Paid Testimonials

While the FDA is methodical and, some might argue, slow to approve breakthrough drugs, they seem to pay insufficient attention to over-the-counter remedies pushed by various drug companies.  Many, if not most, of these medications and supplements are not backed by rigorous, scientific studies.

Rather, the companies rely on "paid testimonials" to convince TV viewers of their product's effectiveness.  Smiling couples, weekend athletes and aging businessmen relate the wonderful benefits of using the medication.  Of course, fine print beneath their sincere performances (too small for most of us to read) likely plays down those potential benefits and advises input from your physician.

All medications, prescription or not, have potential side effects.  If scientific studies have not demonstrated that the drug is effective and safe, the FDA should prevent it from being marketed.  In my opinion, false hope, delivered by paid advocates, is fraud, aided and abetted by the inaction of regulatory agencies. 

Green-Wings Galore

Green-winged teal are small, attractive ducks that breed across northern latitudes of North America and winter across the central and southern latitudes.  Here in Central Missouri, they are migrants and/or winter residents.

These hardy travelers favor shallow lakeshores, sloughs and wetlands, where they feed on a mix of seeds, aquatic plants and invertebrates; they may also forage in adjacent fields.  The floodplain landscape at Eagle Bluffs thus provides ideal habitat for green-winged teal and a large number stop by during migrations; of these, a fair number often stay through the winter.

This year, however, an unusually large number of the teal are wintering at Eagle Bluffs and will likely stay as long as open shallows persist.  I counted at least 750 this morning, far short of the refuge record but the most I have personally observed there (or anywhere else for that matter).  Records may come and go but nature's spectacles stay with us! 

Bomb Cyclone Blasts the Northeast

A strong winter storm, moving up the Northeast Coast, is producing high winds, heavy snow and coastal flooding from the Mid Atlantic States to New England and beyond.  Blizzard conditions are forecast for Long Island and the New England Coast and hurricane-force winds may develop by later this afternoon.

Known as a "bomb cyclone" due to its rapid intensification (and falling central pressure), this large storm is fueled by a dramatic temperature difference across the cold front which aligns with strong jet stream winds.  Copious Atlantic moisture, swept across the cold front by counter-clockwise winds, produces the heavy snow and the windfield is broad enough that the storm's effects will persist for twelve hours or more.  Since snowfall rates will range from two to five inches per hour, snow depths will reach three feet in some areas, especially in coastal Maine.

Such "Nor-Easters" are common in New England but their intensity will surely increase as the climate warms.  This bomb cyclone is a warning of challenges that will confront coastal regions across the globe in the coming decades. 

Free Speech and the Public Welfare

America was founded on the principle of free speech and that right remains vital today.  However, when individuals use their position of power to spew hate speech or false information that will jeopardize the welfare of the public, the principle of free speech should not apply.

As we have seen during the pandemic, certain celebrities and politicians have made claims that the COVID vaccines are ineffective or dangerous.  As a result, many Americans have needlessly suffered severe illness or have died.  In my personal opinion, those who spread such misinformation should be held legally responsible for the tragic consequences.

To date, the Justice Department seems reluctant to intervene and many social media networks actually thrive on this form of "free speech."  Perhaps Neil Young's willingness to withdraw his music from Spotify will encourage other artists and corporations to stop supporting media outlets that enable false and dangerous rhetoric.  Of course, one might make the same case against those who promote "The Big Lie," endangering all Americans by threatening our Democracy. 

Heaven in Winter

When I arrived at Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area this afternoon, the landscape had the clean-edged look of winter.  Pockets of snow dappled the fields and high clouds filtered the sunshine.  The dry, cool air was crystal clear, a pair of bald eagles soared above the Missouri River floodplain and A Horse with No Name played on my Beetle's radio.  Yes, it was heaven in winter!

Once in the refuge, I found that most of the pools were frozen but that the central channel remained open, attracting an excellent variety of waterfowl.  Green-winged teal were especially abundant, joining large numbers of Canada geese, northern shovelers, mallards and gadwall.  A modest-sized flock of ring-necked ducks was present, as were three northern pintails, a female canvasback, a female lesser scaup and a lone trumpeter swan.  Other sightings included ring-billed gulls, great blue herons, bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, meadowlarks, white-crowned sparrows and a large congregation of American crows.

Since the duck hunting season is over, about 2/3 of Eagle Bluffs is now accessible, allowing visitors to spread out and enjoy the tranquility that such a large refuge offers.  Parking my VW at various locations on the floodplain, I enjoyed the scenery, fresh air and solitude at least as much as the wildlife.

An Aerial Attack

On this mild, sunny afternoon along the Front Range, I elected to sit outdoors and enjoy the pleasant weather; after all, snow is expected to arrive overnight.  Soon after settling in my chair, I heard the raucous call of a common raven and scanned the sky to locate its source.

