The rivers, wetlands, and shores of the Pacific Northwest are home to many fascinating creatures. Here, we’ve compiled spotlights on some of our favorite local water-dwellers.
The North American Beaver
Who’s our long-in-the-tooth friend who lives down by the river? Of course, it’s Oregon’s state…
Importance of Clean Water for Amphibians
Photo credits: File:Wasserfrosch.jpg. (2024, December 13). Wikimedia Commons, August 27, 2024 from https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Wasserfrosch.jpg&oldid=969922685. This post is part…
American Coot
Is that a duck or a chicken? Actually, it’s an American Coot! The most aquatic…
Water Striders
Water striders are thin, long-legged insects that use surface tension to walk on the water’s…
Pigeon Guillemots
Pigeon Guillemots, known as PIGU, are charismatic seabirds that are true gems of the marine…
South Resident Orcas
In the eastern North Pacific, there are three populations of resident killer whales: Alaska residents,…
The Difference Between Rainbow Trout and Steelhead Trout
Rainbow trout and steelhead trout are actually the same species. They have the exact same…
Gooseneck barnacle
What barnacle resembles a goose? The gooseneck barnacle! Common around tidepools, they are often found…
The Humble Caddisfly Helps Clean Our Rivers
Have you ever noticed small tubes of pebbles in the river? Those are the cocoons…
Beavers Help Slow Wildfires
You may already know that beavers have many positive impacts on their local river, but…