Showing posts with label wildlife. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wildlife. Show all posts

Gloria's Critters: I'm as appealing as any Varied Thrush, photog

Thursday, December 7, 2023

 
Photo copyright Gloria Z. Nagler

so why not lay off the birds for a while and focus instead on us mammals?

(Raelynn the Raccoon was adamant about wanting a portrait session, and so photog complied:)

--Gloria Z. Nagler


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Who needs television: Native squirrels as entertainment

Wednesday, November 22, 2023

Dougie Jr in his Entertainment Device

Story and photos by Ken Berkun

The pics are of one of our local Douglas Squirrels. 

This is one of the younger generation. Dad (or mom, we're not sure), we call Dougie, after my wife's (Gay Armsden) father Douglas Armsden. We've seen Dougie (Sr.) with at least 3 offspring, and they're all named Dougie Jr.
Dougie Jr. headed toward the Squirrel Entertainment Device
 
Douglas Squirrels are incredibly fast and most of my images are blurry, but I got a few. I have some squirrel entertainment devices, of which the pictured tube is one. 

The bird feeder is supposed to be squirrel-proof, but is more accurately "squirrel resistant."

Dougie Jr at the "squirrel resistant' bird feeder

Here's a link to a short video where you can listen to Dougie Jr. being very unhappy about being videoed. They can keep this up pretty much forever: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/lSqrU3sm0HE

Douglas Squirrels are solitary, in general, with a large territory. While smaller than the invasive grey squirrels, they are more aggressive and have no problem standing up to them. Having one with a family in our yard is a treat!


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Gloria's Critters: I'm sure glad she ain't lookin' at me!

Wednesday, November 8, 2023

 
Photo copyright Gloria Z. Nagler

Hey Gloria - so say we all!!!


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Are there bears in the woods?

Tuesday, November 7, 2023

Shredded bark

By Bruce Amundson

Our home is on the lower level of Blue Heron Reserve in Innis Arden. During the first two weeks in October when we were on vacation we returned to find three young pine and fir trees ravished - claw scrapings on trunks and branches, 1/2 to 3/4 inch branches were broken off and branches were shredded. 

Then three days ago there was new evidence of damage to a young fir - branches broken off and shredded.
Shredded branches

For anyone who has hiked the mountains of the Rocky Mountain West, you know it is easy to recognize evidence of bear activity on trees - vertical claw marks on trunks, broken branches, etc. 

What we noted is definite evidence of bear activity, and it is similar to what we experienced about 10 years ago when we also returned from vacation to find a white pine tree that had been damaged by a bear - long claw marks on the trunk, broken branches.

Since there is no other critter in our domain that can do this, we are confident that there is current black bear presence in Shoreline and Innis Arden. We are curious whether anyone else has experienced bear damage, sitings, evidence of scat or tracks, etc. during the past 2-3 weeks.

Branches broken off

I am not posting this to frighten residents. Bears rarely endanger humans. But what is remarkable about our current experience is that two visits within a few weeks suggests that a bear would seem to be “resident” in our local forested areas rather than just passing through our reserve (as happened a few years ago when a bear was tracked for days moving east across north Seattle and Shoreline).

It’s pretty exciting to have these animals in our domain in addition to the wide variety of wildlife that also calls Shoreline home.

If you have noted any evidence of bear activity, we’d appreciate hearing from you.


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Wayne's Wabbits: I don't care what you say,

Sunday, October 1, 2023

 
Photo by Wayne Pridemore

I'm not listening.

--Wayne Pridemore



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Proposals to return Grizzly bears to the North Cascades

Saturday, September 30, 2023

Grizzly bears. Photo courtesy National Park Service

Grizzly bears would return to the state's North Cascades under proposals two federal agencies put forward Thursday. 

Reintroducing the bears into the rugged area has been studied and debated for over two decades, with a previous effort falling apart during the Trump years. 

