Southern End of the Appalachians

As one drives northward across the Piedmont of central Alabama, prominent ridges are noted in Metro Birmingham.  These represent the southern end of the Ridge and Valley Province of the Appalachians.

North of the city, Interstate 65 negotiates the southern end of the Appalachian Plateau, dipping, rising and curving through this heavily dissected terrain.  Along the northern edge of the Plateau is the broad valley of the Tennessee River; the highway crosses this major stream within Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, where, on cue, a pair of sandhill cranes cruised above our vehicle.

North of the river's floodplain, an appealing topography of low hills and ridges border the Interstate, drained by the Elk and Duck Rivers of Southern Tennessee; flowing westward, they are major tributaries of the Tennessee River, which curves northward toward the Ohio.  The Duck River, designated a Wild and Scenic River, is the longest stream totally within the State of Tennessee.

See also: The Western Appalachians 

Thanks, Jimmy

Former President Jimmy Carter died today at 100.  He may not have been the most effective of our Presidents but he certainly did more for the planet (and for humanity) during and after his Presidency than any of our other leaders.

I may have not agreed with some of his personal beliefs but he was an individual who welcomed dissent and did not judge others.  He was an environmentalist and a spokesman for social justice.  Foregoing the financial trappings of the Presidency, he dedicated himself to the welfare of those overlooked by the power brokers of American society.

Most of all, Jimmy Carter was a good person.  He lived a full but unassuming life and his soft spoken kindness and fairness will be missed.  Thanks, Jimmy, for your wisdom and grace. 

Anhingas

 Among the more exotic birds in the Deep South are anhingas (photo).  Often called the "snakebird" since it swims with its long neck and pointed beak out of water, the anhinga favors wooded swamps, bayous and mangrove lined bays.

Like cormorants, they commonly perch on snags and posts to dry their wings and feed primarily on fish.  Most often seen alone, anhingas gather to breed in colonies, often in the company of other species (waders, pelicans, cormorants).

Anhingas are permanent residents in Florida, along the Gulf Coast, in coastal Mexico and Central America and throughout much of South America.  In summer, their range extends northward up the Southeast Coast and into the lower Mississippi Valley.

Birding Near the Condo

Our condo on Longboat Key looks out over Sarasota Bay and the complex extends westward, across the main road, to the Gulf of Mexico.  Generally a great location for birding, my observations have been less than stellar on this trip.  I wonder if the hurricanes played a role but this has been the least number and variety of species that I have encountered since we purchased the property, 21 years ago.

The low number of American white pelicans and red-breasted mergansers on the Bay has been especially evident.  Waders, in general, have been relatively uncommon though energetic flocks of white ibis still patrol the complex; ospreys, brown pelicans and double-crested cormorants have also appeared in their typical numbers.

One highlight has been an increased number of wood stocks flying over this part of the Key.  Listed as a "threatened species" in Florida since the 1970's, the welfare of these birds has been threatened by the degradation of wetlands (primarily through drainage and pollution).   

Christmas on the Beach

One does not get a "White Christmas" here in South Florida (except for the white sand) but it sometimes feels like a Midwestern winter.  Cloudy, cool, breezy conditions greeted us on the beach this morning and sunbathers remained huddled in their cozy condos.

We did encounter a few other humans who braved the chilly conditions and came across small flocks of laughing gulls, temporarily grounded by the light fog and drizzle.  A lone dolphin swam past in the calm Gulf waters where a few terns and brown pelicans dove for their morning meal.

But we can't complain.  It's still a lovely spot to visit and, if the forecast holds, warm sunshine will return by tomorrow.  Happy Holidays to all! 

Hurricanes & Shorebirds

The recent Gulf of Mexico hurricanes that struck Florida (Helene and Milton) have significantly altered the beaches of Longboat Key and Anna Marie Island.  The beaches of these barrier islands are noticeably broader and flatter than they were in the past and much of their sand has been pushed onto or across the islands by the storm surge and strong winds.

