Blog
Barney and Blanche: a tale of barn owls nesting
by: Mark Timken, owl painting by Beatrice Timken Hope just means another world might be possible, not promised, not guaranteed. Hope calls for action; action is impossible without hope. ---Rebecca Solnet, 2016, p. 4 “Look! An owl!” my partner exclaimed with surprise...
Meeting the Lion: A Vashon Nature Center Blog Series: Part 1
by: Kathryn True Vashon-Maury Islands have been host to a cougar for the past year. In the absence of an on-island state wildlife office, many islanders have turned to Vashon Nature Center for questions about the cougar and to report sightings. As we hit the one-year...
Resources for Living with wildlife
Vashon Nature Center has recently learned of several livestock injuries (including to pony, miniature donkey, and pig) that might be due large predators. All animals have survived. We currently have cougar, bear and coyotes on Vashon as well as dogs-- all of which can...
Myth Busters: A mountain lion fact-finding mission
by: Kathryn True A mountain lion has made its home on Vashon since last July. Its presence inspires awe, joy, fear, excitement, and fuels rumors. At Vashon Nature Center, we hear many questions and concerns about the cougar. We came up with a list of the most commonly...
Fin whale on Vashon
by: Bianca Perla, featured photo above by Kelly Keenan. Have you ever touched whale skin? It’s slippery and firm like the smooth skin of a wet apple. Have you had the chance to stand and look down into a whale’s gaping mouth? The lines of stiff baleen fray open to...
BeachNET launches as part of larger Salish Sea restoration
by: Kathryn True On several cold, wet nights this winter, while the rest of us cozied up by the fire, a group of intrepid scientists and volunteers visited local beaches to pan for gold—fish gold to be exact. They carefully measured out predetermined beach sections,...
Walking on water
by: Kathryn True Every few years, islanders are treated with a rare and miraculous gift: the ability to walk on water – water in its solid state, that is. The far reaches of ponds that we normally gaze longingly at, bound as we are to terrestrial shores, are suddenly...
Brrrrr… January wildlife update
Brrrrr!!!! These icy bluebird days have delivered much beauty to us this winter. But long cold spells are a challenging time for our Pacific Northwest wildlife. During cold spells it is harder to find food and water. While some animals will go into torpor/hibernation...
Annual Christmas Bird Count: a long-standing citizen science tradition
Kick off the New Year with the Christmas Bird Count A guest blog for VNC from Audubon Master Birder Ezra Parker As a grand finale to your holiday season, consider ringing in the New Year by participating in the Vashon-Maury Island Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count...
Header Photo: Bianca Perla