Beryl sends a Warning

Hurricane Beryl, now a Category 3 storm, is churning toward the Caribbean, where it is expected to intensify into the earliest Category 4 storm in recorded history.  Though its eventual course remains uncertain, landfall along the western Gulf Coast appears likely.

Such strong hurricanes have traditionally formed in late August or September, as the sea temperature peaks.  Climate change is clearly shifting that pattern; the ocean water is already very warm, fueling tropical storm and hurricane development.

Indeed, another tropical disturbance is following Beryl across the Atlantic and will likely be named in the coming days.  Beryl's rapid intensification is a potent warning that this Hurricane Season (and others to follow) will be active and destructive.

See: Tropical Storm Dynamics 

Supreme Court eviscerates Federal Regulators

In another politically-motivated decision, the Supreme Court ignored precedent to diminish the power of Federal Regulators, redirecting their role to local, state and federal jurists.  In other words, efforts to protect the environment and the health of American citizens will be taken from scientific experts and placed in the hands of judges.

Of course, many of those judges are politically appointed, chosen to protect various industrial, cultural or religious interests.  The welfare of our environment and the safety of our citizens will depend on what Party controls the levers of government.

If nothing else, these precedent-breaking decisions of the Supreme Court highlight the importance of elections.  Whether we are enamored with Joe Biden or not, we cannot risk a Trump-molded Supreme Court.  Donald Trump must be stopped at all costs (including, perhaps, reconsidering the Democratic candidate for President). 

Flood Season Update

Way back in 2009, I wrote about the Flood Season in the American Midwest, opining that it generally runs from late February into April.  Causes included snowmelt, dormant trees, frozen ground and early spring rains.  Fifteen years later, that post is far too simple (though it does have nostalgic value).

Now that climate change is unfolding, severe, destructive floods may occur during any season of the year.  Warmer seas, more potent storm systems and hot, humid air all play a role, as do record mountain snowpacks.  Just in the past week, highly destructive and life threatening floods have been reported from across the globe.

Indeed, living on or near a floodplain has become a high risk life choice, even in relatively dry regions of the planet.  Sudden, torrential downpours have occurred in all seasons and in all geographic areas; of course, they can be especially deadly in mountainous areas.  Unfortunately, flood season has no bounds in this warming climate. 

Heat & Flooding

An intense dome of heat grips the Central and Southern Plains; yesterday's afternoon highs exceeded 100 degrees F.  As Pacific systems approach from the west, they are shunted northward by this dome and move eastward and then southeastward along its rim.

The rim itself is a clash zone, where hot and cool air masses collide, producing bands of thunderstorms that "train" across the same areas.  As a result, repeated bouts of torrential rain lead to flash flooding, which was especially severe near Sioux Falls, South Dakota, yesterday.

Until the atmospheric ridge breaks down or shifts from its current location, this weather pattern will persist, enhancing drought across the Southern Plains while dumping a tremendous amount of precipitation into the Missouri and Mississippi River watersheds.

Bird vs. Snake

On this beautiful and less humid morning, I made another summer visit to Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area.  Though it is still too early for the shorebird migration to begin, I did encounter a decent variety of birds, including a family of wood ducks and a lone Mississippi kite.  But the highlight of my visit was provided by a single bird.

Experienced birders know that red-winged blackbirds are bold and aggressive creatures, inclined to defend their territory from any perceived enemy.  This morning, one demonstrated a rather extreme example of that trait, chasing a large black snake across the road.  Nipping at its tail as the reptile headed for cover in the marsh, the red-wing was fearless in his attack.

Of course, instinct and intelligence are two different things and a sudden swipe of the snake's tail might have put an end to the hero's life.  As it turned out, he was able to return to his flock where the reception was likely just as instinctual (i.e. no medals or parades). 

The Promise of Darkness

Having passed the summer solstice enveloped in a massive dome of heat, we can take some solace in the promise of decreasing daylight, from now until the winter solstice (on or about December 21).  Of course, it will be months before summer heat begins to abate but longer nights will offer psychologic relief, if little cooling.

While our warming climate will surely lengthen the period of summer-like weather, it will have no effect on the astronomical darkness.  As we endure drought, wildfires, summer storms and hurricanes, that fact is somehow reassuring.

It may take a few weeks to notice the loss of daylight but, by then, early avian migrants will grace our wetlands and beaches.  Unaware of dire heat-stress warnings, they respond only to the solar retreat, chasing the perpetual summer on which their lives depend. 

A Tragic Rescue

Last evening, a news report covered the "rescue" of two beluga whales from a Ukrainian aquarium; their welfare was threatened by Russian attacks which might cut off electricity to that facility.  In that coverage, the whales were transported to Spain, where they will endure further confinement in another aquarium.

