Life in an eggshell: From yolk to hatching
Many birds are dutifully sitting on a nest right now keeping eggs warm. Eggs come in all shapes, sizes, colors and even the yolk size…
Tag: Outdoor Column
A boa constrictor in Idaho!
Have you been lucky enough to see Idaho’s only boa constrictor? The rubber boa is smaller than the giant boa constrictor of South America and…
Spring wildflowers bring first splash of color
As the weather warms, signs of spring are everywhere–green grass, emerging larch needles and spring wildflowers. The burst of color from spring wildflowers is a…
Mourning cloak butterflies first to flutter around
Spring is full of firsts—first robin, first flower and first butterfly. Not necessarily in that order though. The first butterfly is often fluttering around before…
13 Fascinating facts about rainbows
Raining one minute and sunny the next, the ever changing weather of spring creates prime rainbow viewing opportunities. Just as no two snowflakes are alike,…
Realistic expectations on and off the trail
Exceeding expectations is great. I remember hikes when I was bursting with energy and hiked far beyond what I planned–reaching the peak and then exploring…
Wildlife attracted to dead trees
I often notice snags because of the woodpecker holes or woodpeckers drumming on the tree. However, woodpeckers aren’t the only ones utilizing snags. What animals…
What happens inside a chrysalis?
Butterflies, moths, beetles, flies and bees all look different when they are young. From caterpillars to grubs and maggots, these young undergo a major transformation…
Metamorphosis transforms many insects
One of the most fascinating transformations in nature is the change a caterpillar undergoes to become a butterfly. Small, wriggly caterpillars hide within a chrysalis…
Elusive wolverines travel impressive distances
Certain animals are elusive–lynx, bobcats and most notoriously wolverines. I’ve been lucky enough to see two wolverines in all of my hiking–way across a valley…
Every burl is different
Every so often while hiking I find a tree with a burl. Sometimes the burl is a small globular protrusion on a branch and…
Less colorful birds visiting feeders
Little brown birds. Often sparrows and finches are called little brown birds because they look similar at first glance. Their markings may not be as…
A boa constrictor in Idaho!
Have you been lucky enough to see Idaho’s only boa constrictor? The rubber boa is smaller than the giant boa constrictor of South America and…
Spring wildflowers bring first splash of color
As the weather warms, signs of spring are everywhere–green grass, emerging larch needles and spring wildflowers. The burst of color from spring wildflowers is a…
Mourning cloak butterflies first to flutter around
Spring is full of firsts—first robin, first flower and first butterfly. Not necessarily in that order though. The first butterfly is often fluttering around before…
13 Fascinating facts about rainbows
Raining one minute and sunny the next, the ever changing weather of spring creates prime rainbow viewing opportunities. Just as no two snowflakes are alike,…
Realistic expectations on and off the trail
Exceeding expectations is great. I remember hikes when I was bursting with energy and hiked far beyond what I planned–reaching the peak and then exploring…
Wildlife attracted to dead trees
I often notice snags because of the woodpecker holes or woodpeckers drumming on the tree. However, woodpeckers aren’t the only ones utilizing snags. What animals…
What happens inside a chrysalis?
Butterflies, moths, beetles, flies and bees all look different when they are young. From caterpillars to grubs and maggots, these young undergo a major transformation…
Metamorphosis transforms many insects
One of the most fascinating transformations in nature is the change a caterpillar undergoes to become a butterfly. Small, wriggly caterpillars hide within a chrysalis…
Elusive wolverines travel impressive distances
Certain animals are elusive–lynx, bobcats and most notoriously wolverines. I’ve been lucky enough to see two wolverines in all of my hiking–way across a valley…
Every burl is different
Every so often while hiking I find a tree with a burl. Sometimes the burl is a small globular protrusion on a branch and…
Less colorful birds visiting feeders
Little brown birds. Often sparrows and finches are called little brown birds because they look similar at first glance. Their markings may not be as…