Dolly Varden Trout
Dollies are often confused with Bull Trout, since these two different species of Char are very similar looking. I caught and released one that measured 25” at the mouth of the Skagit River in Ross Lake (see picture below). This beauty gave me quite a memorable fight.
At the campsite when I was contemplating what to put on my line, a flying black ant landed on the picnic table, so I matched it with a black fly of similar size from my tackle box, and it worked like a charm. The water is very clear up there so I was using 3 lb. test line which is almost invisible. I actually found it unbelievable that I managed to seduce this monster into my small net without breaking the line.
Dolly’s can live up to eight years and spawn every year after they mature. I imagine this Dolly is still enjoying its amazing life, swimming the clean waters of the Skagit and Ross Lake.
Dollies are often confused with Bull Trout, since these two different species of Char are very similar looking. I caught and released one that measured 25” at the mouth of the Skagit River in Ross Lake (see picture below). This beauty gave me quite a memorable fight.
At the campsite when I was contemplating what to put on my line, a flying black ant landed on the picnic table, so I matched it with a black fly of similar size from my tackle box, and it worked like a charm. The water is very clear up there so I was using 3 lb. test line which is almost invisible. I actually found it unbelievable that I managed to seduce this monster into my small net without breaking the line.
Dolly’s can live up to eight years and spawn every year after they mature. I imagine this Dolly is still enjoying its amazing life, swimming the clean waters of the Skagit and Ross Lake.
Raven
I have had a curiosity about ravens since reading about how they fed the prophet Elijah in the wilderness. They are much larger than the common crow, from head to tail measuring between 20-27". The one I carved is life sized at 20.5 inches. The shape of the bill is large and curved and has lots of character. They look smart and are in fact extremely intelligent and resourceful birds. Ravens epitomize the wilderness. They inhabit some of the most inaccessible and desolate parts of the continent from the Arctic tundra to Central America. They can be found in mountain cliffs, canyons and rock slides.
I have had a curiosity about ravens since reading about how they fed the prophet Elijah in the wilderness. They are much larger than the common crow, from head to tail measuring between 20-27". The one I carved is life sized at 20.5 inches. The shape of the bill is large and curved and has lots of character. They look smart and are in fact extremely intelligent and resourceful birds. Ravens epitomize the wilderness. They inhabit some of the most inaccessible and desolate parts of the continent from the Arctic tundra to Central America. They can be found in mountain cliffs, canyons and rock slides.
Scarlet Macaw Parrot
I visited a parrot sanctuary in which there was a large enclosure set apart for macaws. I was warned to take off my shirt because they will steal your buttons in the blink of an eye. The feeling of a large bird landing on your shoulder or walking along your arm is quite something, and with the presence of the owner there, I felt I could relax and enjoy the experience. I carved this macaw resting contentedly on his perch.
Blue Macaw Parrot
This guy is the perfect pet - no mess to clean up - and you'll swear he's looking at you wherever you stand. It's kind of fun when people think he's real and are surprised.
Toco & Keel-billed Toucans
Toucans live in the jungles and forests of Central and South America. These carvings are 9" long, a little less than 1/2 size. The Toco Toucan has a yellow bill and the Keel-billed Toucan has a green bill. The bill looks so large that you would think the bird would have difficulty flying, but it is made of the same stuff as fingernails and feather shafts, and is light. Toucans love fruit, among other things and their long bill helps them get into those hard to reach places. They feed by snipping off the fruit and flipping their head back for a quick gulp. They also like raiding other birds nests. Other birds are intimidated by the big bright bill, and flee! They love to find old woodpecker holes to build their nests in, the higher up the better. I think God must have had fun creating such colorful and comical looking birds!
King Boletus Mushrooms
My father taught us to hunt mushrooms, and the prize was always to find the "Stein Piltz". He would cut them and dry them in the sun and use them as seasoning in soups and gravy. Sometimes he would just fry them in butter and have a little feast.
Chanterelle Mushrooms
As a child we also hunted chanterelles. They were my favorite. I used to hunt for them after school as a boy. I would eat them fried in butter and sometimes scrambled with eggs, or in an omelet. Yum!
Rainbow Trout
For those of you who love fishing, these Rainbow will bring back some good memories. You can probably imagine casting your line in with a favorite lure, and having a battle on your hands. I have depicted them swimming away freely as they so often do. I have also had the pleasure of catching ones like these. The local trout hatchery donated a trout that I used as a model for this carving.
For those of you who love fishing, these Rainbow will bring back some good memories. You can probably imagine casting your line in with a favorite lure, and having a battle on your hands. I have depicted them swimming away freely as they so often do. I have also had the pleasure of catching ones like these. The local trout hatchery donated a trout that I used as a model for this carving.