But I initially caught sight of a pair of red-tailed hawks, lazily circling above our Littleton farm.  Their peaceful flight was soon disrupted by the raven and his partner, both of which started dive-bombing the buteos.  Whatever the reason for their attack, the more agile ravens had a distinct advantage; they initially harassed both red-tails but eventually settled on one.  As the freed hawk escaped to the north, the unlucky victim and his tormenters drifted to the south, soon disappearing behind a grove of trees.

Like other corvids, common ravens are highly intelligent birds that are aggressive by nature; I doubt that their attack was merely an instinctive defense maneuver.  Rather, bullies that they are, it is more likely that they chose to take advantage of their intelligence and flight skills to harass and impress their larger "rival."  

Simplicity & Life

Life itself is anything but simple.  Even unicellular organisms rely on complex physiologic processes to sustain life and, the more complex the organism, the more complex the chemistry and structure of life.

Indeed, those of us who pursue careers in the life sciences understand this complexity and know that even minor defects (e.g. genetic mutations) can disrupt, if not destroy, cellular function; depending on the nature of the defect, serious illness or death may result.  Life is fragile, as we too often observe.

Yet, as intelligent organisms, we come to understand that the joys of life are relatively simple, at least compared to the complex physiology that keeps us alive.  Our sense of wellbeing requires only that our basic survival needs are met and that we experience love, friendship and personal satisfaction.  These life requirements may be mediated by a vast network of physiologic and neuropsychiatric processes but, from our conscious perspective, simplicity is often the key to happiness. 

Winter of Our Discontent

With nods to Shakespeare and John Steinbeck, this seems to be The Winter of Our Discontent.  Facing another surge of COViD, a dysfunctional Federal Government, widespread shortages, travel disruptions, foreign challenges and the scourge of misinformation (inflamed by social media), it is difficult to retain a positive attitude.

Then, of course, are the extreme weather events that are tied directly to our warming climate, a threat denied by a significant percentage of Americans.  Anti-science rhetoric rings through our government, our society and our schools.  Distrust of law enforcement, educators, election officials, medical experts and our judicial system tears at the fabric of our society.

No doubt, our country has faced more severe crises in the past but perhaps never from so many directions at once.  So what does an old, nature-loving, science-oriented, social liberal and fiscal conservative do?  I rely on PBS and the New York Times for my information, forgoing the drama, repetition and political nonsense that characterize other sources.  I get outdoors as much as possible, seeking the solitude and tranquility that offer escape from human-induced stress. Finally, as long as I'm kicking, I'll vote for those who seem most capable of rescuing this troubled nation. 

Tonga Volcanism

Today, a powerful volcanic eruption in the Tonga archipelago set off tsunami advisories across the Pacific Ocean, including the West Coast of the U.S.  As I write this blog, it is too early to know if any effects will be observed in our country.

The islands of Tonga, numbering 170, lie in the southwest Pacific Ocean and are grouped in two parallel chains that trend north to south.  The chains are divided by the Tonga Trench, where the Pacific Plate is dipping beneath the Australian Plate.  Islands of the western chain are the product of subduction volcanism; the leading edge of the subducting Pacific Plate melts as it approaches the mantle, igniting the volcanoes that form the western chain.  This morning's eruption was of a volcano that had not yet risen above sea level (it had not yet produced a visible island).

The eastern chain of the Tonga archipelago does not include active volcanoes since they do not lie over a volcanic hotspot, an active oceanic ridge or along a subduction zone.  However, some of these islands contain volcanic rock from the Eocene Period (50 million years ago); the ancient volcanoes formed elsewhere and traveled westward on the Pacific Plate. 

Round Three

For the third time in two weeks, we are enjoying s significant snowstorm along the Front Range urban corridor.  Responsible for this welcome moisture are two domes of high pressure, the outer winds of which move clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere.

The first high pressure dome, centered over the northern Great Lakes Region is sweeping cold, moist air across the Upper Midwest, producing significant snowfall throughout that area.  The second dome, centered over the Pacific Northwest, is diverting some of that moisture toward the southwest; as it is forced to rise by the higher terrain, the air cools further and upslope snow is generated.

Initially forecast to receive an inch or less, we have already received at least three inches of snow on our Littleton farm and the steady snowfall continues.  As is typical, the beneficial precipitation will diminish overnight and several days of mild, sunny weather will follow.  A significant dent in our Front Range drought has occurred this winter and, around here, the snow only increases in early spring! 

The Human Split

Across human civilization, regardless of country or culture, humans seem to fall into one of two groups.  The first is composed of curious, educated, science-oriented persons who lead our approach to medical illness, preventive healthcare, climate change and human-induced threats to our natural environment.  They recognize the importance of human cooperation in effectively dealing with these vital issues.

The second group, threatened by science-based truth, are focused more on their "individual rights," the profits of their corporation, the doctrines of their church and the personal/political benefits that misinformation will produce.  The welfare of society as a whole is far down their list of priorities.

