Aster Season

Amidst the yellow swaths of sunflowers and and goldenrod are clumps of aster, usually purplish or bluish in color.  Though no longer included in the Aster genus (now limited to Eurasian species), New World asters are represented by more than 100 species in North America.

Not keen on scientific labeling, I, like most nature lovers, appreciate asters for their beauty and for their late summer and early autumn blooms, an important resource for pollinators; the clumps in our yard (photo) have been loaded with a wide variety of bees and butterflies.

Missouri is home to 24 species of New World asters, almost all of which are perennials.  Like other wildflowers, they do just fine without human supervision.  

Beware: Falling Walnuts!

It's that time of year in central Missouri.  Black walnuts are falling to the ground and, this year, they are especially plentiful.  The impact of the walnuts as they strike fences, roofs, decks and driveways produces a significant "thud" and I suspect an unwary human might be bruised (or worse) if struck.

Of course, our gray and fox squirrels have been gnawing at their shells for the past week or so, leaving piles of the outer pulp drying in the sun.  The sound and smell of their activity are welcome signs of the season.

There are still plenty of walnuts in the large trees that line our backyard but we'll leave them for the wildlife.  Kicking them off the lawn or walkways is exercise enough. 

Appalachian Flooding

Following a long period of drought in the Appalachians of northern Georgia, North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, the remnants of Hurricane Helene dropped 12-24 inches of rain on the region, leading to historic and catastrophic flooding.  Of course, the major impact has been along the primary streams and rivers of that mountainous terrain.

This alternating pattern of drought and flood is occurring across the globe as our climate warms.  While coastal damage from wind and storm surge is the immediate concern when hurricanes and typhoons come ashore, inland flooding, often far from that landfall, has become a significant complication.

As the remnants of Helene spin above the Ohio River Valley, another storm appears to be developing in the Caribbean.  Its future path is not yet known but its wrath will likely be felt well beyond the pristine beaches of the Gulf Coast.

 

Helene takes aim on Atlanta

As Hurricane Helene churns northward above the Gulf of Mexico hot tub, residents along the Florida Gulf Coast are taking action, boarding up homes and heading for higher ground.  While devastation along the coast is expected, more individuals will likely be impacted in cities farther inland.

Both Tallahassee and Atlanta are in the "cone of uncertainty" and Helene's forward movement is rapid.  As a result, she will not weaken quickly as she comes ashore with her high winds and abundant tropical moisture.  Both of these cities can expect wind damage and extensive flooding.

Worse yet, Atlanta will receive significant precipitation from a cold front that arrives prior to Helene.  At least ten inches of rain is expected to fall across that concrete jungle over the next few days.  Once again, our warming climate is having an impact on areas far from the shore. 

A Rainy Morning at Eagle Bluffs

Though we associate autumn with sunny skies and dry air, low clouds and rain greeted us at Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area this morning.  Facing poor conditions for birding, we toured the floodplain anyway, knowing that most songbirds would be undercover and out of sight.

We did encounter a fair number of blue-winged teal and a small flock of northern shovelers.  Nineteen pied-billed grebes were scattered along the central channel and a pair of American coot mingled with the ducks.  Six great blue herons, always stoic, stood along the soggy shorelines while two loners, an osprey and a belted kingfisher, did their part to reward our visit.

Due to the weather, our total species count was less than half of what we would generally expect in late September.  Nevertheless, a morning at this fabulous refuge is always a delight; if nothing else, the rain made it look like a vast wetland, an image that has been lost to cultivation in recent years. 

Blue Jay Mystery

The Front Range urban corridor stretches along the western edge of blue jay breeding territory in North America.  West of here, in the foothills and mountains, they are replaced scrub jays, Steller's jays and gray jays.

Since we purchased our Littleton farm, in 1990, blue jays have been common visitors on the property though I have never observed nesting activity here; on bird counts of the farm, a couple of blue jays would generally make the list.  During my current visit, however, blue jays have been especially common, their raucous calls and musical trills echoing across the farm; indeed, their numbers have been second only to house finches (which have long been our most abundant avian resident).  Since some blue jays do migrate southward for the winter, our current visitors might reflect that fact (though they have stayed for almost two weeks). 

Like many songbirds, blue jays form flocks during the colder months but their numbers here seem exceptional compared with past years.  My guess is that this influx is an adaptation to suburban sprawl and "development" in Metro Denver, forcing the jays to gather in or near the dwindling areas with large trees: at parks, along greenbelts and near the few old farms that still exist. 

The Dehumanization of Immigrants

Thrashing about for issues that will save his effort to stay out of jail, Donald Trump has settled on the fear of immigrants.  He promises to deport most of them and to shut off immigration from "infested countries."  Of course, he and his running mate have stoked fear and chaos in Springfield, Ohio, claiming that Haitian immigrants are stealing and eating local pets.

