Following the Wabash

Returning to Missouri from our brief visit to Northeast Ohio, my wife and I decided to take a new route across Indiana, avoiding the series of Interstate Highways that we have used in the past.  Heading west from Fort Wayne on U.S. 24, we soon realized that our journey was paralleling the course of the Wabash River.

After rising south of Fort Recovery, Ohio, the Wabash flows northwestward to Huntington, Indiana, where it is dammed.  Exiting that reservoir, it flows to the WSW as far as Attica, where it angles to the SSW on its way to join the Ohio River at the southwest tip of Indiana, over 500 miles from its source.  Indeed, the Wabash is the largest northern tributary of the Ohio.

On our route, from Fort Wayne to Interstate 74, we crossed the Wabash at Lewisburg (on U.S. 24), in Lafayette, just southwest of West Lafayette (on U.S. 52) and south of Covington (on I-74).   Learning that it drains most of the Hoosier State and at least a quarter of Illinois, one is impressed by the size of the Wabash River's watershed.  

Fracking in Wayne National Forest

Wayne National Forest, the only National Forest in Ohio, covers 250,000 acres in the southeast region of that State; this protected landscape, long a haven for naturalists, hikers, campers and hunters is broken into three units.

Now, as we learned during our visit to Ohio, Trump's Bureau of Land Management has sold leases on almost 3000 acres of the Forest for oil and gas exploration, including the use of fracking.  Of course, these operations will impact far more acreage than the lease zones themselves, due to the effects of road development, traffic, pollution and water requirements.

Once again, the Trump Administration is attacking as many environmental laws, refuges and protected ecosystems as possible, demonstrating their unbridled support for energy production and disdain for conservation.  They ridicule the science and consequences of climate change and bolster fossil fuel use wherever and whenever possible.   

An Offensive Gimmick

Yesterday morning, I tuned into College Game Day on ESPN just in time to watch a college student win one million dollars by kicking a field goal.  What an offensive gimmick, witnessed by football fans across the nation, many of whom work two jobs to pay their rent and feed their family, perhaps foregoing medical care to do so.

Corporate America, apparently including Disney (majority owner of ESPN), is insensitive to the outrageous economic disparity that characterizes this country.  A reward in the $100s would seem to be more appropriate.

Beyond this made-for-TV spectacle, such instant wealth encourages young people to pursue gambling, online stardom and other high risk ventures rather than more traditional and more satisfying routes to a successful career.  If Disney has money to burn, I suggest they take a more socially responsible approach to spending it.  

Wood Hollow Metro Park

On this rainy morning in Northeast Ohio, we drove over to Wood Hollow Metro Park, in Summit County.  Enticed by the promise of a 1.2 mile hike across flat terrain, we did not otherwise know what to expect.

As is often the case, we were pleasantly surprised by a well-engineered trail loop, which runs atop a fine boardwalk and several bridges to negotiate low terrain and streams throughout the mature forest.  The final portion of the route winds across a prairie ecosystem, adorned with goldenrod, ironweed, white asters and other wildflowers at this time of year.

Northeast Ohio offers a wealth of hiking opportunities, from Cuyahoga Valley National Park to small preserves such as Wood Hollow.  Always seeking new areas to explore, we are never disappointed. 

The Water Birds of Sandy Lake

Though I have been visiting Sandy Lake, in Portage County, Ohio, since 1975, I did not begin reporting for eBird from this location until 2017.  Reviewing my records since that year, I am somewhat surprised that I have only encountered 11 species of "water birds" feeding on or along the lake.

Some, such as Canada geese, mallards, ring-billed gulls and double-crested cormorants are seasonally abundant while others, such as pied-billed grebes have only been observed on occasion.  Ospreys are reliably seen here during the warmer months and great blue herons stalk the shorelines throughout the year.  Bald eagles, though observed during all seasons, are especially common during the winter. Rounding out the list are wood ducks, belted kingfishers and green herons.

Though I'm almost certain that I've seen common loons and great egrets at Sandy Lake in the past, they have escaped my eBird lists.  Of course, bird sightings rely a great deal on seasonal timing and records are only as reliable as the diligence of the recorder.  In that respect, my pre-2017 observations, however accurate, are questionable.  

Kame-Esker Park

Kame-Esker Park, a new refuge within the Portage County Park System, is just south of Kent, Ohio.  The secluded meadows, wetlands and mixed woodlands attract a wide variety of wildlife while the Park's hillocks, ridges and erratic boulders highlight its glacial features.

