Bear Creek Lake Park

On this spring-like day along the Front Range, my wife and I visited Bear Creek Lake Park, in Lakewood.  Stretching east from the foothills, the Park fills the valley of Bear Creek.  Most of the territory is covered by open grasslands, though riparian woodlands line the streams.

The Park is a popular destination for bikers, fishermen, horseback riders and walkers; today, a dozen or so ice-fishermen were observed on the ice-covered lake.  Numerous trails provide access to the Park's various ecosystems though the most popular seems to be the path that runs atop the dam, offering a broad view of the foothills to the west (photo) and of Metro Denver to the east.

Wildlife encountered today were limited to deer, Canada geese, magpies and red-tailed hawks but the mild weather, fresh air and pleasant scenery made our visit more than worthwhile.  Visitors arriving by car should know that a modest entry fee is charged. 

Attack on Diversity

King Trump and his soldiers have launched a full-scale attack on human diversity, prohibiting consideration of gender, race and sexuality in all aspects of American life and eliminating protection based on those factors.  Anyone who is not a heterosexual white male may experience the repercussions.

Having immediately blamed the tragic plane crash in Washington, D.C., on DEI policies, our King has sent out threats to all government agencies that any attention to diversity must be eliminated from their work and recommendations.  The consequences of this demand will be widespread, affecting the health, employment and welfare of many Americans.

Based on his own ignorance, racism and misogyny, this edict reflects Trump's self-absorbed view of mankind.  Anyone who does fit the image of a white strong-man is not worthy of support, let alone acknowledgement. 

The Sounds of Winter

Throughout the life of this blog, I have often referred to winter as "the quiet season."  Indeed, once we get away from human activity, we appreciate this silence during the cold, snowy months.  Bird song is suppressed, many animals are hibernating (as adults, larvae or eggs) and most of nature's predators are nocturnal, resting in their dens or cavities during the day.

There are exceptions, of course.  Roving bands of crows, magpies, and blue jays make their presence known and woodpeckers drum away for their meals.  In some areas, where waterfowl, gulls or terns are wintering, they can be quite noisy as well.  Here along the Front Range, Canada geese are the primary noisemakers; comprised of permanent and winter residents and joined by their smaller cousins, cackling geese, their vocal flocks are often heard from a distance, intensifying as they stream overhead.

By the end of this month, the silence will begin to break as male songbirds respond to the lengthening daylight.  Their urgent tunes will then ring through our neighborhoods, announcing the onset of spring. 

The King of Cruelty

While pursuing his lavish lifestyle and personally benefitting from his position and policies, King Trump has cut support for many Federal programs throughout this country and across the globe.  Most of these programs provide essential services for those unable to care for themselves.

Meals-on-Wheels and Head Start are among the many programs threatened by the decree.  While our King wines and dines worshipers from corporations and foreign countries, food and healthcare will be withdrawn from impoverished citizens, including many Veterans.

Having promised to Make America Great Again, Trump's focus is squarely on the welfare of the powerful and self-sufficient members of his kingdom.  In his corrupted point of view, the vermin will disappear when support for their livelihood is withdrawn. 

Flickers Tune Up

As mild weather reclaims the Front Range, the first tentative calls of norther flickers are echoing across our Littleton farm.  Throughout February and March, these prolonged and hysterical calls, combined with intense drumming on dead limbs, downspouts and roof-top vents, will herald the onset of spring.

Such mating behavior is common throughout the animal kingdom but is generally not so obvious.  Indeed, the noisy antics of these large woodpeckers is impossible to ignore.

Nevertheless, their calls and drumming are among the earliest signs of spring, heard long before the season of snow is over (especially here in Colorado).  Though the flickers are responding to the lengthening daylight, their promise of warmer days, greenery and the glories of spring is welcomed by winter-weary humans. 

In Protest

Among his many first-week declarations, King Trump has renamed the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America and Denali (the highest peak in Alaska and in North America) back to Mt. McKinley; this previous name honored President McKinley, from Ohio, who was assassinated and never visited the peak.

