Idalia & Climate Change

As Hurricane Idalia churns toward the Great Bend of Florida, it is expected to strengthen to a Category 3 or, possibly, a Category 4 Storm, fueled by the excessively warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.  Damage along the Florida Coast will result primarily from storm surge, forecast to reach 15 feet in some areas.

There is no doubt that global warming is increasing the power of hurricanes and augmenting their effects on both coastal and inland communities and ecosystems.  Higher sea levels, warmer ocean waters and the increasing water content of warm air all play a role, exacerbating the effects of storm surge, wind damage and inland flooding.

While Idalia will likely make landfall along the Great Bend of Florida, its effects will extend far inland, across northern Florida, southern Georgia and the Carolinas.  Indeed, it could re-strengthen off the Southeastern Coast, producing storm surge in that region as well.   

Evenings on the Deck

Each evening, I spend an hour or so on our back deck in Missouri or patio in Colorado.  While I sometimes have music in the background, I primarily listen to nature: birds, squirrels, insects and wind-induced sounds.  This evening, a barred owl is hooting in the distance.

While it does not strictly qualify as meditation, this habit does offer tranquility and mental relaxation.  It is also a welcome break from the stress imposed by news and the various duties of life.  Perhaps this was more valuable during my years of medical practice but I find it just as rewarding in retirement.

Whether we admit it or not, we all need periods of solitude, a chance to let our minds wander.  Nature is good company; she is neither interested in our thoughts nor demanding of our attention.  

The De-Socialization of Dogs

Dogs evolved from wild canines and were bred into a wide variety of species for their appearance or for special skills.  Yet, they are inherently pack animals.

When I was young, dogs ran free in our neighborhood, forming small packs and interacting with us as we played in the yard or wandered into the woods.  For a variety of reasons (sanitation, safety, property rights) that does not happen today.  On the other hand, they are now allowed in stores, restaurants, gyms and airplanes, among other human spaces, under the control of their owner.

Unfortunately, most dogs in Western Society now lead rather solitary lives, often confined to condos or apartments for most of the day.  Having not been socialized, they are defensive, reactionary creatures that must be tightly constrained or even muzzled when in public areas.  While dog parks and dog walkers offer some socialization, these experiences are limited.  Tiny breeds may do well indoors but, in my opinion, most dogs need plenty of outdoor space and at least one companion. 

Hunting Sandhill Cranes

While most of us understand that certain species are legally hunted to control their population, protect crops and prevent damage to natural ecosystems, I did not appreciate the extent of sandhill crane hunting until yesterday.  Pulling into a gas station in Kansas, I noticed a pickup truck with crane decoys filling its bed.  This prompted research on my part.

As I found out, with a little help from Google, permit-based sandhill crane hunting in the Central Flyway has been occurring since 1961.  As of today, most States across the Great Plains and Great Basin allow crane hunting in the fall or winter.  Apparently, these regal birds are quite tasty.

Of course, few hunters are dependent on crane meat for their family's survival and the overpopulation of cranes, like many other species, reflects the fact that we have eliminated some of their natural predators.  In addition, their damage to crops and fragile ecosystems is due to the fact that we have greatly reduced the natural habitat on which the cranes depend.  The modern solution?  Kill more cranes.

 

Sightings in Hays

Heading back to Missouri today, I left our Littleton farm very early in order to beat the heat on the Great Plains; as a result, I encountered mild air (60s F) all the way to the Kansas line.  Nevertheless, by the time I reached Hays, my overnight destination, it was 93 degrees, headed for 100.

Since it was only late morning, I decided to visit Ft. Hays State University where I knew that large shade trees would offer a comfortable retreat until my hotel room was available.  Sitting on a bench along the Quad, I watched as two Mississippi kites skimmed the treetops, feasting on insects.  I also observed a prairie falcon, perhaps the same one that attacked my wife and I back in July of 2022.

But the most emotional observation of the morning was a number of students wearing bellbottoms.  Of course, this took me back to my own college days when such garb was standard, if not expected.  On my way to the hotel, I stopped at a sports bar for lunch where (I kid you not) Bellbottom Blues was playing on the sound system.  I knew the feeling.

Colorado Air Conditioning

Having owned our Littleton farm house for 33 years, we have never felt the need to add air conditioning.  Even now, trapped beneath the dome of heat that extends from the Front Range to the Midwest, it is reasonably comfortable in the house.

