Discover the Winter Fun

                                                                                                    

It's been a heck of a winter. Between storms, several household problems and a computer failure, Koyote Hill has been a a tad late in getting published for the last month or so. But things are on the mend.

There's plenty of snow and ice for all winter sports and the ice fishing is said to be good on all the inland lakes. In some cases, the snow has been too deep to enjoy the snowshoes. Those who plow snow are generally pretty happy with the weather.

This weekend, and until mid week, we will have to deal with some of the coldest temps of the season.

There's not much garden news with three feet of snow on the ground and drifts of six feet. However, it is a good time of the year to think and plan about native landscaping and vegetable gardens. Native plants help out the local bee populations which are needed for food production.

Microwave Warning - Consumer Alert

I came across this article on exploding cups of water heated heated in the microwave and it's worth passing it along. While I have one, it is used infrequently during the winter months. Many foods can be warmed on the old reliable standby, the wood stove.

According to the article, a cup of water heated in the microwave can easily explode causing serious burns. The article recommends placing something like a tea bag or a Popsicle stick in the water; or leave the cup of water in the “nuker” for a minute or more before removing.

Here's the major quote from a major appliance manufacturer.

“Thanks for contacting us. The information you received is correct. Microwaved water and other liquids do not always bubble when they reach their boiling point. They can actually become superheated and not bubble at all. The superheated liquid will bubble up out of the cup when it is removed or when something like a spoon or tea bag is placed therein.”

Be careful.

Majestic Eagles - A New Sunrise

For the past several years in northwestern Pennsylvania, eagles have become familiar sights. It is good to see these majestic birds on the comeback. Many others have reported seeing the eagles in New York Stat,e as well as, other nearby states.

Not far from my home, at the Union City Dam, there has been a nesting pair for over a decade now. They attract large numbers of people and the nest is impressive. Pymatuning State Park also has a growing population of the eagles.

In general, the population growth is attributed to cleaner water, meaning more fish for the birds, the ban on DDT, and less general overall use of other harmful pesticides, as well as better protection efforts from wildlife officials.

There are two local eagle watches in northwestern Pennsylvania; Eagle Watch Day at Kinzua on Feb.5 and Pymatuning Eagle Weekend set for March 25th-27^th. Nothing is posted online at the moment but for further information on the Kinzua Watch, call 814-723-2568; for Pymatuning – 814-932-3141.

The PA Game Commission has a new management program and is seeking public input and comments. The deadline for commenting is March 3^rd. The program and comments can accessed at www.pgc.state.us

Here are some fascinating facts about Bald Eagles taken from an article in Penn Live

About Bald Eagles
- There are about 155 pairs of bald eagles in Pennsylvania; the population is tracked by nesting pairs. In 1983, only three pairs existed in the wild.
- Bald eagles nest in every state but Hawaii, which they never inhabited. The lower 48 states have have a nesting population of about 10,000 pais. In 1963, there were about 400 pairs.
- An adult bald eagle is 29 inches to 42 inches long, weighs eight to 15 pounds and has a wingspan of seven feet.
-A bald eagles nest can weigh a ton. It can reach "the size of a Volkswagen bus upside down in the tree" said Douglas Gross, wildlife biologist with the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
-They don't get their namesake white head, and tail, feathers until the age of 5. In their fourth year, bald eagles look a lot like adults, but they have a narrow black line behind the eye and often have a dark band on the tip of their tail. Before that, they are dark brown with varying amounts of white mottling.

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Maple Syrup and Jack Wax

The Northwestern Maple Syrup Association will have it's annual Taste and Tour weekend March 19 – 20. During the weekend , visitors are welcomed at many local sugar shacks for demonstrations on how to make maple syrup and are treated to free maple sugar products. There is no cost involved unless you want to purchase products to take home. For more information, www.pamaple.org

It's a great time and you might even get a chance to eat some “Jack Wax”.

During the weekend, the second annual Maple Festival will be held at the Edinboro Fire Hall. The proceeds help fund the volunteer fire department and the Edinboro Historical Society. There will be music, plenty to eat and dozens of crafters and other entertainment. Tickets are $7 per person and will worth the investment.

Good Blogs to Follow

Corning, NY Step by Step - a blog by Kathleen Richardson

Urban Veggie Garden - a blog by Dan