Yukon, North of Ordinary Archived Forum

Project Feederwatch for Bird Feeders

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 15:03:19 GMT

For those folks feeding birds this winter and not aware of the following:

Project Feederwatch is a partnership between Bird Studies Canada and Cornell Lab of Orthinology http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/ Its a November to April count of birds at feeders across North America. Participants count for two consecutive days, a minimum of five days apart, and report their count on-line or on paper. More information is on their website. There is also a Project Feederwatch forum, a community of folks on-line across North America who post photos and discuss topics about birds, nature and gardens. Specific to Canadian project feederwatchers is a group on Facebook. The Project Feederwatch live camera is in Ontario this year and we Yukoners can watch evening grosbeaks and other non-winter birds at this feeder. People can join the project, forum and Facebook at any time. Have a look.

More Free Subscriptions!

Yukon, North of Ordinary — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 21:56:58 GMT

FREEBIE FRIDAY

     Can't believe another week has passed and that it is already Freebie Friday again.

     For this week, just upload a profile picture for yourself. Once your profile picture is up, respond to me here and I'll give the first five people a 1-Year Subscription.

     Though we'd love for your profile to be visible to other users, we respect that you may have privacy concerns, so it's not a requirement that you share. If you want to change any of your privacy settings, just click 'View Profile', then 'Privacy', then 'Edit' and you can adjust it to fit your preferences.

     We do recommend that you do not share your email address. Instead, we recommend choosing 'Send Message Form'. That way, people can send messages through to you without actually divulging your personal email address.

     Again, this offer is not available to previous Freebie Friday winners.

Brek Broughton's Winter Cycling Trip

Yukon, North of Ordinary — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:00:42 GMT

On your way Out this winter, don't think that you won't be seeing any cyclists on the road. A Vancouver man, Brek Broughton, left his home on November 18th and has arrived in Watson Lake. His goal on this self-propelled, self-supported journey is to reach Tuktoyaktuk and then turn around and head home.

The full story can be found in The Province. If you want to follow his journey, visit his website called Cycling into the Dark. So be careful on those roads and if you happen to see Brek on his journey, wish him luck and extend some of that fantastic Yukon hospitality.

Get A FREE Subscription Here!

Yukon, North of Ordinary — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 18:57:46 GMT

FREEBIE FRIDAY

     Thank you for finding your way to our forum. Again, we have five one-year subscriptions available to the first five people who create a photo album and share a few of their favourite Yukon photos.

     To do this: Click 'View Profile' under your name in the left hand column, then click 'Member Photo Albums', then select 'Create Album'. When you're done, post a note as a reply to this post to let us know you have something to share.

     This offer is not available to previous FREEBIE FRIDAY winners.

Tweet Your Weather!

Yukon, North of Ordinary — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 13:54:18 GMT

Environment Canada has a new experimental program that has them searching Twitter for reports of significant or unusual weather. They are asking that Yukon and BC residents report these weather events by tweeting the event with the hashtag 'ytstorm'. More information can be found on CBC or on Environment Canada.

Beautiful Northern Skies

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 14:36:01 GMT

Well, in Watson Lake so far, Northern Lights has been a bust, but the skies are still worth watching at dawn and dusk for the incredible light show the sun gives us. In the morning, the sky is aflame with rose and orange tones well before the sun actually appears above the horizon (close to 10 a.m. right now). In the late afternoon starting around 3:30 - purple tones spread across the sky and clouds are lined with glowing silver. As the sun moves closer to the horizon, the sky is on fire. Great winter activity? Take a thermos and a comfy outdoor chair, find an open high point and watch the colorful winter show. Oh, don't forget a light when time to walk out in the dark!

My year 2011 in pictures

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:32:00 GMT

Hey,

Congrats on the new website!!

Here are my most unforgettable moments of 2011 in pictures! There is nothing better than these pictures to show why I love the Yukon so much! Please enjoy in these pictures and tell me which one is YOUR favorite!

>> http://www.nicolasdory.com/2011-the-year-in-pictures/

Zaniest Winter Festivals

Yukon, North of Ordinary — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 02:47:44 GMT

As chosen by SmarterTravel.com, the Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous was named as one of the zaniest winter festivals.

Oh, the pressure . . .

