Our Avian Alarm Clock

Here on our Littleton, Colorado, farm, one does not need an alarm clock.  Our resident spotted towhees begin calling at the first light of dawn, often right outside our bedroom window.  Unfortunately, in mid summer, that is usually about 5 AM.

I challenge anyone to keep sleeping when a towhee is delivering its loud, ringing call a few feet away.  You might as well heed its not-so-subtle suggestion and get an early start on the day.

We have a family of spotted towhees on the farm and their calls do not end with the sunrise.  Indeed, they are our most vocal residents at any time of day.  Should we decide to retire at sunset, they will sing us to sleep as well. 

Simplicity & Truth

Our understanding of anything in the Universe, from stars to genes, reflects the complexity of our knowledge.  Of course, this includes ourself, our relationships, our career choice and our knowledge of Nature, herself.

When one says that "it's simple," we can be assured that they have a very limited understanding of the subject.  The more complex our knowledge of something or someone, the closer we are to the truth.

The scientific method is our path toward truth.  Mysticism, on the other hand, mires us in simplicity. 

The King's Bonfire

Having dramatically cut back funding to USAID, King Trump faced a dilemma.  Tons of food, intended for starving populations across the globe, were building up at the ports and rotting in the sun.  His Administration's solution, according to The Atlantic, was to burn 500 tons of the food.

For a man who doesn't appear to skip any meals, that was an especially egregious move by Our Dear Leader.  The food, donated by American taxpayers, had cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and it is estimated that it would have been enough to prevent 3 million deaths from malnutrition over the next year.

No doubt, since the food would have gone to persons of color, the decision was much easier for our King and his loyal servants. 

Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge

Covering 72.2 acres, the Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge, in Arvada, Colorado, is the smallest urban unit of the NWR system.  Nevertheless, it offers a pleasing mix of wetland and grassland habitat.

On this cool, foggy morning in northwest Metro Denver, my wife and I visited the refuge.  The eastern portion, accessed from W. 80th Ave., offers two loops around and near ponds and swaths of marsh.  The larger western section is primarily grassland, bordered by groves of trees;  it is best reached from West 77th Ave.  Despite the overcast, we encountered a good mix of wetland and grassland birds, highlighted by a Cooper's hawk and a snowy egret.

Founded in 1992, Two Ponds NWR is managed as a unit of the Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR.  We recommend a visit.  

Back at Denver's NWR

On this beautiful morning along the Colorado Front Range, my wife and I visited the Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR in northeast Metro Denver.  Once an Army base and munitions depot, it is now a 15,000 acre expanse of prairie, woodlands and lakes.

On our first visit in more than a decade, we hiked around marsh-lined Lake Mary and along a tree-lined portion of Lake Ladora.  Though the refuge is renowned for its bison, bald eagles, black-footed ferrets and burrowing owls, our sightings today were limited to Canada geese, double-crested cormorants, American white pelicans, belted kingfishers and a host of common songbirds.  Unfortunately, the 11-mile Wildlife Drive was closed today due to road work.

The Refuge is best reached from the intersection of Quebec Pkwy and 56th Avenue.  Drive north on Quebec Pkwy, turn right (east) on Prairie Pkwy and then left on Gateway Rd. which enters the refuge near the Visitor Center.  Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR is open from sunrise to sunset every day of the year, except on major holidays.  In addition to the Wildlife Drive, 20 miles of footpaths wind through southern portions of the refuge.  

Bullies

Bullies are individuals who use fear and intimidation to make themselves feel more powerful.  King Trump is a bully.

His endless decrees attacking all perceived enemies, including Senators and Congressmen, judges, economists (including the Federal Reserve Chairman), educators, corporate executives, foreign countries and journalists are designed to influence their behavior and to feed his narcissistic personality.  To date, there has been far too little resistance and his bullying continues.

Indeed, though one finds Trump's behavior outrageous, one might blame much of it on his psychological problems.  Most of the blame should, in my opinion, fall on those who condone, justify, support or cave-in to his demands.  Until such individuals and groups have the backbone to stand up to Trump's bullying, his sense of omnipotence will only grow and his reckless policies will continue to degrade our Democracy. 

On the Scottish Coast

Once again, the PGA Tour has taken viewers to an interesting geographic area.  This week, it is the Genesis Scottish Open, on the southern coast of the Firth of Forth, east of Edinburgh.

Today's third round is being played under sunny skies and CBS peppers its coverage with views of the rocky coastline, the Firth of Forth and the Highlands beyond.  While I certainly enjoy watching the match itself, the chance to encounter new and scenic geography is a special feature of the Tour.

My wife and I were fortunate to visit Scotland in 2019 and explored most of the country, including Edinburgh.  But we did not get out to the peninsula where this week's match is being held and I appreciate the geographic perspective.  More than any other televised sport, golf takes us to landscapes across the globe. 

Freedom and the Young

Having come of age during the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War Protests, I know that younger generations of Americans were instrumental to the success of those political upheavals.  Today, as King Trump and his loyal Congress threaten personal rights and the welfare of our planet, it will be up to young Americans to turn the tide.

Non-violent protests, boycotts, massive voter turnouts and relatively young, energetic candidates must all play a role.  Personal freedoms, global cooperation, conservation and the threats of climate change seem to be the primary issues but the overall effort must be directed at the protection of our Democracy and Constitution.

