940-627-1101 - Wise County Messenger

OutdoorListen to the sounds of springBy CLAIRE CURRY“Official” spring, the equiox,is getting closer andloser, but already we havewide variety ofpring singers cretinga wonderfuloundtrack. Mostf our early singersre birds and frogsthe insect chorusill get louder ashe season proresses).I’m goingo talk about whyhey are singingnd what you canisten for at thisime of year.If you have questions about your Medicare options,I can help.You're invited to join your neighbors for a Medicare informational meeting near you. This is your chanceto ask questions and learn about the Medicare options available in your area. A local SecureHorizons ®representative will be available to talk with you about your choices.You can still switch plans through March 31. ±DANIEL MOUGHON817-923-1213, TTY 711Visit our Web Site at www.SecureHorizons.comMONDAY MARCH 15 152:30 P.M. PMPIZZA HUT601 601 S. S. WASHBURNDECATUR, TX 76234Birds andBeyondAnimals communicatethrough song. The singeris sending a message to avariety of listeners – othermales, females and even potentialpredators.A frog may want its fellowfrogs to hear its boomingvoice, but predators can hearit, too. A colorful, singingbird is advertising its vigor,but sitting still and makingnoise on a conspicuous perchmakes it more vulnerable topredators. Thus, all communicationscan be hijacked.Indeed, when we look fora bird after hearing it sing,we are effectually hijackingits message for another purpose.The bird isn’t singingfor our benefit, but we takeadvantage of the sound toget a good look at the beautifulcardinal or bouncingwren. Predators just take ita step further and eat it.So, to avoid being eaten, acreature could just stop singing,but it has a message forpotential rivals and mates.A distinctive song signals toa female that the singer is amember of its own species.It would be a waste of energyfor a female cardinal totrack down a singing wren,so cardinals that can recognizetheir own song willleave more offspring. Thoseoffspring will likely inheritthe parents’ ability to learntheir own species’ song.Likewise, thereis no point in amale wren attackinga male cardinalin its territory;they aren’t competingfor similarfoods or for thesame females.Different animalsuse cuesto decide if thesinger might be aworthwhile mate.In frogs, for example,the pitch of the songdepends on body size. A biggerfrog can have a lowerpitchedsong due to thephysics of sound production.If a female prefers a largermate (perhaps because heroffspring would be biggerand those offspring mightdo better battling for potentialmates in the future),then she can make a choicejust by listening to the variousmales at a pond.Different birds may prefersongs that are more varied,more similar to the onesthey grew up learning orthat are sung for longer periodsof time.Although we’re waitingfor the first green sprouts ofspring and associate singingbirds with that time, theyactually begin their breedingseasons based on daylightcues. So, after a certaintime of year, birds may singwhenever the daily conditionsare good (a warm orsunny day).Getting started singingearlier than other membersof their species may snagthem a good territory andpartner earlier than theneighbors. In fact, in juncos(a winter bird speciesMONDAY MARCH 22 222:30 P.M. P MPIZZA HUT601 S. WASHBURNDECATUR, TX 76234here in Texas), males winterfarther north and migratenorth earlier to get choiceterritories. However, if theygo too soon, they may notfind any food. It’s a tradeoffbetween getting a headstart on reproduction versusfinding food.Likewise for frogs, breedingearly may give a headstart (the tadpoles willget bigger before the others,and the frog might getto lay more eggs later, too),but there is the possibilityof a late deep freeze killingyour tadpoles or their foodsources.Frogs typically start singingbased on how wet it isand how warm it is, so theyare particularly vulnerableto unusual weather. A warm,wet