Mr. Reliable

I did not see him on our most recent visit to Littleton and thought he might have left when the snow and Arctic air arrived.  Then, since my return, three days ago, he remained absent despite the mild weather.  Finally, he turned up this afternoon.

I was sitting in the sun, enjoying the January warmth when he appeared.  Neither of us said a word when he dropped in but it was clear he had come for a drink.  After sipping for a while, he was off again, disappearing behind the house.

He visits every winter, always alone, finding what he needs at the farm.  Aptly named, this solitaire is as reliable as the season itself.

See also: Return of the Solitaire 

Squabble in the Night

Last night, I was awakened at 3 AM by a high-pitched squabble behind our farmhouse.  I knew from past experience that it was a pair of raccoons.

It was a friendly squabble, not an aggressive encounter between two males.  Indeed, it is mating season for the raccoons and we can soon expect to observe the mother and her kits as they explore the property; the father plays no role in raising the young and has probably already moved on.

As cute as they are, less than half of the young raccoons will likely survive the year, succumbing to predation, starvation or vehicle traffic.  Meanwhile, as long as they stay out of our attic, the family will be welcome on the farm; I hope that she will den in the barn but raccoons are smart creatures and they prefer heated structures in this pleasant but fickle Front Range climate. 

Back in the Sunshine

After a month of frigid air, cloudy skies and various forms of precipitation across most of the country, brilliant sunshine and dry, crystal-clear air bathes the Colorado Front Range today.  We expect an afternoon high near 60 degrees F; even better, the mild conditions are expected to last through the week.

Of course, such warm winter respites are common here, often developing a day or two after heavy snowstorms.  Indeed, an alternating pattern of snow and mild, sunny weather often persists into early May along the Front Range urban corridor.

We all welcome sunshine in winter but tend to tire of it quickly during the heat of summer.  Though the sun has fueled the evolution of almost all life on Earth (humans included), its intensity is often falsely blamed for global warming.  In fact, global sunshine has not changed; rather, it is our pollution of the atmosphere, leading to heat retention, that is responsible for climate change.

 

Restless Geese

Heading west once again, I encountered numerous flocks of Canada geese in western Missouri and eastern Kansas.  Despite the cold, cloudy, misty weather, the geese seemed energized, circling in the air or heading off in various directions.

I assumed that their restlessness was related to their pending migration (at least for some of them).  Responding to the lengthening daylight, they must sense their upcoming journey.  Even the permanent residents must experience this genetic tug, imbedded in their genome long before humans enticed them to stay in the American Heartland.

Farther along, the skies cleared and I encountered large flocks of migrant geese west of Salina and east of Hays.  Too distant to identify with certainty, they were likely greater white-fronted geese (dark in coloration but too small to be Canadas).  Spring comes early for wild geese, especially for those that breed in the Arctic. 

Public Displays of Dementia?

While Trump's mesmerized legions cling to his vindictive rhetoric and his political cronies offer their support to retain power, many Americans impatiently wait for criminal convictions to derail his re-election campaign.  But nature may be offering her own solution.

Trump's recent public ramblings and overt signs of confusion may be early evidence of dementia.  Some suggest that these episodes merely reflect the stress of his legal problems but stress does not cause dementia.  Rather, signs of cognitive decline are often first evident during stressful periods.

Cynics might suggest that talk of dementia is a political ploy and most of Trump's followers will surely try to ignore his confusion.  But, while family and friends attempt to shield celebrities from public scrutiny as dementia develops, those relying on Trump can only offer excuses.  Nature may sink their ship before the justice system does.  

Crossing Soggy Terrain

After a week of Arctic air, snow and, finally, a glaze of ice, southerly winds are warming central Missouri, ushering Gulf moisture into the Heartland.  On this cool, misty morning, I decided to witness the effects of these atmospheric shifts on the farmlands east of Columbia.

There, shrouded in fog, I crossed soggy terrain where massive flocks of robins and blackbirds scoured the fields; foraging near the road, smaller flocks of killdeer and horned hawks circled into the mist as my pickup approached.  The dense fog limited my views though I did observe a northern harrier, hunting low above the snow-laden crop stubble.

