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My friend Jeff took these photos some time ago in his backyard in central Oregon. I immediately recognized this bird- not because I’d seen it live before, or because I knew what it was. Rather, I’ve seen it’s picture many, many times…on the cover of my Sibley Guide (The Sibley Field Guide to Birds . . . → Read More and See Photos: Cover Bird 
My friend Beth found this critter in her house in Arizona. It is a scorpion! We don’t have scorpions (that I know of) here in western Oregon, although the National Audubon Society Field Guide to the Pacific Northwest says that there are scorpions east of the Cascade Mountains. They are apparently harmless to . . . → Read More and See Photos: Scorpions Aren’t Always Poisonous 
WARNING – Photo below that some might find unpleasant!!! Steller’s Jays are one of the easiest birds to identify in the West. Their black head and crest with blue bodies are obvious. This one is foraging in my backyard. It might be a juvenile since its crest doesn’t look quite as big as most . . . → Read More and See Photos: Steller’s Jay With a Meal 
Have you ever heard a buzzing sound from the treetops above you? It was probably one of these bugs- a cicada that my neighbor photographed in his yard. This one looks like an Orchard Cicada (see this WSU website). In the East, cicadas can form large swarms or groups that make terrible noises and . . . → Read More and See Photos: What’s That Buzzing Noise? 
This is a swallowtail butterfly in my neighbor Al’s yard- he took the photo as well. It is probably a Western Tiger Swallowtail. According to Butterflies of the Pacific Northwest by William Neill, this butterfly starts life as a big green caterpillar with false eye markings. They live in bigleaf maples and cottonwoods (among . . . → Read More and See Photos: Swallowtails in Al’s Yard 
My neighbor Andy photographed these Striped Skunk young last week in our neighborhood. They need to be careful because great horned owls love to eat them and we can hear the owls calling at night (we also once saw one in our backyard!). We all know that skunks can emit a terrible smell. They . . . → Read More and See Photos: These guys stink! 
No- this is not my backyard. But the picture is great, and my dad took it. Two bald eagles sitting on a chunk of ice in Alaska. No more words are needed. Related posts:Bald Eagles are Beautiful Words do not do these amazing birds justice. These two were hanging out in a Douglas Fir tree a…Bald Eagle with a Haunting Cry We were lucky again last night and this beautiful bird paid us a visit. It was perched high ato…Birds of Prey on the Prowl Today the sun came out and life seemed to come out of the woodwork. This Bald Eagle flew over m… 
This is the first of a few posts I will make using other peoples’ photos that were sent to me. I am glad some of you have been inspired and are starting to check out what’s lurking in your yards. Check out the category for “Your photos” to see this one again and, eventually, others. . . . → Read More and See Photos: Arizona Gopher Snake |
 
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