This is the Ptychocheilus oregonensis, commonly known as the Northern Pikeminnow, or Squawfish. I caught it on the Flathead River yesterday evening. It was twelve inches long, and we guestimate the weight to be about three or four pounds. They’re very predatory and have done so much damage to trout and salmon populations, that Washington and Oregon have a bounty [pdf] on them. They’re also a very bony fish and do not make for good eatin’, so we threw him back.

This isn’t really the first fish I’ve ever caught, it’s just the first one I’ve caught in Montana that wasn’t what I call a remedial fish. I often get frustrated when fishing; either my line gets tangled, or I just don’t catch anything, so Dan takes me to the well-stocked childrens’ pond. Y’know, the one that had the alligator in it, and then the body. There I can easily, usually, catch a little trout and feel better about fishing in general. Hence, remedial pond/fish. This year I did a little reading on river fishing, and applied the techniques I’d been reading about and caught a real, wild fish in a real, wild river. I was grinning all night long!

And a pretty river, too:

Flathead River; Kalispell, MT; July 27, 2008

I saw my first bear on my first trip through Glacier National Park, but here’s a look at what they do when no one is watching. And no, they don’t pick their noses. Well, they might, but that wasn’t caught on video!

The season for Geocaching is upon us, and today we hit a few.

These are from a cache on the Foys to Blacktail Trail, which begins (or ends, depending on how you look at it) at Herron Park.

If you click this one, you may be able to read some of the sign.

Herron Park is a horse park, full of horse jumps.

Another view of the park and part of Foys Canyon.

Click it, and click it again, and you can see the cute lil’ bird. Yeah, I know I need a new lens.

Sponsored by the New York Zoos and Aquarium is Build Your Wild Self. You first begin by building yourself in human form, then you can add your favourite animal parts. C’mon, you know you want to see what you might look like had you been born with butterfly wings, elephant legs or even the eyes of a fly! When you’re satisfied with your new self, click ‘I’m Done’ and learn about the functions of the different animal body parts.

Reindeer Antlers — Your reindeer antlers won’t stick around for long. Every year reindeer shed their antlers in the spring and summer. But don’t worry, they grow back.

Red River Hog Ears — Your red river hog ears have long black and white tassels. They can fluff out as a defense mechanism to make you look bigger and intimidate predators.

Anaconda Snake Tongue — Now you can smell with your tongue! Your forked anaconda tongue collects odor molecules from the air and brings them back to tiny grooves in the roof of your mouth, letting you “taste” the air.

Octopus Arms — Can you imagine tasting… with your arms? Your octopus tentacles are covered suckers that are sensitive not only to touch, but also to taste, so can you grope around for food in small, dark crevices.

Indian Ornamental Tarantula Legs — Danger! Danger! The bright yellow markings on your Indian ornamental tarantula legs are a warning. They’re meant to tell attackers to stay away. You’re venomous!

Lion Fish Fins — Your lion fish fins are actually eighteen long separated spines. Each spine has venom in it to help protect you from predators. Careful where you point those things!

So, go on, have mad, animal fun!

Duly Stolen!

Baby Mammoth discovery unveiled

A baby mammoth unearthed in the permafrost of north-west Siberia could be the best preserved specimen of its type, scientists have said.

The frozen carcass is to be sent to Japan for detailed study.

The six-month-old female calf was discovered on the Yamal peninsula of Russia and is thought to have died 10,000 years ago.

Call me crazy, immoral, pathetic, whathaveyou, but I can’t wait to see a cloned, baby mammoth. I wonder if they can make a pot-bellied variety I can keep as a pet.

By the way, it just looks like an elephant to me.
(H/T: Tales of the Burning West)

As an aside, no I haven’t finished Harry Potter. Standing in line to purchase it I couldn’t wait to get home to race through it. Now I’m finding that I’m dreading the end. Because, well, it’s the end. So I’m taking my time. And, Bruce, if you really want me to email you the ending, I will, but it may be a few more days.

Libby Dam, located on the Kootenai river, holds 90 miles of water in its reservoir, Lake Koocanusa. The visitor’s center houses many interpretive displays, one of which is a nature diorama featuring taxidermied animals native to Montana. Here we have a Mountain Lion, an otter and a Big Horn Sheep.

Here’s a trivia question for you, and the first three people to answer correctly will win a special Montana Squished Penny. Please email your answer to me at requiscat@gmail.com. Answers posted in the comments will be deleted. I won’t tell you the correct answer until I have three winners, but if you think you got it wrong on the first submission, you’re free to submit another answer. I will also keep this open until there are three winners.

The question: The reservoir at Libby Dam is Lake Koocanusa, can you tell me what language the word ‘Koocanusa’ is from, and what it means?

On to the photos, click on them for larger versions:

Update I have one correct answer so far, and two squished pennies left.

The photos and video were taken last night at Woodland Park in Kalispell. And really, can you ever have too many pictures of baby animals?