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Natural World

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

Velociraptors in my backyard

I have an old National Geographic article from November '99 with a story in it about an Archaeoraptor, a so-called fossil eventually found to be a fake.

By Jim Anderson Jun 22, 2017

By Jim Anderson May 24, 2017

What's Going On?

Today Thu, Aug 17th

Precious Byrd Trio

Sunriver Resort - Bring the family, pull up a blanket and enjoy live music at The Backyard at Sunriver Resort! Dance/rock....
Known to Collapse

Astro Lounge - Contemporary rock....
Lurk n' Loiter, Guardians of the Underdog

Spoken Moto - Come get wild with two-piece surf rock band, Lurk n' Loiter, followed by the always energetic, punk rock roots band, Guardians of the Underdog....

Today Thu, Aug 17th

Basic Skills Kayaking Class

Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe - Confidently explore our region’s flat and swift waterways. Learn comprehensive safety and basic paddle stroke techniques while enjoying the company and encouragement of other novice course mates and expert Tumalo...
Brace & Roll at Tumalo Creek

Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe - Whether it is your first time in a whitewater kayak or you need a thorough refresher after years out of your boat, Tumalo Creek can get you sorted. When you...
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 Thu, Aug 17th

Camp C.R.E.A.T.E.

Cascades Academy - Our experiential education summer camp program blends learning and traditional day camp fun with seven different Storyline themed weeks where campers can learn, play, and explore together. Available to campers...
Discover Nature Days - Amphibious Adventure!

Sawyer Park - Presented by Sunriver Nature Center. Jump into the wet and wild world of your favorite amphibian. We’ll explore the life of frogs and their relationship with wetland ecosystems....
Kids Summer Camps

Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory - Need a two-hour break from the kiddos? Sign up for a three day camp with progressive skill building. Individual day sign-up options available. Camps include exploration of ecosystems, water, animal...

Reader Reviews

Re: Sahalee Park
- Nice park could use more shade on the middle
- Posted by Mel Martinez
- on July 30, 2017
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Our Picks

Discover Nature Days

Thu., Aug. 17, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
@ Sawyer Park – Ages 5-10, join us for an amphibious adventure! Presented by...
Interpretive Patio Talks

Mondays-Fridays, 11-11:30 a.m. & 1:30-2 p.m. Continues through Sept. 5
@ Lava Lands Visitor Center – Volunteer Interpretive Rangers share information on how the Newberry Volcano...