Mending the Divide

As we approach the 2024 Election, our country seems hopelessly divided.  Adding to the political discord are the ongoing indictments and future trials of Donald Trump.  What can be done to turn the tide and save our Democracy?

My personal advice to President Biden would be to select a moderate Republican as his running mate in 2024; of course, that individual would have to support his general social and fiscal policies.  With all due respect to Kamala Harris, we need to demonstrate the ability of moderate Democrats and Republicans to work together, addressing the complicated issues facing our country and our planet.

This pairing would likely appeal to Independents, non-MAGA Republicans and Democrats who are not thrilled with a second Biden term, despite his significant accomplishments.  Most importantly, it would be a major step toward marginalizing the extreme Right, healing the political divide and restoring the vital function of Congress. 

Indian Point Park

About 33 miles east of Cleveland, Paine Creek enters the Grand River.  Indian Point Park occupies a narrow ridge that separates the two streams, offering views into and across their valleys.

This morning, we parked at the lower lot, where Paine Creek flows past steep cliffs of Devonian shale.  Hiking eastward and then northward, we crossed Paine Creek and climbed to the upper lot where the Overlook Trail originates.  This trail, 1 mile in length, undulates WNW atop the ridge, eventually yielding views of Paine Creek and the Grand River (see photo) below.  Ancient ceremonial mounds occupy the overlook site and a steep stairway descends to the banks of both streams.

Unfortunately, deciduous trees obscured our views on this summer morning and I recommend a late fall or winter visit to best appreciate the regional topography.  On the positive side, both streams were high and especially turbulent following last evening's storms. 

Primed by the Wind

Early this morning, it was pleasantly cool at the cottage, prompting us to take a walk around Sandy Lake, on which it sits.  Within a few hours of our return, a strong wind had developed, dragging warm, humid air up from the south.

Checking the National radar, the culprit was obvious.  A potent cold front, then producing thunderstorms in the Chicago area, was pressing eastward, about to cross the Great Lakes.  A tornado watch was issued for southern Michigan and northern Ohio; at the very least, we expect strong thunderstorms by late this evening, fueled by the sultry air that is now streaming into our region.

Well before the advent of modern meteorology, humans certainly knew that strong, warm winds often precede thunderstorms.  And exposed to potential injury, they were surely more inclined to heed nature's warning than most of us are today.

Lucia Nash Nature Preserve

Back in Northeast Ohio to check on my wife's family cottage, we visited the Lucia Nash Nature Preserve this morning.  Located in Geauga County, this 648-acre refuge harbors an interesting mix of post-glacial ecosystems; it is owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy.

Snow Lake, a kettle lake, is the dominant geographic feature, surrounded by wetlands, wooded swamps and an upland beech-maple forest; the latter harbors scattered vernal pools and the only remaining white pine boreal fen in Ohio.  Among the many avian residents are sandhill cranes; once extirpated from the region, the cranes returned in the 1980s.  Though we did not encounter cranes this morning, we did see ospreys, double-crested cormorants and a wide variety of wetland songbirds.

Stretching across part of the Upper Cuyahoga River watershed, this preserve is also instrumental in protecting the purity of Akron's water supply.  Visitors thus encounter glacial topography, glacial relic vegetation, a rich wetland ecosystem and a valuable hydrologic resource.

Non-Natives

There seems to be increasing attention paid to "non-natives" these days, driven by ecologic purists and by those who oppose immigration of any kind.  But what does native mean?

The short answer is that the native individual or species was born in or first evolved in a given area.  But while a person might be a native of New York, for example, his/her ancestors may have come from multiple Eurasian countries and, of course, humans evolved in Africa.  Native Americans did not likely reach the American Continents until 25-30 thousand years ago, some 100 thousand years after our species first evolved.  The great majority of non-native plants and animals found in the Americas today were brought in from Eurasia and Africa by humans (purposefully or inadvertently).

To attempt to rid our Continent of non-natives is thus pure folly; indeed, we would have to leave ourselves.  It seems more appropriate to acknowledge that all ecosystems have evolved over time and, in concert, non-native species have entered the mix.  All species (ourselves included) are natives of Earth and their/our welfare is dependent on protecting the planet as a whole. 

Prairie Sunflowers

Travelers across the High Plains almost always enjoy beautiful skies, whether produced by the grandeur of storms or the colors of sunrise and sunset.  On the other hand, the landscape itself can be rather drab.

An exception is provided by the prairie sunflower, a native of the American West.  Blooming in massive swaths from mid-late summer, this annual is a welcome and beautiful addition to the high, semiarid Plains.  Growing in single stalks or huge clumps, they favor full sunshine and sandy soil.

