A soft autumn glow illuminated a vast expanse of Columbia River canyon as we pulled off the highway into a small gravel parking area in southeastern Washington between the Tri-Cities and Walla Walla, Washington. Two Red-tailed Hawks soared along the sage and juniper encrusted ridge-line, welcoming us to this […]
Woody
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photos by Jigna Patel Sometimes wildlife adventures happen too close to home. Saturday, a Hermit Thrush crashed into my neighbor’s window. I found the thrush sprawled out on the ground, conscious but barely moving. Gently, I picked up the small, nearly weightless bird and cradled it between my hands to […]
Monoculture There is too much grass in the world – no, I’m not referring to the illegal kind, but rather the kind used for lawns, parks, golf courses and many other landscapes. What’s wrong with this kind of grass? If you could ask Canada Geese (grass-eaters), nothing. But if you […]
Have a dead tree in your yard? Why not snagscape it into a wildlife tree? Snags, or dead and dying trees, were formerly thought of as untidy and hazardous. But they have great ecological value and can be made safe. Russell Link, author of Landscaping for Wildlife in the Pacific […]
Olivia and Woody at Union Bay Natural Area – photo by James Bouler Olivia Bouler believes that one person can make a difference. She already has in a BIG way and she is only eleven years old. Olivia has parlayed her artistic talents and love for birds into raising […]
Today is Jens Jensen’s 150th birthday. No, this renowned landscape architect, maker of parks, conservationist and great grandfather of mine is not still alive, but this fall at least three celebrations are being held in his honor: one in Ellison Bay,Wisconsin (last weekend); a second in Chicago, Illinois; and […]
Last week, a loud “chink” call announced the presence of these stocky, colorful, and as the name implies, large-beaked birds to our back yard. A pair of Black-headed Grosbeaks are now camped out on our feeder. Common in the Western U.S. during their summer breeding season, these birds are fueling […]
“ The nation behaves well if it treats the natural resources as assets which it must turn over to the next generation increased, and not impaired, in value. “ – Theodore Roosevelt, 1910 Recently, my family and I hiked the spectacular Ozette Triangle in Olympic National Park. We were awed […]
Many car trips in the United States are less than one mile, a readily bikeable or walkable distance. Yet, some of us drive our ton+ vehicles and ignite fossil fuels to go this far. There are better ways to go. Cities like Seattle are promoting non-car alternatives http://www.seattle.gov/waytogo/drivelessefforts.htm I hate […]
Heard any Pikas this summer in the mountains? Seen any? This cute rabbit relative that inhabits western U.S. and Canadian mountain talus slopes announces its presence with a loud nasal “beep” or “eenk.” It is heard more often than seen. As the atmosphere warms, the American Pika, aka Rock Rabbit […]