Out & About

OUTLAST

Senior swan returns

A trumpeter swan – we’ll call him Solo – has returned to Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge for what may be his 31st year. As usual, he showed up as soon as there was open water at the end of February.

The elegant swan is perhaps the elder seasonal wildlife resident at the refuge, and one of the oldest ever documented among his endangered species.

Another four or five trumpeters made a stopover at the refuge in March, but Nancy Curry, refuge manager expected them to move on. Apparently too old to mate successfully, Solo still guards his territory around Winslow Pond and Cheever Lake.

OUTFIELD

They’re baaack!

Ticks are becoming active in areas around Spokane. Check yourself and your pet after being out and about.

Ticks usually probe around a potential host for a few hours before choosing a tender spot to sink their mouth parts into your skin for a long, leisurely meal.

If one becomes attached, remove it by firmly pinching its head at the skin and pulling gently but steadily until the tick pulls away with its head, mouthparts and usually a bit of skin attached.

Scrub bite with soap and water.

OUTLOBBY

Biker bill pending

Congress currently is considering a bicycle commuter bill (HR807, S2635) that would provide a tax benefit to employers who offer cash reimbursements to employees who ride to work. The process is a simple matter extending the Transportation Fringe Benefit of the tax code to include bicycles in the definition of “transportation.”

What are we waiting for?

Employers would have flexibility to set benefit levels. Bike commuters could use the payments for bikes, accessories, insurance and locker or shower fees.

Check it out: http://capwiz.com/lab/issues /alert/?alertid=8647031.

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OUTLOOK

Best fishing times

Lunar tables from the U.S. Naval Observatory list peak fishing times. Be fishing at least one hour before and one hour after given times. Applies to all time zones.

(* indicates best days.)

Through April 8

* Today

– 12:35 p.m.

Monday

12:45 a.m., 1:05 p.m.

Tuesday

1:30 a.m., 1:50 p.m.

Wednesday

2:10 a.m., 2:30 p.m.

Thursday

2:50 a.m., 3:15 p.m.

Friday

3:40 a.m., 4:05 p.m.

Saturday

4:30 a.m., 4:55 p.m.

* Next Sunday

5:20 a.m., 5:40 p.m.

See the Hunting-Fishing Report every Friday in Sports