period followed by a latefreeze could cause more ofthem to breed too early.Thus, all aspects of singinghave some trade-offsinvolved. Sing too much ortoo conspicuously and youmay get eaten. Don’t sing,and you won’t find a mate.Start singing and breedingtoo early and you might notfind enough food for your babies,but start too late andyou won’t even get a goodterritory or leave as manyyoung’uns behind.These opposing pressurescontribute to the ultimatereasons why the birds andfrogs are singing now, andnot a few months earlier orlater. Variation in the geneticbasis for these timingsand traits means that mostindividuals will start at the“best” time, but a few willstart earlier or later.What kind of creatureswill you find outside rightnow? Some industrious amphibianswill be singing in40-degree weather, but allwe’ve heard so far are theStrecker’s Chorus-Frogs,Now's the perfect time to askabout your Medicare Advantage,Part D and MedicareSupplement options. Call now toreserve your seat at a Medicareinformational meeting near you.MONDAY MARCH 29 292:30 PM P.M.PIZZA HUT601 S. WASHBURNDECATUR, TX TX 76234 76234ALL AROUND WISE, Decatur, Texas, Thursday, March 18, 2010 11which individually makepeeping sounds. When youget the whole chorus going,it’s a cacophony of peeps,near and far, loud and soft.Northern Cricket Frogsare also very common. Theirsong is a clicky noise, like amarble being rolled in a glassjar. I remember their song byContinued on page 14WiseCountyTAX TIPS ShellySessumsTAX SERVICEAll your Bookkeeping & TaxNeeds Year Round. EveningAppointments Available.940-433-5708DecaturFred H.Ray III,EA*, ABA**1414 Chico HwyBridgeport, TX76426940-683-2838*Enrollment Agent with the InternalRevenue Service**Accredited Business AdvisorH. Frank ThorntonCertified PublicAccountant2000 S. CollegePO Box 690Decatur, TX 76234940-627-1023Exemptions reduce your taxableincome. There are two types ofexemptions: personal exemptionsand exemptions for dependents.For each exemption you candeduct $3650 on your 2009 taxreturn. Exemption amounts arereduced for taxpayers, whoseadjusted gross income is abovecertain levels, depending on yourfi ling status.IRS TAX TIP 2010-0SPILLAR, MITCHAM,EATON & BICKNELLL.L.P.Certified Public Accountants730 North FreewayFort Worth, TX 76102817-877-5050Geary’s TaxService31 Years ExperienceHwy 380 West at CR 3001Decatur940-627-5253Geary L. Washburn,OwnerJAMES WOODYOURBEST CHOICE FORIMPORTASE & FACTORY-CERTIFIED STAFF IN DECATURSERVICESPECIALIZING INTOYOTA KIANISSANHONDAHYUNDAIMAZDAFREE PICK-UP& DELIVERYwithin 10 miles of dealershipwith an appointmentConcealed Handgun ClassesNext Class Sunday, April 18BESTPRICESMust Pre-registerOnlinewww.wcmessenger.comBRIDGEPORT GUNS• New & Used Guns • Reloading Supplies • Gunsmithing • BluingFREE LOANERVEHICLESwith an appointment(subject to availability)BRING THIS AD FOR:✔2-WHEEL ALIGNMENT $34.88Regularly $59.95 IMPORTS ONLY. ENDS March 31✔10% OFF PARTS & LABORON ANY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE(15,000, 30,000, 60,000 miles, etc.) IMPORTS ONLY. ENDS March 31GUNS &AMMO• Buy• Sell• TradeConsignments Welcome!1691 W. US Hwy. 380 • Bridgeport • 940-683-1777$19.95 OIL CHANGEUp to 6 quarts (Synthetic & specialty oils not included). IMPORTS ONLY. ENDS March 31A sales person will be present with information and applications. For accommodation of persons withspecial needs at sales meetings, call 817-923-1213, TTY 711.±You can switch to another Medicare Advantage plan until March 31, but during this time you can’t join or drop yourPart D coverage.SecureHorizons ® Medicare Advantage plans are offered by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company and its affiliatedcompanies, Medicare Advantage Organizations with a Medicare contract.C0009M0011_090925_172215OVEX3191975_000940-627-4600SOUTH Side of US 287 South DECATURjames wood hyundai.comThe Same Fast, Friendly & Professional ServiceYou Have Come to Expect from JAMES WOOD