What is Slugyard?

Slugyard is a window to the world around you. Most of these photos were taken from in or around my yard. I hope they encourage you and your family to pay more attention to the world outside your door.

NORTHWEST NATURE BLOGS

OTHER NATURE BLOGS

Wildlife in Unexpected Places

By Mike, on March 23rd, 2013
IMG_9825

 

After reading a great post by Heather Holm on the Native Plants and Wildlife Gardens website (that I used to contribute to), I decided to build a native bee nest out of hollowed out branches. Mason bees have nested in my yard before in a human-made spot and I wanted to see more.

. . . → Read More and See Photos: Wildlife in Unexpected Places

Leave a comment   Insects, Plants   , , ,  

Silly Osprey, Birds Don’t Use Phones

By Mike, on May 5th, 2011
Osprey Nest in Cell Phone Tower

During our hike last weekend through the Camassia Natural Area near our house, my boys and I stopped to look at this nearby cell phone tower. Why?

To see the Osprey nest! The nest gets used every year, and I imagine that it might be the same pair that returns every year.

. . . → Read More and See Photos: Silly Osprey, Birds Don’t Use Phones

7 comments   Birds   ,  

Nest Building at the Heron Rookery

By Mike, on February 24th, 2011
Heron Nests

The Great Blue Heron rookery was full of activity this past weekend, though not all of the days were this sunny.

It still feels odd to see these large birds standing on nests at the top of these mature cottonwood trees.

Of course, some of the nests need a little maintenance!

. . . → Read More and See Photos: Nest Building at the Heron Rookery

9 comments   Birds   ,  

Disturbance at the Heron House

By Mike, on January 31st, 2011
Heron with Stick

The boys and I were hiking down to the river this past weekend and got a good look at the Great Blue Heron rookery (place where many birds nest together). It has been empty since last summer when the herons all left the area. I looked up at it like I do every time . . . → Read More and See Photos: Disturbance at the Heron House

15 comments   Birds   ,  

Blue Fall Skies

By Mike, on December 8th, 2010
Mt Hood

We don’t get too many clear, sunny days this time of year. I took advantage of one last week by hiking down to the river to see what the fallen leaves have revealed. In this photo, the white “cloud” behind the trees is actually the top of Mt. Hood, Oregon’s tallest mountain.

A . . . → Read More and See Photos: Blue Fall Skies

7 comments   Birds   , ,  

Empty Nesters

By Mike, on November 19th, 2010
Heron nests

The leaves are falling revealing things to see that were hidden before. Goat Island is in the Willamette River below our house. It is a well-known Great Blue Heron rookery (or place where lots of them get together to nest).

During the nesting season, blue herons are all over the place here and . . . → Read More and See Photos: Empty Nesters

5 comments   Birds   , ,  

Labor of Love

By Mike, on September 6th, 2010
ant pupa

Our family saw a few of these swollen ants during our hike in Mary S. Young State Park. Look at the abdomen (the segment in the back). It looks like it is full of something.

Very close by were many, many wings as seen above. What does this mean? I am guessing that . . . → Read More and See Photos: Labor of Love

One comment   Insects   , ,  

Where Did All the Birds Go?

By Mike, on August 14th, 2010
chickadee

August is not a good time for bird watching around here. Yes we still have hummingbirds, crows, etc., but the variety is limited. One bird that is always here in large numbers is the chickadee. I took these pictures a couple of months ago, but I thought I’d post them now to remind us . . . → Read More and See Photos: Where Did All the Birds Go?

7 comments   Birds   ,  
 
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