Deluge in Columbia

Awakened by thunderstorms at 3 am, we soon realized that they were just the leading edge of a cold front that would dip across Missouri.  Indeed, within a couple hours, a swath of heavy rain with imbedded thunderstorms stretched from Kansas City to St. Louis.

Storms continued to move along the front throughout the morning, accompanied by frequent lightning and gusty winds.  Now under a flood watch, our region is expected to receive heavy rain into the early afternoon; as the front dips further south, the deluge should end.  Southern Missouri, southern Illinois and Indiana will then be on the receiving end.

In a prolonged drought earlier this year, Missouri has received an exceptional amount of precipitation since the high pressure dome that brought excessive heat moved southeastward.  A ridge of high pressure currently overlies the Western U.S., augmenting the wildfire risk throughout that region; Pacific storm systems ride across the northern rim of that atmospheric dome, eventually dipping through the Midwest and releasing their cargo of moisture.  

Psychological Inheritance

We all inherit physical traits, talents, disease susceptibility and other genetic factors from our parents.  But we also receive psychological inheritance.

Beliefs and prejudices, instilled during our dependent years, must be dealt with.  As we mature, they demand compliance or rejection, often placing us at odds with our parents and siblings.  In some cases, they have been associated with abusive behavior, augmenting their power and diminishing our ability to dislodge them; counseling may be necessary.  If the beliefs are especially rigid or extreme, they tend to ignite a reactionary response, breaking ties with those who instilled them.

Eventually, this psychological baggage and how we approach it determines our personal philosophy and greatly influences how we raise our own children. 

Setback at Eagle Bluffs

Six weeks after our last visit, a friend and I drove through Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area this morning.  The pristine wetland ecosystem that we had left behind was now crawling with construction equipment and farm tractors.  Water was primarily limited to the central channel and crops covered most of the fields.

Disappointed by the turn of events, we completed our usual loop drive and saw a fair variety of birds.  Great egrets, all huddled in one shallow pond, were most abundant while a trio of young scissor-tailed flycatchers proved to be the highlight.  Other than two turkey vultures, no raptors were observed.  In total, 19 avian species were encountered during our 90 minute visit.

How odd that a brief recovery was permitted to occur before this floodplain wetland was all but closed down once again.  No doubt, there are reasons related to wastewater management but this second round of devastation was difficult to accept. 

Back to Phillips Lake

After a prolonged absence, my wife and I returned to Perry Phillips Lake early this morning.  While "development" continues along the Park's rim, it was a pleasant visit, having completed our loop walk before heat became a factor.

Annual cicadas provided a background chorus while pockets of ironweed, trumpet vine and bright red wild plums added color to the verdant landscape.  Following recent heavy rains, the lake was full for the first time this year though swallows and a lone great blue heron were the only birds to take advantage of its bounty.  Birdlife was otherwise limited to common summer and permanent residents and, as is usually the case there, northern mockingbirds were most conspicuous.

While I have previously decried the development along the edge of the Park, this former farm lake and its adjacent woodlands, fields and wetlands continue to attract an interesting mix of wildlife.  We'll keep visiting whenever we're in Columbia.

Take your Average American

As this country struggles through the reign of King Trump, there is a great deal of discussion regarding who might return America to her previous glory, imperfect though it was.  I would suggest the average American will do.

Qualifications would include kindness, empathy, average intelligence, a sense of fairness and a willingness to consider varied points of view in a respectful manner.  A middle-aged individual (for the purposes of experience) would be best, as long as they have no history of political activity.  One would hope that such an individual would appoint Cabinet Members who are highly qualified in their area of service and would insure that both the Department of Justice and the Federal Reserve are completely independent of the Executive Branch.

Perhaps this solution seems a bit too simplistic for many but we do not need another political-minded leader who seeks to control corporations, universities and law firms and whose focus is on their personal power and enrichment.  I would volunteer but I'm too old.  

A Gift from August

August, long renowned for its heat, arrived overnight behind a cold front, bringing cool, misty weather to central Missouri.  Ahead of that front, heavy rain fell across Columbia, a welcome dose of moisture during this long, brutal summer.

