Lola, an American Warmblood. "I've always loved animals, and they give us so much. So to be able to help an animal, I feel very lucky." (MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel)

13 Maple Plain, MN, USA — Kyla Awes works on Lola's neck. "I often tell people that animals tend to be better patients than humans," says Awes, "People have preconceived notions. They think they know what you're going to do before you do it so sometimes they'll tense up. Whereas animals, well, if you help them, they're happy."

D.R.SHOOP: Spoiled Dog

I’m a cat person, but when I saw this I couldn’t resist the photo op!

Taken May 7th

Woof!

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BEAUTIFUL OTTER VIDEO

When I receive a cryptic email from Doug Shoop containing just one word: OTTERS! I am intrigued. So I follow the link, and find some remarkable footage of a wild otter in Minnesota.
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/volunteer/mayjun11/otter_video.html

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DOUG SHOOP: Wolves - the YouTube Channel

With the recent de-listing of the grey wolf - an unfortunate decision in my opinion - I think it’s a good idea to learn about and enjoy these magnificent animals. International Wolf Center 25 March 2011 - A Slow Transition to Spring http://www.youtube.com/user/IntlWolfCenter

Excellent howling!

Updated information on the wolf population at The International Wolf Center In Ely, Minnesota.

You can also watch the Wolf cams http://www.wolf.org/wolves/experience/webcam.asp

DOUG SHOOP: Bear Migration

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2011/03/14/photos-bear-researcher/

Minnesota black bears are on the move in northwest Minnesota. Bears are expanding their range out of forested areas, into farmland. Researchers are trying to learn more about how and why these bears are adapting to a new habitat where bears traditionally did not live.

DOUG SHOOP: The President's Photographer

As a photographer who has travelled the world, met with and laughed with corporate big-wigs, taken personal risks to capture the moments that define each and every individual assignment as put forth by various directives…I think this gig (president’s photographer) is the toughest and probably the best.

I should be so lucky. This is without political preference; it’s simply a job.

I’ve been lucky enough to be part of, witness to and documenter of various paranormal treks, corporate assignments and various other weirdness on my own, with colleagues and collaborators.

I’ve spent sleepless nights attempting to capture the unreal, unknown and unbelievable.
All this being said, us photographers, in my opinion, do a just and storytelling service.

If you haven’t seen the National Geographic special on The President’s Photographer take a sneek peek,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsqAHl9uQ5Y

and read more about it here:
http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/news/chiefeditor/2010/11/the-presidents-photographer-television-book.html

DOUG SHOOP: One brave kitty

Sometimes you want to believe. I found this on the ever reliable interweb. I have no idea who posted it or created it, but I highly doubt it’s simply a snapshot.

Whatever it is, I like it and if real, which I doubt, that would be one brave kitty-kat.

DOUG SHOOP IS AN ARTISTIC GENIUS

While you lot down in Devon are benefiting from what’s left of the Gulf Stream influence, we here in the middle of nowhere are still thigh high in ice and snow.

http://www.darkwatercreativegroup.com/garden/blog4.htm

Main page

http://www.darkwatercreativegroup.com/garden/index.html

DOUG'S IRISH SHEEP

D.R.Shoop writes: Just for fun.

I created this painting for my mother-in-law for Christmas because she’s an avid and skilled weaver.

I’m no pro by any stretch of the imagination and the photo of the painting was not properly lit to reveal it in actuality (I know, I know: sad for a pro photo)

It’s styled after a photo I took in 2000 out in the West of Ireland in County Galway, Connemara, north of the Village of Roundstone on a bog road.

Driving that road was a thrill at night after some Guinness; nothing but the reflective blue eyes of sheep!

I thought I’d share FWIW. Crypto-sheep.