While the Russian attacks are criminal, keeping marine mammals in captivity is also tragic and unjustified.  These intelligent creatures belong in the open sea, not behind panes of glass for the entertainment of humans.

Indeed,  we should boycott all aquariums that house marine mammals, whether they are trained to "perform" or not; an exception would be rehabilitation facilities where their confinement is temporary.  Though we are gradually destroying their natural environment as well, these residents of the sea deserve the freedom to fend for themselves, however long the oceans remain habitable.

Yesterday and Today

Yesterday was Juneteenth, a National Holiday since 2021 that marks the official end of slavery in Texas; that pronouncement, in Galveston, came two and a half years after Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation.  Many Americans surely celebrated the new holiday, especially African Americans, while most only noticed that the bank, post office and stock exchange were closed.

Today, we refocus on the racism that has always defined our country.  Indeed, growing up in the 1950s and 60s in a white, Catholic, Midwestern culture, I learned about black inferiority long before I completed grade school.  Slavery may have officially ended but racism is alive and well in America, at all levels of our society.  Feeding on that social undertone, Trump and his MAGA followers demand that America return to its "white, Christian roots."

Furthermore, a number of Red States have outlawed the teaching of black history in public schools and have banned many books by black authors (or by those who sympathize with civil rights).  They hope to bring back the fifties, when God and white men ruled America.  Vote Democratic! 

A Yellow-throated Vireo

While reading on our back deck this morning, I heard the distinctive call of a yellow-throated vireo.  Like most species of vireo, this songbird is more often heard than seen, hunting rather methodically for insects and their larvae in the canopy of large deciduous trees.

Unlike many songbirds, which become less vocal in the heat of summer, the male yellow-throated vireo sings through the season, right up until his departure for Central America or the Caribbean.  Nevertheless, though they are common summer residents in Missouri, I rarely encounter them in our neighborhood (despite the presence of many tall shade trees).

It was thus both a surprise and a pleasure to have him stop by this morning.  I appreciated both his song and his insect control service and would certainly welcome more regular visits. 

Conservation & Neglect

Friends of ours in West Virginia have successfully enticed a pair of American kestrels to nest on their farm; their latest report is that the young are close to fledging.  This success resulted from the construction of a nest box and their commitment to fostering a natural and untainted environment for these falcons.

The news from West Virginia is especially welcome since the population of American kestrels has steadily declined over the past half century.  The reasons, though uncertain, likely include a loss of grassland habitat, competition for insect prey and nest cavities (especially from starlings), the widespread use of insecticides and, perhaps, predation by Cooper's hawks.

Effective conservation need not involve a great deal of effort.  In fact, human neglect of open space is the primary means, allowing nature to "manage" the territory; of course, ensuring that the habitat is pollution free is also essential.  Most importantly, we can all take this approach, no matter how small our plot of land. 

Flashback Post LIV

It's Father's Day, an annual celebration of more significance to retailers than to most dads; a new grill or wood chipper might be in order!  Nevertheless, involved fathers should be acknowledged, a point I made back in 2007.

See: Fathers 

The Universal Experience of Death

Yesterday, my wife and I watched Tuesday, a new film about a woman, her terminally-ill daughter, a young nursing student and death itself, depicted by the changing form of a macaw.  Purposely disturbing and plodding at times, it deals with the universal experience of death and grief.

As this fantasy reveals, death can be ugly or sweet, unexpected or foreseen, random or terribly prolonged.  Though shunned by many, it is a gift for others; we may attempt to delay its arrival but it is inevitable.  Clinical for those who deal with its cause, death is, for all, the final expression of life.

Beyond the topic of death, the film also touches on the concept of afterlife, offering the verdict that we live on in the memories, lives and achievements of those we influenced, a pleasing conclusion to this tale of love, loss and grief.  I recommend this movie. 

Birding in Place

During periods of hot summer weather, I recommend birding in the early morning or evening hours since bird activity tends to be suppressed by the heat (and because birding in the hot sun is not a healthy choice for humans).  This afternoon, however, I found myself in the vicinity of Perry Phillips Lake and decided to stop for a brief bird count from the shade of a large tree.

As it turns out, I ended up seeing 16 species within my half-hour, stationary visit.  Highlights included a green heron, a Mississippi kite and a large flock of cliff swallows (attending to their nestlings and clearly unfazed by the stifling heat).

Veteran birders know that stationary birding can be quite productive, especially in areas of mixed habitat.  Rather than driving through a refuge or negotiating a trail, one allows birds to come to their location.  Indeed, this passive approach often leads to closer views of avian residents and visitors since they are not spooked by our activity or our vehicle.  Today's "adventure," prompted by limited time and the oppressive weather, reminded me of that fact. 