The sudden warm-up and damp scene made it look and feel more like early March than late January.  But we'll take the respite and its soaking rains.  After all, this region remains in a drought and the spring waterfowl will soon return. 

Clouds of Longspurs

Crossing the frozen, snow-covered Plains today, I witnessed large, swirling clouds of longspurs; though I could not identify their species as we raced along the Interstate, they were most likely Lapland longspurs.

These songbirds breed on the Arctic tundra and winter primarily across the Great Plains, unfazed by the frigid temperatures and strong winds that they encounter.  Scouring shortgrass prairie, fallow fields and crop stubble for seeds and waste grain, they often gather in massive flocks that burst into the air when disturbed.

By March, it is too mild on the Plains for these hardy birds and they begin their long journey back to the Arctic; there they consume countless insects, feeding many to their nestlings.  Slow to head south in the fall, they generally arrive on the Great Plains in November.  

Nutrition in a Can

Watch any channel on Cable TV and you will soon see an ad for powdery supplements, designed to provide all the nutrients needed to stay healthy.  Some are dehydrated fruits and vegetables, some are sources of fiber and others offer vital protein.

While I am not as disturbed by these products (most of which offer some nutritional benefit) as I am by agents purported to improve memory, mental alertness and male "vitality," they are just another unnecessary expense for most individuals.  A reasonable, well-balanced diet, perhaps supplemented by a multivitamin tablet, is generally adequate.

Dietary deficiency most often affects the poor; forced to eat inexpensive, unhealthy foods, they are not in the market for expensive supplements.  Good nutrition results from education and, if necessary, social support, not from a counter full of canisters.  Besides, eating is a pleasant and creative experience. 

Celebrate Personal Freedom

As the Presidential Election Year gets underway, Democrats, Independents and Moderate Republicans seem to be struggling with how they can effectively counter the MAGA Movement.  It seems to me that our message should focus on personal freedom.

We should place emphasis on the right to seek truth, the freedom of and from religion, the freedom to express our sexuality, the freedom from gun violence, the freedom of reproductive choice and the freedom to vote.  We must celebrate human diversity, human rights and equal justice for all.

The MAGA Movement wants to enforce their beliefs, limit our rights and govern by force.  Their leader cares only about himself and they accept his poisonous rhetoric.  Personal freedom is the antidote for Americans who cherish our Democracy. 

Natural Snow Fences

Used to control snow buildup on highways and crop fields, natural snow fences are observed across the Great Plains.  Drought-tolerant redcedars, junipers and various pines are most often used though deciduous trees and shrubs are also planted in some areas.

While the practical use mentioned above is the primary reason for these tree lines (which seem to be more abundant each year), one might argue that they diversify the natural environment and offer significant carbon capture.  No doubt, there are thousands of highway miles and agricultural borders that would benefit from these natural fences while also having positive effects on the environment.

As mentioned in a recent post, ranchers and grassland ecologists are alarmed by the uncontrolled invasion or eastern redcedars, threatening pastures and prairie ecosystems.  But in agricultural areas, which account for a large percentage of the Great Plains, the benefits of natural snow fences would seem to outweigh any such risk. 

Frigid Air & Global Warming

During this severe, widespread Arctic blast, many Americans likely question the validity of global warming.  Others, dreaming of a return to mild weather, may conclude that a warming climate might not be so bad.

But climate change is fueling our extreme weather, including the current Arctic air incursion.  Warm ocean waters, energized storm systems and an unruly jet stream are producing dramatic shifts in our weather, including excessive rainfall, record snow depths, prolonged drought, powerful hurricanes and marked temperature gyrations.  How it will affect any given region remains uncertain but we can certainly expect significant impacts.

Here along the Front Range, we will endure another 24 hours of frigid air before our weather returns to more seasonable conditions.  In the not too distant future, those seasonal expectations may change dramatically.  

Crossing the Arctic Dome II

As I contemplated today's Post, I sensed that I had used the title before; indeed I did, back in February of 2021 (see that post).  Today, we were traveling in the opposite direction, driving from our home in Missouri to our farm in Colorado.

