by Bianca Perla | Aug 2, 2017 | blog
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...
by Kathryn True | Jul 26, 2017 | blog
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...
by Bianca Perla | Jul 23, 2017 | blog
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...
by Bianca Perla | May 26, 2017 | blog
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...
by Bianca Perla | May 19, 2017 | blog, Wildlife Sightings
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...
by Bianca Perla | Mar 30, 2017 | blog
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,...
