The state of Maryland has released the annual young of the year index for striped bass, and while the number is better than last year, it is still well below the 60-year average.

The index measures how well striped bass spawn each year in the Chesapeake Bay. Numbers were released on Friday by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

Once carved into tiny lots and peddled as a promotion for a 19th century tonic, the 100-acre tract known as the Medicine Lots has been placed in permanent conservation thanks to a purchase completed last month by TNC.

The Friday night full moon is called the Pumpkin Moon and it is in the zodiacal constellation Pisces.

A chance to clean up the grounds and then a later opportunity to check out the night sky with amateur astronomer Barbara Caseau is coming up Thursday, Oct. 24 at Polly Hill Arboretum. Grounds volunteer day is from 9 a.m. to noon and is a basic fall sprucing-up event. Bring gloves and dress for the weather.

The change of light in the fall is my cue to put up my feeders. I can remember the first of many feeders I have had over the years. It was a big pine cone stuffed with a mix of bacon fat, peanut butter and oatmeal.

Eumorpha pandorus is an animal with a split personality.