When we left Columbia this morning, the temperature was 5 degrees F but the highway surface was dry.  Snowfall slowed our journey through Kansas City and the temperature dropped beneath zero F by the time we reached Lawrence, Kansas.  Nevertheless, travel was relatively unimpeded within the Arctic Dome until we dropped from the Flint Hills into Junction City.  From there, strong north winds raked the Interstate all the way to Hays, where we are spending the night.  The winds produced ground blizzards wherever the terrain was open, limiting visibility at times.  The temperature hovered near minus 2 degrees F but the wind chill was surely much lower.

Once again, wildlife endured the conditions much better than human travelers.  Flocks of Canada geese moved above the snowy landscape, searching for wind-cleared grasslands or crop stubble.  Red-tailed hawks and a lone bald eagle soared over the highway, seemingly enjoying the intense, frigid wind.  Tomorrow, assuming our car starts, we'll complete our journey within the Arctic Dome to spend a couple of weeks along the Colorado Front Range. 

Winter at the Lake

Taking advantage of a hiatus between snowstorms, I visited Perry Phillips Lake this morning.  Since the snowy landscape discouraged visitors and shut down construction activity that borders the Park, it was a pleasant and mostly quiet experience.

Noisy flocks of Canada geese and the raucous calls of blue jays and crows disturbed the silence at times but a seasonal calm had settled over the refuge.  A bald eagle, a red-shouldered hawk and an American kestrel respected the tranquility, patiently observing the scene from nearby trees.  The lake itself was mostly frozen and only a handful of songbirds rummaged in the thickets that line its shore.

Bundled as I was, it was an enjoyable walk on the snow-covered loop trail.  By tomorrow, a fresh coat of snow will adorn the Park, to be followed by the first Arctic blast of the season. 

Tedium in Fiction

Yesterday, my wife and I watched a film that had received accolades from the entertainment industry.  It was an odd story that was clearly metaphoric in nature and turned out to be more than two hours in length; in our opinion, it could (and should) have been half as long.

The history of fiction, including literature and film making, is replete with examples of unbearable monotony.  Perhaps enamored with their own skill, the writers force their audience to endure tedious scripts that, in the end, detract from the basic story line.  It is this behavior that has long fostered my enthusiasm for short stories and films, not sagas and five-pound novels.

No doubt, my personal preference plays into this criticism but good stories can deliver their message without excessive dialogue and repetitious "character development."  Creativity requires a great deal of freedom but the audience need not be insulted or bored by the product.     

An Arctic Visitor

Arriving with the latest winter storm, a rough-legged hawk was hunting on the farmlands east of Columbia yesterday morning.  Perched atop a small tree, as is typical for this open-country raptor, our visitor from the Arctic was unfazed by the cold wind.

Nesting on Arctic cliffs, these hardy hawks feed primarily on lemmings and their population waxes and wanes in concert with the availability of their prey.  Rough-legged hawks winter across the northern half of the U.S. but are most abundant on the High Plains where the topography mimics their home territory.  Indeed, I encounter dozens of these hunters on winter trips between Missouri and Colorado but generally observe only a few (at most) near Columbia throughout the colder months.

It is always reassuring to watch an Arctic native when frigid air and heavy snow invade the Heartland.  Though we retreat to our heated homes and vehicles, this hawk seems to relish the chill, even shunning the protection of dense winter forest. 

On a Weather Fence

As the latest winter storm departs the Southwest and moves northeastward across the U.S., we in central Missouri find ourselves on the projected rain-snow line.  Blizzard conditions are forecast for the Northern Plains and severe thunderstorms with torrential rain and tornados are expected to rake the Southern States.  We could go either way.

A few days ago, we were squarely in the band of heavy snow on the "future weather maps" but yesterday's forecast was for a rain-snow mix in our area.  Whatever unfolds is expected to begin late this afternoon and continue through most of tomorrow.

Weather forecasting has improved dramatically over recent decades though the accuracy for any given city is not as dependable.  But we have been warned of the coming impact, perhaps by a blizzard, perhaps by flooding rains.  We'll know by tomorrow.

Winter Blues

Once the Holidays are over, many individuals experience the "winter blues," feeling shut-in with nothing to do until spring arrives.  Of course, older persons are most prone to this annual bout of sadness, not having children or jobs to keep them busy.