Of course, these sunflowers offer more than beauty, attracting pollinators and feeding a wide variety of prairie birds and mammals with their massive seed crop.  Were they not a native plant, we might be less enamored with their gifts; indeed, up close, they do look a bit "weedy." 

After the Hail

Late yesterday afternoon, the fourth thunderstorm of the day raked our farm in Littleton, Colorado.  It was the first of the group to pummel our property with hail.

Though the hail was only marble-sized, it was torrential and the thunderous sound of it hitting our roof was more than alarming.  Looking outside, I saw that our "lawns" were coated with ice pellets and that a river of hail was flowing down our driveway.

Once the storm moved eastward, I went outside to inspect the damage.  Though my Beetle and pickup were unscathed, mangled leaves covered most of the farm.  While I stood in the ice-cooled air, pleased with myself for surviving nature's fury, a pair of hummingbirds zoomed overhead.  In their wake, my pride dissolved.

Storm Watching

In my opinion, there is nothing in nature more awe-inspiring than a massive thunderstorm.  Both beautiful and terrifying, these atmospheric monsters are best appreciated on the Great Plains, where views are expansive.

We are fortunate to own property on the west wall of the South Platte Valley, in Littleton, Colorado, which is a great spot for storm watching.  Forming above the Continental Divide, the storms drift eastward, growing in size and power as they pull in hot air from the surrounding Plains.  Mushrooming to 50,000 feet, their upper layers reflect the setting sun and can be seen from distances of 100 miles or more.  From the safety of our farm, we watch the thunderstorms expand and merge, producing a spectacular light show as dusk shrouds the Front Range.

Most common in Colorado from May through September, thunderstorms have been especially abundant this year, dropping far more rain than has been typical; indeed, we expect more storms today and tomorrow.  As I have discussed in the past, global warming may both intensify and expand the Southwest Monsoon in this region, though it will take years of data to clarify that issue.  

Mystery on the Plains

As one who crosses the Great Plains of North America on a regular basis, I have noticed something over the past seven years that is a bit of mystery.  The geography has not changed, the land use has remained stable and the seasonal weather patterns are fairly predictable.  Yet, there has been a notable addition to the scenery during that time.

A bastion of Christian Conservatives, the Great Plains have long harbored road signs that praise Jesus, reject abortion and ask travelers "Where will you spend eternity?"  But in recent years, Trump signs are intermingled with the religious messaging.  As one who was raised in the Catholic Church, I am well aware of the traits attributed to Jesus and, based on that Christian education, Trump is no Jesus.

One thus wonders how these ranchers and farmers can praise Jesus while also promoting Trump.  To my recollection, Jesus did not abuse women, seek personal wealth, cheat his followers or heap attention on himself.  Neither did he ridicule his competitors, spread lies about his accomplishments or defame female associates.  Now that I think about it, this mystery extends well beyond the Great Plains.

Life Dates

In the course of a year, we humans acknowledge a number of dates that prompt celebration, remembrance or simply traditional activities.  These include birthdays, wedding anniversaries, death dates of family members or close friends and cultural holidays.  But there are other dates that tend to be far more personal.

These dates, unique to us all, mark episodes in our life that were especially emotional.  They may have been characterized by joy or pain but they had a significant impact on us.  The event itself may have actually altered the course of our life or, more likely, permanently influenced our self image and/or our relationship with others.

I suspect most of us do not anticipate such dates in the course of a year but, when confronted by them (often on our cell phone), memories and emotions are stirred.  We cannot escape our past.

The Death of Truth

Despite remarkable advances in science over the past Century, explaining the nature of our Universe, our planet and ourselves, we have entered a period during which truth has become the enemy for segments of human society.  Focused on securing and retaining power, they intend to control the flow of information, most of which is false.

Of course, in the U.S., Donald Trump is the self-proclaimed leader of this movement and his Big Lie is it's cornerstone.  Falling into place, Conservative Republicans are using arbitrary decrees to spread their misinformation, blaming law enforcement, educators, health professionals and the scientific community for the perceived "ills of society."  Lacking facts to support their claims, they rely on conspiracy theories, like-minded jurists and an uneducated populace to retain control.

Democracy can only exist in a society that values truth.  Our legal system is designed to defend it and our educational institutions are tasked with exposing it.  Yet, a significant number of Americans want to bury it.

Funded by the Poor

Over the past few decades, State and local governments have augmented their revenue by setting up lottery programs.  Heading off opposition from anti-gambling groups and concerned citizens, they have claimed that the proceeds will go toward parks, recreation centers, open space conservation etc.; of course, we all know that government revenue is fungible.

