Good Riddance 2022!

The human year of 2022 has been tragic in so many ways.  It is a relief that it is ending and we can only hope that 2023 is, at the very least, somewhat better.

The tragic consequences of climate change, including wildfires, inland flooding, severe snowstorms, deadly tornados and, of course, Hurricane Ian, have reminded us that our stewardship of Earth has been inadequate at best.  Then there have been the frequent mass shootings and horrendous crimes that have led the news on a weekly basis.  The steady decline of the stock market has worried many Americans and the dysfunction of our political system offers little hope that life will improve in the U.S.  Finally, the Russian war in Ukraine, the bombastic threats from China and the dangerous shenanigans of North Korea's missile king threaten the stability of human civilization.

Of course, all of these problems are human-induced.  Too many of us consuming too much and seeking too much power, combined with too little effective leadership, are destroying our society and our planet.  Nature offers our most reliable retreat from human carnage and we should seek her calming embrace whenever possible.  Best wishes to all for 2023.

Bonaparte's Gulls

 Over the past few days, Bonaparte's gulls have turned up on our arm of Sarasota Bay.  Smaller than other gulls in this region, they are easy to spot as they circle overhead or rest on the surface.

Bonaparte's gulls nest in spruce bogs across Alaska and the western half of Canada; unlike other species, they nest in trees.  Come autumn, most head for the coasts of North America though some turn up in the Great Lakes or along the major river valleys; the latter group may winter on freshwater lakes in the Southeastern U.S.  Some of these hardy migrants are known to winter on the open ocean.

Wherever they go for the colder months, Bonaparte's gulls tend to remain mobile, roaming about in search of small fish and aquatic invertebrates.  Based on past experience, I doubt they'll hang out here for more than a few more days.

Christmas on the Beach

In accordance with tradition, one should not spend Christmas on a southern beach.  There should be snow, fragrant pines and horse-drawn sleighs.  There should be a real fireplace and wood smoke in the air.  But this year, there were winter-like conditions on the beach and the feel of Christmas was alive and well.

Were it not for the palm trees and the pelicans, we might have thought we were on the Great Lakes.  An air temperature of 41 degrees F and a strong northeast wind produced a wind-chill near 30 and forced us to don our sock hats and winter coats.  Beach towels and umbrellas were left in the condo.

On the positive side, the beach was nearly devoid of humans; no loud radios, no wayward volley balls and no picnic debris blowing across the sand.  Just the rumble of waves, the cries of gulls and the squeak of sand beneath our walking shoes.  Not a bad place to spend the holiday.  Merry Christmas to all!  

Low Tide on the Bay

On this chilly morning in South Florida, a strong northwest wind is raking Longboat Key, augmenting the low tide on this arm of Sarasota Bay.  The expanding mudflats and shallows offer a smorgasbord of small fish, crustaceans and marine invertebrates for a host of waders and seabirds.

Ring-billed gulls are the most abundant guests, joined by large numbers of double-crested cormorants, brown and American white pelicans, great egrets and a variety of herons.  A wood stork has also stopped by, the first I have seen on this visit; once endangered, these large waders are making a gradual comeback thanks to habitat protection and restoration.

The feast will likely continue for several hours before a rising tide reclaims the inlet.  But the show will go on as other bay residents, including dolphins, ospreys, bald eagles and manatees, grace the scene.

The Cold Front Arrives

Last night, thunderstorms streamed in from the Gulf of Mexico as the Arctic dome approached South Florida.  This morning, we awoke to sunny, warm weather on Longboat Key but a band of dark clouds stretched across the northern horizon.

Later in the morning, as we walked on Whitney Beach, the cold front arrived (see photo).  Behind its impressive wall, strong north winds ushered in a gray overcast and light rain.  Gulls and terns on the beach seemed to relish the sudden change, taking to the air to cavort in the steady wind.  Beachcombers, on the other hand, headed for the parking lot.

Despite its dramatic arrival, the Arctic dome will only drop our temperature about twenty degrees F, producing overnight lows in the upper thirties and afternoon highs near fifty for the next two days.  Compared with conditions up north, our setback will be mild and brief. 

