Trump Scraps Climate Report

As reported in the New York Times today, King Trump and his Court have fired all scientists and writers working on the next Climate Report, which is published every few years to document the progression of Global Warming.  His Director of the Office of Management and Budget characterized the report as "alarmist."

Demonstrating both the ignorance and the political approach of the Trump Administration, such a decree plays to the MAGA base while ignoring the significant and justified concerns of most Americans.  No doubt, Trump will once again withdraw from the International Climate Accord as well.

Meanwhile, destructive weather events, rising sea levels and severe droughts plague countries across the globe.  But the King could care less about such disasters, having already cut Federal funding for FEMA.  Concentrating on various sources of personal grift, climate change does not cross his mind; after all, the wealthy are always relatively immune to the effects of both natural and human-induced catastrophes. 

Summer Heat in April

Gusty, south winds will push our afternoon high into the mid 80s F today.  As is usually the case, an approaching cold front is responsible for these southerly winds and the atmosphere will be primed for strong, possibly severe thunderstorms that are expected to arrive tonight.

For now, we'll enjoy an early taste of summer, complete with the recent arrival of summer songbirds.  These have included chimney swifts, eastern kingbirds, house wrens, gray catbirds, yellow warblers and, today, chipping sparrows.

Fortunately, the summer heat will be brief and we will drop back into more seasonable conditions after the storm system moves on to the east.  By late June, many of us will be ready for autumn weather. 

A Free Press must Stand

As King Trump limits access to his news conferences, sues news organizations for perceived unjust coverage and cuts funding to NPR and other public news sources, it is easy to understand his objectives.  He is seeking absolute control of what American citizens hear about the goals and effectiveness of his Administration.  As he has demonstrated, Trump strives to be a dictator.

Fortunately, many of the news organizations are resisting his efforts and defending themselves in court; for the most part, the judicial system has sided with the journalists.  Nevertheless, the recent resignation of the long-standing Executive Producer for 60 Minutes, Bill Owens, is disturbing.

King Trump's bombastic approach is on shaky legal grounds (at best) and his low approval ratings partly reflect his focus on retribution.  Since the Department of Justice is in Trump's pocket, a free press and a Judicial Branch that respects the law are vital to the protection of our Democracy.  Fortunately, even the Supreme Court has begun to recognize that fact. 

The Stone Wall

Giant City State Park is about 8 miles south of Carbondale, Illinois.  This large, attractive Park harbors the same sandstone outcrops that characterize most of the Shawnee Hills but it also protects a Stone Wall (see photo).

Not just something a farmer left behind, the Wall, likely part of a fort, was constructed by members of the Late Woodland culture, which occupied the area from 600-900 AD; excavation of the site began in 2000.  Amidst all the natural beauty, it reminds us that we humans have always been part of nature, whether we now live in big cities or out in the forest.

All of the Illinois State Parks are free to the public and I certainly recommend a visit to this one.  If you go, spend some time at the Stone Wall and connect with humans who had a deeper appreciation of our dependence on the natural world.

New Pope, Same Church

A new Pope will soon be selected for the Catholic Church.  Even if he is relatively young, somewhat liberal and shockingly non-white, the Church will not change.

Based on fear, guilt and the teachings of Jesus Christ, the latter recorded up to a Century after his death, the Catholic Church cannot adapt to modern society.  The rights of women, gays, trans individuals and other marginalized groups do not fit into its cherished traditions.  Science poses inconvenient truths and the Church's long history of child abuse (sexual and otherwise) has never been adequately addressed.

This may be an exciting time for devout Catholics but most of us cannot countenance its past atrocities, ongoing discrimination and overt mysticism. 

Shawnee Hills Highlights

Today, we explored a swath of the Shawnee Hills, southeast of Marion, Illinois.  Rather than describe the adventure in detail, I have decided to offer a few photos that depict the geography of that region.  These landforms reflect the cap of Carboniferous sandstone that lies across the region and the erosive forces that have been active for millions of years (especially during the Pleistocene).

As is usually the case, I enjoyed the journey as much (if not more) as the destinations.  To paraphrase James Taylor, "It's enough to cover ground.  It's enough to be on your way."

