Rogue Waves

As most Americans have likely seen on videos by now, a rogue wave struck the coast of Ventura, California, this week, injuring 8 persons and flooding the neighborhood.  Though such waves have been reported for centuries, they were not documented until the mid 1980s.

Defined as a wave that is at least twice the height of surrounding waves, the cause for this destructive, natural phenomenon remains controversial.  Most oceanologists point to a merging of waves with the transfer of energy to a single wave, induced by a complex interaction of surface winds and ocean currents.  One confusing observation is that rogue waves often move against or across the direction of the prevailing wind.

Predicting this phenomenon is currently beyond our ability, just another reason that beachcombers, seafarers and coastal residents must respect the power of the sea.  Whether climate change will augment the formation of these waves is unknown but it seems to be energizing most other weather-related catastrophes. 

Thoughts on the Southern Border

While Donald Trump demonizes immigrants, President Biden and his Administration have failed to effectively deal with the flood of immigrants from South and Central America.  Indeed, it appears to be the most significant threat to his re-election.  It is time that efforts to deal with this issue be intensified and publicized; of course, Republicans are unlikely to cooperate.

The participation of Mexico in the solution will be crucial; though meetings with the Mexican President are scheduled for this week, that country must be "strongly encouraged" to play a more effective role.  Within our country, border facilities and personnel should be greatly expanded and, for those immigrants who qualify to remain in the U.S., a more robust distribution system, involving all American cities, should be established.

Most importantly, President Biden needs to speak to the American people and lay out his plan.  In addition, he should visit the border, speaking with the Governors, immigration officials and patrol agents; press should be invited and televised conferences should be held.  There is currently no more important issue when it comes to his re-election (or to the election of another Democratic candidate).  This issue must be taken away from the Republicans. 

Seabird Convention

Whitney Beach, which stretches along the northwestern edge of Longboat Key, is certainly one of the best birding locations in Manatee County.  Today, it hosted a seabird convention.

Arriving at noon, I encountered hundreds of red knots, black skimmers and royal terns, with lesser but significant numbers of Sandwich terns, Forster's terns, laughing gulls, ring-billed gulls, willets, black-bellied plovers and sanderlings.  These birds had gathered along a 50-yard stretch of the beach, relatively unfazed by the humans that wandered past.  They readily posed for photos and paid no attention to the brown pelicans, cormorants and ospreys that flew overhead.

Their relative passivity may have been partly in response to the sea fog that was drifting in from the Gulf of Mexico; visibility for fishing and scavenging was rapidly declining.  Whatever the reason, their massive congregation was a sight to behold. 

Christmas Morning Visitors

On this cool, gray, rainy morning in South Florida, we had three unexpected Christmas visitors.  They were bottlenose dolphins.

Cavorting about in Sarasota Bay, just 20 yards from our condo, the trio seemed to be celebrating the Holiday themselves.  These intelligent creatures always give me the impression that they know we are watching and intend to send a message, perhaps (I often think) about their relative degree of freedom.

Less interactive and far more tranquil were American white pelicans, drifting slowly past the mangroves in parade formation.  Joy and peace on this Christmas Day! 

Barred Owl on Longboat Key

About 5 AM, I was awakened by the distinctive hooting of a barred owl outside our condo on Longboat Key, Florida.  It was my first encounter with this species on the island since we started visiting, twenty years ago.

While barred owls are common in wooded swamps and wetlands (especially in the South), one does not generally associate them with mangroves and palm trees; other than the invasive Australian pines, trees on Longboat Key are mostly limited to those planted in yards and condo developments.  Of course, there are mice, birds and lizards to prey on and barred owls have been known to eat crabs as well.

Perhaps this morning's encounter would not be considered unusual by local birders but it was a pleasant surprise for me.  After all, we humans each have our own definition of "rare" events, based almost exclusively on our personal experience. 

Return to Celery Fields

This morning, we returned to Celery Fields in Sarasota, Florida.  A natural landscape utilized for storm water control, the lakes, marshes, canals and sloughs attract a wide variety of water birds and other wildlife.  Among the species encountered today were American purple gallinules (photo by Darcy Folzenlogen); anhingas, glossy ibis and palm warblers were especially abundant.  I also saw my first gray-headed swamp hens, natives of Southeast Asia that were introduced to South Florida in the mid 1990's and are now threatening the welfare of local wetland ecosystems.

My post from December, 2013, offers a more complete description of this fascinating preserve.

See: Limpkins at Celery Fields   

Gull Thievery

A large flock of red-breasted mergansers have been fishing on Sarasota Bay near our condo.  One or two ring-billed gulls usually join them.

