Give a hoot!

On my last adventure as a volunteer land steward for the Nisqually Land Trust, I didn't make it very far into the woods. I got to the fence that marks the boundary of the Land Trust property and managed to get my backpack and camera to the other side. I was about to go through the fence myself when a rumble of thunder told me maybe being in the woods wasn't the best idea. I retrieved my gear and headed back out.

On the way, I heard a bunch crows cawing in the tree, and decided to have a look since there might be an owl nearby. I stepped of the trail in the direction of the cawing and sure enough, an owl swooped low then climbed back up into the canopy, followed by a handful of noisy crows.

How did I know to expect an owl? Being a student of nature, I learned a lot of things from textbooks and formal education. I also learned a lot from observation. Then there are a few things I garnered from sources unknown. One of those mystery sources taught me that a bunch of noisy crows in a tree are probably trying to chase a hawk or an owl away.

That noisy scene prompted me to investigate the old Van Eaton barn located right next to where the trail enters the woods. I've gone in there before in search of owl pellets or any other signs that owls hang out there, since it looks like prime owl shelter, Previous searches came up empty, but on this occasion I found my very first owl pellet and a scattering of barred owl feathers.

I always leave what I find where I find it. The bones in the owl pellet will be an important source of calcium for little critters like mice, which may in turn end up in another owl pellet in the future. To learn more about owls, a great place to start is the Cornell University Lab of Ornithology.

How To Use Your National Parks

I decided to start a new weekly (or thereabouts) blog about my nature experiences. For this week's topic, however, I am giving you a brief users guide to your national parks. 

This summer the National Park Service is celebrating its centennial. They are encouraging everyone to get out and find their park. In light of recent events at Yellowstone, finding your park can get you in trouble if you don't know what to do with it. Yes, these parks belong to you. But since you have to share them with the rest of us, be courteous. Here are some rules to make your visit safe and enjoyable.

Rule #1: Leave only footprints. 

Rule #1A: Leave those footprints only on designated trails, in parking lots, or on boardwalks. In some areas, such as Mount Rainier's Paradise, the off-trail areas are fragile plants. Other areas, like Yellowstone's geyser basin, contain delicate soil resting on top of boiling springs. Taking shortcuts around a switchback erodes the hillside.

Rule #2: Take only photographs.

Rule #2A: Taking memories is also acceptable. Taking anything else is not. Don't pick the flowers. Leave them for others to look at. Don't take the rocks. Sure, there are a million of them. But if every visitor takes a rock, there won't be any rocks left.

Rule #3: Follow the park rules. They are posted for your safety and to limit disrupting other visitors' experience.

Rule #4: Give wildlife space. You are in their home now. For your safety and theirs, give critters at least 25 yards. In the case of large predators like bears and wolves, make it at least 50 yards. If you can throw a snowball at it and hit it, you are too close. Giving wildlife its distance reduces stress on the animal and reduces your risk of injury. Just because an animal appears docile does not make it harmless. Bison and moose are wild animals, and believe it or not, they can be quite brutal.

Rule #4A: Don't feed the animals. Sometimes it's impossible to keep the 25 yard buffer between yourself and, say a chipmunk or hungry gray jay that approach you at your picnic table. Do not feed them. Equating people with food will draw them to people, which can desensitize them to people. While you might think it's nice to have a furry new friend, they really have every reason in the world to fear humans.

Rule #5: Relax and enjoy yourself! If you are in a national park, you are probably on vacation or a weekend getaway. Slow down and enjoy the scenery. Breathe in the clean air. Take a walk. Explore and ask questions. Have fun!