Susquehanna times & the Mount Joy bulletin. (Marietta, Pa.) 1975-1975, October 08, 1975, Image 17
October 8, 1975 How we know autumn is here by Ralph Miller The past five weeks or so has been a season of great change, variety and inter- est. When does the thought of autumn first intrude upon one’s consciousness? Some might say - “When football season begins’’ - others - “When the stores display the Fall clothes’ - but I suggest for most of us it is subconciously when those first cool everiing come upon us, when the first leaves ahead of their time take on autumn hues, and a dozen similar signs. For myself, 1 can not be sure of what it was. Warm days, cool nights. A few stray red leaves on the dogwood. Then a hot lazy afternoon with just a few bees buzzing about and some assorted insects flying over the flower borders, with idle thoughts rambling about one’s head interrup- ted suddenly by the sight of the erratic flight of a pale tattered butterfly, a Tiger swallowtail;to be sure. They have been abundant all summer in their bright black and yellow colors. But this one is different. It is only a pale ghost of itself now. Its wings are ragged and tattered, both tails are gone, and its colors are pale and faded, as if signalling the end of the season for itself. However three or four Monarch butterflies, richly garbed in black and deep orange-red and with a few white spots at the tops of their wings, soar and flap strongly about. So why the great contrast? Then we are reminded that this Mon- arch, which ‘has extraordi- nary powers of flight, in summer broods over most of the continent well into Canada, but with the com- ing of autumn begins a great migration southward in streams much like our migrating birds. Monarch butterflies have been sighted hundreds of miles out at sea. And around the same time,but on another day, the blue jays, cardinals, and mocking birds seem to very conspicuous and noisy all of a sudden. As we listen we become aware of the ab- sence of familiar voices, those of catbirds and robins. A search the next day or two reveals they have left on their southward migration few . and if, in succeeding weeks, an occasional robin appears, and we notice it is silent and seemingly shy, it is probable that these robins aie tran- sients from further north on their own southward jour- neys. As if to add final proof that another season is at hand, during the past week we have watched wood warblers passing through on the way to their winter quarters, the southern Uni- ted States and Central and South America. One group consisted of black-throated green, bay-breasted and magnolia warblers with a few young cardinals and a red-breasted nuthatch thrown in for company. One can only be amazed at the seemingly limitless energy of these tiny birds as they ceaselessly flit about the branches, suddenly launch- ing out into the air to catch a passing insect or flitting over branches and twigs, sometimes right side up and again upside down. We wonder how they can complete some of those * journeys which stretch out into thousands of miles. After the blight of the first real cool nights and days when some of the flowers have faded away, there seems to be a rejuvenation in the garden with a reflowering of plants thought finished, such as pinks and sweet williams. Another portent -the squirrels collecting their harvest for the winter. Over a period of three of four weeks, I collected four trash cans full of trash from the walnut tree outside the kitchen porch, half of which consisted of the hulls and shells of walnuts, some only slightly nibbled at or bitten into. No, we didn’t get any walnuts ourselves. To add insult to injury, many a time as we stooped to gather the leavings, there was a constant rain of pieces of hulls and shells, as if the squirrels had deliberately moved into position over- head and had thrown down the debris to warn us the walnuts belonged to them. For a while it was worth one’s life to pass under the oak on the other side of the house for they pelted down a veritable shower of acorns. Lu“ : SUSQUEHANNA BULLETIN — Page 17. Autumn nature show to start at Lake Aldred With the arrival of fall, Pennsylvania Power & Light Company invites the public to enjoy the color of the season at its Lake Aldred recreation area nature trails. Located on the lower Susquehanna River, in Lan- caster and York Counties, Lake Aldred is the site of a hydrelectric station opera- ted by PP&L The Public recreation areas are opera- ted as a spin-off to this operation. Lake Aldred offers three major hiking trails for photography, sightseeing and nature study: *Otter Creek Nature Trail on the York County side of the Susquehanna River, traverses a region that is both historic and picture- esque. *Pequea Creek Nature Trail offers another excel- len opportunity for nature study and observation of the changing foilage. This trail is about one-half mile long and is connected to the Charcoal Trail which is also about a half mile long. *Kellys Run Trail is about 1-3/4 miles long and leades through more rugged ter- rain. It’s designed for the more experienced hiker. The scenic reward will be well worth the effort taken to traverse this trail, espec- ially at this time of year. Arch Knisely, PP&L’s Community Affairs manager said, ‘‘Information on all the facilities at Lake Aldred along with trail maps can be obtained from the office of George Aukamp, Lake Al- dred superintendent or Otter Creek and Pequea Creek park directors.’’ theft is inclement. home. at no cost to you. 1. You can protect your check against mailbox 2. You can save time and earn interest. 3. Solves check cashing problems. 4. Your funds are always available when needed. No more waiting for the mailman. Now, we do it for you! 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