A Fellow Listener

When I have some free time (which is most of the time), I often sit on the front porch and listen to music.  Of course, like other old men on porches, I greet neighbors as they wander by.

Over the past week, I have attracted a fellow listener.  She doesn't have anything to say but seems to enjoy the tunes as much as I do.  Before rumors of a scandalous romance develop, I should report that she is a mourning dove.

Landing on a post of our lattice work, she tilts her head to locate the source and settles in for at least twenty minutes.  No doubt, birds are highly attuned to sounds and I'm glad this dove appreciates my selection.  Her company is more than welcome. 

Rosinweed

Thanks to my wife's work with a conservation-minded gardening group, dozens of wildflower species adorn our Columbia, Missouri, yard; of these, rosinweed is certainly the tallest, topping out at almost seven feet.  A native of prairies east of the Rockies, this wildflower may look like a sunflower species but is actually a member of the aster family.

 

Since rosinweed spreads by both seed and root systems, it may form extensive stands under favorable conditions.  And while it attracts a wide variety of pollinating insects, it is also a host plant for gall wasps, the larvae of which attack its tall, sturdy stem.  In some regions of the country, this wildflower has been domesticated for seed oil and livestock forage.

Of course, at our place, rosinweed is purely decorative though we welcome all pollinators that visit these towering plants. 

The Nature of Penance

Raised in the Catholic Church, I learned that penance was a litany of prayers assigned by a priest to atone for "sins" that were confessed, whether you were age 6 or 60.  But I later discovered that engaging in penance is a rather common human behavior, triggered by guilt.

Indeed, penance is an act of self-punishment for real or perceived wrongdoing.  This may be due to failed relationships (usually with a family member, lover or close friend), hidden affairs, mistreatment of colleagues or other similar behavior.  Penance may come in the form of excessive exercise, compulsive good deeds, a decision to forego rewarding and pleasurable activities or the choice to withdrawal from established social circles.

Unfortunately, the self-imposed penance rarely erases the underlying guilt and counseling is likely to be far more effective for penitents.  Convincing oneself of that fact, however, is difficult at best.

See also:  Guilt 

Their Time in the Sun

Over the past week, annual cicadas have been emerging in our neighborhood, their loud, ringing calls but a minor disturbance.  Indeed, compared with their periodic cousins, which emerge in massive swarms, the annual cicadas vary in their number and impact each year.

Having spent a few years gathering nourishment from tree roots beneath the soil, they emerge in late summer to molt, mate, lay their eggs on terminal tree branches and then die; they will not eat during their brief period above ground.  On the other hand, they themselves may be consumed by Mississippi kites, blue jays, raccoons, feral cats and other wildlife. 

Once the larvae hatch from the eggs, they drop to the ground, burrow into the soil and attach themself to a rootlet; thus the cycle continues.  How can we complain about their noisy mating calls knowing that they enjoy such a brief time in the sun? 

Beautiful Morning, Few Birds

As experienced birders know, "birding success" often has no relationship to the weather; exceptions include heavy rain or strong winds which tend to keep the birds in sheltered areas.  My visit to Phillips Lake on this beautiful morning offered an excellent example of that point. 

Despite the sunny, pleasantly warm, windless conditions, the birds were few and far between; indeed, on my 1.4 mile circuit of the lake, I encountered only 11 species and most of those were represented by 1-3 individuals.  The highlight of my visit proved to be a blue grosbeak, singing from the top of a small tree.

Of course, one's enthusiasm for birding (and for the exploration of nature in general) stems from the fact that we cannot predict what we might encounter; numbers, in the end, matter only to competitive-minded individuals.  A glorious morning in the great outdoors is enough.

Heading Backwards at Eagle Bluffs

Arriving early this morning at Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, I was greeted by dense fog and the stench of stagnant pools.  On the other hand, it was pleasantly cool.

While this wetland refuge recovered significantly after heavy rains back in July, it has taken a giant step backward following the recent hot, dry weather.  Available open water is limited to shallow pools and a couple of sluggish channels.  As a result, waders were limited to 7 great blue herons, a single great egret and a lone green heron.  No ducks or geese were observed but there was one pied-billed grebe that managed to find a pool deep enough to dive in.  Songbirds were also rather sparse and raptors were limited to a handful of turkey vultures and a lone red-shouldered hawk.

Once the fog cleared, it was a comfortable morning, with bright sunshine, relatively cool air and natural beauty provided by swaths of sunflowers and rose mallow.  I'll likely be back in a few days. 

Driving toward Jupiter

Since running into a deer and smashing up our vehicle two years ago, my wife and I avoid driving after sunset or before sunrise.  Nevertheless, facing a 6-hour drive in the hot sun, I decided to set our early from Hays, Kansas.  That proved to be a rewarding decision.

A thumb-nail moon and bright Jupiter gleamed in the eastern sky and, twenty minutes later, a spectacular red dawn stretched across the horizon.  As the sun began to rise, the celestial bodies disappeared and the temperature increased.

