The old-growth forest in Moran State Park offers the chance for extraordinary encounters. Apparently mythology, folklore and fairytale meet just beyond the trail head.
Posts Tagged ‘Fauna’
Mount Pickett’s enchanted forest
Posted in Orcas Island, San Juan Islands, tagged Adventures, Fauna, Flora, Hiking, Moran State Park, Orcas Island, wildlife on October 14, 2010 | 2 Comments »
Commando squirrel, small but brash
Posted in Island life, Orcas Island, tagged Fauna, Humor, Nature, Orcas Island, wildlife on October 12, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
The Douglas’ squirrel is one of the smallest tree squirrels but incredibly bold. He’s small and confident, an imp in an auburn coat.
Lizard aside, Doe Island romances the kayaker
Posted in San Juan Islands, tagged Doe Island, Fauna, Flora, Humor, kayaking, Orcas Island on October 1, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
Barely an ink spot on most navigational charts, Doe Island is still a worthy adventure for day-trippers and overnight campers and especially suited for kayakers in search of the perfect sunset.
Drama at the birdfeeder
Posted in Island life, Orcas Island, San Juan Islands, tagged Codfish Lane, Fauna, Humor, Nature, Orcas Island on June 24, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
What began as a kind act — for a handful of song sparrows — has grown into a full-time job as sentry, armed with hose and handle. Instead of being bird watchers – admiring plumage, song and fancy flight – we’ve become cafeteria monitors.
Our new BFFs, Flora and Fauna
Posted in Island life, Orcas Island, San Juan Islands, tagged Fauna, Flora, Humor, Orcas Island on May 10, 2010 | 2 Comments »
When you’re predominately secluded, animal friends are especially nice to imagine. Notwithstanding two visits from delivery people, one census man and three Jehovah’s Witnesses – whose knock indeed surprised us – we may go a week or more without speaking to other people. When you live alone for long periods of time, you find yourself talking to other things, like seals and sparrows — even lavender and tomato plants. “Aren’t you getting strong?” we say to the Portulaca. “Do you need another drink?”
Introduction to harbor seals
Posted in Island life, Orcas Island, San Juan Islands, tagged Fauna, Humor, Marine life, Orcas Island, Salish Sea on April 14, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
The seals apparently use the Peadpod Rocks as a haul-out site for its proximity to food, sun, good visibility and secure access to the water. Plus, I think they like to watch the daily activity of tugs, barges and boats that thread the channel between Cypress and the Rocks. Harbor seals are much more fun to watch than elephant seals. For one thing, when they haul-out, they don’t wallow on top of each other in obese, blubbery colonies grunting and farting like their counterparts.
