Journey toward the Moon

As I left  Hays, Kansas, early this morning, the bright, full, Harvest Moon gleamed high in the western sky.  Heading toward it on Interstate 70, I was soon enveloped by dense fog that obscured the surrounding landscape.  Only the road in front of me and our beautiful satellite were visible, creating the illusion that I was traveling to the moon.

By the time I reached Ogalla, Kansas, the fog was too dense for safe travel and I pulled off the highway for half an hour; the rising sun eventually warmed the air, the fog began to dissipate and I resumed my journey.  As the sunlight intensified, the brilliance of the moon faded in concert until it finally disappeared behind a distant cloud bank as I approached Oakley, Kansas.

By then, residual fog was limited to the shallow stream valleys and the combination of dry air and bright sunshine highlighted every feature of the High Plains landscape.  An early appointment tomorrow should offer another view of the Harvest Moon from our Littleton, Colorado, farm (sky conditions permitting). 

A Nor'Easter slams the Northeast

While a strong El Niño has suppressed Atlantic hurricanes this year, a potent, slow-moving Nor'Easter threatens the Northeast Coast this weekend.  Already producing coastal flooding in the Mid-Atlantic States, the storm is expected to crawl northward and intensify in the coming days.

Fifty to sixty mph winds are forecast to lash the region, accompanied by torrential rain and coastal flooding.  Long Island and southern New England appear to be at the greatest risk of storm damage though major disruption of travel and outdoor events will occur from Virginia to Maine.

Named for their strong, persistent, northeast winds, Nor'Easters are most common in late winter.  To experience one in late September is very rare, perhaps the latest sign of our warming climate. 

Celebrity & Journalism

Freedom of the press is vital to the health of our Democracy, especially when an Administration attempts to restrict its reach.  Investigative journalists are at the heart of the press corps and their reports insure that we are kept aware of political, financial and corporate maneuvering, whether that activity is positive or negative, legal or illegal.

On the other hand, TV "journalists" are essentially broadcasters.  Some may have political or corporate backgrounds but they are now engaged primarily in commentary, interviews, news reporting and, increasingly it seems, entertainment.  Most willingly accept their celebrity role, many have written books and an increasing number host their own podcasts.  More disturbing is the recent use of viewer clubs and regional gatherings to market themselves and their programming; in essence, the public is invited to become active participants in the growth of their celebrity.

It is essential that Americans understand this distinction.  Our vote must be governed by facts, not by the opinions and convictions of on-air celebrities, however closely their pontifications may match our personal philosophy. 

An Afternoon at Eagle Bluffs

Over the 29 years that I have been heading down to Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, I do not recall visiting in the afternoon....until yesterday.  As a result, I encountered the fewest birds ever at that floodplain refuge; to be clear, the number of species (13) was not a new low but the overall number of individuals surely seemed to be.

On the other hand, the weather was especially pleasant: cloudy and mild.  Furthermore, I did observe an osprey, an adult bald eagle and a river otter among more common species of wildlife.  In addition, except for two wildlife photographers, I had the refuge all to myself for most of my two hour visit.

Once again, the water level was exceptionally low but I suspect it will recover before duck hunting season gets underway and half of the refuge is closed to birders.  After all, we cannot compete with their financial value to the Department of Conservation. 

Seasonal Change at Phillips Lake

Yesterday, on the last day of astronomical summer, there were signs of autumn at Phillips Lake in southeast Columbia.  Relatively mild air had displaced the dome of heat and a steady east breeze modified the impact of a potent September sun.

A pair of ospreys had stopped by to fish on the lake though migrant waterfowl have not yet arrived.  On the other hand, cedar waxwings have formed their large, wandering winter flocks and a trio of yellow-rumped warblers, winter residents at this latitude, scoured a lakeside tree.  Of course a wide variety of early autumn wildflowers adorned the meadows and the ripening berries of pokeweed await the avian harvest (photo).

We can only hope that the summer heat is gone for good but experience suggests otherwise.  At least the shorter days are bringing in the first messengers of autumn. 

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