The widespread protests on No Kings Day were heartening but the commitment to dislodge Trump and his loyalists cannot fade.  Otherwise, we are headed toward a dictatorship that could alter the fabric of life in America for decades to come.  It will be today's younger generations that have the most to lose. 

Raccoon at Noon

Sitting in the shade on our Littleton, Colorado, farm, I was surprised to see a raccoon wandering about our backyard.  Since they are primarily nocturnal, I generally encounter raccoons very early or late in the day or am awakened at night by their squabbling.  To see a raccoon just before noon on a hot, sunny day was thus unusual.

Raccoons do tend to be solitary creatures for most of the year though they may gather in small same-sex groups.  Mating occurs from January to March and a litter of 2-5 kits is typical.  The mother and her offspring disperse by late summer and at least half of the kits will be dead within a year, usually succumbing to starvation, predation or automobiles.  Adults rarely live longer than three years in the wild.

Our solitary visitor seemed to have emerged from the barn, beneath which he is likely denning.  Due to their poor long-distance eyesight, he did not take notice of my presence as he scoured the shrub line and "lawn" for fruit, various invertebrates or mice.  Once he disappeared into our "wild corner," consisting of a compost bin, a brush pile and overgrown vegetation, I went inside to let him hunt in peace. 

Trump and Texas

As the tragic flooding and loss of life continue to unfold in central Texas, King Trump has released Federal aid for the search, rescue and relief efforts.  Of course, this follows his decision to cut funding for FEMA, the National Weather Service and the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration.

While the latter organizations are vital to the forecasting of severe weather events and to the recovery from their effects, Trump thinks they are a waste of Federal money; in his opinion, States have the resources to manage their own disasters.  Then came Texas, a wealthy Red State that immediately requested Federal assistance.

King Trump is not fond of science-based policies, cutting funds for medical research and other vital programs.  One hates to be cynical in the face of an unfolding disaster, but one wonders if Trump will be as responsive to Blue State disasters.  After all, he is all about political power; his empathy rating is zero. 

Tropical Storm Chantal

Having formed off the Georgia coast, Tropical Storm Chantal is expected to make landfall in South Carolina by tomorrow morning.  Since it is not a hurricane, it may not be taken as seriously as it should.

Heavy rain is expected to fall across coastal and near-inland areas of the Carolinas and coastal flooding from wind-driven waves and storm surge is forecast for North Carolina.  The risk of inland flooding may also extend into the Mid-Atlantic Region.

As we have seen with this weekend's tragic flooding in central Texas, it is increasingly difficult to predict regional rainfall.  Established models do not apply as our climate warms and those who minimize the potential effects of Chantal do so at their own risk. 

Flooding in Central Texas

An isolated and stationary storm system has brought torrential rain to Central Texas overnight.  The Hill Country and adjacent areas have experienced extensive flooding and the Guadelupe River Valley has been especially hard hit.  Unfortunately, the system is not expected to dissipate until this evening.

Though not associated with a potent storm front, this low pressure center has drawn in moisture from the humid air that surrounds it.  And, unlike tropical storms and hurricanes, strong winds and tornados have not been a feature.

Rather, this destructive storm system is just the latest evidence that our warming climate will produce saturated air, augmenting either rainfall or snowfall, depending on the season and location.  Perhaps this event will get Governor Abbott's attention, a Trump devotee and climate change denier.

Update 7/11/25: At least 129 persons have been killed and at least 150 remain missing. 

The Missouri-Mississippi Divide

Driving across northwest Missouri and southwest Iowa earlier this week, I crossed a number of small rivers flowing westward toward the Missouri River.  As is often the case, I wondered where they arose and came to suspect that it must be along the Missouri-Mississippi Divide.

Though far less spectacular than the high divides of the American West, this divide separates the watersheds of rivers flowing into the Missouri River from those flowing more directly toward the Mississippi.  This line of high ground cuts across the southwestern corner of Minnesota and then runs south through western Iowa.  Before reaching Missouri, the divide curves eastward across southern Iowa and then dips south and east through northeast Missouri, ending at the junction of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, just north of St. Louis.  The southern portion of this divide passes through St. Louis and then runs south through southeastern Missouri where it eventually intersects the watershed of the Arkansas River (see The Missouri-Arkansas Divide).

This hydrologic description may be of no interest to many readers but geography buffs, such as myself, want to understand the terrain through which we travel.  After all, in concert with tectonic forces and the underlying geology, rivers have sculpted those landscapes. 

Trump's New Florida Property

Desperate for more space to detain "criminal" immigrants, King Trump has accepted Governor Ron DeSantis' offer to develop a facility at an old airfield in the Florida Everglades.  No doubt, it will lack the posh amenities offered at Mar-a-Lago.

The tent city, dubbed Alligator Alcatraz, is expected to have air conditioning units but, to my knowledge, no pool is planned.  One wonders how it will fare if struck by a tropical storm or hurricane.

Opposed by conservationists, regional Native Americans and human rights organizations, the property's location is hailed as offering ideal security, bordered by many miles of swampland, teaming with alligators, pythons, panthers and biting insects.  I doubt Trump will spend much time there.

Addendum (7/4/25): A strong thunderstorm (not a tropical storm or hurricane) has already flooded parts of the facility.