Issaquah Undressed

Two Short Fun Videos Of Taj And Almos

This is just to encourage you to visit Cougar Mountain Zoo. The little Tiger Cubs are nearly half way to full size: 400 to 450 pounds.

CLICK HERE FOR THE SECOND VIDEO:

“Copper Clad” purchase recommended by Issaquah Arts Commission

“Copper Clad” by artist Jason Dillon

“Copper Clad” the horse has been recomended by the Issaquah Arts Commission for purchase. The City Council decides on Copper Clad and two other sculptures. By now his fate has probably already been decided. Hope he sticks around.

Have You Heard The Story About The Bears?

Of course you have heard stories about the bears, if you have been around Issaquah for long. We have friends in our development that love their bird feeder. Living on the gully at the edge of the forest brings the bears to the feeder and some interesting tales. With the rock salt they shoot, sometimes it’s tails.

Down on Old Black Nugget Road we have friends that have to do heavy locks on their garbage cans, and sometimes wait for the bears to move before opening their garage door.

We had a girls soccer game called last summer because three bears decided to short cut through the game. No harm no foul.

I received some cool photos I posted last year about a bear and a bird feeder: Click here.

Well, now for a California bear story. I will just post the first interesting photo, and let you go to the Harper Team Blog.

Bear Jumps Off Bridge & Survives

A bear was walking across Rainbow Bridge (Old Hwy 40 at Donner Summit,Truckee) on Saturday when two cars also crossing the bridge scared the bear into jumping over the edge of the bridge.

News Flash - The Baby Tigers Are Around 60#’s Now

Here they are at 18 and 26 pounds. We are going on another encounter in the next few days. Watch for the new updated pictures of these guys.

Here is Almos’ and Robyn, today 4 months later I am betting we won’t see her picking him up. The next pictures they weigh about 60 pounds. You must go see them. They are almost always on display and you get a close up at 1PM, Tuesday through Sunday.

A few other photos of weeks past…..

I missed a great camera shot today. The best way to see them is in the new display area. There is only glass between you and the little guys. A girl (she is in the upper left photo by the slide show), about 3 feet tall was standing at the glass. As she looked right a little, Taj made an all out assault on the girl. Running from about 20 feet away he leaped into the glass - looked twice her size - and man did she scream. We all missed the ultimate photo shoot. As she was safe the scream turned into a little giggle. Taj is a Tiger. He was just looking for fun, but thank heavens for the glass barrier. Also, thanks to the Cougar Mountain Zoo for bringing these incredible animals for us to watch grow up. If you don’t join the experience you are missing a marvelous experience. These animals are incredible. Absolutely Incredible. Again, new photos coming soon, keep dropping by…. better yet, put this site in your blog reader.

The Town Mascot or Just a Parking Lot Attendant?…….At Staples in Issaquah

Naples, the rooster is a staple at Staples in Issaquah. We captured him here preening and primping at his reflection in a shiny chrome wheel. “Nappie, you are such a handsome bird!” He is almost always there. We heard he had a run in with a dog not long ago and feathers were flying so I was so relieved when he was still there. And still hunting out shiny wheels to look at himself in. Watch out, don’t run over him.

A Most Important Event in Issaquah - Bengal Tiger Cubs at the Cougar Mountain Zoo!

An event like this doesn’t happen very often in Issaquah or anywhere. Bengal Tigers are very rare and are Endangered. These little guys have an important role to play, they are ambassadors to call attention to people everywhere that we need to protect them or we won’t have them around. This would be tragic. This is ‘Almos, he was born on May 3, 2007 and is a Royal White Bengal Tiger. He is shown with Robyn Barfoot, the zoo’s general curator. Royal White Bengal Tigers in the wild have been sighted only rarely and it is unknown how many there are left. The last capture in the wild was in 1951. There are only 400 in Worldwide Captive Population. In some cultures they are hunted and killed, for medicinal purposes. ‘Almos captures your heart instantly. We were very fortunate to have an experience of a lifetime, getting to be upclose and personal with ‘Almos. Both Larry and Kathleen, that’s us, got to pet a tiger! Larry even got to give him a drink! (see below) ‘Almos means “one of a dream”.

