Northwest Wildlife Online

by John M. Regan

 


Updated Friday, January 08, 2010

 

Devoted to wildlife of the Great Northwest Region of America

(and wildlife the world over)

  

Birds  Mammals  Reptiles  Amphibians  Fish  Invertebrates  Library  NWWOL Online Store

Mission  Editor Bio  Site Map   Contact   Wildlife Park Links  Further Study  Wild Employment  Northwest Trek

 

Saudi Arabian Wildlife  Afghanistan Wildlife

 

 

HAPPY WILDLIFE NEW YEAR!

 

 

Wildlife Photos of the Week:

 

   Bullfrog  Mount Rainier Sunrise  Unk Mold

 

On New Year's Day my wife and I went for a stroll in forest surrounding Fort Lewis and came upon this early emerging Bullfrog.  Hard to tell from the dark muddy covering, but I believe this one is probably a female.  Nice way to start the new wildlife decade.  In the middle is a nice shot of a Mount Rainier sunrise taken from my backyard.  Bit cloudy, but it made for a nice splash of color.  And can anyone out there help me identify the type of growth attached to the tree branch on the right?  It is not frost.  It appears to be some kind of feathery mold.  Bright white color and seems to burst from inside the tree branch.

 

Wildlife in the News:

 

Poisonous Dinosaurs?

 

Python Ban?

 

Top Dinosaur and Fossil Finds of 2009

 

Odd Sea Life from British Antarctic Survey

 

Oldest Captive Gorilla Turns 53

 

 

 

   

Welcome to Northwest Wildlife Online, the only online website dedicated to all the spectacular wildlife of the great Northwest United States.  A wildlife enthusiast's paradise, the Northwest is home to thousands of animal species.  Ocean depths, fourteen thousand foot mountain peaks, rain forests, deserts, lush landscapes, treeless barrens, ponds, lakes, salt marshes - the geography of this region is one of the most biologically diverse in the world.  From the tiny shrew-mole to the giant blue whale, the Northwest is a naturalist's dream. Sea life species alone are amazing: 30 marine mammals, 200 marine birds, 400 varieties of fish, and an estimated 8,000 species of invertebrates including one of the most dense concentrations of starfish in the world.  The Giant Pacific Octopus, largest cephalopod in the world, resides here as does the Plumose Anemone, the largest anemone in the world.   Bald Eagles and Golden Eagles soar the skies.  With some of the only wild places left in the lower 48, the land gives home to 62 species of reptiles and amphibians, 158 species of mammals, and hundreds of different types of birds.  The great Grizzly (Brown) Bear and the smaller Black Bear, American Bison, moose, and wolves share the fields and forests with three varieties of shrew.  And as if that were not enough we are the slug capital of the world!   So come on in and explore this inspiring world of wildlife.

But there's no reason to stop with the wildlife of the Northwest.  Still bitten by the travel and adventure bug I've spent the past couple of years tooling around the Middle East and Central Asia.  Click on over to the wildlife of Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan.

 

From time to time I get pictures from readers of the site.  The fine photograph of a Western Toad comes from Nancy of Sultan, WA.  She found the big fellow, almost five inches long, in her front yard.  Click on the picture to learn more.  Thanks, Nancy! 

 

 

 

 

                     See what's new at Northwest! Trek ! »»

 

«««Fun With Fungi  Mushrooms are fascinating and since they are a such a noticeable part of the Northwest landscape I went ahead and added a page on shrooms.  Enjoy.

 

 

 

 

How did the Goeduck get its name?

More Tube Feet!  More Claws!

The wildlife of Afghanistan is a delight.  Click the pictures below to get a view of wildlife in this tragically beautiful country.  

Explore the Wildlife of Saudi Arabia!  I spent a year there and learned to love the desert.  The photos on the Saudi Wildlife page reveal the natural history secrets of The Kingdom.

       

 

 

 

 

 

HELP!

Somebody please tell me what these odd little guys are.  Roughly the the size of a large spitball, I found about ten of them in the Afghan desert inhabiting a small hole that you'd expect a tiny mouse to live in.  They only appeared in the evening, after the intense daytime heat dissipated.  Obviously insect like - note the legs grasping the side of their home - but beyond that I have no idea what to call them.  The legs are covered with sand particles but the rest of the body is heavily decorated with insect body parts, mainly ants from what I can see.  This leads me to believe they are some kind of ant predator, but I have never seen anything like them before.  Their habitat was unfortunately destroyed by a construction project over here shortly after I took these photos.  Despite an extensive search I've not been able to find any more examples.  If anyone knows what these fascinating creatures are please contact me. 

     

HOOAH

Jack

 

Take a moment and thank their courage:  www.TroopCarePackage.com *Send Home To Them*

 

Visit TroopCarePackage.com and help some deployed troops!Recent Articles by John M. Regan:

 

Understanding the Animal Mind

Harbor Seal Observations

Wildlife Photography – Ten Tips for the Beginner

 

 

      

Szigg.net - Web Directory - Try it, you'll like it!

Drs. Foster and Smith Inc.

 

Did you know that you can train a rhinoceros?

 

 

 NWWOL Online Store - The complete photography, observation, and knowledge source for wildlife and pet supplies consolidated in one convenient location

 

Wildlife Shopping Mall    Library/Bookstore

She may be fat, but I'll bet she can outrun you!  Click on the photo and learn more about this fascinating lizard.

 

 

 


Drs. Foster and Smith Inc.

 

Did you know that you can train a rhinoceros?

 

 

 

 NWWOL Online Store - The complete photography, observation, and knowledge source for wildlife and pet supplies consolidated in one convenient location

 

Wildlife Shopping Mall    Library/Bookstore


  

   Northwest Wildlife Online shares the fascination that you have for all things wild.  I am dedicated to sharing that wonder by opening the door to the miraculous natural history in our own backyard.  There's a simple driving purpose behind this website.  Every creature on earth is a unique, wonderfully complex, and beautiful example of the driving force of life.  When that wonder is appreciated; when the deep magic of nature overwhelms - it is then we are truly alive.  And truly alive people are dedicated to preserving life.

 

Birds  Mammals  Reptiles  Amphibians  Fish  Invertebrates  Library  NWWOL Online Store

Mission  Editor Bio  Site Map   Contact   Wildlife Park Links  Further Study  Wild Employment  Northwest Trek

 

Saudi Arabian Wildlife  Afghanistan Wildlife

 

NWWOL Online Store  Wildlife Shopping Mall    Library/Bookstore

Standard administrative note:  All of the photos on this site, unless otherwise noted, were taken by the site editor.  All photos are for use only with permission from the editor.  Since the editor is a martial artist and former Army unarmed combat instructor you may have problems beyond the legal difficulties normally encountered for theft of intellectual property.  HOOAH!