Rough-skinned Newt – Taricha granulosa The rough-skinned newt, named for its rough granular skin, is a medium to large-sized newt with a rounded snout and bright orange underside. The rough-skinned newt is the most common salamander found in the Pacific Northwest … Continued
Peregrine falcons – Falco peregrinus Peregrine falcons are found all over the world. Adult peregrines are blue-gray above with barred underparts and a dark head with thick dark sideburns resembling a helmet. Juveniles are heavily marked, with vertical streaks … Continued
Little Brown Bat – Myotis lucifugus Although often considered pests, bats are essential species of ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest. The little brown bat Myotis lucifugus is the most commonly observed bat in Washington state. Next time you see … Continued
North American River Otter – Lontra canadensis River otters are semi-aquatic mammals commonly thrive in rivers, lakes, coastal bogs, swamps, wetlands, or estuary ecosystems in the USA and Canada. Aided by their webbed feet, streamlined body, muscular tail, and thick waterproof … Continued
North American Racoon- Procyon lotor Masked and slinking through the night, racoons are often considered a wily bandit of North American mammals. This nocturnal predator is an incredibly adaptable and has found a home in the urban environment. Native to North … Continued
White-tailed deer – Odocoileus virginianus As the weather is heating up you might be seeing extra tracks in your garden. Some of these tracks may belong to this month’s mammal: the white-tailed deer. Here at the Nature Preserve, we are seeing … Continued
SHADOW Lake Nature Preserve currently protects over 100 acres of Puget Lowland Bog, Wetlands, and Upland forests as well as the headwaters of Jenkin’s Creek. As a Land Trust and a Nature Preserve, we are mission-driven to protect biodiversity and … Continued
As part of the SHADOW Lake Nature Preserve community, you get to tell us what makes the Nature Preserve important to you. This brief survey asks you to rank the importance of the various land uses occurring here at the Nature Preserve. … Continued
Did you know that this invasive amphibian was brought to Western Washington to be your dinner?!? That’s right, the American Bullfrog, Lithobates (Rana) Catesbeiana, is native to Eastern North America and was brought west as a cheap food source. The … Continued
Skunk Cabbage, Lysichiton americanus There is a variety of life emerging in the Nature Preserve in spring: oso berry, nettles, bleeding heart, and even some horsetail. There is one plant that is stealing the show this month: Skunk Cabbage. The … Continued