The Mexico-Kansas Express

Leaving Denver on this clear, cool autumn morning, I noted a dusting of snow on Mt. Blue Sky, a "Fourteener" west of the city; looking to the south, I saw that Pike's Peak was completely snow covered. This early season snow, the first along the Front Range this fall, reflects the impact of Hurricane Polo's recent moisture plume, combined with a cold front that swept in from the northwest.

More impressive were flooded fields throughout western Kansas, an area that was in a prolonged drought until it found itself in Polo's crosshairs.  Indeed, the Hurricane's swath of heavy rain passed right through that area, reaching as far northeast as Minnesota.

To encounter pools of tropical moisture across the semiarid environment of the High Plains was a clear sign that Earth's ecosystems are interconnected.  No doubt, as our climate warms, this fact will become impossible to ignore. 

A Red Fox Returns II

As I reported in the original post, A Red Fox Returns, published in August of 2020, the presence or absence of red fox on our Littleton farm has a significant impact on the cottontail population (and I suspect on the number of mice and voles as well).  Indeed, for the past six months or so, fox have been absent and the rabbits have returned, kept in check only by hawks and owls.

Late yesterday morning, a red fox sauntered across the back of our property, nose to the ground.  Since he or she had not yet grown a thick winter coat, our new resident or visitor looked like a juvenile; on the other hand, following a long, hot summer, one might expect such a svelte appearance.  Whether it is our long term female resident or a young adventurer, its decision to stay on the farm will spell trouble for the cottontails and other prey species.

One of the benefits of owning a sizable piece of property (if only three acres) is the opportunity to observe the interaction of wild residents and visitors over time, including the arrival of unexpected species.  While a balance is generally maintained in large ecosystems, smaller sanctuaries highlight the population gyrations that relate directly to the availability of food sources (whether vegetative or animal). 

Tiny Travelers II

Walking along the South Platte River early this morning, I encountered a relatively small number and variety of birds.  Almost all were common, permanent residents of the Front Range urban corridor.

A rewarding exception was the presence of two Wilson's warblers, flitting about the riverside shrubs in search of insects.  Very small and active, this species breeds and summers high in the mountains, often along alpine lakes near timberline.  The pair that I observed this morning are likely on their way to Mexico for the colder months, though some migrate only to the Gulf Coast or to southernmost California.

On this cloudy, cool morning, they seemed to be in no hurry to head south, apparently finding plenty of sustenance in the shrubbery.  I watched them from a bench for twenty minutes or so and then moved on to enjoy my own breakfast. 

Hurricane Polo floods the Southwest

One of the strongest hurricanes to ever form in the eastern Pacific, Hurricane Polo has weakened to a Category 3 storm before crossing the northern Baja Peninsula.  Nevertheless, its copious moisture has and will continue to drench the Four Corners Region.  Flash flooding is expected to occur due to the mountainous terrain, the torrential downpours and the hard, non-absorbent, desert soil.

A cold front, approaching from the northwest, will intensify the flow of moisture from Polo, sending it through the Four Corners States and across the Great Plains; the Southern Plains will receive most of the rain as moisture flows in from both the Sea of Cortez and the Gulf of Mexico.  Though that area has been in a prolonged drought, too much rain over a short period of time will flood the streams while offering limited drought relief.

Furthermore, powerful waves, spreading north from Polo, will rake the coast of Southern California, exacerbating the damage recently caused by Hurricane Marie.  Meanwhile, the Atlantic Basin remains quiet as a Super El Niño suppresses tropical development in that oceanic region. 

Medicare for All

Call it socialism if you wish but, in my opinion, all Americans deserve access to quality medical care, regardless of their income.  A universal healthcare system is in order, modified by copays or secondary insurance depending on one's level of wealth.

Indeed, the wealthy will always have the opportunity to pay for concierge medicine, top-of-the-line research centers and limited access to new therapies should they choose to do so.  We need not absolutely mimic inefficient European systems but we must restore vital services to every American.

No doubt, objections will arise from the insurance industry and, of course, from those already comfortable with their level of healthcare.  But ignoring the injustice of our current system, especially egregious when Conservative Republicans are in charge, is inexcusable. 

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!