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Outdoors

Fish and Wildlife Services seeks public comment on hellbender

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a proposal to list the eastern hellbender as an endangered species throughout its range under the Endangered Species Act. Eastern hellbenders are found in Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. “The eastern hellbender is a unique salamander that plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy freshwater ecosystems,” said Service Midwest regional director Will Meeks in a statement. “As key indicators of stream and ...

Reflections in Nature: Rhododendron bushes have two types of buds

The leaves and buds on our rhododendron bushes froze during the last cold blast. This caused the leaves to curl and appear as if frosted. When the temperature drops the leaves of the rhododendron bush will curl inward to prevent water from evaporating, and as the temperature warms the leaves ...

Interactive map plots 22,000 bird detections, 170 species along West Branch

Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association board president Michael Kinney and his girlfriend, Missy Gray, paddled the West Branch of the Susquehanna River the first 24 days of May. Along the way, they took a Birdnet PUC with mobile hotspot and Jackery battery with solar panels, a unit ...

A look at how Fisherman’s Paradise became well known

If you are a fly angler there is little doubt you have heard of Fisherman’s Paradise of Spring Creek, located between Bellefonte and State College. Anglers from all around are familiar with what consider a primer fly fishing area. But why is this section of stream so popular? How did it rise from an isolated area accessible only by trail become somewhere anglers and nature lovers travel from across the map to visit. It’s all by design. Sure, Spring Creek is spring fed making it perfect for trout. It is also located in a relatively remote canyon but within easy reach of those ...

Reflections in nature: Coal oil and kerosene

Recently, when I went inside our home, I immediately noticed that all of our kerosene lamps were gathered on the kitchen table, and there were many. I asked Mary Alice what was going on. She answered that the chimneys and bases needed to be washed. Now, they already looked clean to me. Mary Alice went on to say that her mother would not approve of the dusty chimneys. I looked at her and seriously said, “You do remember that your mother died.” “Bill, of course I do; however, I can still hear her commenting on dusty chimneys.” Later in the day, the chimneys sparkled in the ...

Wellsboro’s Stiner named an all-star in bassmaster fishing

Forty-five of the best high school anglers from across the country have been named to the Bassmaster High School All-State fishing team. Chosen to represent Pennsylvania in the top 45 was Wellsboro’s Colegan Stiner while Mechanicsburg’s Nolan Fernandez and Breezewood’s Andrew Cowan ...