Into the Steam Bath

Hot, humid air is flowing northward into the Midwest for the first time this year.  That southerly flow, ahead of a slow-moving cold front, will produce highs near 100 degrees F over the next few days, as far north as the Great Lakes region.  Indeed, the sultry air is already fueling thunderstorms in Minnesota.

Meanwhile, a stationary front across South Florida is "training" torrential rain over the peninsula, with precipitation nearing a foot along Alligator Alley; obviously, flooding is extensive, from Sarasota and Fort Meyers to Miami.

Low pressure along that southern front is expected to drift eastward over the warm waters of the Atlantic, where it may develop into a tropical storm.  In its wake, another area of low pressure is forecast to form in the Western Gulf of Mexico, perhaps strengthening into a hurricane by early next week.  Our warming climate is already taking a significant toll.

Orchard Orioles

Smaller, less colorful and less famous than its cousin, the Baltimore oriole, the orchard oriole is also misnamed.  While it might nest or forage in orchards, this summer resident is best found in woodlands along streams and wetlands, where it feeds primarily on insects.  Rather than threatening the orchard crop, it helps to protect it.

Though they are fairly common residents throughout the eastern half of the U.S., there is some evidence that their overall population is declining.  While orchard orioles benefited from the clearance of vast forests by European settlers, they may now be suffering from the loss of woodlands due to suburban sprawl.

On the other hand, based solely on my own observations, they seem especially common in central Missouri this year.  More specific details regarding the orchard oriole were discussed in my post from June of 2016 (see: The Other Oriole). 

From Cicadas to Fireflies

Now that the swarms of periodic cicadas are dying off, fireflies have emerged to grace our evenings and, of course, to entertain children.  Soft-bodied beetles, fireflies are represented by more than 2000 species across the globe; their range includes Temperate, Subtropical and Tropical regions where they prefer relatively moist environments.

Due to the large variety of fireflies, it is difficult to generalize about their life cycle, which may span a couple of months or several years.  In most species, eggs are laid on or within the soil; these hatch to release larvae which feed on a variety of invertebrates.  Bioluminescence is present in most larvae species and is thought to warn predators that they are distasteful, poisonous or both.

Most species of firefly overwinter as larvae and then pupate. Adults emerge in late spring or summer and it is then that we notice them, twinkling in the darkness.  Bioluminescence in adults is used both to attract mates and to scare off predators though the females of some species use it to attract males on which they feed; the adults of some species do not feed at all while other species feed on small insects or vegetation.  Whatever their habits, they are certainly a more agreeable bunch than the cicadas.  

Thoughts on Personal Finance

As a fiscal conservative and a social liberal, I believe corporate executives are paid too much and their laborers are paid too little.  Those who are destitute through no fault of their own should be supported by society while those who are purely lazy or careless should not.

Bad financial decisions cannot be condoned; as I have stated in the past, I do no support student loan forgiveness though I would accept offering lower interest rates through the government.  Persons living on the streets should be housed, jailed or placed in mental care facilities, depending on the circumstances (see Thoughts on Homelessness).  On the other hand, access to quality healthcare is a human right and must be ensured through private and/or government programs.

When social support is warranted, it should be focused on the young; early childhood education, free day care (via corporations or the government), access to technology and socialization programs will all pay significant social dividends.  Finance education in high school should also be required.  Beyond all of these measures, financial security is a personal choice, not a social guarantee. 

Heron under Attack

This morning, at Phillips Lake, my wife and I encountered a flock of red-winged blackbirds, dive bombing a small tree along the marsh-lined inlet.  Upon closer examination, we found a green heron, huddled on one of the branches.

Common across the central and eastern U.S. during the warmer months, this small heron prefers to hunt along secluded lakeshores, in the dense vegetation of swamps or along the shaded banks of streams.  Since they feed primarily on small fish, aquatic invertebrates, large insects and amphibians, I doubt the blackbirds had much to worry about.  Then again, red-wings are aggressive and gregarious birds and are quick to attack any perceived enemy.

After enduring the onslaught for several minutes, the heron squawked and took off over the lake, escorted and harassed by several of the blackbirds.  Perhaps it had been too close to their nests; whatever the reason for their attack, I doubt the heron will be returning to that feeding site anytime soon. 

Quail Crossing

Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area has settled into its summer mode and, as a result, bird observations are limited and fairly predictable; the spring spectacles have moved on to the north.  Indeed, this morning, mammals (deer and cottontails) seemed to be more common than birds in some parts of the refuge.

Nevertheless, I still visit the floodplain for the fresh air, tranquility and natural scenery.  Besides, as all naturalists come to realize, one never knows what might turn up.