While we certainly appreciate that a dramatic change in weather has arrived with the new month, there is little doubt that the heat will return as the front heads east.  But, for now, the cool respite will facilitate some much-delayed yard work.

Since it is the last meteorological month of summer, August invites us to look ahead to the glorious season of autumn.  Unfortunately, climate change is pushing back that transition and, before long, August may represent the midpoint of a prolonged summer season. 

Heat-Seeking Raptors

On this hot, humid afternoon in central Missouri, a trio of Mississippi kites soared above our Columbia neighborhood, feasting on insects.  Their energy under such conditions is impressive.

After nesting and summering across the Southern Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley, they will escape to South America for another summer in the Southern Hemisphere, traveling through hot climes along the way.  When you feed primarily on flying insects, it is best to be where they thrive.

While their seasonal movements are instinctual, these kites are certainly unfazed by weather that many, if not most humans, find oppressive.  Then again, they are not subjected to dire heat advisories. 

A Skink Emerges

As I discussed in A Skink Mystery, last September, our resident five-lined skinks, which were of usual abundance in the spring, disappeared throughout the summer.  In fact, they failed to emerge in the autumn as well and I came to the conclusion that a local die-off had occurred.

Very common on our Columbia property since we moved here in 1997, they would scurry across the deck and walkways or hang out at the compost bin to feast on a variety of invertebrates.  This spring and early summer passed without any sightings (though I am often out of town).  Then, about 10:30 this morning, as I lounged on our front porch, a young skink, sporting its bright blue tail, raced across the bricks.  He/she was the first I have seen here since the spring of 2025.

I have no explanation for this confusing saga but was glad to witness an apparent recovery.  Nature keeps us guessing. 

Return to Humidity

When we left Hays, Kansas, just before dawn this morning, it was already 75 degrees F, down from 99 degrees F the afternoon before.  Fortunately, as we traveled east, cloud cover persisted and the temperature  remained stable.

Even better, by the time we reached Junction City, rain began to fall, persisting throughout our journey across the Flint Hills.  Holding the temperature in the low 70s F, the rain was also psychologically beneficial after almost a month of intense sunshine and dry heat along the Front Range.

Beyond Topeka, however, the sun returned and the temperature gradually climbed into the upper 80s by the time we reached Columbia, augmented by Midwestern humidity as we entered a southerly flow from the Gulf of Mexico.  The moist air will feel good for a few days before I begin to miss the semiarid climate of Colorado. 

Growing without Water

As we left Metro Denver this morning, we observed a fleet of earth movers, clearing a swath of prairie east of the city.  Of course, this is in preparation of a new suburban development, perhaps twenty miles from the downtown area.

Having just experienced a record-low snowpack in the mountains, a nearly snowless winter in Denver and an extremely hot and dry summer to date, one wonders what the developers and city planners are thinking.  Already in a stage-one drought as the work begins, the Metro Area faces severe water shortages in the not-too-distant future.

Cities throughout the American Southwest are experiencing the same problem yet they continue to expand and place even more demand on limited water resources.  As our climate warms, a widespread crisis is bound to occur.  Perhaps a volcanic winter will rescue our species at some point. 

Signs, Signs, Everywhere Signs

Channeling a popular 1971 song by Five Man Electrical Band, King Donald has decreed that signs be placed outside the Smithsonian Museum to warn patrons that information found within is inaccurate.  Of course, he is protecting us from data that may reflect poorly on his kingdom.

Among these falsehoods are that science is the best path toward truth and that racism has always been part of American culture.  These signs will hopefully make us stop and think before we immerse ourselves in the liberal milieu of that National Institution.

There is only one problem with our Dear Leader's signs.  We cannot believe a word that he says or writes. 

Night Rescue

A month past the summer solstice, our days are noticeably shorter.  As we endure a long period of severe heat, the longer nights cannot arrive soon enough.

Indeed, this astronomical rescue from sunlight will be the ultimate solution to the heat exhaustion that is affecting populations across the Northern Hemisphere.  Though we usually take this annual transition for granted, it will be especially welcome this year (and likely for many years to come).

