Natural World
An Oregonian's book about moles inspires a look at what these creatures are all about
Even though I'm nearing the end of my sojourn here on this beautiful earth—our home away from home—I still appreciate fresh new experiences to keep me young. Such was the case when I entered Tsunami Books on Willamette Street in Eugene.
By Jim Anderson
Mar 3, 2021
mole central oregon burrowing animal central oregon mole bend oregon vermin bend oregon
Natural World
Growing and planting milkweed can help
As spring draws nearer by the day, many people in Central Oregon start to get eager for the resumption of warm weather and springtime habits. For some, gardening tops that list, and they jump the season by starting garden seeds indoors.
By Sarah Mowry
Feb 24, 2021
Natural World
Take some time on a snowy winter day to see where animal tracks might lead you
If you're like many central Oregonians this winter, you're spending a lot of time outside in the snow. Whether skiing, sledding or snowshoeing, taking the time to pause and observe wildlife tracks in the winter can be a great way to learn a little more about the wildlife with whom we share these snowy playgrounds.
By Sarah Mowry
Jan 27, 2021
Natural World
Controversial action by the USFWS has conservation groups going to court
The return of gray wolves to their ancestral haunts is one of the great American conservation success stories. These ancestors of the domestic dog were extirpated over much of their range in the last 100 years.
By Damian Fagan
Jan 6, 2021
Natural World
Over 100 legislative or administrative rollbacks targeted during the outgoing administration
As its time in office comes to a close and we look ahead to 2021, the Trump Administration will be remembered for many things—but conservation will not be one of them. During his time in office, his administration has led an assault on the environment: reversing, revoking, or rolling back nearly 100 rules and regulations that impacted clean air, clean water, wildlife, toxic chemicals, energy exploration and emissions, and climate change, to name but a few.
By Damian Fagan
Dec 30, 2020
Natural World
It used to be called "bird watching." Now, it's just "birding."
There is a well-developed pastime taking place across the nation that keeps thousands of people occupied from dawn to dark. You can usually find them congregated around bodies of water, binoculars glued to their eyeballs.
By Jim Anderson
Dec 23, 2020
Natural World
Carrion beetles perform a much-needed service in the natural world
Did ya' ever think
When the hearse goes by
That some sweet day you're gonna die? They'll put you in a neat pine box
And cover you over with soil and rocks
Well, all goes well for about a week
And then the pine box begins to creak
The bugs crawl in, the bugs crawl out
Into your stomach and out of your mouth
And the worms play pinochle on your chin...
By Jim Anderson
Nov 25, 2020
Natural World
Birds of prey flock to Central Oregon to dine "al Rodentia" in winter
Driving through Central Oregon in winter, past agricultural fields or open sagebrush flats dotted with juniper, one is bound to notice hawks or eagles perched on powerline poles, fence posts, irrigation wheel lines—or perhaps soaring overhead. Birds of prey concentrate in the region due to an abundance of prey, including waterfowl, songbirds, rodents, carrion and small mammals.
By Damian Fagan
Nov 18, 2020
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Natural World
Reflections on the deadliest pandemic recorded in human history
Several years ago, I heard a tragic story of a young child from Simnasho living on the Warm Springs Reservation who died from bubonic plague; it got a lot of people's attention. The story I heard was that her pet house cat killed and carried a Belding's Ground Squirrel into her home.
By Jim Anderson
Oct 28, 2020
black death oregon plague past pandemics
Natural World
A new Eurasian eagle-owl is turning heads at the Sunriver Nature Center
There is no larger owl on the European continent than the Eurasian Eagle-owl, Bubo bubo. You have to travel several thousand miles to see one in the wild.
By Jim Anderson
Aug 19, 2020
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