It happens every year at this time, right aound the beginning of August. That’s when the first monarch butterflies show up at camp. They float along on the warm afternoon breeze, looking for a last bloom with a bit of nectar, in order to refuel before they undertake the long journey that will eventually lead to Mexico. At least it will for those that survive that arduous and difficult trip. more

he Commonwealth Drought Task Force declared a drought watch on August 31 for 36 Pennsylvania counties and asked for voluntary water conservation in those counties. more

I had the opportunity to sit by the sea recently, something I haven’t done for several years. And although my memories of previous trips to the ocean are filled with satisfying and soothing … more

The sun rises over a misty valley setting, bugs flitting around. A hazy dew dampens the already warm pastures and the fields of vegetables adorned in unhindered weeds. The rooster is crowing from the … more

During the second week of August, the Ten Mile River Scout Camps Alumni Association held a reunion for past campers, leaders and other people involved with the camp. This year’s get-together was named “TMR95,” as it has been 95 years since Franklin D. Roosevelt, chairman of the Greater New York Councils—Boy Scouts of America (GNYCBSA), first took the initial steps in founding the camp in 1927. more

I don’t know exactly when I met Bert Darrow, other than to say it had to be sometime in the very late 1960s or very early ‘70s. more

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA — A ground-nesting bee family—commonly known as miner bees—could play a heightened role in rebuilding black cherry populations in Pennsylvania and beyond, according to Penn State entomologists who investigated the problems with the trees. more

My sons enjoy a book that I read at least once a week to them. It’s titled “The Beeman,” and it’s by Laurie Krebs. My favorite part is the opening page, which quotes a poem written by Aileen Fisher. more

A slug is not a bee. But you knew that. In fact, most of us know a lot more about bees these days than we ever did, before their well-beeing became threatened by a host of things, ranging from insecticides to disease. Now that we have a better understanding of the important roles that bees play in our own lives, our concern for their welfare has increased. more

The plight of the monarch butterfly has been well known for many years. The butterflies have lost their wintering forested habitat due to timber harvesting in Mexico, and lost their milkweed habitat … more

One does not hear a lot of talk about the midsummer emergence of our tiniest of mayflies, the diminutive species we commonly call tricos. At least I don’t. Is that because I’m just so far … more

Another anniversary of the legendary Woodstock Music and Art Fair is on the horizon. more

Gas prices being what they are, I’m not one to exacerbate the touchy subject of my weekly fuel budget by making unnecessary trips. If you are one of the few who didn’t waste money on the Mega Millions lottery recently, you may share this practical concern. Quite simply, it is to save gas and attempt to be efficient. more

We met at the camp the other day; it was mid-July. There was ample sunshine and a cooling breeze. Not too warm for this time of year. We were four, the last of seven; the other four were gone. We sat round the picnic table, visiting about our old friends, the river, fishing and the lack of fly hatches. more

With the arrival of summer comes the opportunity to see snakes, as well as other reptiles and amphibians.  more

Some stories live in a bittersweet memory, containing both fondness and infamy alike.  more

REGION — It’s summer, and the snakes are out.  more

LORDS VALLEY, PA ― The Tick Borne Diseases task force will hold a Pike County Lyme and tick-borne diseases (TBD) health symposium on Saturday, July 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Pike County Training Center, 135 Pike County Blvd. The doors open at 9:45 a.m.  more

If you have spent time outdoors in the Upper Delaware River region, it’s very likely that you have seen many gray squirrels, as well as some red, black and fox squirrels. It is less likely that you have encountered flying squirrels, due to the fact that they are nocturnal and primarily arboreal, living most of their lives unobserved in the forest canopy. more

Spring and summer is the time of year that young animals make their debut in the world. Fawns, bear cubs and lots of nestling birds can be spotted now in the area. Right now, fledgling eagles can be found along the river and other areas, as well as other raptors. more