Of course, the gulls are not merely offering their companionship.  Rather, they hope to steal fish that the mergansers bring to the surface.  I have witnessed similar gull thievery involving pelicans, terns and cormorants, among other seabirds.  One must respect their ingenuity.

We humans tend to despise such behavior but nature is not fair.  Indeed, many species, including our own, often feed on the accomplishments of others. 

Flashback Post XLVI

Icelandic volcanism is back in the news due to current eruptions on that island.  The geologic/tectonic cause for this volcanic activity was discussed in a post back in March of 2010.

See: Iceland & Rift Volcanism 

Wolves return to Colorado

Five gray wolves, the first of the reintroduction program approved by voters in 2020, were released in the Colorado Rockies this week; a second group is expected to be released within the next few months.

Like every other event in America these days, wolf reintroduction is a political issue, favored by conservationists (mostly Democratic) and opposed by ranchers (mostly Republican).  Ranchers will be compensated for any livestock kills but Colorado's elk population, the largest in the country, will likely be the primary target of these predators; as one might expect, elk hunters (mostly Republican) resent that competition.

Republican Administrations in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming would not cooperate with the program and the first transplanted wolves were thus captured in Oregon (a Blue State).  Protecting natural habitat and restoring ecosystems will always be politicized.  Those who care about these issues must therefore vote accordingly. 

Southern Discomfort

I enjoy occasional escapes to America's Deep South, especially during the winter months.  The weather is usually pleasant and the natural ecosystems are always fascinating.

But, over the past few years, I have had second thoughts about these adventures, reluctant to offer any personal support to this swath of Red States.  While the residents almost always manifest the southern hospitality that we have come to expect, the regional politics, apparently supported by the majority, are offensive at best.  Even today, human rights, educational freedom, and voting access are under attack.

Of course, this intolerance may not be condoned by many (perhaps most) citizens of the South but their elected representatives seem to suggest otherwise.  On the positive side, I have yet to encounter any book burnings.  Vote Democratic! 

Air Show over Sarasota Bay

Though our recent storm system has moved up to New England, a strong north wind continues to rake Sarasota Bay.  Rather than retreating from this steady onslaught, many local seabirds seem to enjoy the conditions.

Royal and sandwich terns, hovering into the wind, repeatedly dove for fish while ospreys circled above the waves before plunging for their meal.  Masters of the air, brown pelicans soared about in the turbulent atmosphere though their white cousins, which feed from the surface, gathered in protected inlets.  Double-crested cormorants and white ibis made rapid sorties across the bay and a flock of tree swallows, down for the winter, skimmed the waves in search of insects.  Other air show participants included turkey vultures, ring-billed gulls and, surprisingly, large flocks of rock pigeons.

Once the windy conditions subside and low tide exposes mudflats, a variety of waders will dominate the scene and many of the aerialists will favor the Gulf side of Longboat Key.  Indeed, shifting winds and tides dictate the Bay's bird population on any given day. 

Attack on the Beach

This morning, my wife and I walked over to the beach to observe the angry Gulf.  Since last night's storm was moving up the Eastern Seaboard, its backside, northwest winds were raking the West Coast of Florida.

Except for one daring windsurfer, beachgoers were trudging along the flattened beach, our faces turned down to avoid the blowing sand.  Undeterred, a large flock of sanderlings raced in front of the crashing waves, grabbing morsels of food before they washed out of sight.  Watching them, likely from the top of a condo tower, was a merlin, a small, aggressive falcon; swooping at high speed toward the flock, it attempted to snare one of the shorebirds as the startled flock burst into flight, circling out over the turbulent sea.

The effort having failed, the merlin flew on down the coast, surely watching for another flock to attack.  No doubt, it had breakfast before we left the beach. 

Into a Maelstrom

Returning to our Longboat Key condo for the Holidays, we arrived in concert with a potent storm system, moving in from the Gulf of Mexico.  Rain and a steady east wind are preceding the center of circulation and we expect heavier rain, stronger winds and thunderstorms as the storm makes landfall.  A tornado watch is also in effect.

While we are almost a month past the Atlantic Hurricane Season, tropical storms may yet develop; indeed, as our climate warms, the Season will surely expand to a year-long threat in Tropical and Subtropical latitudes.

Our walks and my birding excursions will have to wait for now though I have already observed an anhinga crossing Sarasota Bay.  More on my sightings and musings over the next two weeks.

Valley of the Raptors

The Lower Bonne Femme Creek Valley, southwest of Columbia, is one of my favored local birding areas.  It is also, in my experience, one of the best locations to observe raptors in this region.