The reasons, of course, are the dry air and the elevation (our farm sits at 5400 feet), which facilitate radiative cooling at night.  Once the sun goes down, we open the windows and, before long, cool air is filtering in.  Outdoor overnight temperatures usually fall into the upper 50s or low 60sF in summer and, even in the current heat wave, they have dropped below 70.

Now that we are two months past the summer solstice, nights are significantly longer and the natural air conditioning is even more efficient.  Though we expect an afternoon high in the mid 90sF today, it will be pleasantly mild until mid morning and, thereafter, shade is the only cooling mechanism that we will need. 

Field Bindweed

In my opinion, the word "weed" is just a disparaging term for wildflowers that we don't want in our yards or on our farms.  On the other hand, some seem to deserve that designation.

Field bindweed is just such a wildflower.  Accidentally introduced from Eurasia, this perennial vine favors disturbed soil in sun exposed areas along roads, streams and fence lines.  Though it produces attractive white or pink flowers (see photo), it often smothers other plants and crops.  Bindweed spreads from an extensive root system as well as by seed; furthermore, the seeds tolerate prolonged dormancy (perhaps up to 50 years).  On the positive side, the flowers (which bloom from mid spring to mid autumn) attract a variety of small bees.

Field bindweed is certainly among my least favorite wildflowers and I suspect others agree.  Since I do not use herbicides on our properties, the only ecologic control measure is frequent, manual removal; I have read that sheep and goats find it tasty but we are not currently in the livestock business.  One must admire this plant's tenacity and, as long as it is not smothering our shrubs, I respect its right to flourish. 

East of Hilary

Tropical Storm Hilary's track into Southern California, Arizona and the Great Basin is governed by an eastward shift of the high pressure dome that has produced extreme heat across the south-central U.S. throughout the summer.  That shift is having other effects as well.

Clockwise winds along the rim of the dome are already sweeping Gulf of Mexico moisture across South and West Texas and northward along the Rocky Mountain corridor.  Indeed, last evening, a train of thunderstorms, moving south to north, pummeled Metro Denver, producing significant disruption at the International Airport.

Meanwhile, along the southern rim of the dome, east winds will usher a tropical depression across the warm Gulf waters, possibly igniting another Tropical Storm and bringing much-needed rain to Texas.  Atmospheric shifts often produce both negative and positive effects, depending on your location. 

Hilary Churns toward the Southwest

Having formed in the warm Pacific waters off Mexico, Hurricane Hilary rapidly intensified into a Category 4 storm and is churning to the NNW.  Expected to weaken in cooler waters off the Baja Peninsula, the storm may still retain Tropical Storm status when it enters Southern California; if so, it will be the first to do so in 84 years.

While high winds may cause damage, the primary concern with Hilary is widespread flooding.  Directing a steady flow of tropical moisture across much of the Desert Southwest and Great Basin, the storm will likely drop up to 10 inches of rain in mountainous areas; while 2-3 inches is forecast for most of the region, that is a year's worth of precipitation for many desert locations.

Like so many "natural disasters" over the past few years, this unusual weather event reflects our warming climate.  Warmer ocean waters and higher sea levels will produce havoc across the globe, primarily for coastal regions but, at times, far inland. 

Two Days of Truth

During parenthood, most of us engage in a variety of activities with our children, including sports and outdoor adventures such as hiking.  This bonding gives us a chance to introduce them to new experiences, learn more about their interests and get some beneficial exercise ourselves.

Now in my early seventies, I have been hosting my seven-year-old grandson for the past two days.  Though the experience has been similar and equally enjoyable, I have been forced to acknowledge limitations that did not exist during my parenting years.  Despite efforts to eat well and remain active, age takes its toll on all of us and  spending time with a high-energy youngster only amplifies that message.

To have lived long enough to watch my grandkids mature has surely been a gift but it comes with a healthy dose of reality.  Keeping up with them at this age is a challenge that often requires negotiation.  

West of the Front

After slogging through torrential rain yesterday, I awoke this morning to bright sunshine and rather cool temperatures (mid 50s F) on the Great Plains; in fact, weather reports indicated that it was only 45 degrees F in northwest Kansas.  Of course, I was now behind the cold front as I drove west across the High Plains.  The air was crystal clear and the windmills indicated that a northwest breeze was still in progress.

At the Colorado border, a band of clouds appeared across the distant, southwest horizon, clearly representing the back edge of the cool, atmospheric trough.  By the time I reached Limon, however, the winds had shifted from the northeast, suggesting that this pool of autumn weather was drifting eastward and would not offer relief much longer.

