Switch to the mobile version of this page.

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

Oregon Legislative "Busy Work"

In 1927, when L.L. Patterson was our governor, the Western meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) was chosen as the state bird by Oregon's school children in a poll sponsored by the Oregon Audubon Society.

By Jim Anderson Jun 14, 2017

What's goin' on, Ma Nature...?

There's something fishy going on with Mother Nature.

By Jim Anderson Jun 7, 2017

Why Government Environmental Agencies Matter

Watching over us and our homes

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is a state agency designed to help keep our planet Earth—and us—healthy.

By Jim Anderson May 24, 2017

Natural World: Don't step on the eggs!

There are two ground-nesting birds common to Central Oregon that need help when it comes to surviving during nesting time: the killdeer and common nighthawk.

By Jim Anderson May 17, 2017

Natural World: An unexpected encounter

The last thing the people at Lowe's in Bend expected to see last week was a lone common poorwill (a bird very closely related to a nighthawk) standing in the middle of the garden center.

By Jim Anderson Apr 12, 2017

Source Source Weekly Bend Bend Oregon Bend OR Central Oregon Oregon Bend News Bend Oregon News Pacific Northwest Oregon News Bend Source Source Weekly Bend Source Weekly Bend Oregon Newspaper News Oregon Newspaper Outside Jim Anderson Bend Oregon Jim Anderson Bend Oregon Elise Wolf of Native Bird Care in Sisters Poorwills Poorwills owl

Natural World: Lights out for birds!

In the mid '70s, Oregon's environmental watchdog governor, Tom McCall, started the 1,000 Friends of Oregon.

By Jim Anderson Apr 5, 2017

Natural World: It can be tough to spot a pygmy owl, but sighting one is well worth the effort

Ken Hashagen, president of East Cascades Audubon Society of Bend, and I often get together to discuss bluebirds, kestrels, Great Gray Owls, eagles and other boring topics.

By Jim Anderson Mar 29, 2017

Source Source Weekly Bend Bend Oregon Bend OR Central Oregon Oregon Bend News Bend Oregon News Pacific Northwest Oregon News Bend Source Source Weekly Bend Source Weekly Bend Oregon Newspaper News Oregon Newspaper Outside Jim Anderson Bend Oregon Jim Anderson Bend Oregon East Cascades Audubon Society of Bend bluebirds kestrels Great Gray Owls eagles Northern Pygmy Owl Northern Pygmy Owl bend oregon

Natural World: From Marsh Hawks to Northern Harriers

There was a time in the long-long-ago of "bird-watching" when today's Northern Harrier was known as the Marsh Hawk, because the low-flying, small bird- and mammal-eating raptor could almost always be seen in western marshes, flitting along just a few inches above the foliage, always looking down and rarely where it was going.

By Jim Anderson Mar 22, 2017

Source Source Weekly Bend Bend Oregon Bend OR Central Oregon Oregon Bend News Bend Oregon News Pacific Northwest Oregon News Bend Source Source Weekly Bend Source Weekly Bend Oregon Newspaper News Oregon Newspaper Outside Jim Anderson Bend Oregon Jim Anderson Bend Oregon Northern Harrier Marsh Hawk central oregon central oregon birds

Natural World: Owls, owls and more owls

Recently I've had some interesting phone calls to my home and travelin' phones, giving me cause to suspect the alien barred owl population (from the eastern United States and Canada) may be on the rise, and people are confusing them with our native great gray owls.

By Jim Anderson Mar 15, 2017

Source Source Weekly Bend Bend Oregon Bend OR Central Oregon Oregon Bend News Bend Oregon News Pacific Northwest Oregon News Bend Source Source Weekly Bend Source Weekly Bend Oregon Newspaper News Oregon Newspaper Outside Jim Anderson Bend Oregon Jim Anderson Bend Oregon owls central oregon great gray owls bend oregon great gray owls central oregon

What's Going On?

Today Thu, Jun 29th

Allan Byer Project

Sons of Beer - Allan shares his all original Americana music from 3 released CD's & new songs with his All-Star band featuring banjo, guitar, bass and percussion....
The Capitol Presents: Chandler P

The Capitol - Local hip-hop. Support from Danny Cascade, Noah Fence, G. Milez and Cody T. All ages....
Karaoke

Hub City Bar & Grill - Have you narrowed it down to what songs you'll sing this week? Embrace your inner rock star....

Today Thu, Jun 29th

Wildheart Summer Camps

Skyliners Lodge - Wildheart Nature School is dedicated to empowering young people and adults through our holistic model of nature-based education. We offer a variety of summer camps for ages 5 - 12....
Rapid Progression Whitewater Clinic

Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe - Alternating weeks we’ll concentrate on specific topics and skills. We encourage attendance bi-weekly....
Moms Running Group

FootZone - All moms welcome with or without strollers. 3-4.5 mile run at 8-12 minute mile paces. This is a fun and encouraging group for moms of all running levels. Runs occur...

Today Thu, Jun 29th

Wildheart Summer Camps

Skyliners Lodge - Wildheart Nature School is dedicated to empowering young people and adults through our holistic model of nature-based education. We offer a variety of summer camps for ages 5 - 12....
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...
Nature Based Mindfulness Groups for Kids

The Child Center - Children form healing relationships with nature and each other through mindfulness based curriculum. Session 1, ages 7-8. June 29, July 13, 20, 27. Contact The Child Center for more info....

Our Picks

Stand for the Land

Fri., June 30, 4 p.m.
@ Crow's Feet Commons – Enjoy a beverage in great company as we look back...
Central Oregon Wildflower Show

Sat., July 1, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sun., July 2, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
@ Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory – Show exhibits hundreds of native wildflowers each year in celebration...