Yukon, North of Ordinary — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 23:34:40 GMT

Can we survive the competition if The Onion moves its operation to the Yukon? Read More

Yukon stories

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 23:31:41 GMT

In 1977, I got tired of everything and headed through Yukon Territory with a 2 wheel drive pickup and a fifth wheel trailer. I was 26. I stopped at a road house and hadn't had a bath in a long time. It was winter. The bartender gave me the key to his room and told me I could go take a shower. Blessed! I got to the room and completely freaked out because there was about $10,000 worth of photography equipment in it. I went straight back to the bar and tried to give the key back to the bartender. He said, "Don't be silly. Go take a shower."

Later, I stopped at another roadhouse on Christmas Eve. The next morning, the family, complete with grandparents and kids, was gathered around the big Christmas tree in the cafe. I was the only guest. I was given several wrapped presents. It was one of the best Christmases I ever had. I still dream ot it.

Northwestel Festival of Trees

Yukon, North of Ordinary — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 23:17:45 GMT

Yukon, North of Ordinary partnered with Air North, Yukon's Airline this year to create an auction tree for the Yukon Hospital Foundation's annual fundraiser, Northwestel's Festival of Trees.

Overall, the tree auction earned more than $160,000. Our partner tree was bought by Skookum Construction for $20,000!! Our tree also won the People's Choice Award. Our thanks go out to Air North for inviting us to collaborate with them in making this year's tree.

It's the light... or lack thereof...

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 21:32:46 GMT

I lived in AK for 11 years, but I still found the light in the Yukon to be different. There's nothing like it. Moonlight on snow, elk in the distance. Or pinkish/blueish skies at 1am... Now that I live down south, I relish the few cold crisp days every winter, but miss the North all the more at those times.

Does anyone know of great written descriptions of Yukon light? I particularly liked Elizabeth Hay's (Late Nights on Air) descriptions of the light in Yellowknife and area... but I want Yukon!

Yukon - North Of Ordinary

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 21:31:37 GMT

I am hoping to take a trip to the Yukon this coming spring/summer to check things out, I am also hoping to move to Whitehorse in the very near future.

Currently I live in the Yellowknife, NT. I love reading North Of Ordinary, gives me some ideas of what it is really like to live in the Yukon.

Happy Holidays Everyone!!!

Yukon is Home

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 21:27:05 GMT

Even with less light everyday I am reminded of how many people came to the Yukon to visit and fell in love. They return frequently or end up moving here and this is a publication that helps to lure them in. Happy Holidays to all Yukoners, including those that want to be.

Buying locally made Art & Craft

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 21:21:33 GMT

This year, I've purchased a number of Christmas gifts at the 12 Days of Christmas market in the old Firehall at the end of Main Street. The vendors are members of the Fireweed Community Market and the offerings are quite varied. There are things for all ages and food stuff (breads, pies, sauces and goat cheese!). I would encourage others to drop by and encourage our local artists and artisans.

Yukon Handmade

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 21:14:58 GMT

Did you know the Yukon is filled with talented artists? Many of them are based right in my own community of Faro, Yukon.

Check out the blog of Jackie Irvine- Landscape Artist to see her amazing work:
http://jackieirvine.blogspot.com/

And my own business of leather and fur work here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/wentnorthcreations

Please share more links to Yukon Artists and Crafters!

Amazing Video

Yukon, North of Ordinary — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 13:26:14 GMT

This is a great video that has been making the rounds on Facebook. I just went in there again and see that it has been viewed more than 116,000 times and has 358 comments!

Chilkoot Trail Artist Residency

Yukon, North of Ordinary — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:19:09 GMT

Click the image to link to for more information.

Hotel or Bed & Breakfast ? That is the question

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:28:47 GMT

Hey, everyone - My two sons and I will be traveling to Whitehorse this summer (2012) and we are looking for a good place to stay for about 5 days in June. It used to be that B&B places were better than staying at Hotel accommodations, but checking online I am not so sure anymore.
Any suggestions would be very much appreciated !

David Lee
Calgary, Alberta

Bird Watching in Winter

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 16:30:21 GMT

Winter is an interesting season for bird watchers. At my feeders in Watson Lake, I have my year-round birds: Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers, a Red-breasted Nuthatch, Gray Jays, and Boreal and Black-capped Chickadees. They're joined by birds that disappear into the wilds once the snow melts to return each winter: Pine Grosbeaks, and Hoary and Common Redpolls. And, some years, there's the birds that should be gone south by now, but for some reason have stayed. This year, there are two male Slate-colored Dark-eyed Juncos that are still here and come to feed on black oil sunflower seeds every day. Can't forget the Common Raven - at times I'll have more than 20 feeding on seeds I've thrown out on the driveway. Bird watching in my yard, on the highway, or on a walk or ski makes winter a season that I now look forward to.