Nevertheless, it was sunny and 70 degrees F when I drove onto our Littleton farm.  Due to continued, intermittent rain, the landscape remains green, looking more like May than August.  That verdancy will soon be tested as we expect sunny, hot weather for the next ten days. 

Traveling through Torrents

As one who has taken countless roadtrips in my life, I can safely report that today's was the rainiest of all.  Heading back to Colorado, I drove through torrents of rain between Columbia, Missouri, and Lawrence, Kansas.

The causes of this deluge were a cold front that dipped across the Heartland, extreme heat to our south and excessively warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico.  Once again, global warming is amplifying the weather patterns that we regularly experience.

Of course, driving through torrential rain can be dangerous.  Visibility is limited, hydroplaning may occur and, of most concern, clueless drivers zoom by in the passing lane, oblivious of the risks. 

Suburban Deer

When I was a child, ages ago, my parents would slow down on country roads if a deer was spotted; since we were not at outdoorsy (hiking/camping) family, such rare sightings were special events.  Of course, deer are now considered to be a nuisance by many Americans, munching on flower beds and "causing" collisions on our highways.

Here in central Missouri, as in most areas of the country, deer are commonly encountered.  When we moved to Columbia, almost 26 years ago, we would find evidence of their nightly raids and occasionally observe one at dusk or dawn.  These days, they roam and browse the neighborhood in broad daylight, often in small herds or with fawns in tow.  How strange and exciting that would have been during my childhood.

Of course, we have created nutritious landscapes for these visitors that are generally free of predators.  In addition, we have destroyed most of their natural habitat with our sprawling "developments."  Enjoy or gripe about their presence in our suburbs but they are here because of us.

First Autumn Color

A few leaves atop one of our sumacs have turned bright orange, the first fall color of the year.  Though we have plenty of hot, humid summer weather to endure, sumacs are almost always the first trees to offer a glimpse of autumn.

Sumacs are represented by more than 150 species of shrubs and small trees across the globe.  They are members of the cashew family, which also includes pistachios.  While our local, smooth sumacs do not provide food for humans, they do yield pointed clusters of red berries that are held through the winter and consumed by a variety of songbirds.

Though relatively short-lived, most sumacs spread by suckering and are hardy plants.  These traits are reflected by large stands of sumac shrubs and trees along highways and country roads. 

Maui Wildfires

Though Hawaii is known for its lush, tropical landscapes, the volcanic mountains, prevailing winds and ocean currents produce micro-climates throughout the island chain.  Unfortunately, current atmospheric conditions set the stage for wildfires that are now raging in western Maui.

A dome of high pressure north of the archipelago and Hurricane Dora to the south are combining to rake the westernmost islands with strong east winds.  Gusting to 60 mph or more, the intensity and drying effect of these winds is exacerbated by the mountainous terrain.  As these winds descend west of the volcanos, the air heats up and dries out, augmenting the risk of wildfires.

Indeed, the current wildfires developed on the western slopes of the mountains, invading heavily-populated tourist areas.  Though the winds are expected to subside through the day, damage is reported to be extensive.  At least one wildfire has also developed on the west side of the Big Island. 

Non-Scarlet Tanagers

A few days ago, while birding in southeast Columbia, Missouri, I saw a bird that I reflexively identified as a western tanager.  That impulse relates to the fact that we have a second home in Colorado, where western tanagers are common; observing one in Missouri would be an extremely rare event.

My transient impression soon yielded to the realization that I had observed a molting, male scarlet tanager.  Bright red with black wings when they arrive in the spring, males begin to molt in late July or August, before they leave for South America.  During that molt, they retain their black wings but otherwise gradually transition to the olive-yellow plumage of females.  The next spring, before they travel back to North America, male scarlet tanagers molt back to their striking red and black plumage.

Throughout the Northern Summer, scarlet tanagers are best found in tracts of deciduous forest, from the Midwest eastward to New England and the mid Atlantic region.  They feed primarily on insects but may consume berries as well.  These attractive songbirds are always of interest to birders but the molting males may confuse even the most experienced among us, myself included. 

Ecosystem in a Box

Back in 2014, I constructed a compost bin for our yard in Columbia, Missouri.  Not an avid or talented carpenter, it was simply constructed with treated lumber and cedar fence slats; about 4 cubic feet in size, it has a hinged lid but no access for removing the nutrient-rich product.