More than a petty use of his reclaimed power, these declarations demonstrate Trump's disdain for all non-white cultures as well as his ignorance of history.  Will New Mexico be next on his list?

In protest, I will continue to utilize the appropriate names for geographic features and regions, not the sanitized versions favored by our self-proclaimed King. 

Trump & Climate Change

Today, Donald Trump, a climate change denier, jets off to North Carolina and California to witness two of the most severe climate-induced disasters in recent years.  Whatever he proclaims at those sites, his personal concerns will certainly be disingenuous.

Upon taking office, Trump withdrew from the Paris Climate Accord, eliminated federal support for electric vehicles and encouraged energy executives to increase oil and gas production.  This strong-man approach is mirrored in all of Trump's policies, from immigration to social programs and international relationships.

Trump could care less about the welfare of future generations.  Fortunately, energy company executives understand the risk of climate change and have fostered efforts to improve carbon capture and to expand the use of green energy sources.  Here in the U.S., the private sector must protect the environment from right-wing, anti-science zealots; that may sound naive but it is our only source of hope for the near future.  

Flashback Post LXII

During the recent stretch of cold, snowy weather, whenever I went out to explore the farm, I was reminded of a post that I published back in December, 2006.

See: In Praise of Chickadees 

A Time for Vigilance

As Donald Trump retakes the Presidency today, many of us will avoid his speeches and pontifications as much as possible; we cannot stomach the opinions and comments of a pompous narcissist, renowned for his lying and grifting.  We accept the election results but have no respect for the victorious candidate; the fact that his inauguration is occurring on Martin Luther King Day only adds to our profound disgust.

Hopefully, the Senate will neutralize his more dangerous and unqualified cabinet picks, House Democrats will block legislation that endangers our freedoms and State Governors will refuse to enforce his un-American policies.

Vigilance is imperative at all levels of government as a would-be dictator assumes power.  We citizens must vigorously support the opposition, including organizations that work to protect human rights and the health of our natural environment.  We need not listen to this failed seditionist but we must stay informed regarding his actions and intentions. 

Snow before the Arctic Blast

Following several mild, sunny days along the Front Range, snow is expected to arrive this evening and last through much of tomorrow.  It will develop along the leading edge of the latest Polar Vortex as it sinks across the Heartland, eventually bringing freezing temperatures as far south as the northern Gulf Coast.

When these domes of dense, Arctic air plunge southward, they often track east of the High Plains, guided by the topography of the Continent.  On occasion, as will occur this week, they back up against the Front Range and slide southward along the mountains.  In general, this pattern brings frigid air to the urban corridor but does not usually produce much snow.

On the other hand, the cold, dense air may sit in place for several days until displaced by a new Pacific Front.  Unfortunately, the intense Colorado sunshine pierces the atmosphere at a low angle in mid winter and adds little warmth under such conditions. 

Fox in the Moonlight

Leaving our farmhouse early this morning, I was taken by the shadows on the snow-covered ground, produced by the waning Wolf Moon.  Just as I climbed into my pickup, our resident red fox trotted across the property, oblivious of my presence.

Absent for some time, she was clearly out for a pre-dawn hunt.  Now that she has returned, our cottontail population will crash once again, a cycle I have witnessed over the past two decades.

I'm rather fond of both species but nature has her hierarchy and, on our farm, the fox is at the top of the food chain (unless, of course, a coyote wanders in).  Though she may have a suitor by next month and cubs by spring, she appears content to live in peace for now. 

Toward the Wolf Moon

When I left Hays, Kansas, early this morning, the bright Wolf Moon gleamed from the western sky.  Just below and to its right was Mars, rather dim due to the intense moonlight.

As the sun rose, Mars disappeared altogether but the full moon remained visible, guiding me westward across the High Plains.  By the time I entered the Mountain Time Zone, in western Kansas, the moon had set.  Nevertheless, I still imagined its beauty farther west, adorning the magnificent scenery of the Mountain West.

Indeed, the title Wolf Moon was especially appropriate on this clear, cold morning, knowing that its namesake was likely howling at its bright disc and using this natural nightlight to aid the early morning hunt. 

