A belted kingfisher darts across Sligo Creek, his wings spread wide.

Belted Kingfisher Goes Hungry on Christmas Day

Four belted kingfisher poems about a bird who could not eat because Sligo Creek was filled with pollution from a water main break.
Orange water from a potential pollution emergency flows into Sligo Creek and the retention ponds behind Kemp Mill shopping center.

Christmas Brings Beauty, Fright: Metal-Laden Torrent Pouring Into Sligo Creek

Christmas brings joy on Sligo Creek but then a pollution emergency when a torrent of chlorinated, metal-laden water rushes into the creek.

Happy New Year? No. Happy Heron Year!

Incredible luck greeted us for a second consecutive New Year's Day. Forget Happy New Year. Let's make it Happy Heron Year!

Santa Drops Christmas Gifts On The Northwest Branch Trail

Santa was overly generous on the Northwest Branch today when he gave us a bottomless bag of our favorite kind of Christmas gifts -- nature!

Hectic Holiday Timeout Offers Chance To Hang Out With A Hawk

I forced myself to slow down this morning, a deep sense pouring over me that I had fallen into the habit of...

Cooper’s Hawk

It’s always a thrill to catch a glimpse of these avian hunters – Cooper’s hawks. We spotted this one by accident in the Sligo Creek woods.

A Little Laziness in the Animal Kingdom?

Some animals may just be lazy. Take the case of the black vultures, which lack a sense of smell. They find food by waiting for turkey vultures to locate it.

Weed Warriors Young and Old Repel Invasive Species on Sligo Creek

I spent a recent Saturday morning volunteering with the Montgomery Parks Weed Warrior Program to combat invasive species along Sligo Creek. I loved it!

Stacy Menendez:

For Stacy Menendez, experiencing "things bigger than me" is part of the allure of Sligo Creek. Many people find a certain spirituality among the trees.
Okeeffe Working Hand

Relief for Dry, Cracked Winter Skin

O'Keeffe's Working Hands skin cream really does provide relief for dry, cracked hands. My fingers used to split open and bleed every winter. Not now!