Such findings were not unexpected when we returned to our condo but I have also noticed a dearth of shorebirds on these beaches. In the past three days I have only encountered modest-sized flocks of sanderlings and a few ruddy turnstones and black-bellied plovers.  While the number of other seabirds seem to be relatively unchanged, one wonders if the storms altered both the structure and ecology of the beaches, "sterilizing" them of food sources that normally attract the shorebirds.

While I have no scientific data to support this theory, there is little doubt that shallow marine and tidewater ecosystems are affected by these powerful storms.  Perhaps the dramatic decrease in shorebirds reflects less obvious changes in the beaches and coastal waters, the recovery of which may take many months. 

Through Helene's Aftermath

Driving out to our condo on Longboat Key, we passed through Bradenton Beach, which was devastated by Hurricane Helene over two months ago.  Significant damage is still widespread and piles of beach sand cover most of the ground.

Most noticeable was the limited human activity on that Friday afternoon.  Usually bustling with tourists during the Holiday Season, many of the shops, restaurants and rental units have been shut down, if not destroyed.  It was a sad sight to behold and a warning that we have just begun to witness the ravages of climate change.

The storm's wrath extended across northern sections of Longboat Key as well but, farther south, our condo complex was spared any serious damage.  Nevertheless, one cannot ignore the growing threat of rising seas and severe hurricanes; we do not plan to rebuild when that day arrives and may choose to abandon this barrier island in advance of its eventual destruction.

Little River Canyon National Preserve

The Little River rises on the Appalachian Plateau of northeast Alabama and carves a scenic canyon through the Plateau as it flows southwestward toward Weiss Lake.  Most of its winding course has been protected within a National Preserve since 1992.

The Little River Canyon Center, east of Fort Payne on Route 35, is managed by Jacksonville State University and the National Park Service; maps and other information on the Preserve's geology, flora and fauna can be found there.  It is also the starting point of an 11-mile scenic drive that winds along the north rim of the canyon, offering pull-offs and viewpoints (photo).

Our side trip to this beautiful river and its canyon was all too brief but we had to get back on the Interstate. A rendezvous with the Subtropics beckoned.

 

Cloudland Canyon State Park

Heading south for the Holidays, we took a detour to a couple of parks on the Appalachian Plateau.  The first of these was Cloudland Canyon State Park, established in 1938, in the northwest corner of Georgia.

Renowned for its scenic, Y-shaped gorge (photo), carved from the Plateau by Daniel and Bear Creeks, it is accessed by an extensive network of trails that run along the rim of the canyons, across the valley floor and throughout backcountry areas atop the plateau.  Waterfalls occur along the creeks and also plunge from the steep canyon walls.

Due to our limited time at the Park, we settled on a pleasant hike along the canyon rim but more adventurous visitors will find many more miles of trails to explore within this 3538 acre refuge.  Information, maps and supplies are available at the Visitor Center, near the main entrance off Route 136.

Mass Hysteria in New Jersey

"Drone" sightings have increased dramatically over New Jersey and neighboring States in the last few weeks.  The public and local government officials are alarmed and demand that the U.S. Government and/or military get involved.  Recognizing an opportunity when he sees it, President-Elect Trump has chimed in, latching onto concerns about foreign or criminal elements behind these soaring night-lights.

Aviation officials report that the great majority of the sightings can be attributed to manned aircraft; there are, after all, numerous large airports in that region of the country.  No doubt, many of the craft are drones but the latter have become increasing common in America, used by companies and public enthusiasts alike.

Once the "drone scare" was publicized, the number of citizen observers surely multiplied exponentially, augmenting reports and fomenting the hysteria.  To date, none of the mysterious objects have attacked vital utilities or military bases and the Defense Department has offered assurances that the public is not in danger.  Nevertheless, skywatchers continue to increase, reports grow in concert, news organizations repeatedly cover the story, more drone pilots are encouraged to participate and mass hysteria persists.  Of course, I may be wrong and these could be Martian spacecraft.