Bisected by the creek and its tributaries, the valley is bounded by forested hills and quilted with farm fields, pastures and riparian woodlands.  Turkey vultures, red-tails and red-shouldered hawks are common there and bald eagles are frequent visitors, especially along the Missouri River into which Bonne Femme Creek drains.  American kestrels hunt across the fields while sharp-shinned hawks, Cooper's hawks and merlins are attracted by the seasonal flocks of songbirds.  Peregrine falcons are also occasional visitors, perching along the river during spring and fall migrations.

Though I seldom visit the Valley at dawn or dusk, I have no doubt that great horned and barred owls also hunt along the pastures and crop fields.  Someday, I'll make the effort to confirm that conviction.

Climate Summit Chokes on Oil

The 2023 United Nations Climate Summit, known as COP28, has failed to deal with fossil fuel use, the cause of global warming.  Held in the UAE, a major oil producer, it never seriously addressed the proverbial "Elephant in the Room."

But it was a good show.  A chance for industrial companies from across the globe to demonstrate their commitment to fighting climate change; lots of money was raised.  Participants surely enjoyed the experience despite the lack of significant progress.  Indeed, the 2024 Summit is already planned for next November; be sure to schedule your private jet in advance!

Combating climate change without drawing up serious restrictions on world-wide fossil fuel consumption is pure folly.  Already experiencing the consequences of global warming, world leaders prefer to concentrate on economic growth.  Young citizens of the planet, who will face the brunt of climate change, must take charge now, especially at the ballot box. 

Texas & Gaza

On the surface, Texas and Gaza would seem to have little in common.  One is a large, wealthy State while the other is a small, impoverished territory.  But in both, innocents are suffering due to the expression of power and mysticism.

In Gaza, following a cruel, inhumane attack by Hamas, the Israeli Government is using its power to wipe out those religious zealots.  In the process, thousands of innocent Palestinians have been killed and far more have been forced from their homes; the final death toll will be horrendous and most of Gaza's infrastructure will have been destroyed.  Back in Texas, Conservative, Christian zealots are imposing their beliefs on the medical community, forcing a young mother to carry her fatally ill infant and putting her own health at risk.

Power and mysticism have taken a toll on innocents throughout human history.  Despite many advances in our society, that toll continues to rise.  We should not fund the slaughter of innocents and we should boycott a State that places mysticism above the health and freedom of its citizens.

Sharing Breakfast

Earlier this week, I visited the Missouri River floodplain on a cold but sunny morning.  Rounding a curve, I caught sight of two birds, feeding on a deer carcass.  To my surprise, one was a red-tailed hawk and the other was an American crow.

Mortal enemies on most days (at least from the crow's perspective), they tolerated each other's presence, picking away at the remains.  Perhaps hunger, following a long, frigid night, was responsible for their agreeable behavior but they seemed to represent the spirit of the Season.

Though nature is not sentimental, it was an inspiring scene.  Happy Holidays! 

Establish more Refuges

As our National Parks are overwhelmed by an escalating number of visitors, threatening the ecosystems that the Parks were created to protect, it seems best to focus on establishing more National Wildlife Refuges; these wild tracts are generally ignored by most Americans and International visitors.

Set aside to protect vital habitat for both resident and migrant wildlife, most of these refuges offer limited human amenities; a visitor center and restrooms are usually the max.  After all, they are preserved for the wildlife, not for tourists.  Almost 600 are currently spaced across the country but there is, in my opinion, always room for more.  Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge, in Colorado's North Park, is pictured below.

Many of these fabulous refuges, with their beautiful landscapes and abundant wildlife, would easily qualify to be National Parks but that would signal their demise.  Paved roads and tourist facilities would be constructed, hordes of human visitors would arrive, the tranquility would vanish and the wildlife would depart for less disturbed habitat (while it remains).  

Mountain Snowpack & Climate Change

Most of Earth's major river systems are fed by mountain snowpack; the Rockies (photo), the Andes, the Alps and the Himalayas are among the primary sources.  Snow depths build during the colder months and meltwater is released as the weather warms.  The highest peaks retain snow throughout the year.

One wonders how global warming will affect this simple but vital process.  No doubt, the snow line will rise and freshwater storage will diminish over time but the transition will likely be erratic.  As occurred in California last winter, energized storm systems may produce record snowfall in some regions while others experience snow droughts.  Mountain glaciers continue to recede and their release of water will gradually diminish.  In addition, as the snow line ascends, heavy mountain rains will lead to downstream flooding.

While the uncertainties confront us and we attempt to slow (if not reverse) climate change, we must also focus on water conservation, freshwater recycling and ecological means of water storage.  Cycles of heavy mountain snow are temporarily reassuring but they should not lead to complacency.

 

Garden of Eden

The Bible declares that man is the pinnacle of God's creation.  Metaphorically, this may be true (at least with regard to brain power), though the six-day time frame is a bit short.