Snows in the Snow II

Heading back to Colorado, I drove across snow-covered terrain from Columbia, Missouri, all the way to Hays, Kansas, where I will spend the night.  Bright sunshine and a deep blue sky combined with the snow to make the landscape look deceptively pristine.

With all due respect to the many hawks (mostly red-tails) that hunted along the Interstate, the highlight of my journey was a large flock of snow geese, resting and feeding in crop stubble west of Topeka.  Were it not for the brief flight of a restless goose, searching for a better spot in the crowd, I would likely not have noticed the flock.

So, finally, I have encountered migrant geese this season.  Whether they were tardy autumn migrants, early spring migrants or just wintering in that region of Kansas is uncertain.  Whatever brought them to that field is immaterial; it was a pleasure to have seen them.

Note:  The first post titled Snows in the Snow was published in March of 2015. 

Trees Native to Hawaii

Watching a PGA tournament from Oahu this afternoon, I began to wonder how many trees are native to that remote Pacific archipelago.  I thus consulted Common Forest Trees of Hawaii by Elbert L. Little and Roger G. Skolmen of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (available online).

Before reading the article, I assumed that few of Hawaii's trees are native to the islands due to their remote location and relatively young age (10 million years or so); I was wrong.  In fact, Hawaii leads all U.S. States in its number of native tree species.  At least 300 grace the islands, thought to have evolved from 78 unique species that arrived over the years; genetic testing suggests that 45 arrived from the West or Southwest (Indo-Pacific region), 16 from the South Pacific and 7 from North America.

The seeds are thought to have arrived on floating vegetation, via seabird droppings or on the winds of powerful hurricanes.  Of course, the lush vegetation of present-day Hawaii also includes a large number of trees introduced by early Polynesian settlers, by European explorers and by modern-day humans.  Of note, 18 of the many palm species found today are native to Hawaii.

Southern Snowstorm expands Northward

The most recent snowstorm, forecast to spread from northeast Texas to the Mid-Atlantic region, is taking in more real estate than expected.  Here in central Missouri, we were initially thought to be on the northern fringe of the passing storm but received more snow overnight than we did with last week's storm, when we were squarely in the bullseye.

Indeed, snow is falling across the southern States, from Arkansas to the Carolinas, but the breath of the snowfall is now expected to reach northward to the Great Lakes.  Apparently, the storm has more strength than expected, a development that will be all too common as our climate warms.

The snowfall in our region will likely end by late morning but some of the system's more dangerous effects will come in the form of an ice storm along the southern edge of the snow swath.  As wildfires rage in the west, ice may cripple some areas of the Southeast. 

Disasters, Risk & Questions

As the California wildfires reach epic proportions, we mourn the tragic loss for so many residents and businesses and, if we can, donate to relief efforts that might ease the pain of those affected.  We have seen such disasters before but not to this extent.

The same might be said for losses related to floods, hurricanes, mudslides and other natural disasters.  As we know, the frequency and severity of these events will significantly increase as our climate warms.  Yet, once the immediate danger subsides, we humans insist on rebuilding in high risk zones: dry forest canyons, barrier islands, floodplains and coastal lowlands, among others.

The drive to restore one's home and community is understandable but how many rounds will occur before we abandon these areas?  Santa Ana winds, severe hurricanes, extensive flooding, prolonged drought and wildfires will continue to occur and their effects will only worsen.  Perhaps it is time to face reality and restrict construction in high risk terrain; while some disasters, such as tornados, might ravage any city or community, others are predictable, based on regional weather patterns, ecology and topography. 

A Murder at Midday

It was a beautiful afternoon in Columbia.  Bright sunshine reflected from the snowy landscape and the clear, cold air was peacefully calm.  Then, a murder ended the tranquility.

A large, noisy flock of crows has been wandering about our neighborhood for the past few days.  Fifty or more of these aggressive omnivores have joined together in search of food.  Not at all unusual during the winter months, such behavior is especially beneficial when snow and ice coat the landscape.

Despite their boisterous style, this murder of crows is welcome to stay as long as necessary.  As I have expressed in the past, I admire and appreciate their role in nature's cycle of life. 