Enter any gas station or travel center and someone will be purchasing lottery tickets.  It doesn't take investigative skills to realize that most of these gamblers are not from upscale neighborhoods.  Some are likely using a portion of their welfare or disability checks to pay for the tickets.

While I am all for taxing wealthy citizens to support vital community programs, I am strongly opposed to lotteries.  They encourage risk taking that leads to poor financial management, likely deprive children of adequate food and necessities, often lead to a gambling addiction and, in most cases, simply recycle government funds. 

Cholla Cactus

Like our linden (discussed yesterday), our cholla cactus is another plant that blooms in July.  Also like the linden, it was well developed when we purchased the farm more than three decades ago; I suspect it is at least fifty years old.

Cholla cacti are represented by some 35 species, native to deserts of the Western Hemisphere.  Their cylindrical branches are covered with fine, barbed spines and their flower color varies with the species; our resident cactus is adorned with bright red flowers in mid summer (see photo) while most cholla species flower in late spring or early summer.

Needless to say, the cholla does well in the semi-arid Front Range climate and our only maintenance has been to trim nearby tree branches to keep them from shading this sun-loving plant.  To my knowledge, we have no resident wildlife that feed on the cactus though broad-tailed hummingbirds and various insects likely feast on the floral nectar. 

Linden in Bloom

By mid summer, most of the trees and shrubs on our Littleton, Colorado, farm are producing fruit, having flowered back in the spring.  An exception is our linden (also known as a basswood), a large deciduous tree that blooms in July.

Already sizable when we purchased the property, 33 years ago, the linden is now one of our larger trees.  Though three decades of storms (especially heavy, wet snow in late spring) have "pruned" it into an uneven shape, the tree remains healthy and has produced a massive number of fragrant yellow flowers this year (see photo).

The dangling flower clumps attract a wide variety of pollinators (especially bees) and are used by some humans to brew tea.  While providing beauty and shade, lindens also tolerate the semi-arid climate of the Front Range; indeed, we have never actively watered the tree.  Fortunately, this year, frequent spring and early summer rains have benefited all of our plants, including the linden. 

Climate Effects Intensify

One might think that Vermont, renowned for its cool northern lakes and mountain vistas, would be relatively immune to the early effects of global warming.  This week's catastrophic flooding, like the Canadian wildfires, put that assumption to rest.

Indeed, an excessive and prolonged heat wave across the Desert Southwest and Southern Plains has garnered much of the attention with regard to climate change but we have observed extreme heat and destructive flooding throughout the country and across the globe.  Just yesterday, a cluster of thunderstorms dropped 10 inches of rain in southwest Arkansas.  Sea temperatures along the coasts of Southern Florida have reached 90 degrees F (potent fuel for hurricanes).

All of these destructive and deadly weather events are not merely transient variations in our typical weather patterns as the Conservative media want us to believe.  Having just documented the highest global temperature in recorded history, we are well into the relentless effects of global warming; it will only get worse from here and major efforts to slow the process are warranted.  Above all else, we must elect political leaders who take the problem seriously. 

Flashback Post XLIV

Commercials for unproven, unregulated, over-the-counter supplements, touting nutritional benefits or effective treatment for a variety of mental and physical symptoms, continue to flood the airwaves.  Unfortunately, the Drug Enforcement Administration has failed to act despite the fact that this lucrative practice has long targeted uninformed viewers (as I discussed back in August of 2009).

See: The Supplement Craze 

Naturalize City Parks

This morning, my wife and I took a walk through Columbia's largest park.  Like most city parks, it is an attractive, landscaped preserve that hosts a number of public events each year.

Unfortunately, I would estimate that 60% of the Park is covered by unused lawns that require regular mowing and occupy space that could be naturalized.  Likely designed for easy maintenance and to please the human eye, these lawns stretch across hillsides, between roadways and along paved hike/bike trails.  While picnic areas, gardens and recreational fields are certainly appropriate, converting most of these human grasslands to natural habitat would benefit wildlife, reduce fossil fuel use and increase carbon capture.

No doubt, similar parks adorn most cities throughout our country and across the globe.  The cumulative impact of naturalizing unused tracts of turf would be enormous. 

A Reptile Imbalance?

When we purchased our modest-sized, suburban property in Columbia, Missouri, 26 years ago, garter snakes were regularly observed in the yard and flower beds; during some springs, their young seemed to be everywhere.  We also noticed a fair number of five-lined skinks (also known as blue-tailed skinks) on the property.

Now, two decades later, the skinks are abundant and the snakes are all but absent.  I suspect the garter snakes had preyed on the skinks, keeping their population in check; once their numbers crashed (for reasons unknown....perhaps predation by opossums, raccoons and red-shouldered hawks), the skink population exploded.

