Every mutt, no matter the pedigree, has its own personality. A tiny dog can have a huge presence, self-confidence and the need for mental stimulation despite its small size. A large one may spend the happiest moments napping in a quiet spot in the sunshine. Another may never relax, always on the lookout for a […]
wildlife
Posted inGardeners Corner
Spotting Yellow Birds is a Treat in the Pacific Northwest
Yellow birds, or those that are almost all yellow, are rare in the Pacific Northwest but there is more than one species. The American goldfinch, state bird for Washington, is the best known and the easiest to recognize. Small numbers visit feeding stations during the winter months but are easy to miss. Their less-colorful winter […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
Better Garden Bounty with the Help of Mason Bees
I am not a mason bee expert but I recognize and benefit from their hard work during rainy weather. A few years ago, my strawberries were seedy and not uniformly plump and succulent, so I contacted my local Master Gardener for ideas about what was going on in my fruit garden. The diagnosis was “a […]
Posted inGarden
Who Nests in Your Yard?
A limited number of birds nest in birdhouses. Most of those attracted to feeders, as well as those that aren’t, choose nest sites other than a man-made birdhouse. Robins are one of these. They do, however, often choose a nest site within close proximity to human dwellings. Robins are not cavity-nesting birds. Birds that nest […]
Posted inGarden
Deer De-Fence — Protecting a Collector’s Garden
Perhaps it should come as no surprise that, upon moving to Bainbridge Island after growing up in southern California, followed by a dozen years in parched Houston, Carol Folse would become enchanted by woodland spring flowers. Folse and her husband, Parker, fell in love with Bainbridge during a vacation to Seattle in 1994. While in […]
Posted inPeople & Places
Dog Parks — A Valuable Part of Local Communities
Throughout the Kitsap Peninsula, pet owners are blessed with an array of dog parks where they can take their dogs to exercise and socialize. If your dog lacks a fenced yard or other place to run safely, dog parks can be great venues for exercise. If your dog lacks opportunities for socialization, a local dog […]
Posted inGarden
An Estuary in the Spring
Webster’s Dictionary defines the term “estuary” as “what is commonly called a ‘wetland,’ as an inlet or arm of the sea; especially the lower portion or wide mouth of a river, where the salty tide meets the freshwater current.” Wetland is a popular way to describe this arrangement of nature. For decades, these wet and […]
Posted inAround West Sound
Things to Do Around West Sound in April to Celebrate Earth Day
If you lead an environmentally conscious lifestyle, every day is as good as any to celebrate our planet. But Earth Day is especially meaningful because it’s an occasion to celebrate Mother Earth as well as spread awareness. Did you know that Earth Day was founded by Gaylord Nelson, who was a governor and senator from […]
Posted inThe Outdoors
Owls and Outdoor Toilets
The Teton Raptor Center in Wilson, Wyoming, is attempting to contact as many people as possible who have an interest in the outdoors. The organization’s goal is to increase awareness of a little-known problem: Outdoor toilets can entrap cavity-nesting owls. Other birds that nest or shelter in tree cavities are also at risk. The problem […]