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

Walnuts for Band-tailed Pigeons

By Mike, on May 7th, 2011
Band-tailed Pigeon in Walnut Tree

The sound of wings flapping made me look up at my Walnut Tree yesterday. Sure enough, there was a Band-tailed Pigeon, a bird well known for making a clapping sound when first taking flight.

As I’ve posted about before, there are two easy ways to tell Band-tailed Pigeons and Rock Doves (the common . . . → Read More and See Photos: Walnuts for Band-tailed Pigeons

23 comments   Birds, Plants   ,  

Walnut Syrup?

By Mike, on May 4th, 2011
Pipe in Walnut Tree

On the back side of my Walnut Tree (and thankfully hidden from my house) is this blunder.

Someone, for some reason, somehow, got this white piece of pipe or conduit stuck in the tree. The tree has grown around it, though the pipe doesn’t go all the way through. Did someone think this . . . → Read More and See Photos: Walnut Syrup?

One comment   Plants    

Walnuts in Our Future

By Mike, on April 22nd, 2011
Crow in Walnut Tree

What is different about my Walnut Tree this week?

Not this crow. Crows are frequent visitors to my yard.

Definitely not this robin.

Robins spend a lot of time in the Walnut Tree.

The difference is in the tree itself. It’s starting to leaf out!

Related posts:Winter RobinsFlicker CallsWalnuts for . . . → Read More and See Photos: Walnuts in Our Future

One comment   Birds, Plants   , ,  

Tree Year March Challenge – Walnut

By Mike, on March 25th, 2011
Walnut Tree

Slugyard is participating in The Tree Year, a creation by dreamfalcon. Bloggers all over the world are observing their own specific tree for all of 2011 and writing about what they see. I have chosen the walnut tree in my backyard.

The Tree Year March Challenge asks us to watch our tree for eleven . . . → Read More and See Photos: Tree Year March Challenge – Walnut

11 comments   Birds, Mammals, Plants   , , , ,  

Flicker Calls

By Mike, on March 4th, 2011
Northern Flicker

This morning this Northern Flicker was calling out from the top of my walnut tree.

Flickers are beautiful birds, but they are very, very noisy. In the video below, this bird sings and another flicker then replies. A few seconds later you can hear the other bird start singing again. As soon as . . . → Read More and See Photos: Flicker Calls

Leave a comment   Birds, Plants   , ,  

Ice, Snow, and Life

By Mike, on February 25th, 2011
Snow on Spruce

After it felt like spring was almost here, the Portland area is now in a cold spell. We got our one obligatory “snowstorm” (i.e. about 1″) of the year, and it got down to about 20 degrees F last night. Above is my black walnut tree with a dusting of snow on it. Yes- . . . → Read More and See Photos: Ice, Snow, and Life

6 comments   Birds, Plants   , , , ,  

Do Tree Wounds Heal?

By Mike, on February 18th, 2011
Correct pruning cut

Our walnut tree seemed to glow in the sun a few days ago, showing off its mossy limbs and growing buds. But, it also showed off its wounds.

This is a pruning cut made by the arborist that I hire to maintain my trees. Every time a tree is cut it leaves a . . . → Read More and See Photos: Do Tree Wounds Heal?

10 comments   Plants   ,  

Walnut Life with Woodpecker

By Mike, on January 23rd, 2011
Downy Woodpecker Closeup

Birds are always sitting near the top of our Walnut Tree. Sometimes I’m not sure what they are until I look at my blown up photos afterwards. This one, though, was obvious.

I saw it pecking away at my neighbor’s tree so it was obviously a woodpecker. Also, it was very small which . . . → Read More and See Photos: Walnut Life with Woodpecker

4 comments   Birds   , ,  
 
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