Three young entrepreneurs — Kezek, age 9; Ryser, age 7; and Maccabee, age 5 — are brothers with a passion for animals and power tools. And with a little help from their mom, Keldy Spainhour, they create custom birdhouses out of reclaimed lumber. Their idea was born in the midst of COVID boredom in hope […]
wildlife
Posted inThe Garden
The Bird That Likes to Party
Much like people and domesticated animals, wild birds have their own personalities, unique to each species. Some are introverts, preferring a solitary life. Others appreciate their independence, but loosely associate with a few feathered friends. Then there are the extroverts that spend much of their lives in tight-knit flocks. Whether it’s marine birds or songbirds, […]
Posted inThe Outdoors
How to Keep Your Pets Safe in the Garden
If you have pets that enjoy spending time outdoors, it’s important to make sure your yard is a safe place for them to be. Consider these hazards that can negatively impact the wellbeing of your furry friends. Poisonous Plants Some common plants can be dangerous for animals, causing anything from mild oral irritations and upset […]
Posted inPeople & Places
A Day Trip to Harstine Island
“Suri is the Bengal tiger. Tabbi is the Bengal/Siberian hybrid,” a felid-savvy guide introduces the two wild cats. “Your smells and movements are new so you’re part of today’s enrichment. It’s good for them.” Suri (at nearly 300 pounds) studies visitors through the fencing. “In the wild, they eat primarily deer and wild pigs,” the […]
Posted inThe Garden
The Whistler in the Woods
Birders measure the arrival of spring not by a date on the calendar, but by the sounds of birds returning from winter warmth in the South. From March to May, over two dozen species of migrant songbirds arrive for breeding in West Sound. To the delight of many, they fill the mornings with an array […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
A Guide to Dog-Friendly Garden Plants
Picture this — spring hath sprung, and you’ve finished your tedious cleaning jobs. As the days are getting longer and warmer, you grab sun cream and spend your weekend giving the garden some much deserved TLC. When shopping for plants, remember to consider whether the new garden addition will be pet friendly. Some plants contain […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
Designing a Wildlife-Friendly Landscape
We love watching the bunnies hopping across the lawn or ground squirrels scurrying away with a cheek full of seeds. That is, until they dine on our favorite shrub or take just one bite out of each red, ripe tomato in the garden. Finding a way to coexist is critical for wildlife struggling to survive […]
Posted inPeople & Places
The Great American Road Trip
Finding your travel comfort zone is different for each person, as everyone navigates a new, partially vaccinated country still reeling from the pandemic. As in 2020, close-to-home staycations continue to dominate, but some people are venturing farther, even internationally, in this brave new world. If you find yourself torn between staying put and jumping on […]
Posted inThe Home
Good Design for Fur ‘Babies’
Good access, workflow and organization are high on many homeowners’ wish lists for their kitchens, bathrooms, closets and laundry rooms. But what about the home spaces dedicated to pets? Don’t pets — and their two-legged caretakers — deserve good, functional design too? Based on the 3.9 percent compound annual growth rate in durable pet-care products […]