With all the protective advantages of thick bark, why does the bark of some trees remain thin? Smooth bark is easier for the tree to grow but a major advantage of thin bark is its increased ability to photosynthesize. Scraping away the outer bark on a twig or young branch reveals the thin skin that […]

Last winter, the Mahoosuc Land Trust offered an “Owl Prowl”. The idea was to invite people to come to Valentine Farm, a place where we know owls live, on the chance we would hear them hooting and calling. We did it in February because winter is when owls mate. During this time, owls can be […]

Wandering among the trees and bushes in the Bosque each day has peeked my curiosity about bark and it’s less obvious functions. Some trees like aspen and birch have smooth skin all their lives, others like the Cottonwoods end up with heavily wrinkled bark that sometimes turns reddish with age in the Southwestern sun. The […]

Prime Time Ski Club members and other “seniors” will have an opportunity to test their racing skills at the Legends of Maine Giant Slalom Ski Race on Thursday, March 12, at 1 p.m. at Mt. Abram. The race benefits the Ski Museum of Maine, headquartered in Kingfield, which currently has a satellite exhibit about skiing […]

Have you noticed small gray and white birds in your driveway after the snow plow comes through? I have. The birds I’m referring to are Dark-eyed Juncos (photo by Ryan Hodnett). Although we are within their year-round range, I think I’m seeing them more this winter. Is that my imagination? I don’t remember seeing this […]

There are so many interesting things to do in our community! Be sure to check Linda Howe’s column in this paper, the Chamber of Commerce website list of events (bethelmaine.com), the Senior College (http://wmscollege.blogspot.com/), and the Gem Theater (thegemtheater.com). AFCI is responding to requests from community members to add some additional opportunities. One program will […]

Ducks are common visitors to Valentine Farm. With the Androscoggin at its southern border and a tributary flowing through, it is common to see different types of ducks during warmer months. Although some of those ducks stay in our area year-round, most move south during our harsh winters. Wood Ducks (photo by Rhododendrites) are among […]

I began to get very interested in the possibility of the bark of some trees photosynthesizing in winter as a result of my predawn meanderings in the Bosque. I noticed, for example, the pale skin of Mexican Privet and the young branches of Cottonwood trees. Both had a pale greenish tinge. I also recalled the […]

With nearly two feet of snow in the past few weeks and 100% open terrain, Bethel is living up to its title as “Best Ski Town in North America” which it received this past December from a USA Today online poll, beating out other popular New England ski resorts and big winter destinations out West. […]

Several people have told me they’ve seen Bald Eagles at Songo Pond recently. Mac Davis says that’s not unusual, especially when ice fishermen are around. This majestic bird prefers fish and, in fact, is better at scavenging rather than catching live prey. This is especially true in winter. Any dead fish left by ice fishermen […]