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 […]
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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 […]
Babies – the bird version – is now playing at an outdoor theater near you. These babies are visible and audible everywhere. Listen for repetitive buzzy sounds, like infant children make with a persistent demanding tone of voice. Then scan nearby power lines, tree branches, or fence tops to find […]
One small section of abused and neglected shoreline along Seattle’s Lake Union was just restored into a beautiful waterfront green space. The site is Waterway 18 or Northlake Beach, just east of Gas Works Park. Restoring it is a quadruple-win for Seattle. How? The people win, the fish win, habitat […]
Our north Seattle neighborhood has the first and one of the largest traffic circles in the City. Over the years, it was taken over by invasive English Ivy and drug abusers who discarded their syringes and other drug paraphernalia in the thick ivy foliage. Led by volunteers Susan Samuelson, Eleanor […]
May is a great time of year this is to observe birds and bird migration! A recent arrival to my back yard was the charismatic and colorful Western Tanager. If you click on the image above to make it larger and clearer, you will see why I call it the […]