A graveled loop guides visitors through the varied ecosystems where signs offer information on the Park's flora, fauna and geologic history.  Longer, earthen trail loops invite exploration by more adventurous patrons.

For those puzzled by the Park's name: kames are dome-shaped till deposits that formed beneath glaciers while eskers are snaking, linear till formations laid down by meltwater streams as the glacier retreated.  Of course, modern-day vegetation, subsequent erosion and human "development" often obscure such ancient topography. 

From Lake Plain to Appalachia

After a night in Napoleon, Ohio, we continued our drive to Sandy Lake, in Portage County.  The first half of the journey took us across the flat Lake Plain of northwestern Ohio, left behind by the periglacial lakes of Lake Maumee and Lake Warren; the latter was the larger predecessor of Lake Erie.

Most of this flat terrain is now covered by crop fields, laced by streams, marshes and their riparian woodlands.  About halfway across the State, we encountered the foothills of the Appalachian Plateau, where the Ohio Turnpike is bordered primarily by forest.  Just east of Interstate 71, the highway makes its climb onto the Glaciated Appalachian Plateau of northeastern Ohio, the realm of our final destination.

Sandy Lake, southwest of Ravenna, is a kettle lake, since modified by distribution canals that connect it with other regional lakes and waterways.  Our cottage is on its north shore and a fine trail leads around its perimeter.  Reports from this pleasant retreat will follow in the coming days. 

Golden Farmlands

Heading for my wife's family cottage in northeast Ohio, we drove across the farmlands of Missouri, Illinois and Indiana today.  The overall scenery did not change much but golden hues painted the rural landscape.

In this early phase of meteorologic autumn, the soybean fields have turned yellow, the cornfields have dried out to a golden brown and the roadside vegetation was dominated by swaths of goldenrod.  Of course, all of this color brightened the countryside which was otherwise festooned with the fading greens of heat-stressed trees and shrubs.

Indeed, the golden highlights spoke of fall but the afternoon highs remained in the nineties F as this summer's heat dome retains a grip on the Heartland.  Of interest, the larger rivers, such as the Missouri, the Mississippi and the Wabash were bank full, fed by northern streams beyond the reach of the dome while regional creeks were nearly dry. 

Perfect Viewing, Little to See

On our return to Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area early this morning, a friend and I were greeted by overcast skies, mild air and a calm wind, perfect for birdwatching.  Once again, water was limited to the central channel and a few shallow pools; to make matters worse, teal hunters had staked out positions along these limited waterways and their decoys far outnumbered live waterfowl.

Despite the ideal viewing conditions, birds were few and far between.  The highlight of the morning proved to be eleven pied-billed grebes; other sightings included a handful of great egrets, a green heron, four wood ducks, a couple of belted kingfishers and a sharp-shinned hawk.  In the end, we only encountered twelve avian species (though we did see a young skunk and a few deer).

As always, it was a pleasant drive across the Missouri River floodplain and we will return regularly to document any "wetland restoration."  Unfortunately, half of the refuge will be closed down for hunting (and as a wintering waterfowl refuge) in another two weeks. 

Weeds & Wildflowers

What is the difference between a "weed" and a wildflower?  I suspect it depends on the natural philosophy of the observer.

"Weeds" are generally described as noxious, invasive, alien plants that may be toxic and must be removed from our pristine lawns (most often with herbicides).  Then again, many of our beloved wildflowers are non-native, can be quite invasive and might be toxic if ingested.  Furthermore, both "weeds" and wildflowers are utilized by pollinators, are eaten by a wide variety of animals, from insects to humans (e.g. dandelions), and serve as carbon sinks, like all green plants.  Of course, the presence of attractive flowers tends to impact our classification.

I am inclined to avoid the use of the word "weed" (just ask my wife).  If it's green, let it live!

 

Energized by the Chill

Following a long, extremely hot and exhausting summer, the longer nights and local elevation are finally bringing an overnight chill to the Front Range.  It dropped to 49 degrees F in Littleton this morning.

Refreshing for us humans, the cooler air also energized our avian residents and visitors.  Seemingly more abundant but surely just more active, they were in celebration mode, moving rapidly among the trees and shrubs.  In addition to our more common residents, I encountered a Say's phoebe and a pair of red-breasted nuthatches; though they are now permanent residents along the Front Range urban corridor, the distinctive yanks of the latter birds will always be associated with autumn in my mind.  A lone broad-tailed hummingbird was also zooming about the property but I suspect he'll head south within another week or so.

