Remarkable Reptiles!
Elusive “blue-tailed” western skink
A boa constrictor in Idaho!
Garter snakes most common snake in Idaho
Discover nature on a deeper level
Pikas make hay a different way
On top of a ridge in the Selkirks, I noticed a quick movement among the rocks. At first I thought it was a golden-mantled ground…
Spotted sandpiper teeters along our shorelines
Boundary County has a few shorebirds and one can be found from the shorelines of the Kootenai River to high mountain lakes like West Fork…
Columbian ground squirrels hibernate early
Standing bolt upright on a prominent rock, a Columbian ground squirrel chirps every now and then as I watch from Shorty Peak lookout. The chirps…
What are those big beetles?
Big insects are hard to miss, especially big beetles. This summer I’ve encountered two big beetles I’ve never seen before–the ten lined June beetle and…
Elderberry a versatile plant throughout history
After finding only a few huckleberries and not wanting to come home empty-handed, I spied some elderberries along the road. Luckily I had just looked…
Shorty Peak lookout offers spectacular views
Waking up on top of a mountain as the horizon turns orange with nothing blocking the view is an amazing sight–especially from the comfort of…
Lightning position best choice when unable to seek shelter
Being inside a substantial building or inside a vehicle is best when caught in a thunderstorm. But if you happen to be outside and unable…
Five ways lightning can strike a person
The impressive lightning and thunderstorm at the end of June hammered Boundary County with dozens of lightning strikes. The next morning I found a ponderosa…
Be prepared for a bear encounter or attack
Seeing bear tracks in the trail provides a heads-up that a bear is in the area. However, surprise encounters can happen if the bear can’t…
Learn to recognize bear sign
Seeing grizzly bear tracks in the snow on the trail always heightens my awareness, especially relatively fresh tracks where the claw marks can still be…