The latest plan -- still in draft form -- includes two options that would both involve introducing about three to seven bears a year until grizzly numbers in the region rebound to 25 bears. 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service are asking the public for input on their plan. While wildlife advocates were pleased to see fresh movement toward bringing the bears back, the plan is sure to draw criticism. One Republican congressman from Washington has already weighed in against it.  

There are about 2,000 grizzly bears spread across pockets of the West outside of Alaska.

In the 19th century, there were an estimated 50,000 in the U.S. But their numbers dropped into the hundreds by the 1930s. They were listed as a threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act in 1975 and retain that designation in the lower 48 states.

Public comment on the latest North Cascades grizzly bear plans is open until Nov. 13. More information on the proposal can be found here.



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What happens next depends on the eagle

Thursday, September 28, 2023

 
Photo by Martin DeGrazia
Bog Whisperer Martin DeGrazia didn't say what happened after he took this photo. 

Here's hoping that the eagle wasn't hungry.



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There goes the neighborhood

Monday, September 25, 2023

Photo courtesy U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area

On Aug. 12, 2023, the dedicated team aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy (WAGB 20) worked with researchers and tech support to strategically position an ice gateway buoy light in the Beaufort Sea.

The residents took note.


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Wayne's Wabbits: Wild wild wabbits

Friday, August 18, 2023

Photo by Wayne Pridemore

 
Wabbit wild do your thing,
  twist and turn you wild wild thing.

Photo by Wayne Pridemore
 
Jump high and do your thing, 
  playing leap frog wabbit style you wild wild thing.
 
Wabbit Wayne



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All About Bats at the Shoreline Library August 15, 2023 - two sessions - one for kids, one for adults

Thursday, August 10, 2023

Photo courtesy Washington Dept of Fish and Wildlife

Learn "All About Bats" at the Shoreline Library on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 from 2:30 - 3:15pm - ages 6-12.

4 seats remain!  Register here

Look up at dusk, and you're likely to see a bat flying across the sky. Believe it or not, bats are common in Washington and it's easy to spy them foraging for bugs after the sun sets. Explore bats through stories and crafts!

Learn "All About Bats" at the Shoreline Library on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 from 6-8pm - adults

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will discuss the biology and behavior of Washington’s 15 bat species.

No registration required.




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Wayne's Wabbits: You've got a friend

Tuesday, August 8, 2023

Photo by Wayne Pridemore

Every time I see you
it brightens up my day
I wish i could tell you,
But I have no words to say.

by Oliva



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Shoreline Fire responded to 61 4th of July calls

Thursday, July 6, 2023

Photo by Steven H. Robinson
Shoreline Fire reports that they responded to 61 calls from midnight on the 4th til 8am on the 5th!

And… our state is busy with wildfires. We have deployed our brush truck with three-BR 161 to the OIE Fire in Benton County.  

We also deployed a medic unit with two for the Tunnel 5 Fire in Skamania County on the Columbia River.


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World Turtle Day on May 23

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Eastern box turtle courtesy of Danielle Brigida

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Please help us shell-a-brate World Turtle Day. You won't be in trouble if you don't, but it'd be real cool if you did.

Did you know that the U.S. is home to the largest number of different native turtle species and subspecies in the world? These adorable reptiles play an integral role in keeping habitats and ecosystems healthy. 

Sadly, law enforcement officials have reported a rise in the trafficking of native turtles in our own backyards.

Help us protect these magnificent creatures and their homes. Here are some ways you can help turtles


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Gloria's Critters: It's 87° and I'm hangin', photog

Tuesday, May 16, 2023

 

Photo copyright Gloria Z. Nagler

Did you say it's May?!? I don't have my rPhone (raccoon phone) with me or I'd check the date; 
it's gotta be July!

--Gloria Z. Nagler



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Gloria's Critters: Cross my heart and hope to die, photog, I am not here to eat the bird food!