Finally, just before returning to the house, a squadron of Canada geese flew low over the farm, honking loudly in the morning chill.  Though common here in all seasons, they never fail to awaken my boyhood memories of massive flocks, moving high above our Cincinnati home in the cold, clear, autumn sky.  

On Medical Privacy

Throughout our training, physicians are repeatedly reminded that we may not inform anyone of a patient's diagnosis, prognosis or treatment plan without their consent.  Of course, in emergency situations, especially when the patient is unable to communicate, immediate family members are generally an exception to that rule.  But even when informed by non-patients (e.g. friends or neighbors) of their medical problems, physicians are understandably reluctant to pass along such information to others.

Patients, on the other hand, vary widely in protecting their own confidentiality.  Some like to discuss their medical diagnoses with friends, family members and anyone who will listen.  We often encounter them in waiting rooms, relating their varied problems over the phone (sometimes in speaker mode) or to the person sitting next to them.

Unfortunately, these individuals are also inclined to ask others about the reason for their visit.  This is when patients need to understand their personal right to privacy and may choose to withhold that information.  Indeed, this may pertain to communication with friends and family members as well.  Medical confidentiality is a personal choice that must be respected. 

Living with our Past

We humans must live with choices that we make throughout our lives.  In a more collective sense, we must also deal with the consequences of decisions made by our families and our country.

Wanting to better understand the ongoing conflicts throughout the Middle East, I have been reading the Fifth Edition of A History of the Middle East by Peter Mansfield and Nicolas Pelham.  By doing so, it has become clear that European Colonialism and American opportunism have been the primary triggers for regional unrest.  However well-intentioned, especially with regard to Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, their meddling has only exacerbated distrust.

Today, as the Trump Administration cuts ties with longtime allies and engages in military adventurism, we Americans must live with the consequences.  In like manner, the Administration's anti-science approach to medical care, environmentalism, education and research will have lasting negative effects. 

Lowell heads North

After churning westward south of the Hawaiian Islands over the past week, Hurricane Lowell has made its predicted turn to the north, drawn by a sagging cold front.  Having reached Category 5 strength a few days ago, it has weakened to a Category 3 storm but remains large and powerful.

Though it will likely miss the heavily populated eastern islands of Hawaii, Lowell may have a significant impact on Kauai and Niihau.  Indeed, its current heading is NNE, almost assuring that strong winds and high waves will lash those western islands.

Meteorology remains an inexact science and the "cone of uncertainty" for hurricanes is often too narrow.  Fortunately, officials in Hawaii have been proactive in this case, declaring a hurricane warning for most of the archipelago.  

Up the Platte River Valley

West of Omaha, Nebraska, Interstate 80 crosses the Platte River, a tributary of the Missouri.  From that crossing westward, the highway runs up and through the Platte Valley, paralleling the river and, at times, fording its braided channels.  At North Platte, the primary river forms from the merging of its North and South forks; the former heads in the mountains that surround North Park, in Colorado, while the South Platte rises from tributaries along the north rim of Colorado's South Park; the South Platte's North Fork rises along the Continental Divide and the Platte River Mountains near Kenosha Pass (on U.S. 285).

Crossing Nebraska on I-80 yesterday, I found that the landscape of eastern and central Nebraska is dominated by its famous cornfields while cattle ranches characterize its drier, more western reaches; of course, the Platte and its riparian woodlands wind along and through these landscapes and southern extensions of the Nebraska Sandhills rise along the north edge of the valley in central and western Nebraska.  Renowned for its waterfowl and spectacular sandhill crane congregations in October and March, the river and its floodplain lakes harbored only small flocks of Canada geese and American white pelicans on that hot summer day.

West of North Platte, I headed southwest on Interstate 76, which parallels the South Platte River.  By the time I reached our farm, in Littleton, Colorado, I had traveled 550 miles from Omaha and gained 4340 feet in elevation (a very gradual climb indeed).

Flashback Post LXXIX

The rescue of two living victims of the disastrous Nepal mudslide, after 10 days within the rubble, has led broadcasters and other commentators to refer to their survival as miraculous.  I am more inclined to attribute this wonderful news to luck and to the courageous, persistent efforts of rescuers, a sentiment I expressed back in March of 2011.

See: Disasters & Miracles 

Corruption & Cruelty

The Trump Administration is built on corruption and cruelty.  The overriding principle is to honor the President's needs and demands while condoning his abhorrent behavior.  Unable to contradict or even question Trump's deranged opinions and ideas, his Cabinet members cannot provide guidance, even if they were qualified to do so (and most are not).