Life first appeared in the primordial seas of Earth some 3.6 billion years ago and would not come ashore until 450 million years ago; humans did not evolve until 130,000 years ago.  Our species spread beyond Africa about 80,000 years ago, encountering the diverse, pristine ecosystems of our home planet.  For most of our time on Earth, humans were components of those ecosystems, just another species in nature's web of life.

Then, about 10,000 years ago, we bit into the proverbial apple and our Garden of Eden began to disintegrate.  Cultivation and domestication were our initial assaults on nature, occurring in concert with the development of permanent settlements.  Eventually, the Industrial Revolution greatly accelerated our impact on the planet and, today, we struggle to remedy the damage that we have wrought.  To paraphrase Joni Mitchell, returning to the Garden may be our only means of salvation.

Nature and Romance

As most humans find out, the initial stage of romance is one of passion, characterized by physical and emotional attraction and mediated by our senses.  Often short-lived, this phase must progress to affection, companionship and mutual respect if the relationship is to last.  Indeed, many (if not most) romantic encounters end here.

But, from nature's point of view, that first stage is sufficient.  She is concerned with procreation, not with long term relationships.  While human societies have evolved to favor such relationships, fortified by the social constructs of marriage and family and closely tied to our belief systems, one might argue that they are unnatural.  As we know, many do not endure.

Most of us would likely agree that the family unit enhances the stability of human society; genetic ties are especially strong.  Just don't look to nature for her support.

See also: The Genetic Bond and Marriage: an Unnatural Union 

Giving not Consumption

Immersed in the Holiday Season, we are encouraged to buy gifts for ourselves and others.  Though this gifting is not based on need, we are reminded that the health of our economy relies on this annual orgy of spending.

Yet, this excessive consumption augments the depletion of natural resources and intensifies the process of climate change.  The "Spirit of the Season" is an excuse for this excess and efforts to curb the activity are assailed, especially in popular Holiday films.  Whether the gifts are truly essential is beside the point.

Except for a few Santa toys for young children (another tradition we ought to abandon), we might shift our spending toward charitable donations, thereby helping to solve problems rather than create new ones.  Contrary to popular opinion, these ideas are not anti-Holiday; they are pro-Planet. 

Stress and Time

Our modern human lives can be stressful, with responsibilities tugging from various directions. In turn, this chronic stress can lead to health problems, including anxiety, headaches, ulcers and cardiovascular disease.

In my experience, stress results more from the anticipation and perception of our responsibilities than from the duties themselves. We are often overwhelmed by the multiple tasks that face us and sense that we don't have the time to accomplish them. Taking time to relax (an important choice) may heighten the anxiety, adding a layer of guilt to our troubled minds.

In reality, we usually have plenty of time to handle our responsibilities but tend to waste a good deal of it on mindless activities such as television, computer games and recurring conversations. I suggest making a list of "extra duties" that demand your attention in the coming week and commit to accomplish one (and only one) each day. By breaking down this gauntlet of looming responsibilities into single tasks, you may discover that there is more than enough time to accomplish them and, in the process, you will be encouraged by your achievements. In most cases, stress will disappear as inertia gives way to progress.

Swirling Snows

After a month-long vigil, I finally encountered snow geese yesterday afternoon.  A flock of about 450 were swirling above farm fields east of Columbia; they were either looking for a good spot to settle down or departing for their next rest stop to our south.

A series of cold fronts encouraged their journey through central Missouri and they will likely head for marshlands along the Lower Mississippi Valley or northwestern Gulf Coast for the winter.  Depending on weather conditions and the availability of food, they may not travel that far south.

Perhaps most inspiring when their wavering white lines shimmer against a deep blue sky, these migrants caught and held my attention despite the gray, misty weather; they had already come a long way from the Arctic tundra and were certainly unfazed by the chilly drizzle.  I hope to encounter more of these magnificent travelers in the coming weeks. 

The Second Big Lie

Donald Trump's claim that the 2020 election was stolen from him is known as the Big Lie.  Three years later, a large segment of the Republican Party still believes and defends that lie.

But a second Big Lie is, in my opinion, just as threatening to U.S. Democracy.  The promise by prosecutors and judges that Trump will be treated just like any other citizen of this country is a lie as well.  If that were the case, he would already be in prison.

Donald Trump retained and hid Top Secret documents, inspired and led a seditious conspiracy and has ignored gag orders by threatening witnesses, judges and prosecutors in his current and upcoming trials.  Any other citizen of this country, especially if poor and black, would be awaiting trial behind bars.  The special treatment that Trump has received is both demoralizing and unjust; we have yet to experience all the tragic consequences of both lies.