All birds have their place in the ecosystems in which they live. Some are “keystone” species that other creatures rely on, making them a critical component of their respective biomes. Among the keystone species of birds are woodpeckers. As the name suggests, woodpeckers peck wood. But their pecking has a purpose. They’re excavation experts. Woodpeckers […]
outdoors
Posted inPeople & Places
Historic Downtown Gig Harbor
Any discussion of downtowns on the Kitsap Peninsula has to include the Gig Harbor historic downtown waterfront district. Centered around the famous Harborside Avenue, Gig Harbor’s downtown has many shops and restaurants, along with stunning views of Puget Sound and Mount Rainier. On any given day, the waterfront district is full of walkers and tourists […]
Posted inThe Outdoors
Which ‘Backyarder’ Personality Are You?
Backyarding — the trend to use the backyard for everything from teleworking and working out to relaxing and recreating — has a different purpose for each of us. Identifying your backyard’s role in your family’s health and happiness is the key to cultivating a purposeful outdoor space that is customized to your needs. “How do […]
Posted inAround West Sound
Heronswood Garden Reopens, Expands Garden Open Schedule for 2021
Heronswood, the iconic botanical garden in Kingston, reopened gates to visitors on April 1. The garden, owned by the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe (PGST) and managed by the Port Gamble S’Klallam Foundation, is also expanding its 2021 open days. Heronswood will be open to the public five days a week — Wednesday through Sunday, from […]
Posted inThe Garden
A Lush Garden Makeover
You’ve seen the photos in ads for miracle makeovers: the plain little face “before” and voilà! the lovely visage “after.” That same message can be applied to gardens, as was the case with this miraculous makeover of Susan and David Crossland’s garden in Bremerton. In just six years, they transformed a plain little house (circa […]
Posted inThe Outdoors
Five Outdoor Living Trends for 2021
Now, more than ever, outdoor living is in. While homeowners have increasingly invested time and money into their yards in recent years, 2020 saw interest in outdoor living spike to unprecedented levels, as homeowners everywhere adjusted to a new normal by reimagining how to use and enjoy their exterior spaces. As a result, the outdoor […]
Posted inAt Home
How to Fight Climate Change from your Backyard
Your backyard or local park is home to ballgames and barbecues with family and friends. But did you know that it’s so much more? The trees, grass, plants and flowers in your yard, local parks and ballfields play an important role in fighting climate change. The planet is growing warmer because there is too much […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
Top 10 Reasons to Garden
Mobile phones, tablets and apps have become the tools of modern lives. But it wasn’t that long ago that a shovel, a patch of soil and a bag of seeds were the only tools needed to provide sustenance and satisfaction. With the 2020 COVID pandemic, more and more people abandoned technology, at least for a […]
Posted inThe Garden
A Garden Sanctuary
Tucked into a leafy Gig Harbor glen among native plants such as salal and huckleberry is a singing creek that drops into a pool surrounded by purposefully planted perennials. The sunlight catches a flash of gold or orange as a goldfish darts between the rocks of the pond. Two Adirondack chairs sit at the side […]
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