Sunday, April 30, 2023

 
Photo copyright Gloria Z. Nagler

(Well, gosh, she’s so endearing; I’ll put out some extra nuts:)

--Gloria Z. Nagler



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Tips for living with coyotes

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

This coyote ate the nuts that Gloria Z. Nagler put out for birds. 
She reports that the coyote liked them so much it is considering going vegan!
In Shoreline and Lake Forest Park, you can expect that every wooded hillside or green space will have a coyote den. 

The only incident I am aware of was a coyote family which attacked and killed a domestic sheep in LFP. 

It came after a different LFP resident was feeding dog food to the coyotes - teaching them not to fear humans.

The universal reaction from residents spotting a coyote is to grab a camera and get a picture.

Following is information from the Department of Fish and Wildlife

--Diane Hettrick

Tips for living with coyotes

Coyotes (Canis latrans) are present across nearly all of Washington state, from the shrubsteppe to the alpine, as well as many urban and suburban areas. 

They are common in many larger, wooded green spaces and parks within cities including Shoreline and Lake Forest Park.

You may hear coyotes more frequently than you see them, especially when they have pups. Juvenile coyotes are often heard in summer, trying out their voices. Coyote sightings often increase in winter when they are more active, or in late-winter and spring when they may have dens and pups to care for.

Coyotes are most active at night and during the early-morning and evening hours. 

Their diet is diverse and adaptable to what’s around, including everything from rabbits and small rodents to garbage, birdseed, and fruit from trees.

Coyotes can also benefit humans and ecosystems by helping control populations of mice, rats, voles, moles, and rabbits.

Urban coyotes are a good reminder to keep a close eye on children, chickens and other domestic animals, and small pets or to keep them inside or in an outbuilding if unsupervised. Visit our coyote webpage or keep reading for tips to avoid conflicts with coyotes.

To minimize the risk, keep cats inside, keep dogs leashed, avoid early morning and late evening walks with your pet in areas where coyotes are known to be, and generally keep an eye on children and pets.

Never run away from a coyote! Make loud noises, wave sticks, squirt it with a hose, or otherwise “haze” the coyote if it approaches. Stand tall, stare into the eyes of the coyote and shout at it. You also can throw something at it.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) asks not to receive reports of coyotes going about their normal business, as this is a common species and we prioritize reports of species of greatest conservation need.

If residents witness a coyote attack on supervised pets (such as leashed dogs) or backyard chickens and other fowl, or other aggressive behavior, they are encouraged to report it to WDFW biologists and enforcement officers at: wdfw.wa.gov/get-involved/report-observations

In the event of an immediate public safety issue, wildlife violation, or an injured or dangerous animal, call the WDFW Enforcement office at 360–902–2936 or email enforcement-web@dfw.wa.gov

Due to WDFW’s need to focus on fish and wildlife species of conservation concern, in most cases when coyote management is required in urban or suburban areas that management is contracted by the city, town or private landowners to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services.

More information on living with coyotes is available at: wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/species/canis-latrans#conflict

--Information from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife


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Gloria's wildlife: Don't cry, Randy.

Sunday, April 23, 2023

 
Photo copyright Gloria Z. Nagler

I'm sure the humans will one day realize that good planets are hard to find, and then they'll get serious about saving ours.

(Happy Earth Day from Randy and Rita Raccoon!)

--Gloria Z. Nagler


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Bugs Bunny Wasn't Funny

Tuesday, April 18, 2023

 
Photo by Wayne Pridemore

Bugs Bunny
Was not funny
till what's up doc (ed)
with a carrot mocked.

by Thomas Martin
Poetry Soup


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Gloria's Critters: What was that noise, photog?

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

Photo copyright Gloria Z. Nagler

(I dunno either, but Stumpy leapt, not climbed, up this tree when she heard it.)  --Gloria Z. Nagler



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Gloria's Critters: A raft of otters going out for dinner...

Sunday, February 12, 2023

Photo copyright Gloria Z. Nagler

(On Lake Washington last week. Were they on land, they'd be a romp of otters. Who knew?)

--Gloria Z. Nagler



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