A Massive Wind Storm

A powerful storm is moving across the Great Plains this afternoon, currently centered over southern Nebraska.  Ahead of the storm's cold front, strong, southwesterly winds are producing blinding dust storms and a high risk of wildfires across the Southern Plains.

Farther east and closer the the storm's center, a line of severe thunderstorms is marching across the Midwest.  Blizzard conditions are expected on the Northern Plains while a high risk of tornados has been issued for the Gulf Coast States and the front pushes eastward.

Such storm systems are common in spring but, once again, their power will continue to intensify as our climate warms.  Here along the Front Range, we are on the back side of the monster storm and downsloping, northwest winds have pushed our afternoon high into the mid 50s F.  Had the storm tracked farther to our south, an upslope snowstorm would be in progress. 

Environmental Injustice

Today, King Trump's EPA Director announced that the Division of Environmental Justice and its many grants will be cancelled.  Established during the Clinton Administration, in the 1990s, this Division worked to ensure that low income communities are not exposed to toxic pollution from nearby industrial plants.

Explaining their decision to eliminate the Division, the Director offered more than the standard cost reduction argument.  He also suggested that the Division has engaged in reverse discrimination, funneling protection to lower income citizens (i.e. persons of color) at the expense of others (white folk).  Once again, the King's agenda is driven by racism and wealth accumulation.

One suspects this is just one of many steps that Trump and his Court will take to dismantle the EPA.  After all, they can't abide tree-hugging liberals, wringing our hands about pollution, habitat loss and climate change. 

Bufflehead City

This morning, on our usual loop through the southern portion of South Platte Park, a friend and I encountered 65 buffleheads, perhaps the largest number I have ever observed at the refuge.  Easily identified by their small size, short bill, distinctive plumage and diving behavior, they are among our more attractive winter ducks.

Usually seen in pairs or small flocks, these "cute" ducks tend to be quite active, scooting across the surface or diving for their meals.  The latter consist primarily of aquatic invertebrates though they sometimes nibble on aquatic vegetation as well.

Our winter guests may linger into mid April but most will be gone by then, heading north to breeding areas in Canada and Alaska.  I wish them a safe journey and look forward to their return next autumn. 

A Walk in the Foothills

On this mild, sunny morning, my wife and I headed up to South Valley Park, in the lower foothills of southwest Metro Denver.  Characterized by open grasslands that stretch along and between outcrops of the Lyons Formation (Permian Period) and the Fountain Formation (Pennsylvanian Period).  A fine network of trails offers scenic views of the Park and of the higher foothills to the west.

Elk often winter in this valley but this morning's mammal sightings were limited to mule deer and rock squirrels.  Scrub jays, spotted towhees and magpies were common and we also encountered blue jays, Steller's jays and a lone red-tailed hawk; prairie falcons may also be observed at this Park, nesting on the higher rock outcrops.

Due to the spectacular scenery, fine trails, interesting wildlife and easy access from the city, this refuge can be crowded, especially on weekends.  I thus recommend an early morning, weekday visit if possible. 

Seasonal Opening in Denver

An extended period of mild weather along the Front Range has finally taken a toll on the ice-covered lakes and open water is attracting waterfowl from the South Platte River where they have spent the winter.  This local shift will soon be followed by an influx of migrants from the south.

Throughout this month, wintering ducks will be joined by horned and pied-billed grebes, common loons and the first wave of double-crested cormorants; American white pelicans, western grebes and summer ducks (such as cinnamon and blue-winged teal) usually arrive by April.  Canada geese, abundant here in winter, decrease throughout March as many return to breeding grounds on the Northern Plains.

Periods of snow and chilly weather will persist through April (and possibly into May) but the parade of seasonal travelers will continue.  Winter ducks and spring migrants often linger into April but, by the end of that month, permanent and summer residents will dominate the scene. 

Donate Blood!

As we go through life, most of us feel the urge to contribute to society as a whole.  Some enter the military or other public service, some become teachers or coaches, some engage in a variety of volunteer services and some focus on donating to charitable organizations.

One choice, open to all who are not too old or ill to participate, is to donate blood.  At some point in our lives, we, or those we care about, may need transfusions due to injuries, the need for surgery or a variety of maladies that impair bone marrow function.

This charitable act can be repeated several times per year at your local Red Cross center.  Your gift will be priceless and the beneficiary, whom you will likely never meet, will be extremely grateful.

What will it Take?

