nature Archives - Page 2 of 3 - DeckTec Outdoor Designs

Fall is Time to Play in the Dirt

September 20th, 2014|Garden & Lawn Care, Gardening|

The first cold of the autumn hit recently, and with it comes the desire to pack everything into the garage and snuggle up under your nearest blanket. But for gardeners everywhere, this change in weather is all part of the rhythm of life. There is still plenty of work to do at this time, and plenty to enjoy about being outside. Right now is a great time to be thinking about next spring. We gardeners can run to our garden shops and catalogs and picture great color for when the last of the snows melt away, even if we haven't experienced the first touch of winter yet. Now is a great time to amend the soil for next year's gardens. Betsy Kelson, staff horticulturalist with Jared's Nursery spent a little time with us to review this past summer's challenges and getting the ground ready for next spring. "The problem this [...]

A Snake In The Grass May Not Be A Bad Thing

July 26th, 2014|Animals Out the Back Door, Blog, Garden & Lawn Care|

Even the words we use to describe one of nature's most misunderstood animals are enough to give you the creeps—slithery, slimy, sneaky, and poisonous—snakes! And summertime in Colorado is when you're likely to have a snake encounter. Eew! But wait a minute. Are snakes truly as bad as their reputation would have you believe? Recently, we talked with Victoria Sutton, Park Interpreter at the South Platte Park Carson Nature Center in Littleton, and learned more about the nature of snakes in our area. "I love snakes," said Victoria. Originally from Arizona, a state that boasts 14 species of these reptiles, Victoria learned early on that snakes are an important part of our ecosystem. "They're critical in the environment when it comes to things like population control for rodents and other small vermin. They not only hunt them, but they use their rattles to scare away rodents too." In Colorado we [...]

It’s Baby Time—Let’s Keep Our Hands Off

March 22nd, 2014|Animals Out the Back Door, Blog|

Shh! Someone may be sleeping nearby. It's baby time in Colorado and our state is enjoying a burst of new births. But just as with humans, wild baby animals need to be treated with care. Jennifer Churchill, public information officer for Colorado's Parks and Wildlife, spent some time with your friends at DeckTec to update us on best nursery practices in the wild. "This time of year, the end of March through April, is baby season," said Jenn. "We can see all sorts of wonderful wildlife right now, especially baby birds and small mammals, out and about. The best thing to do when you see a baby critter is to let it be." Jenn said she realized this is difficult, because, as humans we want to nurture and care for babies, but Mother Nature looks after them pretty well. Jenn broke the animals you may see into these categories and [...]

Colorado, Coyotes, & You

January 18th, 2014|Animals Out the Back Door, Blog|

Just about every science and science fiction magazine has a list of "species most likely to survive the Apocalypse." If you want to expand your list of cockroaches and crows, you may want to think about the coyote. This venerable member of the canine family is smart, adaptable, curious, and much more, according to Jennifer Churchill, Public Information Officer of the Colorado Parks and Wildlife department. Far from being on anyone's endangered species list, Jenn says you can find coyotes just about anywhere. "These animals have recorded populations in every state, except Hawaii," said Jenn. "And with Hawaii, there very well could be one stowed away on a ship headed that way." She explained that coyotes, while once a native of the plains areas, are highly adaptable and have become prolific around human populations. Here in Colorado the coyote population is such that it would be as easy to estimate [...]

Shooting Photos this Holiday Season

December 21st, 2013|Blog, Life On Deck|

As the holidays approach, everyone likes to run for their cameras. Grandma's hugs need to be captured along with the little ones' joy over gifts and holiday lights. The outdoor sights glisten with snow, and promises of winter adventure. Why not make this year's photos, both indoor and out, look better than ever before? We recently spoke with Lakewood photographer Ben D'Andrea to see how he comes up with his best shots. "Good photography always boils down to composition and light," said Ben. "This lesson is easy to understand, but is an ongoing process of learning the entire time you take photos." After thirty years as a professional photographer, Ben knows a lot about both elements. We asked what to focus on first, and Ben recommended learning about the rule of thirds or the golden mean. "The rule of thirds is a great skill to master because it doesn't matter [...]