Trump and his far-right legions want a white, Christian nation.  Though we are a country of immigrants, they ignore our past and focus on fear-mongering, using isolated events to suggest that "vermin" are pouring across our "open borders."

This dehumanization of immigrants is spawning threats and violence throughout the country and poisoning the fabric of American society.  How anyone could support the re-election of this horrible human being is stupefying; one can only conclude that racism is alive and well in the U.S., once a beacon of freedom across the globe.  Vote Democratic! 

Survivors

History is replete with the stories of individuals who overcame trauma to lead a happy and successful life.  Child abuse, failed relationships, serious injuries and potentially fatal illnesses are among the more common conditions that are cited.

Eager to hear or read about these inspiring individuals, consumers are fed the basic timeline without too much detail.  Indeed, in the interest of privacy, most of the story is never told and future complications are beyond the context of the report.  In fact, recovery from major trauma and severe illness is rarely complete; in the course of that public miracle, private issues persist, often leading to substance abuse, depression and stress-related disorders.  Individuals treated successfully for a major medical condition often deal with the side-effects of therapy, sometimes developing other illnesses that were spawned by the original treatment.

Surviving trauma or illness is an ongoing process, one that generally endures throughout the life of that individual.  Efforts to simplify the story suggest otherwise and often fuel unrealistic expectations.  

Time for G.W. to Speak Up

Former President George Walker Bush, often referred to as G.W. to distinguish him from his father, has declined to endorse a Presidential candidate in this election.  His staff reports that he has left Presidential Politics in the past; has he also renounced his American citizenship?

Some might be pleased that he has declined to endorse Trump but that is the passive way to avoid controversy and potential criticism.  While many past Republican stalwarts have endorsed Kamala Harris, acknowledging that another Trump term would threaten both our Democracy and our global alliances, G.W. has not displayed such courage.

It is time for our past President to rise from his easel and put his substantial influence behind the Harris/Walz ticket.  Ignoring that responsibility, however close the election might be, will further diminish his status in American history. 

Passive Landscaping

Those of us not inclined toward excessive weeding, mulching and trimming find solace in passive landscaping: turning over the job to Nature herself.  Should you decide to take this approach, be mindful that lawn cover must be minimized and the use of herbicides and pesticides are forbidden.

Nature is not a neat tenant and you must get used to a hodgepodge of native plants in your flower beds and wood borders.  Resisting the urge to pull out "weeds" may be your greatest hurdle.  Then again, you will appreciate the free time that passive landscaping affords.

One of the many rewards of this "hands-off" approach is that new plants begin to appear on your property and many of these are quite attractive; the rough white asters in the photo just appeared this month, a welcome addition to the flora on our farm.  Finally, a naturalized yard requires far less water, an especially valuable trait in arid and semiarid ecosystems.

 

Rabbitbrush

Not terribly skilled at landscaping, my primary technique is to bring seed back from natural areas that I visit and spread it across open soil on our farm.  Of course, this approach takes patience.

Several years ago, I threw rabbitbrush seed along our driveway, where pockets of chokecherry and New Mexico locust are interrupted by dry soil.  Voila!  This spring, clumps of the rabbitbrush appeared and are now flowering (photo).

I hoped to establish rabbitbrush on our property due to its autumn display and since it attracts a variety of ground-feeding birds, including white-crowned and Harris' sparrows.  Of course, these bushy clusters will thrive (and likely spread) without my assistance.  No irrigation or fertilizing necessary!

Year of the Pear

When we purchased our Littleton, Colorado, farm, back in 1990, we noted a full-grown pear tree along one of the pastures.  Over the years, it has produced pears that are often sparse and small; even that has been an accomplishment since late spring freezes often wipe out the blossoms.

This year, we have a magnificent crop of large pears, the most successful season to date.  Though I am not especially fond of the fruit, I'll disperse some before the raccoons get more than their fare share.

Native to Europe and Asia, there are more than 3000 cultivars across the globe.  Some European pear trees are said to live 50 years or more and ours must be pushing its limit.  Considering the fact that we do not water our larger trees, that is some feat in this semiarid climate.

Francine tests NOLA's Pumps

As Hurricane Francine comes ashore, early this afternoon, her counterclockwise winds will pull copious amounts of rain in from the Gulf of Mexico.  New Orleans lies in the projected path of that firehose and, unlike other coastal cities of the U.S., it lies below sea level.

Following the disaster produced by Hurricane Katrina, the city invested in a system of water pumps that are designed to handle up to 1 inch of rainfall per hour.  Since Francine is currently "only" a Category 1 Hurricane, it is hoped that extensive flooding can be avoided; unfortunately, the soil of southern Louisiana is already saturated due to recent heavy rains, increasing the risk of flooding.  Fortunately, the pumps are on their own power grid and will not be affected by more widespread power outages.

Nevertheless, landfalling tropical storms and hurricanes have recently over-produced when it comes to flooding.  Warmer air and warmer sea water, the products of climate change, augment the humidity of the onshore flow and, should Francine slow down, the rainfall in NOLA could exceed the capacity of its pump network.  We should know by later in the day.  