Though I am unsure regarding the specifics, it appears that our reptilian imbalance is symbolic of the predator-prey relationships that we observe in all natural ecosystems.  As with the gyrations of the cottontail population on our Littleton, Colorado, farm, in relation to the presence or absence of red fox, population dynamics are most evident in contained environments.  Since we humans seem committed to carving up what little open space remains, such imbalances will likely lead to an accelerated rate of extinction. 

Scissor-tails with Young

This morning, while birding east of Columbia, Missouri, I was fortunate to come across a family of scissor-tailed flycatchers.  The adults and their four young were lounging on a power line; as I watched from my Beetle, one of the adults flew off and soon returned with breakfast for the youngsters.

Most abundant across the Southern Plains, from Kansas to northern Mexico, these tropical-looking birds nest in groves of trees that border open country; occasionally, they nest on man-made structures such as barns, bridges or power poles.  They feed almost exclusively on insects, most of which they snare in flight.  Come fall, these flycatchers head for the Tropics though some winter in southernmost Florida.

Scissor-tails seem to be increasingly common in central Missouri and, in almost 50 years of birding, this was my first opportunity to observe a family.  Just when we think we have seen it all, nature reminds us how provincial we humans truly are. 

Summer Switch

By mid summer, many birders lose their enthusiasm for birdwatching jaunts (at least at their local hotspots).  The migrants are gone and the well-known summer residents have settled into the business of raising their young.  Heat often dampens one's interest in hiking and many of the country roads have turned to dust.

Of course, most birders are naturalists at heart and take an interest in other life forms as well.  Summer is a great time to explore the insect population, an activity easily combined with "wildflower watching."  Indeed, these colorful and interesting plants attract a wide variety of pollinators and this interaction is vital to the health of natural ecosystems.  On this sunny afternoon, our stand of purple coneflowers (photo) was alive with dozens of bees, butterflies and other insects.

Shorebirds will begin to drift southward in a week or two and late summer vagrants will add a bit of spice to birding trips.  In the meantime, I recommend learning more about some of our planet's smaller and more colorful species. 

 

A Celebration of Freedom

It is the Fourth of July, a day to celebrate freedom in America.  Of course, that freedom applies primarily to wealthy, white, heterosexual, Christian men.

Thanks to Conservative Republicans, the Religious Right and our Conservative Supreme Court, the rights of all others are threatened (if not already abolished).

In recognition of that fact, this post is extremely short.  There is far less freedom to celebrate in America these days.

Golf & Martins

This morning, before the heat of the day, I took two of my grandsons to the driving range at Mizzou's golf course, in Columbia.  While they hacked away at the golf balls, I sat in the shade, offering sage advice based on my distant, past experience.

As an added bonus, I was free to watch purple martins as they made sorties above the fairways, oblivious of the missiles launched from the many pads.  Since the golf course hosts many nest boxes and hollowed gourds for nesting, it harbors what may be the largest flock of martins in Boone County.

Having wintered in the Amazon Basin, purple martins summer and breed across much of the U.S. and southern Canada, feasting on a wide variety of flying insects.  Once relying on natural cavities in trees and cacti, their numbers dwindled with relentless human "development" across the Continent  Though man-made nest sites have slowed that decline, the population of these long-distance migrants remains well below its historic size. 

It Gets Worse

In yesterday's post, I expressed my dismay with the Supreme Court's decision favoring a web designer who refused to work for a gay couple who were planning their wedding.  As it now turns out, the individual named in the initial lawsuit never requested her assistance; in fact, he, himself, is a web designer and is not gay.

In other words, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down a momentous and far-reaching decision that was based on fraudulent evidence.  Shame on the Colorado prosecutor and shame on the Supreme Court.

Such manufactured cases have become widespread in the Republican Party as they seek to abolish all progressive rights in American society.  Hopefully, the Colorado Attorney General will petition the Supreme Court to reverse their decision and the Colorado web designer who brought the suit will be prosecuted and jailed.  The enlightenment of human civilization has once again been hijacked by the false narrative of the Religious Right.

SCOTUS Defends Discrimination

Yesterday, the Supreme Court of the United States decided that a business owner in Colorado may refuse to serve a gay couple.  Of course, their decision also gives her the right to refuse providing service to African-Americans, mixed race couples, Jewish persons or any minority group that might offend her in some way.

One would think that the primary role of the Supreme Court is to defend the rights of all Americans, regardless of their gender, race, sexuality, political persuasion or religious beliefs.  In my opinion, this case should have been rejected from the start.

But we now have a Conservative Court that pays no attention to precedent and seems determined to turn back the clock to the 1950s.  They are Trump's Court and we should hold him and his sycophants (i.e. most members of the Republican Party) responsible.  Vote Democratic next year!