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

Damselfly in the Rain Garden

By Mike, on May 30th, 2011
Damselfly on Common Rush

Today I found my first Damselfly in the Rain Garden! It is holding on to a Common Rush that I planted. Remember that Damselflies and Dragonflies are different. Most Damselflies hold their wings together while resting, but Dragonflies can’t do this- they have to hold their wings out. This one isn’t quite holding them . . . → Read More and See Photos: Damselfly in the Rain Garden

3 comments   Insects, Plants   , ,  

Spit in the Rain Garden

By Mike, on May 20th, 2011
Spit on Highbush Cranberry

More insects are moving into my rain garden! See what looks like a glob of spit on my Highbush Cranberry shrub?

Moving the spit aside reveals this- a spittlebug nymph. The photo is a bit out of focus, but you can see its eyes. I posted about spittlebugs last year. I’m yet to . . . → Read More and See Photos: Spit in the Rain Garden

3 comments   Insects, Plants   , , ,  

Ant Farmers Raising Aphids

By Mike, on May 16th, 2011
Aphid Closeup

My rain garden is starting off very well. Although it is dry in this photo, our typical spring Oregon weather has kept it very wet and the plants are growing and some are even flowering already.

While looking at one of my red-twig dogwoods, I noticed some ants were crawling around on it. This . . . → Read More and See Photos: Ant Farmers Raising Aphids

8 comments   Insects, Plants   , , ,  

Rain Garden Wildlife

By Mike, on May 3rd, 2011
Beetle

As I posted about a couple of times over the last few weeks, I built this rain garden in my backyard. Two of my roof downspouts empty into it and the water fills the garden for a while before it slowly sinks into the ground. The plants are starting to grow and leaf out . . . → Read More and See Photos: Rain Garden Wildlife

10 comments   Birds, Insects, Spiders   , , , ,  

Rain Garden Shines in Sun

By Mike, on April 24th, 2011
Rain Garden

My rain garden has now lasted two weeks. Last week we had a lot of rain, but it never overtopped despite two of my downspouts emptying into it. The plants in the lowest part of the garden were under water, but when the rain stops the water infiltrates the ground at about 2 inches . . . → Read More and See Photos: Rain Garden Shines in Sun

12 comments   Earth, Insects, Plants   , , , , ,  

When the World Gives You Rain, Build a Rain Garden!

By Mike, on April 16th, 2011
Rain Garden

Even for our usually rain-soaked area, it has been raining A LOT over the past month or two. A LOT. So last weekend I suddenly got motivated to build this Rain Garden. What is it? This web page from Oregon State has a lot of good information and a link to a great handbook. . . . → Read More and See Photos: When the World Gives You Rain, Build a Rain Garden!

9 comments   Birds, Earth   ,