In the end, the very survival of our species will depend on the success and influence of the first group.  Efforts to recruit individuals from group two are ongoing but the success rate seems to be quite low.  Greed and mysticism are powerful human traits that may eventually destroy our civilization and our planet. 

Looking for Strangers

Each winter, there are a dozen bird species that are reliably encountered on our Littleton, Colorado, farm.  In order of decreasing abundance, they are Canada geese, dark-eyed juncos, house finches, black-billed magpies, black-capped chickadees, northern flickers, American robins, spotted towhees, blue jays, red-breasted nuthatches, white-breasted nuthatches and our lone Townsend's solitaire.

Of course, there are other species that regularly visit the farm.  These include American crows, common ravens, American and lesser goldfinches, cedar waxwings, downy and hairy woodpeckers, mourning and Eurasian collared doves, pine siskins, bushtits and a variety of raptors.

But, when I go outdoors to survey the farm, I am not looking for these reliable residents and regular visitors.  While I notice and appreciate their company, I am seeking strangers in their midst, uncommon or, hopefully, rare visitors; these may have come down from the nearby mountains, escaped frigid conditions in Canada or merely wandered away from their usual range.  With all due respect to the regulars, vital participants in our mini-ecosystem, potential strangers draw me into the cold and snow.

Sedge Wren in Littleton

During the past week, a sedge wren has been observed in South Platte Park, reportedly the first ever seen in Arapahoe County, Colorado.  Small, noisy and reclusive, this wren is difficult to find, even across its traditional range.

Sedge wrens breed through the Upper Midwest, Great Lakes Region and adjacent portions of Southern Canada; they winter in marshes and wet prairies of the Coastal Plain, from the Carolinas to Texas and Mexico.  More often heard than seen, this tiny bird generally remains hidden in dense vegetation.

Needless to say, the visitor in Littleton is a bit off the beaten path for sedge wrens.  One can imagine that it traveled westward along the Platte River and then southwestward along the South Platte, perhaps encouraged by the mild autumn and early winter weather.  More than welcomed by local birders, it is the latest example of rare and unexpected sightings that fuel the enthusiasm of birding communities. 

More like Winter

Following a prolonged drought and a warm autumn, the past week has been much more typical of winter along the Front Range.  Two decent snowstorms, interspersed with periods of sunny, mild weather is par for the course in January.

Here on our Littleton farm, the wildlife has become invigorated by the snow and seasonal cooling.  Songbirds, dominated by house finches, dark-eyed juncos, chickadees and magpies have become far more conspicuous and our resident Townsend's solitaire has been singing from the treetops.  I have previously mentioned the nocturnal mating calls of our red fox but raccoons have also become hard to ignore, attempting to escape the winter chill beneath the eves of our farmhouse.

Perhaps most characteristic of the Front Range winter are the massive and restless flocks of Canada geese, noisily moving about to find open grasslands amidst the snowy landscape.  Their calls and spectacular flights offer reassurance that, for now, winter weather has rescued our ecosystem.

A River of Ducks

Now that the ponds and lakes along the Front Range have frozen over, wintering waterfowl gather on the South Platte River.  A relatively small stream, the river is paralleled by a hike-bike path which affords close observation of the geese and ducks.

Yesterday, coaxed down to the river by mild, sunny weather, my wife and I found that the South Platte was clogged with waterfowl.  Canada geese and mallards were most abundant but most winter species were represented; among these were cackling geese, buffleheads, common goldeneyes, ring-necked ducks, hooded mergansers and green-winged teal.  Other sightings included killdeer, a great blue heron and a red-tailed hawk.

While all of these species are rather common in Colorado, their mass congregation on the river is a seasonal spectacle and a unique birding experience, especially for novice birders.  Of course, the waterfowl are just drawn to open water and are not likely impressed by our interest.  

Cries in the Night

Last night, as frigid air enveloped the Front Range, the eerie cries of our resident red fox, echoed across the farm.  Far from peaceful, the piercing calls did signal that nature's new year is advancing on schedule.

Indeed, the cries confirm that the fox breeding season is underway and, despite their disturbing quality to the human ear, are used to locate a nearby mate.  The actual mating will occur later in the winter and the pups arrive by mid spring.

We humans, not naturally designed to function well during the dark, cold months of winter, are always anxious to discover early signs of spring.  The lengthening daylight, evident by early January, is a welcome glimmer of recovery and the mating calls of owls and fox, however spooky they may be, augment the promise that spring will soon unfold.

Another Year Lived

Today, humans across the globe will celebrate the arrival of 2022.  Parties, fireworks and a wide range of social gatherings will occur, characterized by copious alcohol consumption, football frenzy (at least in America) and, perhaps, a bit of romance.

But for those of us of a certain age, the celebration is focused more on having survived another year.   Increasingly conscious of our mortality, many of us have dealt with physical, mental and emotional setbacks along the way and some are living with a fatal illness.  For all, each year is a gift.

Such is the nature of life for all species, striving to live long enough to pass along our genes and to contribute to the health and quality of our ecosystem.  Best wishes for 2022!