Christmas Bird Count

This morning, I took part in the annual Christmas Bird Count, conducted by the Audubon Society.  Our group of four was assigned to an area in the region just south of Columbia.  We were challenged by fog and mist early in the morning but the sun soon broke through and we were granted a good morning for birding.

A barred owl, staring at us from a roadside tree, proved to be the highlight of the count, though we also saw three bald eagles, a dozen or more red-tailed hawks, several red-shouldered hawks and a couple of pileated woodpeckers.  Blue jays were, by far, the most abundant species encountered as we crossed farmlands, parcels of forest and multiple stream valleys.

It was, as usual, an enjoyable experience and I am always pleased to take part in this annual count, knowing that it serves to monitor the health of bird populations.  Though I avoid crowds when it comes to excursions in nature, a quartet of birders is just about right for the purposes of this event.

 

December Rain

As the dome of frigid air moves off to the northeast, a warm front is pushing in from the southwest.  Ahead of that front, Gulf of Mexico moisture is streaming northward, producing a broad band of rain from East Texas to the Upper Mississippi Valley.

Here in Missouri, the rain developed overnight and will persist for most of the day; north of us, across much of Iowa, freezing rain is coating the roads, buildings and landscapes with ice.  By tomorrow, as the front tracks northeastward, warmer air and sunshine will bring a mild respite from the recent Arctic conditions.

While frozen soil might limit the benefits of this December rain, it will certainly recharge the streams which have been sluggish for most of the year.  It will take steady spring and summer rains to put a significant dent in our prolonged regional drought.

Condoning Violence

In the wake of the murder of a United Healthcare executive in New York, a wave of disturbing support for the gunman has appeared online and in public.  Violent acts to remedy perceived injustice seems to have gained acceptance in a large segment of our society.

One might easily blame the MAGA movement for this trend, following Trump's rhetoric against his political enemies, but it appears to go well beyond that group; indeed, the far left has jumped on this opportunity to highlight the profit-driven mindset of corporate America.  The issue of gun control has hardly been mentioned, including the killer's ability to use 3D printing to create his own weapon.

No doubt, corporate greed and social injustice remain widespread in America, but condoning violence and cheering for the murderer cannot and should not be part of the solution.  Unfortunately, our Government is too dysfunctional to address either problem; social pressure on corporations is, for now, the only sensible approach.  Law and order must prevail at all levels of our society. 

Flashback Post LXI

The current explosive wildfire in Malibu Canyon, like most wildfires in Southern California, was triggered by an ignition source, extremely dry foliage and Santa Ana Winds.  The latter were discussed in a post back in November of 2007.

See: Santa Ana Winds 

A Lone Scaup

During this season of discontent for waterfowl watchers in central Missouri, I decided to visit Perry Phillips Lake in southeast Columbia.  There my effort was rewarded by the presence of a single male lesser scaup.

A common migrant through our region, this diving duck is generally found in small groups or sizable flocks during the autumn migration; a fair number may winter in mid-Missouri if open water is found.  Lesser scaup feed on both aquatic invertebrates and submerged plants.

Though I was, once again, disappointed by my waterfowl observations, I did see a large number of white-crowned sparrows and a limited mix of other winter songbirds.  I would be remiss not to express my appreciation to the lone scaup; somehow, one duck is far better than none, especially this year.

A Journey through Cold Sunshine

Heading back to my home town (Cincinnati) for a brief visit, I crossed the farmlands of Missouri and southern Illinois, the forested Shawnee Hills of southern Indiana and the Ohio River hills of northern Kentucky.  Major river crossings included the Missouri, the Mississippi, the Wabash and the Ohio.  Bright sunshine and cold, clear air augmented the scenery but wildlife observations were rather modest.

