Switch to the mobile version of this page.

Natural World

Birds of Lake Abert (and the fun of getting there)

A lot of readers have asked me why I spend so much time in, and talking about, the wilds of interior Oregon.

By Jim Anderson Sep 20, 2017

A Crane Fly is a Crane Fly, is a Crane Fly

C rane flies came flying into my life (again) last week with the arrival of a photo from Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife wildlife biologist Kelly Hazen, who has them hanging around her porch light every night.

By Jim Anderson Sep 13, 2017

crane flies crane flys

Pity the Poor Bumblebee

T he present populations of our western bumblebees are in big trouble, which from my perspective is more important from the biological and ecological perspective than the problems facing domestic honeybees.

By Jim Anderson Aug 30, 2017

bumble bees jim anderson

Wetlands Are Enticing - Checking out the Crooked River Wetlands Project

T omorrow morning, when you tumble out of bed, grab your bicycle, lunch, binocs and camera and head for the Crooked River Wetlands off O'Neil Road between Terrebonne and the city of Prineville.

By Jim Anderson Aug 23, 2017

Crooked River Wetlands Project city of prineville central oregon wetland projects

Natural World - The Best of Birding

When it comes to Bests, you can't get much better than the upcoming Great Shorebird Migration at Oregon's only salt lake

T he Source's "Best of" issue has always been a challenge for me. When it comes to birds and birding, there are so many birds and so many wonderful places to go birding in and around Central Oregon, I simply can't decide what to call the "best" trip.

By Jim Anderson Aug 16, 2017

great shorebird migration

Natural World: Beware: Looking out for sticky wasp traps

A s if wild birds don't have enough to cope with in trying to keep from being killed by those giant windmills used to create electricity, with the overdone night lights that confuse them while trying to migrate, the tall glass buildings they run into and the poisons used in agriculture, along comes what was supposed to be an innocuous trap to capture pestiferous wasps, but captures and kills birds as well.

By Jim Anderson Aug 9, 2017

Butterflies by the ka-jillions!

Sightings—many sightings—of the California tortoiseshell butterfly

"Hey, Jim, this is Linda Sears.

By Jim Anderson Aug 2, 2017

Nymphalis californica butterflies in oregon

Not a hawk, not a hummingbird; it's a sphinx.

This summer may go down in Central Oregon history as the "Year of the Moth."

By Jim Anderson Jul 26, 2017

Highway Legend

The naming of the Oregon Rubber Road Snake

Some years ago—June of 1998 to be exact—while my family and I were traveling through Klamath County on a Great Gray Owl banding expedition with Tom and Casey Rodhouse, we discovered a beautiful specimen of a Rubber Road Snake, flexilius robustus oregonius.

By Jim Anderson Jul 12, 2017

Killing deer with kindness

A while back, I wrote a piece about the dangerous consequences to you and me by feeding deer and therefore inviting cougar into our backyards.

By Jim Anderson Jul 5, 2017

Natural World

Cleaning up Bend, below and above the surface

Natural World Cleaning up Bend, below and above the surface

By Jim Anderson Jun 28, 2017

What's Going On?

Today Sun, Sep 24th

Locals Night—DJDMP & Friends

Dogwood Cocktail Cabin - A night of soul, hip-hop and electronica with DJDMP and friends, plus 25% off everything on the menu all night long (with local id)....
OUT Central Oregon’s 2nd Annual Comedy Night featuring Suzanne Westenhoefer

Volcanic Theatre Pub - The kid from Amish Country who began her comedy career on a dare is celebrating a quarter century of out, open, no-holds-barred comedy. Portion of the money raised support the...
Karaoke

Corey’s Bar & Grill - Karaoke FUN with DJ Roseybabe....

Today Sun, Sep 24th

Nama'STAY: Yoga With Your Dog

Athletic Club of Bend - Join Street Dog Hero, a local non-profit, for a guided DOGA (yoga with your dog) class. All ages and levels of experience welcome. After the class there will be a...
Basic Skills Standup Paddleboard Class

Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe - A great launching point for the aspiring paddleboarder, Tumalo Creek’s Basic Skills Standup Paddleboard Class prepares participants to confidently explore our region’s flat and swift waterways....

Today Sun, Sep 24th

Nama'STAY: Yoga With Your Dog

Athletic Club of Bend - Join Street Dog Hero, a local non-profit, for a guided DOGA (yoga with your dog) class. All ages and levels of experience welcome. After the class there will be a...