Nevertheless, it has provided a convenient and environment-friendly structure for recycling yard and kitchen "waste."  In concert, it has offered an up-close look at a fascinating ecosystem, from the bacteria, fungi and invertebrates that break down the vegetation to the spiders, skinks and, I suspect, wrens that feast on them.  As one might expect, activity in the bin is especially intense during the hot, humid days of summer.

Of course, the bin is generally full by early spring (after several months of loading) but rapidly "empties" when the warm, wet weather returns.  The fact that I have not removed any compost over the past nine years attests to the efficiency of its confined ecosystem.

The Nature of Cults

Cults are social movements that have two primary components: a charismatic, self-righteous leader and an aggrieved population.  The latter are individuals who feel threatened, ridiculed or otherwise marginalized.

While I hesitate to refer to Trump as a charismatic leader, his bombastic pronouncements, however self-promoting, appeal to a large number of Americans.  These followers, who condone if not support his lack of respect for established norms and institutions, claim to be held back by, of all things, human rights.  Egged on by Trump's rhetoric, they feel threatened by persons-of-color, non-Christians, immigrants, members of the LGBQT community, conservationists and, especially, the perceived "Dark Forces" that control our country.

As with most cults, their leader is a deeply flawed individual; above all else, he is a supreme narcissist who could care less about the welfare of his devoted minions.  Encouraging them to spread conspiracies and attack opponents, Trump will abandon them if their actions place his own power or freedom at risk.

Breaking Away

As we humans mature, we recognize the traits and familial behaviors that we acquired during childhood.  We also recall, and may retain, the convictions of our parents.

While some never abandon those ingrained beliefs, most of us sort through them over time, assessing their truth in light of our own education and life experience.  Indeed, this is essential as we develop our personal identity; after all, our individual philosophy will govern our choices in life and they, in turn, will determine how it unfolds.

This process of breaking away does not diminish the value of parental nurturing and guidance but our personal happiness requires that we be true to ourself.  Taking responsibility for our own actions, beliefs, failures and achievements ensures that life will be rewarding.

Politics, Religion & Conservation

No doubt, many regular patrons of this blog tune out when they see the words politics or religion in the title of the post.  After all, this is Nature's Blog and they expect a discussion on wildlife, natural ecosystems, natural history, geology and similar topics.

While I often wish I could ignore politics and religion myself, I know that politicians and religious leaders have a profound (and often negative) impact on conservation and thus on the welfare of our planet.  Cutting funds for scientific research, open space protection, pollution control and efforts to combat climate change are among the political attacks on natural ecosystems.  For their part, religious leaders place emphasis on the supremacy of humans, created in the image of God, not on the vital concept that we are part of nature, interdependent with all forms of life.

Of course, the right politicians can play a positive role in protecting our planet and the ballet box is our primary tool for securing that assistance.  Any positive impact of mysticism, on the other hand, is not foreseeable.  

A Projection

Donald Trump has been indicted for his efforts to overturn the 2020 Election; the indictment is extremely thorough and, legal experts seem to agree, indefensible.  Today, he was arraigned in Federal Court, in Washington, D.C., and was told that the trial judge, a no-nonsense jurist, will set a trial date when the prosecutors and defense attorneys meet on August 28.

Donald Trump is a bully, perhaps the most egregious bully many of us have ever witnessed  Bullies are wimps.  Trump, pampered throughout his life, is outwardly pompous but, I strongly suspect, inwardly a coward.

Faced with a strong indictment, a strict judge and a trial date well before the 2024 election, I project that Trump will plead guilty.  The prospect of prison will overwhelm him.

Disclaimer:  My projection was totally (and sadly) wrong back in 2016. 

Following the Rain

Like migrant herbivores on the African Veldt, I have been following the rain for the past few weeks.  Starting in Metro Denver in mid July, I experienced frequent showers and thunderstorms that have dominated the Front Range weather since late spring.

Then, over the past week, my wife and I visited northeast Ohio where regular storms, some heavy, streamed in across the Great Lakes,  Returning to the Heartland today, we encountered a soggy landscape in central Missouri, courtesy of recent torrential rains; thunderstorms are expected to return overnight and a flash flood watch has been issued for much of the State.

In all three geographic regions, I have been on the outer rim of the Southwest Heat Dome.  As the dome expands and contracts, storm bands form along its edge, moving clockwise  Indeed, tonight's storms will arrive from the northwest and continue southeastward through the night, fueled by persistent heat within the high pressure dome.