A few words about the appeal of boiled peanuts
By Ralph Hood
Boiled peanuts will be the death of me yet.
Although the surgeon general has not yet announced …
Viewpoint
Thank goodness for such a fantastic fall
By Bryan Stevens
I’ve chucked the pumpkins now that Halloween is in the rear-view mirror. As I turn the page …
Hatchery a happening place in Erwin
A field of cosmos blooms on the ground of the Erwin National Fish Hatchery.
By Connie Denney
The flowers …
Inspiration for column started with arrival of dark-eyed junco
The dark-eyed junco, affectionately known as “snow bird,” is a winter resident in Unicoi County.
By Bryan Stevens …
American crow’s dark reputation arises more from plumage than behavior
By Bryan Stevens
There’s something rather autumnal about watching a flock of American crows glean the last scattered kernels …
Barn owl adds to ghostly reputation of its kin
Photo by mikezwei from Pixabay • The barn owl is the most widespread of the world’s owls. Almost exclusively …
The pink bomb
By Ralph Hood
While I was off for my freshman year at Clemson, Daddy for some reason bought one of …
We should protect the planet’s plants
By Frances Lamberts
A moving reminiscence about man’s relationship to nature opens one of the less well known books of …
Regional Fall Bird Count finds 129 species
Photo from Pixabay • A red-headed woodpecker clings to the trunk of a tree. During the recent Fall Bird …
Speedy merlin a feisty member of world’s family of falcons
Photo by Gary Chambers from Pixabay • The merlin is a small but compact falcon, built for speed and …
Ospreys are fall migrant through the region
Photo by Ganossi/Pixabay • An osprey dines on a freshly caught fish.
The day after the yearly Autumnal Equinox …
Along the Way
By Ralph Hood
I recently fell while trail walking at Rock Creek. A tree had fallen across the path. I …
Use caution when sick birds appear at feeders
Photo by Georgia Lens/Pixabay • House finches, as well as other flocking birds, are vulnerable to communicable disease. Congregating …
Two state-affiliated warblers spend little time in Tennessee
Photo by GeorgeB2/Pixabay • Although discovered by Alexander Wilson near Tennessee’s capital city in 1811, the Nashville warbler spends …
Planet’s plants have amazing abilities
By Frances Lamberts
Even a small pocket of natural landscape can add warmth and richness, and the pleasure of many …
Nation’s waters suffering under climate change
By Frances Lamberts
On Aug. 26, the Johnson City Press showed an old (1965) photo of a farm then located …
$1.1 billion waiting to be claimed in Tennessee
By David Lillard
As Tennessee State Treasurer, I am responsible for managing the state’s financial resources and serving Tennesseans as …
I wonder why
By Ralph Hood
I wonder why I have so many nightmares.
I reckon it comes from my father’s side of …
Long-running count tallies summer’s nesting bird species
Photo by Jean Potter • Counters found 116 species on the recent Carter County Summer Bird Count, including 13 …