No doubt, ancient man paid more attention to the night sky than most modern humans.  After all, we have our atomic clocks and digital calendars to keep track of the seasons.  Then there are those who lean toward religious mysticism; in their case, the spectacle above invites unwelcome questions.

See also:  Night Vision 

Trump Prepares for 2028

Imbued with a sense of omnipotence, King Trump appears to have set his sights on the 2028 Election (or lack thereof).  This week, he questioned the reliability of both mail-in voting and voting machines, based solely on the opinion of Vladimir Putin.

Having pardoned the January 6 criminals, Trump remains fixated on the 2020 election and the injustice that he perceives.  He has appointed his own Weaponization Czar to attack those who have prosecuted or accused him in the past; of course, that revenge agent is working closely with the Attorney General who is in Trump's pocket on every issue.  Then there is the threat of militarizing our cities (especially in Blue States); this will come in handy when American citizens begin to revolt.  Finally, our King assumes the right to control every aspect of our society, from private corporations to museums.

In his mind, I suspect that Trump intends to stay in office in 2028; the Supreme Court may even facilitate that plan.  Trump wants to be America's Putin.  No elections necessary. 

The Warm Weather Hawk

Though they generally prefer the open grasslands of the High Plains, a Swainson's hawk or two often soar above our Littleton farm.  Usually arriving in April, they escape the northern winter by migrating to Argentina, frequently traveling in large flocks.

Despite their large size, they feed on insects for most of the year (especially grasshoppers and dragonflies).  An exception occurs during their nesting season when they feast on a variety of small mammals and reptiles.

By September, Swainson's hawks may begin their southward migration, never to experience our early autumn snowstorms.  Though primarily a western species, individuals occasionally turn up in the Eastern U.S., especially in late summer or during migrations. 

A Promise at Noon

Though the Southwest Monsoon finally reached the Front Range last week, our Littleton farm had yet to receive a drop of rain.  So, when I went out back at noon and saw a wall of dark clouds across the western sky, I was both thrilled and hopeful.  As if to signal the coming deluge, an American white pelican circled high above, just ahead of the advancing storm.

Taking a seat to watch the atmospheric dynamics, my hope gradually faded.  Blue sky opened within the amassed clouds and they scattered in different directions, mostly to our north.

Due to the abrupt change of topography to our west and, less so, to our south, the behavior of storms is remarkably unpredictable across Metro Denver; perhaps another will form later this afternoon.  Needless to say, I don't blame the pelican for the broken promise.  

Ignoring Anti-Science Policies

Having devoted decades to scientific research in the development of their products and services, it seems unlikely that American corporations will derail their agenda in response to the anti-science policies of the Trump Administration.  Expensive, long-term commitments to medical research, environmental science, technologic advancement, pollution control and, most recently, climate science, cannot be derailed by relatively brief swings in the political environment.

While this is reassuring, the anti-science rhetoric of Trump's stooges will certainly have an effect on the uneducated public, resulting in unnecessary health complications, a reduced commitment to protecting our natural environment and to excessive personal consumption.

Of course, while corporations can ignore anti-science policies, none of us can or should ignore the Administration's attacks on our Democracy, on our personal freedoms and on social justice.  Our response to those threats may require a revolution.

 

Trump's Peace Summit

Yesterday, seeking the Nobel Peace Prize, King Trump flew his 747 to Alaska to meet with his "good friend," Vladimir Putin.  He hoped that his "Art of the Deal" skills would convince Putin to agree to a ceasefire in the Ukrainian-Russian War.  That did not work; Putin clearly had no intention of bowing to Trump's personal aspirations.

We will soon learn if our King will thus impose the promised "severe repercussions" that might include the sale of U.S. weapons to Ukraine as well as devastating sanctions on the Russian Government.  Unless he stands to benefit in some way, I doubt he will follow through.  

King Trump is not focused on the Ukrainian people.  He cares only about himself and whatever praise he might garner from his peace-making efforts. Sharing the red carpet with a war criminal did not help his cause. 

Hurricane Coverage

As Hurricane Erin churns toward North America, the Weather Channel is providing non-stop coverage.  It is, after all, the first Atlantic hurricane of 2025 and there is nothing more marketable in their area of expertise.

In my opinion, the Weather Channel does a great job when it comes to educating the public about all forms of severe weather, including safety precautions, preparations and the forecast itself.  As one who has long been interested in the science of weather, I appreciate their knowledge and enthusiasm.

On the other hand, hurricanes seem to bring out their need to deliver updates every 15 minutes and, should the storm threaten coastal communities, to report from the scene, standing in the wind and rain while insisting that the public evacuate for their own safety.  A mixed message at best.

