WSMAG.NET Blog » The Outdoors

Local outdoor aficionados share tips and information about outdoor recreation, from fishing to bird watching.

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Orca whales sighted in Gig Harbor area (Photo by Katie Schmetzer)

Viewing Orca Whales Never Gets Old

It’s not rare to spot the iconic orca whale (Orcinus orca) here in the South Sound; you just have to know where to look. Whether you view them from a boat or from shore, it is always a delight. Orcas belong to the … read more

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Chum Salmon

Salmon in November? You Bet

Leaves falling. Crisp days and often stiff nights with much cooler air temps. It’s raining again. Moving air is no longer just a breeze but an outright wind. The sun seems to spend a few hours paralleling the horizon then dips out of … read more

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Wild Turkeys

The Wild Turkey: Our Real National Bird

According to Benjamin Franklin, the wild turkey would have been a more fitting symbol for our young country than the bald eagle. Franklin thought the eagle a “good-for-nothing” scavenger. The wild turkey, on the other hand, was intelligent, a formidable opponent and able … read more

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Donkey Creek

Take a Peek in Donkey Creek

Each year, thousands of chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) return from feeding in the open ocean to the stream they hatched three to five years earlier. In Gig Harbor, the chum salmon migration takes place in the late fall and early winter, long after … read more

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Hiking at Mount Rainier provides spectacular views and wildlife watching opportunities.
Trail Basics — Part 2

5 Tips for Safe Trail Use

It’s no secret (or surprise) that more and more people are heading to the trails for their regular exercise, whether walking/hiking or running. Last month, we talked about basic tips that will make your trail experience more enjoyable and safe. In part 2, … read more

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Harlequin Duck

Fall Birdwatching Field Trips on Washington’s Ferries

Western Washington’s ferryboat fleet provides two ways to enjoy fall birdwatching. Not only can you take a round-trip ride as a passenger to see different birds, you can bird around your favorite ferry terminal. Several unique species hang out near these easily accessible … read more

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My 15-year-old cousin, Allison, visited from southern California in August and got hooked on picking chanterelles.

Finding Gold in the Forest: Chanterelle Mushrooms

Walking gingerly, I trained my eye for the golden color that is so easily mistaken for leaves or bare sticks. It was early September, and there was a recent rain, so my mother and I were out on the mossy slopes of a … read more

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The beach at Guillemot Cove Nature Reserve, which is owned by Kitsap County, can be accessed through one of the trails and has beautiful views of "the Brothers." (Photo by Rodika Tollefson)
Trail Basics — Part 1

5 Tips for Safe and Fun Exercising on the Trails

It’s no secret (or surprise) that more and more people are heading to the trails for their regular exercise, whether walking/hiking or running. Whether you are new to the trails or have countless trail hours under your belt, there are some basic tips … read more

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McCormick Forest Park

HAPPY Trails to You — The Benefits of Running Outdoors

Perhaps John Muir, the great American environmentalist, said it best: “In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.” You probably know that exercise in general is good for us and that we are lucky enough to live in the … read more

Pony Up Rescue for Equines
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