No doubt, we will complain about the incursions of winter when they arrive but we can more easily prepare for them; besides, as our climate warms, they may disappear altogether.  For now, bring on the darkness!  

An Unfair Monsoon

Following two weeks of bright sunshine and severe heat, the annual Southwest Monsoon finally reached the Front Range urban corridor earlier this week.  Its scattered thunderstorms have dropped flooding rains in some areas while other locations (including our Littleton farm) have received little, if any, precipitation.

Such is the nature of the Monsoon.  Unlike the widespread, upslope rain and snow storms of spring, this river of moisture is less predictable.  Of course, between now and early September, most of us will receive some vital precipitation but the gift will likely be uneven, reflecting the effects of our varied terrain and the mountain wall to our west.  But we'll take what we can get.

Life is not fair, nature is not fair and the Monsoon can be frustratingly unfair. 

The Patience of Patients

Long a physician and now a patient, I have witnessed the American healthcare system from both sides of the proverbial fence.  And having spent a good deal of time in waiting rooms, I have noticed an association between one's patience and the apparent chronicity of their illness.

As one might expect, those with acute problems tend to be in more distress and are clearly more demanding at times; no doubt, personalities play a significant role as well.  On the other hand, those who have become accustomed to the waiting room experience are far more patient and, to be honest, kind.  Having learned that healthcare, by its nature, is not always predictable and efficient, they learn to take the setbacks in stride.  Of course, they often arrive prepared for significant delays, possessing novels, headphones and other forms of diversion.

Indeed, it is easy to pick out the veterans of our health care system and one comes to appreciate the calming effect that they have on others.  I will strive to join their ranks. 

Trump's Environmental Ignorance

As almost 900 wildfires rage across the vast northern forests of Canada, Pacific storm systems direct some of the smoke into the Upper Midwest and Northeastern U.S.  Of course, this angers Our Dear Leader and it is one of the reasons that he threatens to impose a 50% tariff on our neighbor.  In his opinion, the Canadian government should be doing more to control the wildfires.

Our warming climate is primarily responsible for this widespread disaster, reducing snowfall and rain across the Great Northwoods.  Unfortunately, Trump and his Cabinet do not accept the "hoax" of climate change, choosing to cut emissions regulations, withdraw funds from green energy projects and encourage the rebirth of coal-fueled power plants.

Of all his disastrous policies imposed upon our country, Trump's disdain for environmentalism may have the greatest long-term effect.  Hopefully, the private sector will resist this folly and ignore his repeal of established environmental laws.  After all, they know by now that a Blue Wave is coming in November. 

Marking Time

As we humans grow old, we think back over the years and remember a number of events that marked the stages of our life.  First among these are the births and deaths that greatly influenced both the course of our life and our approach to it.

Indeed, life brings many joys and sorrows but its primary imperative, as throughout the natural world, is that we do our best to stay alive and thereby contribute to the welfare of our family, friends and species as a whole.  Unfortunately, that goal often goes unmet as, usually through no fault of their own, beloved individuals die along the way.

We miss their company and inspiration but, in the end, their deaths mark the progression of our own life.  Knowing that our time will soon end, we take comfort in the fact that our demise will become a reference for those we leave behind. 

Morning Relief

As excessive heat and drought continue to plague the Front Range urban corridor, early mornings offer the only relief.  Due to the elevation and dry air, overnight cooling produces a few hours that invite outdoor activity.

This morning, just before sunrise, I took a walk along the South Platte River.  As low as I have ever seen it, the rock laden stream attracted a mix of waterfowl and waders in addition to a lone raccoon that foraged in the clear shallows.  Songbirds were still rather quiet and inactive, represented by only a couple of chickadees and a northern yellow warbler.

But while the wildlife was limited, a steady, north, cool breeze offered hope that our weather might be finally changing.  Indeed, the first taste of the annual Monsoon is expected over the next few days as afternoon highs dip back into the 80s F and scattered thunderstorms blossom along the Front Range.  We are surely hoping that forecast is accurate. 