Sand Cave:

Jackson Falls:

Fern Clyffe State Park:

Exploring Southwest Illinois

Driving south from Interstate 64 in Southwest Illinois on Route 127, one crosses a rolling landscape of scenic farmlands.  Just south of Murphysboro, this route enters the westernmost portion of Shawnee National Forest, where forested hills characterize the geography.

Today, we headed for the Little Grand Canyon, southwest of Murphysboro.  A National Natural Landmark, this box canyon is 300 feet deep, opening at the edge of the Shawnee Hills uplift.  A "one mile trail" undulates out to the main overlook; unfortunately, since the trees had leafed out, views of the canyon were limited today but a broad view, extending across the Mississippi River lowlands to the river hills of Missouri (photo) was worth the effort. 

After spending the night in Marion, we'll make a circuit to several other geographic highlights in the western portion of the Shawnee National Forest.  A summary of that excursion will be published tomorrow.

Earth Day at Fifty-Five

Fifty-five years after the first Earth Day, its success has been moderate at best.  Though DDT was banned, the use of pesticides and herbicides remains widespread and pollution from plastics has become a much greater problem.

While the push toward green energy and a reduction in coal use are broadly evident, our reliance on fossil fuels has only increased.  Climate change, the result of that reliance, is spawning severe weather events across the globe yet a significant proportion of the human population continues to deny its existence.

Here in the U.S., half of our citizens voted for individuals who ridicule concerns about global warming, who intend to eliminate a wide range of environmental safeguards and who favor reopening protected natural habitat for development.  It is difficult to admit, but the message of Earth Day has been largely ignored by most Americans. 

Storms Revive Eagle Bluffs

Returning to Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area this morning, I found that three days of intermittent heavy rain had revived the refuge, at least with regard to its appearance.  Shallow water covered most of the channels and sloughs and broad pools filled depressions in the fields.  For the first time in several months, this floodplain preserve looked and smelled like a wetland.

Unfortunately, I cannot report that the avian population has been revived as well.  Canada geese were the only waterfowl observed, less than a dozen shorebirds foraged along the shallows and turkey vultures remained the most conspicuous species; waders were limited to six great blue herons and one great egret.  I did encounter a lone, immature bald eagle and saw my first spotted sandpiper of the year.

Unless storms arrive on a regular schedule, I suspect the refuge will dry out once again.  Hopefully, by the autumn migration, whatever policies have created the desolation will have been reversed. 

Trump abolishes Marine Sanctuary

With the stroke of his quill pen, King Trump has opened the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument to commercial fishing.  As reported in the New York Times, the 490,000 square-mile preserve, which was established by the George W. Bush Administration and expanded by the Obama Administration, contains hundreds of atolls and seamounts that harbor rich coral beds, vital to the health of the regional marine ecosystem.  The Preserve lies 750 miles west of Hawaii.

Of course, Trump is focused solely on the economic benefits of mass-market fishing, not on the health of the marine environment.  As long as he remains in power, we can expect many more of these sudden and dramatic attacks on conservation programs and protected natural habitat.

Having destroyed our economy, our alliances and our civil rights, he is moving on to Nature herself.  That is a battle he cannot win.  

Thunder in the Night

As a child growing up in Cincinnati, in the Fifties, I enjoyed the rumble of thunder in the night.  Since we did not have air conditioning, we would open the windows at night, allowing cool air from the storm to invade our house.  We didn't seem to worry about severe thunderstorms or tornados, weather phenomena that we associated with the Great Plains.

Now, as our climate warms, almost every storm system spawns severe thunderstorms, destructive winds, torrential rain or tornados.  The most recent storm front arrived just after midnight, bringing intense lightning and heavy rain to our region; fortunately, we escaped the hail and high winds that now lash a corridor from Texas to the Great Lakes.

But the front has stalled and will drift back north late today and tomorrow, enhancing our risk for flooding, severe thunderstorms and tornados.  The energy in Earth's atmosphere has increased significantly since my childhood days and the consequences are readily apparent across the globe.  

What If You Knew?

I recently read The Measure, by Nikki Erlick, a popular and thought-provoking novel in which all humans, aged 22 and over, receive a box on their doorstep, the contents of which reveal their exact remaining lifespan.

