Alpine larch usher in autumn in the high country
As autumn begins, a golden color will highlight timberline as alpine larch turn from a light green to a golden yellow. Turning color and losing…
Tag: Outdoor Column
American Dippers: swimming songbirds
Standing on an almost-submerged rock in the mountain stream, the chunky gray bird waded into the fast-flowing water and stuck its head underwater. Snorkeling, the…
Benchmarks lay the foundation for maps
“Where am I?” “How high am I?” These questions are easy to answer today with a GPS. People have always wondered where in the world…
Turkey vultures picky eaters of rotten meat
The ruckus of magpies and ravens caught my attention as I walked up the road. As I approached, the magpies, ravens and eagles flew off…
Speed of lightning incomprehensible
Flash, boom, rumble. The night sky lights up for an instant before the booming thunder overpowers all other noises. Again and again, the lightning and…
Wasps prolific this year with dry weather
Warmer, drier weather this spring not only helped gardeners and farmers but also stinging insects. Cold, rainy weather in April and May can reduce nest…
Insects instigate abnormal growth on plants
Odd growths on plant leaves or stems ranging from tiny bumps to red, spiny growths to pinecone-like growths on willows are a unique plant/insect relationship.…
Bats only mammal capable of true flight
As twilight faded, all eyes watched the bat houses mounted on the side of the building. Slowly, the bats flew one by one from the…
Flicker nuisances offset by insect consumption
Living with wildlife takes on a new meaning when they begin to share your house. Ants and insects commonly infiltrate into a house and can…
Long Canyon Parker Ridge hike filled with surprises
Four miles and 52 leg-burning switchbacks to reach the trail junction below the ridge. A few more switchbacks through the transitioning forest and I’d be…
Golden-mantled ground squirrels often mistaken for chipmunks
Scampering among a rock pile on a high-alpine ridge, the golden-mantled ground squirrel stops to survey its surroundings from the highest rock. At first glance,…
Toad warts not contagious, just toxic
Movement in the garden soil caught my eye as I was preparing to plant seeds. Larger than the spiders, grasshoppers and other insects I had…
American Dippers: swimming songbirds
Standing on an almost-submerged rock in the mountain stream, the chunky gray bird waded into the fast-flowing water and stuck its head underwater. Snorkeling, the…
Benchmarks lay the foundation for maps
“Where am I?” “How high am I?” These questions are easy to answer today with a GPS. People have always wondered where in the world…
Turkey vultures picky eaters of rotten meat
The ruckus of magpies and ravens caught my attention as I walked up the road. As I approached, the magpies, ravens and eagles flew off…
Speed of lightning incomprehensible
Flash, boom, rumble. The night sky lights up for an instant before the booming thunder overpowers all other noises. Again and again, the lightning and…
Wasps prolific this year with dry weather
Warmer, drier weather this spring not only helped gardeners and farmers but also stinging insects. Cold, rainy weather in April and May can reduce nest…
Insects instigate abnormal growth on plants
Odd growths on plant leaves or stems ranging from tiny bumps to red, spiny growths to pinecone-like growths on willows are a unique plant/insect relationship.…
Bats only mammal capable of true flight
As twilight faded, all eyes watched the bat houses mounted on the side of the building. Slowly, the bats flew one by one from the…
Flicker nuisances offset by insect consumption
Living with wildlife takes on a new meaning when they begin to share your house. Ants and insects commonly infiltrate into a house and can…
Long Canyon Parker Ridge hike filled with surprises
Four miles and 52 leg-burning switchbacks to reach the trail junction below the ridge. A few more switchbacks through the transitioning forest and I’d be…
Golden-mantled ground squirrels often mistaken for chipmunks
Scampering among a rock pile on a high-alpine ridge, the golden-mantled ground squirrel stops to survey its surroundings from the highest rock. At first glance,…
Toad warts not contagious, just toxic
Movement in the garden soil caught my eye as I was preparing to plant seeds. Larger than the spiders, grasshoppers and other insects I had…