The primary focus of the Administration is to deport immigrants and to attack Trump's perceived enemies.  Both goals are met via cruel and often illegal tactics.  Unfortunately, the Republican Congress and the Supreme Court are complicit, ignoring the corruption that has brought exorbitant wealth to Trump and his family.

Meanwhile, Americans must deal with inflation, an unwise war, a lack of affordable healthcare, rising mortgage rates and reduced funding for medical research and vital social services.  Vote Democratic in November! 

A Supercharged Monsoon

The tragic flash flooding in Grand Canyon National Park this past weekend was related to an energized Southwest Monsoon, producing torrential downpours throughout the Four Corners region.  A normal, annual weather pattern, generally stretching from July into September, the Monsoon sweeps moisture in from the Pacific Ocean, the Sea of Cortez and the Gulf of Mexico.

This flow is driven by high pressure over the Southern Plains and by low pressure over the Desert Southwest.  When these atmospheric "pumps" are especially strong, the moisture is enhanced; in addition, storm systems in the Pacific and/or the Gulf of Mexico may inject excessive moisture into the Monsoon "river," increasing the risk of flooding.

As a tropical storm comes ashore near Houston and a tropical system moves up the west coast of Mexico, they may supercharge the Monsoon, augmenting the risk of flash floods from Southern California to Colorado.

A Morning for Wood Ducks

Returning to Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area this morning, a friend and I found even less water than was present early this month.  But the shallows that remain appealed to wood duck families and we encountered 32 of those attractive waterfowl, primarily along the central channel.

Other sightings of note included a Mississippi kite, a Cooper's hawk, a northern harrier, a pileated woodpecker and a mid-sized falcon (likely a merlin but too distant to identify).  A fair number of great egrets, a handful of great blue herons, a pair of red-tailed hawks and a mix of songbirds rounded out the sighting of 21 species.  As is almost always the case, red-winged blackbirds were most numerous.

Despite the dramatic loss of wetlands, it was a pleasant and somewhat productive visit from a birding point of view.  Though no construction or farming activities were underway, this once fabulous floodplain refuge is in desperate need of a prolonged recovery. 

A Better View of the Past

This morning, the Roman Space Telescope was successfully launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.  Named for Nancy Grace Roman, the first Chief Astronomer at NASA, it will provide a broader and sharper view of the Universe than the Hubble Space Telescope, launched in 1990; it will also send back data at a much faster rate.

Whenever we look at the night sky we are looking into the past, when the light we see left the stars or was reflected by planets.  Roman will be capable of viewing the Universe back to a couple of hundred million years after its birth (currently calculated to have been 13.8 billion years ago).  It is also expected to unveil far more planets than previously documented and will significantly expand our understanding of dark matter and dark energy.

All of this data will improve our understanding of the formation and evolution of the Universe, a welcome development for scientists but yet another threat to those who rely on mysticism to explain our existence. 

The Glorious Fifties

During these difficult times, one often hears reference to the 1950s, the decade of my childhood, when our faith-based lives were simpler.

Back then, most women were housewives, families were larger, the "coloreds" knew their place and homosexuals were forced to stay in the closet.  Environmentalism had not yet threatened the profits of industry, we were blissfully unaware of child sexual abuse in the Church, Joseph McCarthy was ridding the country of "Commies" and the tragic events of Vietnam and the Middle East Wars lie in the future.  Finally, man-induced climate change would not become evident for several decades.

Over time, Progressives enlightened America and have been able to partly correct the injustices and misguided policies of the Fifties.  Conservatives, on the other hand, want us to return to that era.  Vote Democratic in November! 

Nepal's Tragic Mudslide

Yesterday, a massive mudslide, caught on video, swept through towns in the Rasuwa and Nuwakot Districts of Nepal.  It is believed that a mountain glacial collapse and subsequent flash flooding along the Trishuli River are responsible for the tragedy; at least 1000 persons were killed or are missing.

As the last Continental Ice Sheets of the Pleistocene began to retreat, about 15,000 years ago, Earth's climate has been gradually warming.  Eventually, permanent ice cover became limited to the Poles and to the highest mountain ranges on the planet.

Today, as global warming accelerates following the Industrial Revolution, the melting of polar and mountain glaciers has increased dramatically, setting the stage for flash floods, landslides, rising seas, stronger storms and many other challenging consequences.  No doubt, tragic events, such as occurred yesterday, will become a major risk for communities near the base of Earth's tallest peaks.