No question about it — a blazing argument, sometimes lacking in cold-hard facts, continues globally and concerns whether or not our little globe is getting warmer (it seems to be, if ocean temperatures are a reliable marker). And who’s to blame? The sun? The Earth’s volcanic core? Those little men with their fantastic machines? Some […]
The Outdoors
Local outdoor aficionados share tips and information about outdoor recreation, from fishing to bird watching.
Posted inBlog, Featured, The Outdoors
What’s Going on with the Diminishing Sea Star Population?
As many people have noticed over the last few years, there aren’t anywhere near as many sea stars around as there used to be. Beaches that were home to hundreds of stars now maybe have a dozen or perhaps none at all. This mass death of sea stars has been caused by an illness called […]
Posted inBlog, The Outdoors
NOAA’s West Sound buoys help us learn about winds, weathers and general Sound health
NOAA, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, part of the U. S. Department of Commerce, has deployed many distinctive, yellow data-gathering buoys globally. Six of them, all technically owned and managed by the University of Washington for NOAA, are located in Puget Sound. Five of those are in our West Sound region. Here’s a list […]
Posted inBlog, The Outdoors
Stranded or Sleeping? What to Do if You Find a Harbor Seal on the Beach
From late June to early September, harbor seals all over the Puget Sound are giving birth to their young. While these fuzzy, Bambi-eyed babies are drop-dead adorable, it is extremely important that beach visitors give these little friends a lot of space. If you happen upon any seals while strolling down your local beach, do […]
Posted inBlog, The Outdoors
Pigeon Guillemot — the Whistler
There is at least one bird that really whistles. Most of the time, when you hear what sounds like a whistling bird, it is air passing through its feathers when it flies. This “whistler” is a small, black bird seen on Northwest waters all year. The pigeon guillemot’s vocal endeavor has been described as a […]
Posted inBlog, Featured, The Outdoors
How Long is Truly Our West Sound Coastline? It’s a Bit of a Paradox
By simply using prominent points around the peninsula and measuring by the mile, the Coastal Zone Atlas of Washington (a product of the Washington State Department of Ecology) says the coastline of Kitsap County is 246 miles, Mason County’s 218 miles and Pierce County’s 232 miles. But the eastern half of Pierce would not be […]
Posted inBlog, The Outdoors
Minding the Regulations While Outdoors Helps Future Puget Sound Generations
Living in the Pacific Northwest and especially in the Puget Sound area, we have been spoiled with our ability to spend recreational time out in the wilderness, fishing and harvesting various shellfish. With more than 10,000 rivers and streams leading into Puget Sound, and thousands of miles of beach and boat access, there are few […]
Posted inBlog, Featured, The Outdoors
Watch for Eurasian Collared-Doves Around West Sound
Eurasian collared-doves are setting some kind of a record when it comes to colonizing North America. They aren’t native to this continent but their numbers stretch from coast to coast. This bird is a native of Europe and parts of Asia. After being introduced to this continent in recent years, their numbers exploded. They are […]
Posted inBlog, The Outdoors
The Health Benefits of Volunteering in the Great Outdoors
Spring is alive in the Puget Sound! Soft, green sprouts of infant saplings are pushing their way through the damp soil, and round buds wait to explode in a firework display of colorful blossoms and new leaves. A myriad of birds gather around the feeders we hang in our yards, and chipmunks and squirrels dash […]