'Neotropical Migrant'

Animals have a variety of ways to cope with winter's cold weather and lack of food. Squirrels can now be seen gathering nuts to store away for harder times. Deer are packing on a few extra pounds. Bears are starting to gorge themselves. Some have been preparing

since mid-summer, putting away stored energy in the form of fat. With fall's heavy mast crops, animals will increase their intake of calories as the matter takes on a sense of urgency.

Some avoid winter's famines through hibernating or some other form of dormancy. However, probably nature's most amazing feat is by those that flee.

Several bird species live and breed in North America, only to retreat south before the arrival of inclement weather. How these "neotropical migrants" navigate incredible distances to South America or Central America is somewhat unknown. Many believe they use the earth's magnetic fields, stars, or large watercourses to chart their trips.

I have become a neotropical migrant, too. By the time you read this, I'll be in Bluefields, Nicaragua, where I'm volunteering for six months at Bethel Baptist Church.

I'm not the only forest dweller from Penn's Woods to be wintering over in Nicaragua. Red-winged blackbirds, warblers, ruby throated hummingbirds, and many other birds will be there with me.

And, just like these migrants, in March I will be heading north to Pennsylvania.

The first September elk hunt was held by the Game Commission last week near St. Marys. Ten tags were issued for the hunt, held specifically to help alleviate crop damage. However, only two elk were taken, a cow and her calf.

There are reports that local farmers took some elk for crop damage in the weeks leading up to the hunt.

Until next time, adios!