By Alisha Brewer Fall is in the air and Halloween is right around the corner, which means that it is time for spooky movies! I know this time of year so many of us like to indulge in watching bathroom doors being chopped down with axes, bloody prom queens, terrifying hockey masks, creepy kids crawling out of wells, and of course, disturbing clowns...
By Alisha Brewer Get your protein shakes ready! This month we’re talking all about those robust lizards (with the BIG personalities) that you see in your front yard, on your rocks and around your walkway doing push up after push up at record pace. (Why in the world do they do that?) Desert spiny lizards are stocky lizards. The males have a...
By Alisha Brewer If you are one of the few people to have spotted a mountain lion, consider yourself lucky! I know some people may laugh at that statement. What is so lucky about coming face to face with North America’s second largest wild cat? To start, mountain lions, also known as cougars and pumas, are extremely elusive. These shy guys much...
By Alisha Brewer I remember when I was young digging in my mom’s flower bed one summer night. I had a pile of soil next to me that contained all of the worms that I found. As I continued my hunt for pill bugs and worms I made a miraculous discovery. I found a toad! I was completely elated! I ran over to show my mom my treasure. I’m sure she was...
By Alisha Brewer We’ve all been told not to feed the wildlife. It’s good advice. Feeding wildlife increases their dependency on human handouts. It causes animals to lose their innate fear of humans resulting in wild critters approaching us at our homes or in the street hoping to be offered food. While we are backing away thinking, “Too close! Too...
By Alisha Brewer THUD! Ugh, that sound. That terrible sound whenever a bird slams into our window. Followed by my husband saying, “Bet it doesn’t have the guts to do that again.” (Insert my unamused face.) I’ve noticed that come springtime we see an uptick in the number of birds that collide with our windows. Perhaps...
By Alisha Brewer Spring has sprung! As so many of us are out enjoying the sunshine and beautiful weather we become more likely to cross paths with some of the critters that we share our home with-particularly snakes. I know so many Vail residents want to be respectful and conscious of these neighbors. After all, snakes play a vital part in keeping...
By Alisha Brewer Jace hopped out of the car and started up the walkway to Acacia elementary school. He said hi to some friends that he passed and waved good morning to the principal who was greeting students as they walked through the gates. Yep, this was going to be a normal Friday, or so he thought. “As soon as I turned the corner, I saw...
By Alisha Brewer Valentine’s Day has always been my favorite holiday. When I tell someone this, it is sometimes followed by a snub nose, eye roll or little ‘pfff’ sound. That person will likely begin a rant of how much they dislike Valentine’s Day, that it is a ridiculous holiday created for couples who really should show...
By Alisha Brewer Welcome 2021! Step outside and breathe it in. The air is crisp, cool and feels almost new doesn’t it? But, as I enjoy our winter air my nose starts to get that crinkling feeling when I wiggle it; the wind blows sending a shiver down my spine and the fog from my breath shows that there is no doubt that it’s cold outside...