Medication Commercials

As a physician, I am often dismayed and sometimes amused by medication commercials.  Usually delivered by attractive, healthy-looking individuals, at times in the company of cartoon characters, the information is, in my opinion, better delivered in one's doctor's office.

Always combined with a relatively quiet but obsessively long list of possible side effects (usually including death), details about the product are superficial in nature, despite the fact that they are powerful chemical agents.  More amusing is the advice to "let your doctor know" if you have cancer, ALS, HIV, heart problems or some other chronic, serious condition; one wonders why your doctor would not be aware of your medical history.

Brief medical commercials making the public aware of new therapies are appropriate, including the advice to discuss their possible use with their physician.  Beyond that public service, the escalating presence of drug use encouragement on TV is worrisome. 

Primetime Lies

In case you missed it (I purposely did), Our Dear Leader delivered a speech from the White House last evening, outlining previously debunked election interference claims from 2020.  Having lost that election, which occurred during the reign of his own Administration, Trump's supreme narcissism demands that he forever challenge the validity of those results.

Attended by his adoring Cabinet Members, King Trump spent 25 minutes spewing lies and conspiracy theories about foreign interference in that past election and imagined voting insecurity facing the upcoming midterms.  Little was said about current, pressing problems throughout our country, including economic stress, the war with Iran, the brutality of Ice and the widespread corruption throughout his Administration.

Fortunately, many networks did not carry the speech, declining to give Trump air time to lie to American citizens.  Our country cannot reclaim its past reputation as a bastion of Democracy until this compulsive liar is removed from office.  Vote Democratic in November!

Suburban Parks

Generally relegated to the young and the elderly, suburban parks are not sought out by your average naturalist.  Nevertheless, they can be pleasant and "productive" destinations, especially if they were established many years ago and are festooned with large trees, ponds and wetlands.

Today, my wife and I stopped by William McKinley Carson Park in Greenwood Village, a community in south Metro Denver.  Hoping to escape the heat and bright sunshine, we were also planning to take a short walk.  This small park proved to be a good choice, though some construction was underway.  Shady gazebos afford views of the pond and the paved trails are lined with large trees.  During our brief visit, we observed the expected flocks of mallards and Canada geese but also encountered an excellent variety of songbirds (chipping sparrows were especially common); we also saw two muskrats on the pond.

Good for the community and good for local wildlife, older suburban parks are gems that may not be replicated in modern society as land prices rise and residential demands crowd out nature.  Even if established, they take many years to mature. 

Weather History

In the past, we were often informed of significant or record-breaking weather events that occurred on that specific date.  Some of the events were tragic while many were simply nostalgic.

In the present, severe weather seems to occur on a daily basis.  Following recent, deadly heat across most of the country, worsened by ongoing wildfires throughout the drought-plagued West, excessive rain has produced severe flooding throughout the Texas Hill Country over the past 24 hours.  No doubt, other sites of flash flooding will be reported across the South as warm, humid air flows northward from the Gulf of Mexico.  While a strong El Niño and copious African dust have reduced tropical development in the Atlantic Basin to date, we are yet early in the Hurricane Season.

As our climate continues to warm, we will be watching severe Weather History unfold on a daily basis, throughout our country and across the globe.  Lead by an Administration that denies the reality of global warming, we will be unprepared for the onslaught, leading to unnecessary deaths and potential economic catastrophe.  Vote Democratic in November! 

Mother & Destroyer

The Sea is the mother of all life on Earth, which first evolved in her realm about 3.6 billion years ago.  It would not be until 450 million years ago that some species became terrestrial but a fabulous diversity of life still inhabits Mother Sea, much of which has yet to be discovered by humans.

Nourishing and sculpting terrestrial ecosystems with her weather systems, she also destroys habitats and human developments with coastal hurricanes, severe inland storms and flooding rains.  Indeed, as our climate warms, these destructive events will intensify.

Furthermore, as her component oceans open and close, earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanism alter terrestrial landscapes and destroy regional life; the recent earthquakes in Venezuela demonstrate a risk that stretches across the globe.  The Sea, an essential component of Life on Earth is both generous and destructive; we could not live without her but often succumb to her power.