Just as adorable is Taj, a Golden Bengal Tiger. We didn’t get quite as close to Taj and after we observed him at the play area (open to the public at 1:00pm and at 4:00pm Wednesday - Sunday) we thought that was probably good, since he is already stalking and pouncing! He was born on April 11, 2007 and is quite a bit bigger and much more active. His teeth and claws already look pretty big! We met Taj only in his nursery area and in the play area. Golden Bengal Tigers are even more rare than the Royal Whites. The last capture in the wild was in 1932. Only 100 of these exist in captivity and sightings in the wild exist but are rare. The most common color of Bengal tigers both in the wild and in captivity is the Orange Bengal Tiger and there are more of these but they are all endangered! The cubs ‘Almos and Taj are the only Bengal Tigers in the state of Washington. Taj means “crown or jewel”.

Taj, my what big teeth you have!

Taj and ‘Almos in the play area. This where you can come and see ‘Almos and Taj. Don’t miss this opportunity. The kids love it.

Baby People Watching Baby Tigers!

Oooooooooooooooh, that feels so good!

‘Almos on top of the mountain

Taj wants to explore

‘Almos and Taj will grow very fast. We decided the best way to watch them was to get a Zoo membership as then we can pop in any time as we want to keep up on their progress. It saves money, is very reasonable and all the funds go to support the Zoo and the animals. We recommend it to you and your family. There are many other benefits as well. The Cougar Mountain Zoo is not supported by the city or state or taxes and all monies collected for admission and memberships and adopting an animal, and any donations go to the animals and their habitats. As the tigers grow they will need additional improvements to their habitat, which is about an acre in size. Funds will be needed.

If you haven’t been to this zoo ever or maybe you visited it in the 70’s and thought it was still a small farm petting zoo, you will be pleasantly surprised. It is a different kind of zoo. It is committed “to increasing the understanding and appreciation of the earth’s wildlife and the role of humanity in nature through education, research, captive breeding, conservation, exhibition and recreation.” For their complete mission statement and other information click http://cougarmountainzoo.org.

They are very interested in providing the public information about endangered species and are committed to saving these animals for all of us. Even though in a perfect world we may not like to see animals in captivity, in our world, if we don’t see them and know them and love them, we seem to forget to care. And then they are gone.

This is a perfect zoo to take younger children, it is delightfully well done, clean, enjoyable and it isn’t so big it takes all day. All the animals have names, even all the Crown Cranes that all look alike to me, but Sasha, their keeper can tell them all apart. It is a labor of love for those who work there and you can tell. You can have birthday parties there and even a special encounter with one of the animals.

We have a few half price coupons for admission to the zoo. If you have never been to the Cougar Mountain Zoo, we will send you one as long as the supply lasts. email kathleenlea_crag@hotmail.com with your name and address. First come, first served! Please note: The cubs are only in their play area for viewing at 1:00pm and at 4:00pm Wednesday - Sunday. Offer not open to our friends and family. Sorry guys, it wouldn’t be fair.

Posted by Kathleen

Merlin Rules the Roost at the Cougar Mountain Zoo, Issaquah

It was a nice, somewhat sunny spring day. Just the kind of day for going to the zoo. Our Cougar Mountain Zoo in Issaquah was beckoning. Our grandaughter Sarah is only 18 months old and this zoo is perfect for younger children and grandparents who don’t want to walk a hundred miles. Merlin was in fine form this day. We can’t resist showing off his pictures, taken by our daughter Ashley Kyser of Irresistible Photography. Sure beats the pictures we take.

Did you notice the size of Merlin’s paw? I was glad he was behind bars, especially when I found out that cougars can jump about 18 feet, vertically! I’ll bet this pretty bird is glad he is behind bars too! There are many of the parrots that are sitting on their perches without any bars and you can go right up to them. Some are quite chatty. We will do a post about them soon, with photos by Ashley of course. Zoo website is www.cougarmountainzoo.org.

Have You Seen This Guy?

Are there bears in issaquah? 1 photo of 4

What is that bear doing?

Is this a bear or a monkey?