One wonders what King Trump will need to do or say in order to be impeached for a third time.  Openly declaring his support for a Communist dictator while demeaning a Democratic ally would seem to be sufficient but the current Republican Senators seem unfazed.

With every breach of our Constitution and of democratic norms, our King certainly feels more empowered to dismantle American Democracy and move toward autocratic rule.  Unless Republicans develop a moral backbone over the next few years, there may be no Presidential election in 2028.

What if our King openly calls for the arrest or assassination of his political enemies?  What if he sends American troops abroad to expand his kingdom.  What if he keeps cutting funds for medical research, healthcare and vital social services?  Will they act then?  Will our King be impeached and removed from his throne?  One doubts they have the courage. 

The Nature of Friendship

We encounter hundreds, if not thousands, of fellow humans in the course of our lives but relatively few become friends.  During childhood, when we have limited mobility, friends are generally neighbors or school mates.  Later, as a driver's license, employment and advanced education broaden our horizons, we may have friends from across the city, from other regions of the country or from other countries across the globe.

Yet, in all cases, friends tend to be individuals who share our interests, our favored pastimes and our general philosophy of life.  If the friendship does not develop naturally and if we need to work at its survival, it will fade over time.  Of course, today's mobile lifestyle works against long term friendships, which, if sustained, often exist primarily on social media and are reinforced by occasional gatherings.

Nevertheless, friends remain an important part of our lives and, in my opinion, are vital to our overall health.  Unrestrained by the deep-seated, emotional ties of family, they offer companionship, straight-forward feedback and a source of comradery as we face life's challenges.

See also:  Friends & Family and Friendships & Technology  

Months & Seasons

March, like June, September and December, is a month of two seasons.  From a meteorologic (i.e. human) perspective, spring begins on March first while the astronomic (i.e. natural) spring begins on or about March 21 (the spring equinox).

While our distant ancestors paid far more attention to the equinoxes and solstices that mark the beginning of nature's seasons, modern humans have settled on twelve months of variable length that divide our unnatural year.

For that reason, most of March is often more winter-like across central and northern latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere.  This is especially true at higher elevations; here along the Colorado Front Range, March is the snowiest month of the year even as the first wildflowers add welcome color to the drab winter landscape.  Then again, climate change may eventually abolish our concept of seasons altogether. 

Along the Cache la Poudre River

The Cache la Poudre River rises in the northern portion of Rocky Mountain National Park, descends eastward through a beautiful canyon and rumbles onto the Colorado Piedmont just northwest of Fort Collins.  From that city, a paved hike-bike path follows the river as it flows on to Greeley, beyond which it enters the South Platte.

On this sunny, warm but breezy day, my wife and I explored a few nature preserves along the Cache la Poudre Trail, almost all of which were characterized by floodplain grasslands, riparian woodlands and a number of ponds and lakes; the latter, still mostly frozen, are almost all reclaimed gravel pits.

Earthen trails lead away from the paved hike-bike trail, providing up-close encounters with the various habitats.  As one might imagine, we saw a good variety of waterfowl (including hundreds of Canada geese), flocks of ring-billed gulls, a pair of bald eagles and a northern harrier, in addition to the expected woodpeckers and songbirds. 

First Spring Snowstorm

Just as we were recovering from the most recent blast of Arctic air, snow developed in Metro Denver last evening.  By this morning, a foot of fresh powder coated our Littleton farm.

This upslope snowstorm was typical of those we regularly receive in March and April, fueled by a low pressure center along the Colorado-New Mexico border, which swept moisture toward the Front Range.  In this scenario, heavy snow falls in a relatively short period of time, followed by sunshine and warmer air as winds shift back from the west or southwest.

Indeed, we expect an afternoon high near 40 degrees F today, followed by fifties and sixties over the coming week.  Much of the snow will evaporate in the warm, dry air but some will soak in, a vital, seasonal resource in this semiarid ecosystem.

Climate Change & Arctic Blasts

Recurrent Arctic blasts in North America this year surely have some skeptics doubting the evidence of climate change.  Indeed, the latest polar plunge will affect most of the U.S. this week, an unusual event for late February.

Nevertheless, the global climate is warming, polar ice is melting and the seas are rising.  The incursions of Arctic air merely reflect the position of a gyrating jet stream, producing warm "ridges" and cold "troughs."  As mild air flows northward from the Pacific Ocean, it displaces polar air that slides southward within the trough; of course, storm systems form along these dramatic temperature boundaries, producing the heavy snow, flooding rains and severe thunderstorms that we have witnessed this past week.