Facebook, Truth & Politics

Facebook, the largest social media site on the planet, has decided to get rid of its fact-checking team.  While the excuse seems to be that their service is too cumbersome and expensive, one suspects that this move is another effort to curry favor with the upcoming Trump Administration.

Unfortunately, many Americans get their news on Facebook and the second reign of King Trump will be the source of countless lies and conspiracy theories.  When we need the protection of truth the most, Facebook has declined to participate.

Ironically, this decision comes at a time when Artificial Intelligence might be effectively utilized to weed out disinformation.  Apparently, Mark Zuckerberg is more concerned about appeasing MAGA Republicans than he is with publishing the truth.

Note: Facebook is a subsidiary of Meta Platforms, Inc. 

Remembering a Friend

A friend of mine died recently.  He had been a fellow professor at the University of Missouri (though not in the medical field) and died unexpectedly, in his 80s.  Since I did not know his family well, the news of his death did not reach me for a few weeks.

We had initially met at one of the ovals on campus where both of us chose to eat our lunch outdoors.  As it turned out, we had a lot in common, especially regarding our philosophy of life and our fondness for the Mountain West.  In time, he had discovered this blog and his interest was truly an honor.  

He was a kind and thoughtful person and his influence will live on in my life.  What more can we hope to achieve with those we come to know? 

The Storm Arrives

The first sign of this major winter storm was the tapping of sleet against our windows overnight.  By this morning, we had received more sleet than snow in central Missouri and accumulations were modest in this region.

Periods of sleet and snow continued throughout the day but, as Arctic air filters down from the north, the precipitation has changed to all snow.  Indeed, as I write this post, a band of moderate to heavy snowfall stretches from eastern Kansas to Washington DC.  South of that band, an ice storm is placing power lines at risk and, farther south, severe thunderstorms are raking the Gulf Coast States.

Whether we reach our forecast total of a foot or more of snow remains uncertain but one must acknowledge the accuracy of the Weather Service models; seemingly off base this morning their predictions are coming to fruition this evening. 

Before the Polar Plunge

Expecting heavy snow and Arctic air in central Missouri over the coming week, I decided a visit to Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area was in order.  To my surprise, there was more open water at the refuge than I have observed in a year or more; no doubt, most of it will be frozen over after the approaching storm.

The variety and number of waterfowl was fair, dominated by mallards once again.  As is often the case in winter, raptors proved to be the highlight, including an adult bald eagle, three northern harriers, three red-tailed hawks, an American kestrel and what I believe to have been a peregrine falcon (based on its size and shape); the latter was backlit by the bright sun and too distant to identify with certainty.

Remarkably, I did not encounter any red-winged blackbirds during my visit, a first in my many years of touring Eagle Bluffs.  Of course, neither did I observe any migrant geese, another seasonal first for this frustrated birder. 

Winter gets Serious

The first half of January will be marked by a "polar plunge" as a deep atmospheric trough brings Arctic air to most of the central and eastern U.S.  Some areas will also receive a significant amount of snow, especially in the "lake-effect" areas of the Great Lakes region.

Here in central Missouri, the snow will not arrive until this coming weekend but the extreme cold is expected to persist through all of next week.  If current forecasts are correct, we could receive up to 18 inches of snow.

As our climate warms, average annual temperatures will continue to climb but they will represent a mix of extreme heat and brutally cold periods, superimposed on "typical" seasonal patterns.  An energized jet stream will be responsible for the dramatic shifts and for the severity of storms that they produce. 

Another Revolution

New Year's Day is an arbitrary choice to mark the beginning of Earth's orbit around the Sun; it does not coincide with a solstice or an equinox.  Nevertheless,  it is an emotional day for most humans since we measure our lives by years and reaching another one is always an accomplishment.

Of course, some revolutions are more important than others, affording new, society-based opportunities; 16, 18, and 21 trips around the sun are important mileposts in America.  Then there are anniversaries, marking the longevity of marriages, employment and, most importantly, life itself.  For those dealing with the threat of illness or advanced age, each revolution is a gift.

So, on this unnatural starting line for another revolution, I wish everyone a safe, pleasant and rewarding journey.