Category Weekly Columns

macro photo of a small winter stonefly under the edge of a fall-colored ash leaf on a white porch railing. The stonefly is horizontal facing right.

Crawlies with Cri – Small Winter Stonefly

If early blooming flowers are any indication, spring truly is right around the corner, but before we leave winter behind altogether, let’s look at some sturdy stoneflies who are out and about even on our coldest, darkest days.

photo of an "I survived Half Dome" tee shirt. the shirt is white the graphic and lettering are shades of blue.

Cri Goes Rogue

By far the most memorable – and BY FAR the hardest (that deserves all caps) – was the Half Dome hike in Yosemite.

Photo of Wayne Lee

Wayne’s World – Feb. 25, 2026

Some days you’re the fire hydrant and some days you’re the dog. Lately I’ve been the hydrant, and it hasn’t been any fun. At least the dog has the ability to move on to the next hydrant, and I have recently experienced my share of canine-like encounters.  

photo of a death camas plant with several open blooms. the plant is surrounded by spring grasses.

A Botanist’s View of Local Flora – Death Camas

Death Camas – Toxicoscordion venenosum, Meadow Death Camas; Anticlea elegans, Alpine or Mountain Death Camas

In my article last week I wrote about the Common Camas and the Great Camas, then at the end of the article I mentioned that these plants should not be confused with the Death Camas that is extremely poisonous! As promised here is the article on the Death Camas.

black and white photo of a raccoon standing up with their front paws on a porch railing. Title reads "Winding Trails by Al Hobart"

Winding Trails by Al Hobart – Big Snowstorm

And then it happened.  My typewriter had scarcely regained its normal , temperature after clacking out a bevy of cutting remarks about how old man winter was playing dirty tricks on skiers in general and the poor resort owners in particular when the furious old frost-whiskered demon came snorting in on us, revenge bent.

photo of two hooded merganser couples swimming in a clear river.

Crawlies with Cri – Hooded Merganser

This week’s crawly is a swimmy, divy, flappy. Meet the hooded merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus). We’ll call them “hoodies” for short.

There are so many cool things to learn about hooded mergansers, it’s hard to know where to start.

macro photo of a vibrant coral colored rose.

Cri Goes Rogue – Feb. 18, 2026

While writing last week’s All Things Oregon I was reminded that I had a very rosy childhood.

In the literal sense, that is – not necessarily in the metaphorical sense.

This is because my parents really loved roses. Like really. Like a lot.

macro photo looking directly down on a single clover flower.

All Things Oregon – Clover

Red clover, red clover, Oregon will send some right over!

For this week’s All Things we’re getting a big jump on St. Patrick’s Day as we explore Oregon’s clover industry.