Featuring local Ashland, Oregon deer and turkeys (as well as a few cats)… High Country News essay John YunkerPlaywright, author of the environmental novel The Tourist Trail and co-founder of Ashland Creek Press. www.TheTouristTrail.com
If you’ve read My Last Continent and The Tourist Trail you’ve met the Adélie, gentoo, chinstrap, emperor, and Magellanic penguins. Last year, we delighted to meet a new species: the Tawaki, or Fiordland-crested penguin. (Tawaki is the Māori name, meaning crested; these birds are found only on the South Island of New Zealand.) The amazing Tawaki …
When John and I went to the southern tip of New Zealand hoping to catch a glimpse of the rare, endangered yellow-eyed penguin (the Maori name is hoiho), we would’ve been happy for even a brief glimpse. These penguins are not only among the rarest on earth — there are only an estimated 4,000 left …
An interview with Among Animals contributor Diane Lefer (“Alas, Falada!”) Q: What inspired you to write this story? A: As you know, I’ve been a volunteer at the Los Angeles Zoo for over sixteen years in the research department. I should make it clear there’s no invasive, nasty research. It’s all about behavioral observation and …
Living in Ashland, Oregon, we’re spoiled with nature. We have deer and foxes and the occasional bear all within city limits. And you can escape people in about twenty minutes by simply lacing up a pair of sneakers and walking up into the hills. But occasionally it’s nice to get in a car and really …
Earlier this fall, before the rain and snow arrived, I went to the park to read and looked up to find myself surrounded by wild turkeys. (Click here to see them chowing down not far from my picnic blanket.) I’ve seen them before, usually up on the hiking trails, so it was wonderful to find …
Take 20 minutes. Find 20 minutes this evening or this weekend and visit this website. Bear 71 is web-based interactive documentary about a bear that lived and died in Canada’s Banff National Park. And it’s told from the bear’s point of view. I’ve included a few screen grabs here, but you really need to dive …