The book goes on to explore the ramifications of this knowledge on personal behavior, relationships, society as a whole, politics and military policies, among other aspects of human life.  Of course, some individuals never open their box, fearing its message and/or not wanting the knowledge to govern their remaining days, months or years.  The reader is left to wonder how they might respond to such a development.

As one who has already lived a long life, it is easy for me to say that I would not open my box, choosing to attend one of the rallies in which attendees toss their unopened verdict into a bonfire.  What would you do?  How would you approach life if you knew?  I recommend this book.

 

Stranded Turtles at Eagle Bluffs

Returning to the dried out Conservation Area this morning, I found that almost all of the waders, waterfowl and shorebirds had fled Eagle Bluffs as the shallow pools continue to shrink.  Indeed, sighting highlights, what few there were, involved purely terrestrial species: deer, a northern harrier and a wild turkey, among others.

One sad observation were scattered "bales" of aquatic turtles, clustered along the stagnant pools or half buried in muddy channels, some a long way from any significant body of water.  While they might be able to tolerate periods of drought and are known for their ability to locate ponds or streams, they have just emerged from their winter hibernation and I doubt they have much physical reserve.

The human-imposed drought at Eagle Bluffs has certainly disappointed local birders and regional visitors but our personal welfare has not been threatened.  Seeing those turtles, stranded in the cracked mud, one easily understands the impact that our species has on less adaptable creatures.  Of course, this phenomenon is occurring across the globe as we destroy natural ecosystems and, in the process, threaten our own welfare. 

The Warbler Wave

The arrival of summer and migrant warblers has begun in mid Missouri, ushered in by a steady south breeze.  The latter will bring increasing humidity to our region and periods of rain and thunderstorms are expected over the next four days.

Of the many warblers that pass through this area, a dozen or so will stay for the summer while most head to the Great North Woods or to one of the mountain corridors.  Small, active, insectivores, these travelers pose an identification challenge for most birders (beginners and veterans alike).  Fortunately, some have very distinctive calls but their plumage can be difficult to study as they flit among the trees; those arriving before the trees leaf out are somewhat easier to identify.

The warbler wave will continue through May; by June, avid birders can finally relax and focus on those species that are familiar summer residents. 

Old Birders

As one who has been birding for fifty years, I believe I can make some generalizations about old birders, like myself.  Of course, there are always exceptions.

Having left our glory days of birding in the past, when every other sighting was a new addition to our life list, we now enjoy a more leisurely approach to the pastime.  We no longer go out hunting for new species; we've seen all (or almost all) of the birds that reside in or visit our region.  Rather, we wander our own property or visit nature preserves, hoping to encounter a reasonable number of species but appreciating whatever birds (and other wildlife) that cross our path.

Of course, we welcome surprises as well; these often involve seeing common birds engaging in uncommon behavior.  Just yesterday, on the farmlands east of Columbia, I encountered an osprey, perched in a tree; while there are lakes in the region, his chosen rest stop was surrounded by crop fields.  Even old birders relish such new experiences. 

First Cliff Swallows

Yesterday morning, while birding in the lower Bonne Femme Valley, south of Columbia, I encountered my first cliff swallows of the season.  As usual, they were zooming above the creek and beneath a bridge, under which they will nest.

Having wintered in southern South America, they have completed a lengthy roundtrip migration and it is always good to see them in mid spring.  While the various swallow species are often difficult to distinguish, especially in flight, cliff swallows sport a buff-colored rump; that physical trait and their fondness for bridges usually makes identification easy.

Cliff swallows are most common throughout the western half of the U.S. and Canada with some nesting as far north as Alaska.  They are the famous swallows of San Juan Capistrano, in California; around here, they're just another summer species but are certainly welcome, seasonal additions to the avian fauna. 

Pelicans in a Puddle

On a visit to Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area yesterday morning, I encountered about 40 American white pelicans, crowding a shallow, stagnant pool.  Their stay would surely be brief since, except for an ample supply of dead carp on the mudflats, fish are currently unavailable at the desiccated refuge.

