Thanks to its location along the Milky Way, Cygnus is loaded with star clusters and nebulas. It also contains a couple of outstanding double stars…
2021, 10 October Bonus Reader’s Issue
Storing the Bounty
View the full issue in the Magazine Archive Photo © Olga Volodina/Dreamstime.com I am a strong proponent of extending the growing season whenever possible, and utilizing row covers, tunnels, and...
Focus Illustrated, October 2021
Favorite Focus, October 2021
Little Tool—Big Results
I have a simple tool in my camera bag that can be used to increase color saturation, reduce blowouts, cut through reflections and haze, and make blue skies richer. It is quite economical to own, yet...
Camp & Cabin Cookin’, October 2021
Recipes: Glasgow Persimmon Cookies, Jalapeño Popper Dip. Recipes: Carrot Cake, Ceviche.
Study Guide Puzzles, October 2021
Bobcat Bonanza!
Elusive, secretive, camouflaged. This perfectly describes the bobcat, one of North America’s smallest wildcats. My first glimpse of a bobcat was from my deer stand one chilly October evening, ten...
Exploring Nature, October 2021
Photo ©Kevin Shank The Shenandoah Valley and surrounding mountains will likely be ablaze in peak fall foliage color the second or third weekend.October is the peak migration time for hawks,...
Parable of an Apple Tree
What was it that caught my eye, that sun-dappled summer day? What was it that caused me to pause and marvel at the apple tree before me? Was it lush boughs, or clusters of scarlet fruit? No, it was...
Launching Caterpaults
Once upon a time, in the middle of September, I decided I wanted to launch caterpillars on rockets. I have been interested in caterpillars and in rockets for as long as I can remember.I first tried...
A Hen’s “Mousey” Morsel
One evening as I started my chores, I suddenly heard a persistent, high-pitched “SQUEAK…SQUEAK.” Was it a mouse? Photo © Nimkittikul/Dreamstime.com I quickly peered in the direction of the sound....
Quack, Coo, Cluck
Blue-winged Teal ©Shaphan Shank Can you do this quiz without checking in your bird guide? Try it! What duck often holds its tail stiffly upright?A. Wood Duck. #6.B. Ruddy Duck. #3.C. Common...
You Can Draw a Grizzly Bear
Open in October 2021
End of the Trail, October 2021: Great Horned Owl
©Marilyn Newswanger, Orchard, IA