Life

Anatomy of the worst fire year

In a gorgeous warm May this year, we have not yet sniffed the bitter scent of flaming spruce. When we do, many of us will… Continue reading

Tight Lines: Anglers gear up for fishing season

Memorial Day weekend marks the traditional start of salmon season on the Kenai Peninsula, and while numerous conservation measures are in place, there have been… Continue reading

Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Charlie Smith, of Anchor Point, hauls two buckets of hooligan up the bank on Monday May 18, 2015 near the Warren Ames Bridge in Kenai, Alaska.

Gangs of hooligan invade Cook Inlet

Blink and you’ll miss one, but several thousand clouding the water is hard to miss.The spring run of eulachon, or hooligan, have hit the southcentral… Continue reading

Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Charlie Smith, of Anchor Point, hauls two buckets of hooligan up the bank on Monday May 18, 2015 near the Warren Ames Bridge in Kenai, Alaska.
This Eurasian Collared-Dove, the third record of this species on the Kenai Peninsula, was photographed by Mark and Cindy Glassmaker at their house along the Kenai River near Soldotna.

Refuge Notebook: Exotic dove continues a steady march north

Bird watchers come in all flavors from the hardcore lister to the person who casually watches birds at their backyard feeder. One connection that seems… Continue reading

This Eurasian Collared-Dove, the third record of this species on the Kenai Peninsula, was photographed by Mark and Cindy Glassmaker at their house along the Kenai River near Soldotna.
In this October 2012 photo provided by the National Geographic Channels, Dr. Brian Hare kneels with Finley the dog in Durham, N.C. On the weekend of May 15, 2015, Nat Geo Wild will air a three-part series called "Is Your Dog a Genius?" It will be part of the network's inaugural "BarkFest" weekend with one show after another dedicated to dogs. Hare, associate professor of evolutionary anthropology at Duke University and a member of the Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, part of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, will host the show. (Christer Berg/Dognition via AP)

Don’t let the slobber fool you, your dog could be a brainiac

LOS ANGELES — When her muscles locked and left her unable to move or speak, Wallis Brozman was glad she had a genius for a… Continue reading

In this October 2012 photo provided by the National Geographic Channels, Dr. Brian Hare kneels with Finley the dog in Durham, N.C. On the weekend of May 15, 2015, Nat Geo Wild will air a three-part series called "Is Your Dog a Genius?" It will be part of the network's inaugural "BarkFest" weekend with one show after another dedicated to dogs. Hare, associate professor of evolutionary anthropology at Duke University and a member of the Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, part of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, will host the show. (Christer Berg/Dognition via AP)
This Monday, May 4, 2015 photo shows pea plant seedlings on display in New Paltz, N.Y. A lot of "six-packs" of pea transplants would be needed for a row of peas, so just plant seeds instead. (Lee Reich via AP)

Believe in seeds: They’ll expand your gardening horizons

“Plant seeds” may seem like an inane suggestion for a gardening column. But I’m serious. More and more people who garden these days put plants… Continue reading

This Monday, May 4, 2015 photo shows pea plant seedlings on display in New Paltz, N.Y. A lot of "six-packs" of pea transplants would be needed for a row of peas, so just plant seeds instead. (Lee Reich via AP)
In this March 30, 2015 photo, a lawn is fertilized before rain falls near Langley, Wash. One of the most common mistakes in lawn care is over fertilizing which can burn the plant roots and contaminate area water supplies. A good time to fertilize is just ahead of a soaking rain. (Dean Fosdick via AP)

Lawn-care basics: how much to cut, irrigate, fertilize

Well-managed turf care means more than simply firing up your lawn mower and buzzing around the yard.There’s cutting at the right height, irrigating with the… Continue reading

In this March 30, 2015 photo, a lawn is fertilized before rain falls near Langley, Wash. One of the most common mistakes in lawn care is over fertilizing which can burn the plant roots and contaminate area water supplies. A good time to fertilize is just ahead of a soaking rain. (Dean Fosdick via AP)
Jacob's ladder in all its spring glory. (Courtesy Mary Stensvold, US Forest Service)

Refuge Notebook: Nature’s first green is gold

Many of us are engaged this week in the annual spring sport of watching the birch trees begin to leaf out, and anticipating early spring-blooming… Continue reading

Jacob's ladder in all its spring glory. (Courtesy Mary Stensvold, US Forest Service)

An Outdoor View: New twists on fish and shrimp

New twists on fish and shrimpbyLes PalmerIt happens now and then, and a few days ago, it happened again. I was overwhelmed by an urge… Continue reading

An Outdoor View: Everything is about fishing

Author’s note: My favorite outdoor writer/humorist, Ed Zern (1910-1994), left a legacy of ridiculous and hilarious stories. His ghost sometimes visits me, causing me to… Continue reading

Joe Donohoe measures a wolf track found along the Continental Divide near Canyon Creek, Mont., in March, 2015. Donohoe and other volunteers met in early March to run one of the transects and see what animals were using the Continental Divide as part of a project to recruit and train volunteers under the tutelage of wildlife researchers at Bozeman-based Wildthings Unlimited with data generated going to the Helena National Forest as it develops a new forest plan. (Tom Kuglin/The Independent Record via AP)

Researchers track elusive wolverines

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Much of the Continental Divide in winter remains a place seldom visited by people — a harsh environment, windblown and seemingly… Continue reading