Of course, these travelers will not panic.  Most will summer on the relatively dry landscapes of the Northern Plains and Great Basin, where they often travel many miles to find reliable fishing grounds.  Nevertheless, it was sad to observe their predicament; usually seen gliding across lakes or bays, they could barely get their feet wet.

Let's hope the refuge is in better shape when they visit next autumn.  If not, we birders may just have to settle for observing their spectacular aerial formations as they soar toward the sun.

Free Speech in America

Free speech is endangered in America.  King Trump and his Court are attacking, suing or deporting anyone who defies the basic tenets of MAGA philosophy.  So far, journalists, attorneys and foreign students on visas have been their primary targets but, eventually, we may all be victims of their feverish censorship (even opinionated bloggers).

As our Secretary of Appeasement, Marco Rubio, said, we should all act like dinner guests, content to nod our heads in agreement while praising the King for his wisdom and leadership.  Forget the protests.  Ignore the genocide.  Praise the tariffs.  Don't complain about inflation.  Don't even mention racism or climate change.

Hopefully, most Americans will not buy into this rhetoric or bow to the threats.  Speak up and consider donating to the ACLU. 

Shift Change at Phillips Lake

Here in Missouri, April is a month of avian transition.  By the middle of the month, the last of the winter residents are departing while, throughout the month, summer residents are filtering in.  Evidence of that shift change was evident at Phillips Lake this morning.

Out on the lake were flocks of northern shovelers and ruddy ducks, soon to depart for breeding grounds to our north.  A handful of yellow-rumped warblers (our winter warbler) were feeding in the trees and shrubs that line the shore, fueling up for their journey to Canada.  Meanwhile, tree and northern rough-winged swallows, back from a winter in the south, were strafing the surface of the water and a lone green heron, my first of the season, hunted along the shoreline.  By the end of April, many more summer species will grace the park.

Of course, permanent residents such as cardinals, robins, blue jays and others, tend to dominate the bird population in most Midwestern ecosystems.  One wonders if they take notice of the migrants and seasonal residents that join them in the course of a year; unfortunately, too few humans do. 

The Sound of Silence

One of my daughters recently introduced me to a cover of Paul Simon's The Sound of Silence by Disturbed, a group unknown to this child of the Sixties.  While the iconic original can never be replaced, their version is especially haunting and passionate and I recommend a listen, if not a download.

While a songwriter's message is open to interpretation, I always believed that Simon spoke to America's indifference in the face of social injustice and the smoldering conflict that would become the Vietnam War.  Released in 1964, The Sound of Silence thus seems especially relevant today, as Trump dismantles our Constitution while a corrupt Supreme Court and cowardly Republican Senators fail to act.

We must all speak out in any way that we can; in Paul's words, "silence like a cancer grows."  

A Spring Beauty Bonanza

Amidst the dandelions, wild violets and wild onions that adorn our Columbia lawn each spring are clumps of spring beauty.  This attractive perennial is common in woodlands and on suburban lawns, sometimes appearing as early as February.

Spring beauty overwinters as a corm and spreads by rootlets.  It is in the diet of many mammals and attracts a variety of pollinating insects; humans have long used the corms as a source of food.

But most of us appreciate these flowers primarily for their beauty and we have been granted a bonanza in our backyard this spring.  Conditions must have been just right to produce the impressive bloom. 

Solitude at Eagle Bluffs

On this sunny, cool, April morning, I encountered only one other vehicle at Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area; even that distant car seemed to be moving a bit too fast for a birder.  Indeed, as the channel and pools have been drained and as wetland habitat continues to shrink, few waterfowl and shorebirds are stopping by and avid birders have abandoned the refuge in concert.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed the solitude and observed 25 avian species, including a barred owl, perched on a metal gate; a pair of bald eagles, two red-tailed hawks and about 60 turkey vultures rounded out the raptors.  Great blue herons and great egrets fed in the shrinking shallows while killdeer and a few lesser yellowlegs scoured the mudflats.  Waterfowl were dominated by green-winged teal, joined by small numbers of gadwall, blue-winged teal and northern shovelers.

I certainly understand the reluctance of many birders to visit the dried-up refuge; there are plenty of other wetland destinations in our region that will be far more "productive."  It is disturbing to observe what has transpired at Eagle Bluffs, especially in April when the floodplain is usually teeming with waterfowl.  Nevertheless, I'll keep stopping by to witness the devastation; besides, the summer songbirds should be arriving soon.  