Warmer ocean waters and a warming atmosphere fuel both the dramatic jet stream gyrations and the power of the storms that they generate.  Periods of intense heat and severe cold can be expected until advanced global warming grips the entire planet, a scenario we need to prevent. 

Ohio Valley Flooding

The latest winter storm, which dropped a quick 4-5 inches of snow along the Front Range yesterday afternoon, raced eastward and brought flooding rains to eastern Kentucky and much of West Virginia.  Of course, the heavily dissected terrain of the Appalachian Plateau exacerbates flooding along streams in that region.

South of the flooding zone, strong thunderstorms raked the Southeast while, north of the rain belt, an ice storm created havoc from the southern Great Lakes to the Atlantic Coast.  Farther north and behind the storm, heavy snow will fall.

February has long been characterized by flooding in the Ohio Valley.  Heavy precipitation, in various forms, falls on frozen ground, producing rapid runoff and stream flooding.  Climate change will likely augment both the intensity of precipitation and the severity of flooding. 

The Topography of Life

In our youth, we tend to imagine that our life will be a gradual, sometimes rugged climb to success, followed by a slow, pleasant descent that comes with retirement and aging.  Such expectations are rarely met.

Rather, our life often resembles a mountain range, with many peaks and valleys, some of which are beyond our control.  Marriage, the birth of children and grandchildren and success in our business or profession are among the high points while failed relationships, health problems and the death of close friends or family members trigger some of the lows.

While our personal responsibility for the valleys of our life may be limited, we are primarily in charge of the ascents, sometimes with the assistance of others (friends, family, professionals).  Understanding that life is characterized by a series of highs and lows helps us anticipate the setbacks and reinforces the importance of developing supportive relationships early in life.

Flashback Post LXIII

On this guilt-ridden holiday of commercialized love, I have chosen to republish a post from Valentine's Day in 2007.

See:  The Nature of Love 

A Dangerous Fiasco

The confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Heath and Human Services demonstrates the fear that King Trump has instilled in his loyal Republican Senators.  Why else would this unqualified clown and antivax celebrity be installed in this all important position.

Having no personal background in the healthcare industry and no training in medicine, Kennedy will now oversee the FDA, the CDC and the NIH among other health related institutions.  His confirmation is both inexplicable and dangerous.

Then again, RFK Jr. is the perfect jester for King Trump's Court.  He will perform for the King and Americans will suffer the consequences.  Shame on the Republican Senators. 

Rain threatens Southern California

After a prolonged drought and devastating wildfires, rain will return to Southern California over the next few days.  Unfortunately, it is expected to be too much precipitation within too short of a period.

A Pacific storm is approaching the West Coast, initially directing its stream of moisture toward northern and central California, adding to the Sierra snowpack.  By tomorrow, this band of precipitation will shift southward, unleashing heavy rain across the Los Angeles basin and its surrounding highlands.  Flooding is expected throughout the region and the rain will likely trigger mudslides in the burn areas.

While winter is the rainy season in Southern California, it is arriving too late to prevent wildfires and too soon to allow the burn scars to heal.  Unfortunately, climate change is expected to intensify both drought and flooding across our country and around the globe. 

Winter Fights Back

After a week of relatively mild weather along the Colorado Front Range, winter has reclaimed the landscape.  The most recent Pacific storm has pulled frigid air down from Canada and light snow flurries developed overnight.

Snow accumulation will likely be modest here but, as the storm swirls eastward, significant snowfall is expected to coat the Northern Plains, Upper Midwest, Great Lakes region and New England.  South of the storm track, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are forecast to blossom across the Gulf Coast States.

February is known for its fickle weather but, in most years, it brings us the first signs of spring; indeed, as climate change progresses, this month may be more closely associated with that season.  For now, we'll have to deal with winter's latest punch, knowing he rarely retreats without a fight. 

Expanding his Kingdom

Not content with deporting immigrants and seeking revenge against those who (rightfully) prosecuted him, King Trump wants to expand his kingdom.  Canada, Panama, Greenland and the Gaza Strip are among his most notable targets.

In some cases, he has expressed his desire to use the U.S. Military in order to force their cooperation.  Then again, I'm sure Trump thinks they might just jump at the chance to benefit from his strong leadership.

Of course, King Trump cannot conceive of the fact that citizens of those countries feel a strong, personal attachment to their homeland.  After all, Trump himself is not a loyal American, having tried to overturn an election and now making every effort to destroy our Constitution.  King Trump cares only about himself and the larger his kingdom the better. 

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.