By Local Birdwatching Photographers First-winter Bonaparte Gulls have an isolated dark ear spot and a black line on the wing, as seen on these gulls Marcia Captan photographed on Lake Oconee. This red-bellied woodpecker seems to be showing off for Casey Brady's camera. See more of Brady's work at https://caseybradyphotography5.godaddysites.com/ Birder Marcia Captan said she has lived in Georgia more than 20 years and early January this year was the first time she'd seen an Am

Story by Lynn Hobbs, photos contributed   Melanie hugs "Evangeline," a community cat that was socialized and recently adopted by someone. There will be no cool cats in Melanie Robertson’s world. At least she’s doing everything possible to prevent them.   Melanie isn’t concerned about easygoing jazz musicians or confident, stylish individuals. Instead, she’s worried about literal felines who are left out in the cold day in and day out.   When she learned the importance of comm

Winter is best time to test levels By Lynn Hobbs Lake Country homes have a higher than average percentage for radon exposure. New this year, your local library has joined with the UGA Extension Service to help with testing levels in your home. Radon is an odorless, colorless, tasteless, radioactive gas that is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. and the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers, according to Derek Cooper, UGA Extension radon educator. E