I‘m going to make a prophecy—though not quite as innocuous as Roger Tory Peterson’s of 1936, when he predicted the cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis, would someday populate the U.S. His prophecy was that the cattle egret, which had arrived in South America early in the ’30s—presumably after flying across the Atlantic Ocean in a storm, […]
Jim Anderson
Posted inOutside
Why Not Sleep Through Winter?
The antics of hibernating critters
The longer I live, the more I wish scientists would succeed with “induced hibernation,” especially for old duffers like me. I hate winter! Well, not really. I do enjoy going out with my family getting in the winter wood, something I’ve been doing almost all my life, but not a much as I did when […]
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What to do about outdoor cats?
If you’re dealing with feral or outdoor cats in your own yard, here’s what to do—and what not to do
A somewhat recent news story featured a dead cat, hung over a fence for all to see. Very sad, but one-sided. Sure, the guy who did it was wrong—very wrong—and broke the law killing his neighbor’s cat. But what about the cat, who was trespassing on that neighbor’s and others neighbors’ private property? As readers of […]
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Natural World
The arrival of a new trumpeter swan in Sisters
Aspen Lakes, on the Cyrus family property near Sisters, is involved in an exciting wildlife project. The project is in cooperation with the Trumpeter Swan Society, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the benevolent people at Aspen Lakes. There are only three trumpeter swans in the breeding program in […]
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Bugging Out!
After a host of bugs come in, our Natural World columnist has something to say
Enough is enough, all you good people! I’m all bugged out! Thank you for the response to my request for the bugs mentioned in my kissing bug piece, published in the Source Feb. 14. Those of you who sent me notes about bugs in their lives—and especially those who sent me the actual bugs and […]
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Tunes for Owls
Local violinist brothers to perform in support of a Great Horned Owl
It’s safe to say that the Oncken brothers, 9-year-old Ezra and 11-year-old Nicolas, have spent their lives growing up with the sounds of violin strings. Elder brother Nicolas can distinctly remember the first time he heard a violin and how powerful that moment was; and so can his mom, Akiko. “From that first day Nicolas […]
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Natural World
The eagles are baaaaack!
In the entire U.S. of A. there’s only one Golden Eagle nest being monitored by webcam at this time, and it’s right here in Sisters Country. And thanks to the East Cascades Audubon Society, which is paying to have the images streamed around the world, landowner Leslie Lawrence, who watches over the camera equipment, and […]
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If Allowed, Raccoons Will Stay
Like deer, raccoons shouldn’t be fed by humans. Take this hilarious tale as proof
Our common variety raccoon, usually found near water, always mooching, is truly a wonder. Raccoons can get by on just about anything edible left out on the back porch, and once they’ve found a food source, they’re reluctant to change their habits. Feeding mule deer is a very bad habit, but feeding raccoons is a […]
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True bugs can be kissers
There I was, just getting into my old 4-Runner after dropping off some French chocolate to my dear old pal, Fetty, at her place near Cascade Estates, when I felt something touch my left finger. In spite of me pushin’ 90, I still have pretty good tactile senses, so I knew it wasn’t my imagination. […]
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Natural World
Bats need homes, too
When people at Sisters Elementary School called me in the fall of 2005 about a bat in one of the classrooms, it reminded me of how easily bats can find summer homes in human buildings, and the excitement they often cause doing so. Thanks to horror films, bats have been given a bum rap. Truth […]