The Tourism Dilemma

For wealthy countries across the globe, tourism is an important component of their economy and every effort is made to boost that activity.  For small and "developing" countries, the choice of encouraging tourism is more controversial, as we learned during our visit to the remote Faroe Islands.

While the economic benefits might be welcome, the effects on local communities is often mixed,  Proper tourism infrastructure (hotels, restaurants, transport, trails etc.) must be in place, disrupting the character of small towns and rural communities.  Congestion, noise, habitat damage and pollution are all potential complications.

Anyone who visits scenic natural areas, however remote, soon learns that company can always be expected.  Tourism is big business and too many people on a modest-sized planet ensures plenty of competition.  The quest for solitude is now strictly within the purview of determined individuals. 

Common Green Darners

Yesterday afternoon, a common green darner was zooming about our front yard.  Easily identified by its large size and thick, green thorax, this dragonfly is common throughout most of North America and is known for its seasonal migrations, often in large swarms.  On the other hand, some green darners do not migrate at all, wintering as aquatic larvae in ponds.

Autumn migrations, generally to Florida or Mexico, begin by September and spring migrants usually appear by April, often arriving before non-migrant darners emerge from the water.  Of course, as with monarch butterflies and other migrant insects, those returning from the subtropics are the offspring of those that migrated southward in the fall.

Both the adult darners and their aquatic nymphs play an important role in controlling mosquito populations.  For that and for their aerial displays, we humans are grateful. 

Polls, Fear & Money

Another morning and I open my email to find 10 requests for money to combat the surging MAGA scourge.  Turning on the news, I hear that another "respected poll" demonstrates that the Presidential race is a dead-heat; a discussion by political experts will follow after a few money-making commercials.

While I strongly support Kamala Harris, it is nauseatingly clear that both political parties and all news programs are using poll reports to stoke fear and raise money.  Yet, throughout U.S. history, political polls have been inaccurate on many occasions; remember the "red-wave" projections in 2022?

I refuse to believe that a majority of Americans would place an aging, narcissistic, misogynistic, career criminal back in office; if so, then our Democracy is already doomed.  My advice is to ignore the polls and emails and make sure to vote.  I will not attempt to raise any money through this post but I will cut the subscription rate in half for those who perform their civic duty. 

Waxwing Spectacle

Cedar waxwings, among my favorite songbirds, often gather in large flocks during the fall and winter months, a behavior that facilitates their discovery of food sources.  However, early September is generally a bit too soon to observe such congregations.

Nevertheless, I encountered at least 120 of these attractive wanderers yesterday morning, at Phillips Lake in southeast Columbia.  Despite the steady encroachment of residential and retail development, the waxwings must have found something of interest in the trees along the lakeshore.  As my wife and I hiked along the graveled loop trail, they were observed in every lakeside grove; unlike noisy flocks of robins or blackbirds, the waxwings were politely quiet, save for an occasional soft whistle.

While we were fortunate to observe this waxwing spectacle, the eBird computers questioned my report (not an unusual occurrence).  Rather than argue the point, I'll take the waxwing approach: calm cooperation. 

Flashback Post LVII

Following yet another mass shooting in a school, this time in Georgia, it seems appropriate to republish a post from February of 2018.  Unfortunately, that post speaks to dozens of incidents over the past decade, an American trend that will continue to haunt the minds of parents and their children.

See: Thoughts and Prayers 

Turbulence Overhead

On this mild autumn evening, I went out back to search the sky for migrating nighthawks.  That goal was quickly abandoned as my attention was drawn to waves of cirrus clouds, pummeled by high altitude winds.  Stretched into long tendrils, curled into tight eddies and whipped into merging forms, the icy bands of moisture zipped across the fading blue of early dusk.

While we often admire the brilliant colors of sunrise and sunset or stop to watch a powerful storm drift across the sky, we generally ignore the atmospheric dynamics that unfold overhead.  We may note that it is a clear or cloudy day but, unlike children, tend not to be amused by changing figures in the sky.  Though mesmerized by pounding waves, churning rapids or graceful waterfalls, we miss the drama high above our own backyards.

This evening's show was spectacular.  Unfortunately, the nighthawks failed to appear. 

Gateway to Autumn

September is historically a rather mild month across central latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere.  Following a long, hot summer, it has offered a steady transition toward the cool weather of October.

From a birder's point of view, it is also a transition month as early autumn migrants turn up in our woods and wetlands.  Blue-winged teal, common nighthawks, broad-winged hawks, shorebirds and a variety of warblers are among these seasonal travelers.

Today, conditions in Columbia mirrored that expectation.  Sunny skies, mild, crystal-clear air and a gentle, northerly breeze, hinted of the coming season.  For outdoor people, autumn is the best time of year; we can only hope that global warming does not tarnish that reputation.