Learn about wolverines, orcas and more at wildlife series
Published 6:36 pm Friday, February 5, 2010
Bears, bobcats and wolves are among the carnivores featured in a series of talks and demonstrations at the Northwest Stream Center in Everett.
The center has a track record of offering interesting talks and hands-on activities, and this series should add to the record.
The bear topic at 1 p.m. Feb. 27 features bear dogs brought by two Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists. Expect a simulated bear capture.
Other topics include:
Bobcats, 1 p.m. March 6, features Baxter the bobcat from Sarvey Wildlife Center. A cool cat but definitely not a house pet.
On the Track of the Elusive Wolverine, 7 p.m. March 11, is led by U.S. Forest Service researcher Keith Aubrey. He will show locations of wolverines in Washington.
Fish and Wildlife’s Jeff Lewis, 7 p.m. March 24, is involved in reintroducing wolverines to the Olympic Peninsula. He will discuss the success of the project.
Killer Whale Tales, 10:30 a.m. April 3, includes amazing underwater video and the entertaining whale guy Jeff Hogan. Thanks to a video camera attached to an orca, you will literally get a whale’s-eye view of the San Juan pod.
Raptors, 11 a.m. April 10, features hawks and owls with Barbara Ogaard from Sarvey Wildlife Center. One of the raptors is a screech owl (earplugs, anyone?).
The center is at 600 128th St. SE, Everett. For more information, call 425-316-8592.
New bikes, new Expo site: The Seattle International Bike Expo will be held March 13 and 14 in a new location. The Expo will set up shop at Smith Cove Cruise Terminal 91 at the base of the Magnolia Bridge in Seattle.
The waterfront location is accessible by bike on the Elliott Bay Trail. For more information, go to the Cascade Bicycle Club’s Web site, www.cascade.org.
Bats and wind turbines: If you’re searching for the silver lining to bat fatalities associated with wind turbines, it might be this: The fatalities have given rise to the suggestion that bats, like birds, follow specific routes rather than generally dispersing.
The December issue of The Journal of Mammalogy included an article on a seven-year study using carcasses and acoustic monitoring at nine facilities in Alberta, Canada. The majority of deaths were during fall migration.
RAPSody: Although the challenging 170-mile Ride Around Puget Sound (RAPSody) isn’t until Aug. 28 and 29, it’s not too early to think about training rides.
The well-supported fundraiser for the Bicycle Alliance of Washington, a statewide advocacy organization, has attracted riders from all over the country and world, according to Kristin Kinnamon, a member of the organizing team.
Nearly 500 riders are likely to participate for a good cause. More than $20,000 will be raised for the Bicycle Alliance.
Training rides start with Snohomish County’s McClinchy Mile, considerably more than a mile. For information, go to www.bikesclub.org.
There will be other training rides during established events in Western Washington on April 18, May 2, June 6, June 27, July 25 and Aug. 14.
The cost is $80 through July 27; registration closes on Aug. 20. For more information, visit www.rapsodybikeride.com. Register online at www.active.com.
On the bookshelf: Sculptor, naturalist and author Tony Angell writes in “Puget Sound Through an Artist’s Eye” ($35) that without passion motivating him to take chances, his work would neither satisfy nor enjoy distinction.
His passion for both his art and wildlife has been at work for decades and we’re the beneficiaries, whether by owning a sculpture, reading this excellent book, or having a memory of seeing his work.
Outdoors columnist Sharon Wootton can be reached at 360-468-3964 or www.songandword.com.