See:  Hurricane Stuntmen and Cantore Season 

Sitting in the Heat

I prefer to be outdoors as much as possible but, if there is one weather condition that tends to keep me indoors, it is excessive heat.  On such days, I engage in my outdoor chores and activities early in the morning, when it is still relatively cool.  Nevertheless, I am inclined to sample all forms of weather (except severe storms), at least for a while.

Here along the Front Range, due to the dry air, one can comfortably sit in the shade up into the low 90s F; once the temperature reaches the upper 90s or above, comfort is but a dream.  Even a steady breeze has no cooling effect; rather, it can feel like a blast furnace.  Of course, birding is out of the question; indeed, on this afternoon's vigil, I did not observe a single bird though a few twitters arose from the shrub line.

I learned long ago that reading in such conditions is futile.  Worse yet, napping, planned or not, just might be fatal.  But a brief sit in the shade expands one's appreciation for Nature's diversity and awesome power.  It is humbling to say the least. 

An Era of Flash Flooding

It appears that we have entered an era of flash flooding.  Almost every day, at least one (and usually several) such events occur in this country, courtesy of torrential rain from training thunderstorms.

Most recently, the flooding has occurred across the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest but no region east of the Rockies has been spared.  Following the rim of hot, high pressure domes, the storms, which already carry saturated air, feed off this heat energy.

No doubt, global warming is playing a major role in the development of these destructive events.  Though denied by the Trump Administration, climate change will produce such weather patterns for decades or centuries to come; both cities and small towns must assess their risk and prepare for the inevitable. 

The Origins of Doubt

Young children instinctively trust and believe what their parents say; it is a trait associated with improved survival.  But once childhood myths explode, their level of trust begins to unravel.  Of course, this process accelerates during the teenage years when young people begin to think for themselves and more readily question the wisdom of their parents; under circumstances in which parents are excessively strict or controlling, there is often a reactionary element to this distrust as well.

Children raised in a milieu of mysticism (religious schooling, etc.) are initially sheltered from inconvenient truths but they must eventually function in our complex, science-based society.   Then again, guilt is a powerful human emotion and even many scientists retain religious convictions (however tenuous they may be).

While doubt is a threat to mysticism it is also an important control on the scientific method.  As we seek truth, we must continuously question the reliability of current scientific data and conclusions; if not, our knowledge is incomplete and potentially misleading.  Doubt is an essential tool in our journey toward truth.   

Western Wildfires

While many areas in the eastern half of the U.S. have endured torrential rain and flash flooding over the past few weeks, States west of the Rocky Mountains have been plagued by drought, extreme heat and, at times, strong winds.  As a result, every Western State currently has active wildfires.

As reported earlier this week, the Southwest Monsoon has not materialized this year, depriving the region of vital seasonal moisture.  This morning, smoke from the fires has spread southward behind a cold front, producing extremely poor air quality along the Front Range urban corridor.

An inland moving tropical system would appear necessary to put an end to the tinder dry conditions across the West but such relief is currently not in sight.  Weather patterns responsible for the East-West discrepancy are, for now, firmly entrenched.

Life's Descent

At some point, we humans must admit that we are on the downhill side of life; the slide might be long and gradual or steep and short.  Of course, due to disease, accidents or violence, some enter the slide much earlier than most; in all cases, we are forced to acknowledge that our future is much shorter than our past.

While a healthy lifestyle might delay the process, we all eventually recognize the symptoms: weaker muscles, less energy and a diminished appetite among many others.  Some turn to a wide variety of supplements to slow aging but they are of dubious value; genetics and luck (good or bad) are the primary determinants.

Those of us who enter our seventies, eighties or beyond in decent health and still independent are very fortunate indeed.  Then again, Mother Nature has the final say and she often arrives unannounced. 

River Birding

On this sunny but pleasantly cool morning along the Front Range, I opted for a birding walk along the South Platte River.  While there were many walkers, joggers and bikers on the trails, they were not interested in wildlife and allowed me to saunter along at my own pace.

During my one hour visit, I covered about 1.5 miles and encountered 19 avian species.  As always, Canada geese and mallards were most abundant but highlights included wood ducks, snowy egrets, black-crowned night herons, yellow warblers and, my favorite, cedar waxwings.

Walking along a river is always a peaceful experience and the stream-side foliage attracts an excellent variety of wildlife.  Of course, the exercise is beneficial as well. 

Monsoon Deficiency

Returning to our Littleton, Colorado, farm, it is clear that the Southwest Monsoon has not yet kicked in with sufficient vigor.  The "lawns" and pastures have browned and the shrubs appear desperate for a good soaking.

Indeed, the Monsoon flow of moisture is late at best; perhaps it will not arrive at all.  Having owned the property for thirty-five years, we have certainly experienced good and bad monsoon seasons.  It remains to be seen how global warming will affect this annual weather phenomenon; it could go either way.

Since the Monsoon generally peaks from mid August to early September in this region, it is too early to know if it will be a bust for 2025.  If so, we may have to wait for October snow, a bit late for our thirsty vegetation.