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Joan Morris on Muck Rack

Joan Morris

Verified
Walnut Creek
As seen in: Bay Area News Group, New York Daily News, Chicago Tribune, Biomed Central (BMC), Flipboard, Phys.org, The Mercury News, The Seattle Times, The Sunday Age, Baltimore Sun, Miami Herald and
Pets & Wildlife columnist (Animal Life) and garden writer for the Bay Area News Group (Contra Costa Times, Oakland Tribune, San Jose Mercury News).

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Joan Morris’s Biography

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Longtime reporter and features writer; pets & wildlife columnist; founder of Our Garden, a demonstration garden operated in conjunction with the Contra Costa Master Gardeners that donates thousands of fresh produce to help feed the hungry; garden page editor and writer; editor of the monthly special sections, The Good Life, directed at those 50 and older.

Joan Morris’s Journalist Portfolio

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Did praying mantis attack hummingbird?

Did praying mantis attack hummingbird?

DEAR JOAN: A few years ago, I was a little surprised to find a happy, healthy praying mantis in my fuchsia bu…

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Owl gets fitting send-off

Owl gets fitting send-off

DEAR JOAN: Yesterday we buried a beautiful mature owl that died in our backyard. Why or how remains a questio…

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Bee not afraid

Bee not afraid

DEAR JOAN: I recently had the privilege of working alongside of a beekeeper that I had called to come and re…

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Opossum presents little threat

Opossum presents little threat

DEAR JOAN: We live in an area where the houses are close together, and we are not near open space. We left w…

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Squirrels: Furry bundles of annoyance or tireless entertainers?

Squirrels: Furry bundles of annoyance or tireless entertainers?

DEAR JOAN: Lately your column has been loaded with tirades against squirrels and ideas for eradicating them. …

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'Survivor Cambodia' recap: So much for loyalty

'Survivor Cambodia' recap: So much for loyalty

Here we are again, back at Angkor camp where the tribe returns from having voted Jeff off. Woo thanks Abi fo…

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Articles

Did great blue heron in El Cerrito park mistake a gopher for a fish?

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By Joan Morris Verified
| The Mercury News Verified
DEAR JOAN: My wife and I have been intrigued by a great blue heron across the street from us in Castro Park for the past couple weeks. Herons in the park? Aren’t they wading birds? What gives? She looked at times like she was stalking prey, as they do in the shallows. But this was on grass. At other times she just walked around, idly looking at the foot traffic, keeping a safe distance but letting passersby take her picture or just watch.
Open in Who Shared View Duplicates (4) Issue with article?

Can an Oakland raccoon family be discouraged from eating food meant for cats?

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By Joan Morris Verified
| The Mercury News Verified
DEAR JOAN: Any non-lethal suggestions for dealing with raccoons that poach food placed on an outside deck for outdoor-only cats? The racoons (mother and cubs) take the food and are not deterred by spraying water or loud noises, and the cats are intimidated. DEAR R.: The easiest solution is to not leave the cat food out after dusk. Any “smart” devices that would keep out the raccoons would also keep out the cats.
Open in Who Shared View Duplicates (5) Issue with article?

Did Cupertino squirrel suddenly grow a conscience?

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By Joan Morris Verified
| The Mercury News Verified
DEAR JOAN: About two weeks ago I found the squirrel baffle that I hang my bird feeder from on the ground and the lower hook assembly was missing. I looked for days and never found it. I called my local bird store and they said the squirrel probably ran off with it. Now this particular squirrel is a regular visitor and is very smart. He has been trying to get at the bird feeder for 3 months and can’t figure out how to get around the 2½-foot metal “umbrella” that I hook my bird feeder to.
Open in Who Shared View Duplicates (8) Issue with article?
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Interview

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What was your first job as a journalist?

Reporter, Artesia Daily Press in New Mexico.

What does it mean to be a journalist?

Everything.

What's your favorite social network?

Facebook