Reading by the fire and Scrabble only occupy so much time and tuning into the news exacerbates their depression.  Some, with the means to do so, escape to southern climes while others resort to hobbies such as painting or knitting.  I would suggest they turn their attention to nature; she is always helpful when we humans get the blues.

Birdwatching is one of the best means to reconnect with nature; a field guide, binoculars and a feeding area outside a window are the only requirements.  Non-birders soon discover that a wide variety of species visit their yard, some of which only appear in winter.  If not housebound for medical reasons, one can easily bundle up and take their new hobby on the road, visiting nature preserves, conservation areas or just nearby sites in the country; fresh air, exercise and tranquility are added benefits.  Spring will arrive soon enough. 

Living in the Middle

Having just returned to the Heartland from the Subtropical environment of South Florida, I am once again inclined to consider where we live.  The same would occur if I had come back from other areas with unique or spectacular landscapes, most of which lie along the Coasts of the U.S. or throughout the mountain corridors.

But there is something to be said for living in the middle of the country.  Within a day's drive, we can visit the Great Lakes, the Rockies, the Appalachians or the Gulf Coast; those who live in the more "exotic" corners of America are far removed from most other landscapes.

Naturalists know that we could spend a lifetime just learning about the life forms that inhabit or visit our own backyard.  Yet, we yearn to explore other ecosystems and the American Heartland offers more natural diversity than most residents realize; at least for now, we enjoy four distinct seasons, each of which bestows its special gifts.  I'll continue to travel to and through the varied landscapes of America but I choose to live in the middle. 

Detour across Southern Georgia

On our journey back to Missouri, we elected to avoid the stop-and-go slog through Metro Atlanta and took a detour across Southern Georgia, from Tifton to Columbus.  That decision proved to be a rewarding one, offering efficient travel through pleasant scenery.

The route took us across rolling terrain, a mosaic of pine woodlands, pecan groves, cotton fields, peanut farms and rural towns.  Nearing Columbus and the Chattahoochee River Valley, we wound through forested hills, unexpected topography on the Coastal Plain.  Unfortunately, wildlife observations were limited to hawks and vultures on this cool, sunny morning.

Today's detour did not turn up fascinating ecosystems or spectacular geography but the landscape was new to us and that (in the words of Robert Frost) made all the difference.  So little time and so much to see! 

Climate & Weather

On the heels of extreme heat last summer, we are leaving South Florida following the coolest three weeks we have ever experienced in this State.  Characterized by highs in the upper 50s to 60s F, the prolonged chill was exacerbated by periods of rain and a persistent breeze.

While I generally prefer mild weather to warm, muggy conditions, this cool spell was both unexpected and a bit disappointing.  We anticipate a "break from winter" when we head south but that ingrained conviction may become unreliable.

Indeed, as the global climate warms, regional effects may vary widely; records of average temperature and precipitation will be of historical interest only and long term forecasts will become even less reliable than they already are.  It is hard enough to project the global impact of climate change; assumptions based on past local weather patterns will surely be invalid (if not amusing). 

Flashback Post XLVII

Yesterday's powerful earthquake on the west coast of Japan was a consequence of that country's complex tectonic structure, a subject discussed in a post back in September of 2008.

See: Earthquake Central

A Momentous Year

Whenever we enter a new year, most humans express hope for a better future while keenly aware of past problems and failures.  In that respect, 2024 should be momentous.

Facing an existential threat to our Democracy, the degradation of human rights and a rapidly changing climate, we Americans will make choices that determine the fate of our country and the health of our planet.  Donald Trump has poisoned the political atmosphere and promises to seek revenge for his 2020 loss and for the indictments that confront him.  Unfortunately, far too many Americans are enthralled with his vindictive and racist rhetoric.  In concert, the Republican Right has launched a war on personal freedoms that have long been cherished in this country.

By the end of this year, we will know if Americans chose to neutralize those threats.  Our action will be taken at the ballot box; until then, it is imperative that we join the chorus of citizens who support Democracy, human rights and the protection of our natural environment.  Happy New Year to all.