The Fulcrum of Sorrow

I suspect most humans have endured a significant episode of sorrow in their lives: the early death of a family member or close friend, the failure of a relationship, the loss of a cherished job, among others.  While we try to compartmentalize that event, it stays with us, surfacing consciously or unconsciously throughout our life.

At times, the sorrow might be disabling, robbing us of happiness and masking whatever success we have achieved.  Whether we blame ourselves, others or simple "fate" for the event, it influences our beliefs and our behavior.  Counseling may or may not become necessary but, in either case, the sorrow cannot be completely expunged.

Most of us learn to live learn to live with its effects, buoyed by the many positive experiences of our life, but some succumb to the sadness, turning to substance abuse or worse.  Knowing that sorrow is a common element of the human condition may offer some peace of mind. 

Stationary Misery

For the last two days and for the coming 24 hours (at least), a stationary front has stretched from East Texas to the Upper Ohio Valley, separating cooler air to the north from warm, humid air to the south.  This front is responsible for the swath of tornados, severe thunderstorms and flooding rains that have plagued that region.

While most storm systems move rapidly from west to east, some stall out, their trailing front creating a clash zone between the air masses.  When this happens, secondary storms and their precipitation train above the same swath of geography, producing the unrelenting rain we have seen this week.  Once the soil is saturated, runoff rapidly fills and then floods the rivers and streams, spilling across floodplains and often taking out bridges and riverside structures.

Unfortunately, this flooding often does not peak until the storm system has finally moved on to the east.  As the swollen tributaries empty into larger streams and rivers, the latter continue to rise long after the skies have cleared. 

The King benefits Nature

King Trump is not a naturalist.  He intends to slash environmental regulations and increase fossil fuel production.  He wants to severely reduce protected habitat in this country and to expand "development" wherever possible.  He is all about personal consumption, upscale recreation and a lavish lifestyle.

Yet, the King's rabid use of tariffs may benefit nature.  Individual savings are falling, prices are rising and a trade war is underway.  A tanking economy will greatly diminish corporate investment, personal spending, travel and recreational activity.  In a nutshell, human consumption may greatly fall in this country and across the globe.

Such a reduction in personal consumption is the major way by which all of us can do our part in rescuing the planet.  How ironic that the king of consumption is leading this conservation movement (not that he would admit it). 

Reassured at Eagle Bluffs

Despite the cool, cloudy weather and continued dryness at Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, a friend and I were reassured that spring moves on.  Eight great egrets graced the refuge, the first we have encountered this year.

Common summer residents in central Missouri, these stately birds favor shallow lakes and wetlands where they feast on a wide variety of invertebrates, fish, amphibians and small reptiles.  They usually roost and nest in colonies, often in the company of other waders, and, by late summer, begin to gather in large flocks.  Most winter in the Gulf Coast States or along the lower Mississippi Valley.

For now, the egrets are relative loners, scattered about the refuge and lending their beauty to the rather drab, early spring landscape.  For that and for their promise of warmer and more colorful days ahead, we were grateful. 

High Risk Storm Days

In the not-so-distant past, the National Weather Service would issue "High Risk Storm Day" warnings on several days through the spring and summer months.  On such days, the atmosphere is primed for severe weather (tornados, large hail, torrential rain, destructive winds, flooding), triggered by powerful storm systems as they move eastward across the country.  Today is the second warning already issued this year.

Now centered over the upper Midwest, today's storm is relatively slow moving and its trailing cold front is expected to unleash both severe weather and extensive flooding from Arkansas east-northeastward through the Ohio River Valley.  North of the central low, snow will fall from the Northern Plains to the Upper Great Lakes.

As we approach the historic peak of the severe weather season in the American Heartland, it is clear that climate change is augmenting the effect of these storms (not to mention the intensity of hurricanes to our southeast).  Benign storm fronts have been relegated to our past and high risk storm days have become the norm. 

Flashback Post LXIV

March and April tend to be fickle months in the American Heartland, a fact I acknowledged in a post back on April 1, 2012.

See: Fooled by March