As one might expect, flocks of pigeons, starlings, crows and red-winged blackbirds were observed on the farmlands; other sightings included turkey vultures circling above the rural landscapes, the Mesozoic forms of great blue herons flapping across the Interstate and dozens of red-tailed hawks perched along the highway.  The highlight turned out to be a rough-legged hawk in southern Illinois.

Alas, no migrant geese were encountered.  Perhaps my return trip will be more productive. 

Clipper Dynamics

Alberta Clippers are low pressure systems that originate in the Canadian Province of Alberta and rapidly drop southeastward across the Upper Midwest, Great Lakes region and Northeastern U.S.  Due to their rapid movement, they are generally not associated with significant amounts of snow except for lake-effect squalls along the Great Lakes, high elevation snow down the spine of the Appalachians and coastal snow once the counter-clockwise winds of the storm pull in Atlantic moisture; these onshore winds may also lash the shoreline with powerful waves.

South and west of the low pressure center, strong north winds drag frigid, Arctic air southward.  Last night, these backside winds shook the treetops and rattled windows here in central Missouri.  By this morning, despite bright sunshine and calm conditions, the outside temperature was 15 degrees F.

Since these Clippers depart as rapidly as they arrive, warmer air soon moves in from the west.  We expect afternoon highs near 60 degrees F this weekend.  

A Mild Interlude in Missouri

Following a period of frigid air and snow, it was sunny and mild in Columbia today, coaxing a friend and I down to Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area.  There we were greeted by muddy roads, frozen shallows and a modest increase in the migrant duck population.

Mallards dominated the waterfowl, joined by smaller numbers of American coot, gadwall, American wigeon, ring-necked ducks, green-winged teal and hooded mergansers.  Seven Wilson's snipe foraged across a mudflat while a northern harrier and a red-tailed hawk patrolled the refuge.  Once again, red-winged blackbirds provided the most impressive spectacle; having gathered in their massive winter flocks, we estimated that 4000 were observed today.

I'm not sure I have ever made it into December without encountering my first flock of migrant geese (at least not since moving to central Missouri in 1997) but they continue to evade me.  Perhaps they'll all come south at once when (and if) the northern wetlands freeze over. 

An Unwise Pardon

Yesterday, following repeated denials regarding his intent, President Biden pardoned his son, Hunter.  While he is clearly concerned that Trump's Justice Department might overreach in their handling of the case, this is an unfortunate decision as Trump aims to pardon the January 6 seditionists, among other co-conspirators.  Of course, his election erased Trump's own potential convictions.

One suspects that Hunter Biden's guilty plea was made in anticipation of this pardon and this scenario only serves to support Trump's claim that the Justice Department has been politicized.  As we face a significant threat to our Democracy, Biden's decision foments the argument that our current system of justice is broken.  If Hunter Biden's crimes were as insignificant as many of his defenders claim, the sentencing would have surely reflected that fact.

Unless Trump's incompetent and dangerous Cabinet selections are blocked by the Senate, we can expect the authoritarian leadership that most Americans feared.  Biden's pardon, while understandable on a personal level, only fuels that potential outcome.  In the interest of justice, Presidential pardons should be abolished.  

Supporting Denial & Risk

Last evening, a story on 60 Minutes (CBS) highlighted life on Smith Island in Chesapeake Bay.  The livelihood and property of the Island's residents are threatened by rising sea levels; the latter, of course, is a consequence of global warming.

The report indicated that Maryland has offered to buy the properties and have them demolished, allowing residents to move to higher ground on the mainland; apparently, there were no takers.  As a result, the State and Federal Government have initiated costly and, in the long run, futile efforts to mitigate the flooding.

Proud of their heritage, long-time residents of Smith Island certainly have the right to hold out as long as possible.  More questionable is the State's willingness to permit new construction by adventurous residents arriving from the mainland.  Island and coastal communities across the globe are threatened by climate change; do we admire their tenacity and support their high risk choices or do we limit public funding to resettlement assistance?  Denial, in the name of tradition, is not a helpful approach.