Heh... Looks like I get to start the 2011 thread. 
First, let me say parts of 2010 were a bust, while others were a definite boom. On the 'Bust' side was the run to Bandon, OR (no time/funds), and the backstage trip to Pt. Defiance (lost interest in the marine mammal field in its current state).
Expanding on that a bit: I decided, last year, to let my IMATA membership drop (I kept AZA and AAZK). There were a variety of reasons, some of which could be considered "out there" in terms of beliefs, but the short version is I feel the organization has grown too big for its britches. There's far too much in terms of politics, and far too little in terms of mutual respect. In many ways it feels like the marine mammal field, as a whole, has become stagnant, so mired in their status quo that nothing short of a miracle could pull them out.
On the 'Boom' side: Minnesota Zoo, and the four-day workshop at UMN's Gabbert Raptor Center, both of which were wildly successful. Now I've got a few spare minutes, I'll probably go post some of the photos.
Coming up for 2011: It's ten months out, but my lady and I will be doing a major trip south to visit SD Zoo and WAP. I've already been in contact with the raptor folk at WAP, so it looks like we may get a 'backstage' look at the place as well as seeing the show.
I'll probably do day trips to Woodland Park and Pt. Defiance this year, once the weather warms up. Nothing else major is pending at the moment.
Happy travels.
First, let me say parts of 2010 were a bust, while others were a definite boom. On the 'Bust' side was the run to Bandon, OR (no time/funds), and the backstage trip to Pt. Defiance (lost interest in the marine mammal field in its current state).
Expanding on that a bit: I decided, last year, to let my IMATA membership drop (I kept AZA and AAZK). There were a variety of reasons, some of which could be considered "out there" in terms of beliefs, but the short version is I feel the organization has grown too big for its britches. There's far too much in terms of politics, and far too little in terms of mutual respect. In many ways it feels like the marine mammal field, as a whole, has become stagnant, so mired in their status quo that nothing short of a miracle could pull them out.
On the 'Boom' side: Minnesota Zoo, and the four-day workshop at UMN's Gabbert Raptor Center, both of which were wildly successful. Now I've got a few spare minutes, I'll probably go post some of the photos.
Coming up for 2011: It's ten months out, but my lady and I will be doing a major trip south to visit SD Zoo and WAP. I've already been in contact with the raptor folk at WAP, so it looks like we may get a 'backstage' look at the place as well as seeing the show.
I'll probably do day trips to Woodland Park and Pt. Defiance this year, once the weather warms up. Nothing else major is pending at the moment.
Happy travels.
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