Joe Donohoe measures a wolf track found along the Continental Divide near Canyon Creek, Mont., in March, 2015. Donohoe and other volunteers met in early March to run one of the transects and see what animals were using the Continental Divide as part of a project to recruit and train volunteers under the tutelage of wildlife researchers at Bozeman-based Wildthings Unlimited with data generated going to the Helena National Forest as it develops a new forest plan. (Tom Kuglin/The Independent Record via AP)
Participants in the 2015 Youth Game Warden Camp learn to navigate in the woods with GPS units and compasses. (Photo courtesy Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)

Refuge Notebook: Learning to be a game warden

 This past weekend, the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge hosted the 2015 Youth Game Warden Camp. This camp is a collaborative effort between natural resource agencies… Continue reading

Participants in the 2015 Youth Game Warden Camp learn to navigate in the woods with GPS units and compasses. (Photo courtesy Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)
In this Sunday, April 19, 2015 photo, in addition to being pest resistant, Chestnut is a crabapple variety good enough for you to enjoy it eating fresh, right off the tree in Geneva, New York. (Lee Reich via AP)

Crabapples come in many varieties (some aren’t even crabby)

Crabapple branches drenched in white, pink or red blossoms are a strong enticement to go out and buy one of these trees. First, however, put… Continue reading

In this Sunday, April 19, 2015 photo, in addition to being pest resistant, Chestnut is a crabapple variety good enough for you to enjoy it eating fresh, right off the tree in Geneva, New York. (Lee Reich via AP)
Spraying downward and in front of a charging bear is good technique for using bear deterrent spray. Bear spray only works if you keep it handy so wear the holster on your belt or attached to a pack shoulder strap, but don't stuff it in a pack. (Photo courtesy Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)

Refuge Notebook: Tips for using bear spray

Bear spray is a weapon. Just like any weapon, you’ve got to know how to use it so it stops what you want it to… Continue reading

Spraying downward and in front of a charging bear is good technique for using bear deterrent spray. Bear spray only works if you keep it handy so wear the holster on your belt or attached to a pack shoulder strap, but don't stuff it in a pack. (Photo courtesy Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)

An Outdoor View: Fish board

I was disappointed Sunday when state legislators voted against confirming Soldotna resident Robert Ruffner’s appointment to the Alaska Board of Fisheries. It would’ve been so… Continue reading

Young swimmers and their teachers swim in a pool during a swim lesson in the Bronx borough of New York, Wednesday, April 15, 2015. They are in swim swim swim I SAY, one of 65 programs around the country to receive grants from the nonprofit Autism Speaks to provide the personal attention and patience if often takes to help children on the autism spectrum learn to swim. Many are prone to wander and many are drawn to water.(AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Autism Speaks offers grants for lifesaving swim lessons

NEW YORK — “Ian, Ian, Ian,” squeals 8-year-old Anna as she spots her friend across a pool in the South Bronx. She splashes with excitement… Continue reading

Young swimmers and their teachers swim in a pool during a swim lesson in the Bronx borough of New York, Wednesday, April 15, 2015. They are in swim swim swim I SAY, one of 65 programs around the country to receive grants from the nonprofit Autism Speaks to provide the personal attention and patience if often takes to help children on the autism spectrum learn to swim. Many are prone to wander and many are drawn to water.(AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
In this April 8, 2013 photo, these old hard-sided suitcases at the Ball Horticultural Co.'s field trials near Ventura, Calif., make an innovative plant bed idea for space-starved gardeners. They also can be moved from one location to another, even if it's just to follow the sun across a balcony or patio. Adaptable planters with wheels or handles can be inexpensive yet attractive and capable of being used indoors or out. (Dean Fosdick via AP)

Gardeners on the move make their plants portable

People on the move often spurn gardening as a hobby because they have to leave their plants behind. But new innovations and creative ideas are… Continue reading

In this April 8, 2013 photo, these old hard-sided suitcases at the Ball Horticultural Co.'s field trials near Ventura, Calif., make an innovative plant bed idea for space-starved gardeners. They also can be moved from one location to another, even if it's just to follow the sun across a balcony or patio. Adaptable planters with wheels or handles can be inexpensive yet attractive and capable of being used indoors or out. (Dean Fosdick via AP)
This undated photo shows an electric set of smart hearing protection for hunters, from Sound Gear in Spokane, Wash. But technology has erased the shortcomings of the standard ear plug. Excuses for neglecting hearing protection in the field are obsolete. (AP Photo/The Spokesman-Review, Jesse Tinsley) COEUR D'ALENE PRESS

Hunters often overlook hearing protection

SPOKANE, Wash. — While most shooters would never walk onto an active gun range without ear plugs or muffs in place, hunters who use firearms… Continue reading

This undated photo shows an electric set of smart hearing protection for hunters, from Sound Gear in Spokane, Wash. But technology has erased the shortcomings of the standard ear plug. Excuses for neglecting hearing protection in the field are obsolete. (AP Photo/The Spokesman-Review, Jesse Tinsley) COEUR D'ALENE PRESS
Poking things with a stick is a rite of passage for kids as they learn about Mother Earth. (Photo by Matt Conner)

Refuge Notebook: Poking at Earth Day with a stick

Earth Day is next Wednesday. It reminds me of a program I taught last year to a fourth-grade class in Minnesota before transferring to the… Continue reading

Poking things with a stick is a rite of passage for kids as they learn about Mother Earth. (Photo by Matt Conner)

An Outdoor View: On feeling free

Unless you’re still hibernating, you’ve probably heard the story about the boy, 10, and his sister, 6, who the police picked up in Silver Spring,… Continue reading