Did you know that there is treasure in the Puget Sound? Lacing the shores and in the rivers are glints of ruby red and emerald green that will catch a watchful eye. However, this is not the treasure of pirates and gemstones, but the treasure of the salmon. Historically, the Puget Sound was full of […]
The Outdoors
Local outdoor aficionados share tips and information about outdoor recreation, from fishing to bird watching.
Posted inThe Outdoors
A Walk on the Edge for Birdwatchers
This time of the year provides some of the best birdwatching. A walk on the “edge” will produce the largest variety of bird species. Forests and heavy brush bordering fields, wetlands and other open areas create this edge effect birds are drawn to. At this time of the year, the natural food supply is at […]
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The Fascinating World of Siphonophores
Do you like to walk our beautiful Puget Sound beaches at low tide? Do you slowly stroll up and down the docks, staring into the water to catch a glimpse of the sea life lurking beneath the depths? If you do this with any regularity, you are probably familiar with the usual intertidal suspects such […]
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The ‘Secrets’ of Upwind Sailing, Explained
Have you ever noticed the grace and beauty of a sailboat silently moving about? Many, many years ago, sailing vessels had square sails. They pretty much sailed in the direction the wind was blowing, being pushed along toward a destination. This worked well, as long as the desired destination was downwind from the point of […]
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20 Ways to Enjoy Nature Around West Sound with Kids
School is out — which means kids will be looking for things to do. A great thing about living in West Sound is that there are a number of ways to enjoy summer vacation close to home, and most of them are free. So, as you make your plans for this summer, use this list […]
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New Local Book Focused on Puget Sound Region’s Birds
“Birds of the Puget Sound Region — Coast to Cascades” by Dennis Paulson, Bob Morse, Hal Opperman and Tom Aversa is a new edition of the popular field guide, “Birds of the Puget Sound Region.” The changes, rewrites and additional photographs reflect the authors’ dedication to their subject. Their combined talents have enhanced and enlarged […]
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How Biodiversity Impacts All of Us Close to Home
The United Nations has designated May 22nd as International Day for Biological Diversity and this year, the specific theme is “Biodiversity for Sustainable Development.” I visited the United Nations website to learn more about what this day meant to the United Nations and what it could mean for me. And there is a lot of […]
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Storms impact more just people — Puget Sound suffers, too
Storms have been hitting the South Puget Sound hard over the past few months. We have gotten used to the inclement weather, keeping a rain jacket close at all times and putting on tough faces when rain threatens to cancel plans. We have learned to shrug our shoulders when our glasses get splattered with dewy […]
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West Puget Sound Island Could Be Our Own ‘Panama Canal’
What if we could create a West Puget Sound Island, bigger than Whidbey, bigger than either Bainbridge or Vashon — an island that would become a true Mecca for recreational boaters? And what if we could save the ecosystem of Hood Canal in the bargain? Forget “Big Bertha” and the ill-fated (so far) tunnel under […]