Low Water at Eagle Bluffs

On this beautiful, March morning in central Missouri, a friend and I arrived at Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area to find that someone had turned off the spigot.  A shallow stream of water occupied the central channel and most side pools were nearly dry.  Only the southern portion of the refuge held a fair amount of water.

Nevertheless, the spring migration was well underway.  Waterfowl were dominated by northern shovelers, blue-winged teal and green-winged teal with lesser numbers of ring-necked ducks, mallards, red heads, northern pintails and a lone American wigeon.  Extensive mudflats had attracted a mix of shorebirds, especially pectoral sandpipers and yellowlegs (lesser and greater).  A flock of American white pelicans lounged on an island and killdeer raced across the mudflats.  Raptors included three bald eagles (two adults at the nest and an immature in flight) and a northern harrier.

The reason for the low water continues to baffle us, especially during the spring migration.  If more water is not released, the turnout of grebes, cormorants, diving ducks, coot, gulls and terns will be significantly diminished this year. 

Descending into Spring

When we left Colorado, yesterday, there were few signs of spring; a slight greening of the "grass," and sprigs of grape hyacinth foliage offered the only color on our Littleton farm.  Heading east following the blizzard on the Great Plains, we arrived at our Columbia, Missouri, home after dark; we had travelled about 700 miles and descended 4700 feet in elevation.

This morning, we awoke to find our magnolias and forsythia in bloom and clumps of bulb plants adorning the yard .  We had clearly descended into the Midwestern spring from the late-winter atmosphere of the Front Range.  As any observant nature buff knows, seasonal change is not merely related to latitude; altitude plays a significant role as well.

Though I had hoped to observe migrant geese, sandhill cranes or American white pelicans on our journey, none appeared in the clear, blue sky.  Tomorrow, I return to Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area after a long absence.  A report will follow. 

Delayed by a Blizzard

Having plans to head back to Missouri this morning, we left Denver under cloudy skies with little warning of what would soon change our plans.  By the time we reached the east side of town, flashing highway signs warned that Interstate 70 was closed, all the way to the Kansas border.

A detour to the south was considered, but snow and high winds had also closed Interstate 25 at the Palmer Divide, between Castle Rock and Colorado Springs.  In both cases, the amount of snow was not excessive but the high winds created blinding conditions for drivers.  Counterclockwise winds around another potent storm system, centered over northwest Missouri this morning, were augmented by clockwise winds around high pressure to our north.

Returning to our Littleton farm, we hoped that conditions might improve by afternoon but, as I write this post, sections of I-70 remain closed; indeed, during the peak of the storm, most of the Interstate between Denver and Salina, Kansas, was shut down.  Though we almost always pay close attention to weather on the Great Plains before planning to cross them, we were clueless this morning and will have to delay our journey until tomorrow. 

Late Season Chinooks

Front Range chinooks are comparable to Santa Ana winds in California.  High pressure, west of the Continental Divide, and low pressure east of the mountains combine to produce strong, downsloping winds that heat up as they descend.  These winds are especially strong in the canyons of the Front Range where they may cause damage and trigger wildfires.

During the winter months, chinooks are often responsible for the warm, sunny interludes that characterize this region.  These "snow-eater" winds also rapidly melt snow along the urban corridor, facilitating the clearance of roads and driveways.

Yesterday's chinooks had no snow to remove from Metro Denver but pushed afternoon temperatures into the low 70s F.  If this year is typical, we may need their magic right through April. 

Silencing Truth

King Trump's latest edict is to dismantle the Voice of America, long a source of truth across the globe.  That organization was established to spread democratic philosophy among citizens of autocratic countries.

While our King might explain that this move is just another cost-cutting measure, he, like other would-be dictators, is threatened by freedom and truth.  Trump wants to control the news as much as possible; as we know, he frequently attacks news organizations throughout his own kingdom that question his unbridled authority.

To date, there has been inadequate push back on King Trump's policies.  Democratic politicians seem to be focused on the 2026 midterms but that may be too late to save our democracy, our economy, our international relationships, our rule of law and our social support systems.  This latest move to silence truth should be a clarion call to vigorously oppose Trump before the damage is irreversible. 

Confidence in Sports

Over the next few weeks, many of us will be watching the NCAA basketball tournament and several major PGA tournaments.  We all have our favorite teams and players but come to understand that their success will rely on confidence as much as it does on talent.

Those who participate in sports as individuals (golf, tennis, etc.) often go on long winning or losing streaks; in both cases, confidence (or lack thereof) plays a significant role.  In team sports, confidence (or lack thereof) seems to be contagious, usually triggered by the performance (and mindset) of the star player(s).

Good coaches instill confidence as much as they teach fundamentals and techniques.  But, in the end, confidence is a fragile trait and the outcome of major sporting events tends to reflect its presence or absence.

See also: Advantage: Underdogs   

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 2024.

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.