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Reflections in Nature: The moon is Earth’s closest heavenly body

On October 6, we had a full moon that was referred to as the Hunter’s Moon or the Blood Moon. The many stages of the moon have always fascinated me. Perhaps this is because I spent many nights sitting in my vehicle, while on night patrol, watching for game violators. The moon is about 2,160 miles in diameter and travels 238,857 miles as it completes one revolution around the Earth. Moonlight is simply sunlight reflected off the moon toward the Earth. The side of the moon toward the sun can become as hot as 250 degrees. The dark side can reach 243 degrees below zero. This must be ...

Outdoor community calendar for week of Oct. 14

AUDUBON EVENT: LIME BLUFF RECREATION AREA BIRDWALK WHERE: 461 Elm Drive, Hughesville WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 18 at 8:30 a.m. NOTES: At Lycoming Audubon’s suggestion, the East Lycoming Recreation Authority decided to leave large areas of Lime Bluff unmowed to provide habitat for birds. In addition to fields that attract raptors like red-tailed hawks and American kestrels, there is plenty of edge habitat favored by a variety of songbirds. This is an easy walk along gravel and mowed paths. Please join us. VOLUNTEER WITH LYCOMING AUDUBON: ROBERT PORTER ALLEN NATURAL ...

Latest Floating Classroom aboard Hiawatha was a success

Nearly 50 people learned valuable wilderness survival skills and Leave No Trace principles during the Sept. 30, 2025, Floating Classroom aboard the Hiawatha Paddleboat near Williamsport. On the upper level, Rose Anna Moore, of This is My Quest, and one of her junior board members, Mia, ...

The public is invited to a meeting of the Trout Unlimited Susquehanna Chapter featuring Brian Cooper, project manager for Trout Unlimited’s PA AMD Program, as well as Tom Clark, project manager for the AMD Program at Kleinfelder Engineering in State College. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m. at the Covenant Central Presbyterian Church at 807 W. Fourth Street in Williamsport. Parking and entrance to the church is at the rear of the building with access off of Campbell Street. AMD is one of the two leading causes of stream impairment in Pennsylvania with more ...

DCNR urges caution to prevent wildfires amid current dry conditions

HARRISBURG — The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is urging Pennsylvanians to exercise caution when burning outdoors to prevent wildfires as dry conditions persist across Pennsylvania. “Wildfires pose a dangerous and growing threat to our state’s forests and the surrounding communities that live and recreate near these woodlands,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “The Commonwealth has experienced increased fall wildfire activity in recent years, leading to strains on the Commonwealth’s resources, volunteer firefighters, and emergency responders. ...

Reflections in Nature: Berries of mountain ash tree add beauty to the forest

On September 28, Mary Alice and I went on the PGC’S tour of SGL 12. While on the tour we noticed several trees that were loaded with red berries. Upon checking we learned that the trees were known as mountain ash. Quite a few years ago the women of the Heritage Garden Club of Troy were selling mountain ash berries at the Heritage Days held at Alparon Park. I asked one of them what the berries would be used for, and her answer was “holiday decorations.” There is some confusion as to the correct name for this tree. In the United Kingdom, this tree is known as a rowan tree; in ...