This morning's surprise encounter was with a northern bobwhite that sauntered across the road in front of my Beetle.  More often heard than seen, these quail are more likely to be observed during the cooler months of the year, when the vegetation is less dense.  Beyond the sighting itself, I was taken back to my childhood in Cincinnati, where these birds were common in fields near my home (see A Nostalgic Sound).

Patriotism is Complicated

On this 80th Anniversary of D-Day, it is easy and appropriate to honor American troops who fought to protect Europe from Nazi Germany.  But patriotism is complicated.

Less than 30 years after D-Day, our country became involved in an unjustified war in Vietnam, based on irrational decisions and a great deal of misinformation.  That war divided our country, demonstrating the risks of politically motivated conflict.  The tragedy of 9-11 reunited our Nation until the Iraq War, again fueled by misinformation, opened the wounds once again.

Today, we appropriately (in my opinion) support Ukraine as it resists Russian aggression but have modified our support for Israel, a close ally, as they engage in the wholesale destruction of Gaza.  War, though sometimes justified, must be avoided when possible and patriotism is not always defined by our support for military action. 

A Failure to Communicate

We humans are social creatures but we often have difficulty expressing ourselves.  While it's easy to say thanks or congratulations, it's quite another to express pride, personal gratitude or, especially, love.

Many excuses are used to explain our unwillingness to engage in more intimate forms of communication but our failure to do so may provoke sadness and/or self-doubt in those closest to us.  Communication is a learned art and regular practice benefits both the speaker and the recipient(s).

Of course, many of us are also reluctant to contact old friends, often believing that our effort would be unwelcome after so much time has passed.  But we don't know until we try and, if we wait too long, the opportunity might just vanish forever. 

Remembering Melvin

Listening to White Bird, by It's a Beautiful Day (1969), I recalled Melvin, a parakeet owned by my grandparents.  Spending his life in a small cage and learning to mimic the words and whistles of my grandparents, Melvin was the first non-human animal in my life.

Seventy years later, I mourn the fate of that bird; physically able to soar across the varied landscapes of our planet, he was confined to a wire cage.  Of course, animals have long suffered at the hands of humans, especially since the rise of domestication, some 12,000 years ago.  While the warehoused production of meat is perhaps the most egregious form of torment, zoos, circuses and ranches have also played a role.  One might argue that keeping a dog in a condo is also abusive, no matter how tasty and nutritious its food might be.

Essentially all non-human mammals are hunted or confined in some manner.  Even wildlife parks and nature preserves enforce artificial boundaries and human "development" continues to obliterate natural habitat.  We humans are solidly in control and all other animals pay the price of our dominance.  

A White-tailed Gray Squirrel

Driving through our neighborhood yesterday, I came across a white-tailed gray squirrel.  In my 70+ years of exploring nature, this was a first.

Though I have encountered albino squirrels in the past, I had not seen this particular color variation, which is clearly a recessive trait.  In other words, both of its parents carry the recessive gene which is not expressed when paired with a dominant gene.  Furthermore, such traits are usually polygenic (reflecting the expression of multiple gene pairs).

Beyond the genetics, this sighting was just my latest exposure to nature's fabulous diversity.  On the other hand, the expression of recessive traits, many of which are deleterious, increase when populations are isolated, a process that humans facilitate as we relentlessly destroy natural habitat. 

Hurricanes & Climate Change

June marks the beginning of the Atlantic Hurricane Season and this one is expected to be both active and severe.  Indeed, as our climate warms, the season itself may expand in duration and warmer sea water will fuel increasingly destructive storms.

Following a violent spring across much of the U.S., characterized by severe thunderstorms, tornados, powerful winds, torrential rain and widespread flooding, the hurricanes will only add to the damage, cost and misery.  It is all but certain that climate change will exacerbate all forms of destructive weather, from hurricanes to blizzards.

Despite the overwhelming evidence, many Americans continue to believe that the concept of global warming is a con job, foisted on the public by liberal conservationists.  Those that live anywhere near our coasts may soon experience the troubling reality themselves. 

A Gray Morning on the Floodplain

Low, gray clouds shrouded Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area early this morning, releasing intermittent drizzle as I crawled along the graveled roadways in my VW Beetle.  For a while, I was the only human at this renowned floodplain refuge.

Nevertheless, the birding was decent and, as photographers know, the filtered light actually made identification easier.  I encountered 29 species during my visit, all rather common in central Missouri; however, I did observe a prothonotary warbler, my first of the season.

Most of all, I enjoyed the solitude and the cool, moist air, especially appealing at the onset of what will likely be a long, hot summer.  Like the turkey vultures, which were grounded by the weather, I am content to wait for the summer sun.