South of the Arctic Blast

Though I have long preferred winter over summer, I am not especially fond of Polar air or blizzard conditions.  And though our travels were planned months ago, I am pleased to miss out on the Arctic blast that will soon envelop much of the country.

Here in South Florida, we will endure two days in the fifties (F) but we'll manage somehow.  Besides, it is a pleasure to change ecosystems on occasion, enjoying flora and fauna that we might otherwise encounter only on nature programs.  Large flocks of cattle egrets, mingling with the livestock, offered the first glimpse of the changes to come and, over the past two days, I have seen at least a dozen species that are rarely, if ever, observed in my home environments.

Though we have some minor repairs to address, thanks to Hurricane Ian, we'll soon be joined by other family members and anticipate a relaxing and enjoyable Holiday vacation.  Happy Holidays to all and please stay warm!! 

Through Georgia's Blue Ridge

Leaving Murphy, North Carolina, on this sunny but crisp morning, we climbed southward along the Hiwassee River, a major tributary of the Tennessee River.  Our initial destination was the summit of Brasstown Bald in the Blue Ridge Mountains; rising to 4783 feet, it is the highest peak in Georgia.

A winding, paved road takes visitors to a large parking lot a few hundred feet below the summit; one can take a van ride to the top or walk up a paved, "half-mile" trail.  After a couple of days in the car, we opted for the hike, climbing through a forest of rhododendron shrubs.  An observation tower on the summit affords a spectacular panorama of distant peaks and ranges, illustrated with labeled photo maps in all directions.  It was one of the better viewpoints we have ever encountered and I highly recommend a visit.

From Brasstown Bald we continued southward, crossing a low divide (2900 feet) between the watershed of the Hiwassee River (to the north) and that of the Chattahoochee River (to the south).  We descended along the latter river to Helen, a German town currently in full Holiday mode.  Following lunch in that festive community, we drove southward across the rolling Piedmont and will spend the night in Perry, Georgia, at the northern edge of the vast Coastal Plain.

Detour through the Mountains

Returning to our Florida condo after a prolonged absence, we decided to detour through the Southern Appalachians of southeastern Tennessee and northern Georgia.  Heading east from Cleveland, Tennessee, on US 64/74, we crossed the Ocoee River, a tributary of the Hiwassee River, and soon followed the northern shore of its scenic lake.

The Ocoee River itself is renowned for its high grade rapids and beautiful gorge; indeed, the river was used for whitewater competition during the 1996 Olympics.  Rising in the Chattahoochee National Forest of northern Georgia, it is known as the Toccoa River in that State.  Unfortunately, since the Ocoee is part of the Tennessee River watershed, it has been a victim of the TVA Hydroelectric network; as a result, three dams disrupt its flow.

After ascending eastward through the Ocoee River gorge, we entered North Carolina and will spend the night in Murphy.  Tomorrow, we'll head south through the Blue Ridge of northern Georgia before continuing our journey to the Subtropics.

Bird Counts & Conservation

A new book, recently reviewed in the New York Times, encourages birders (especially those new to the hobby) to concentrate on enjoying common birds in their own backyards.  While immersing oneself in nature is certainly therapeutic and we can learn a great deal from our avian neighbors, the author also suggests that engaging in bird counts and searching for rare species is unnecessarily stressful and competitive.

While there is a kernel of truth to her warnings, most birders who participate in organizations such as eBird and take part in seasonal counts conducted by Audubon or their local nature center find the experience to be both educational and enjoyable.  In my experience, the competitive aspect varies among individuals but has its positive effects.

Tomorrow, I will take part in the annual Christmas Bird Count, sponsored by the Audubon Society; I have also been a member of eBird for the past six years.  Those of us engaged in this activity certainly enjoy the experience but also understand that we are contributing to the protection of birds and their habitats.  The numbers generated by our activity are used to monitor the range and population of all bird species, common or rare, thereby fueling conservation efforts.  Enjoy those backyard birds but consider taking part in counts as well.

The Arctic Sparrow

This morning, while driving along a country road, I encountered a flock of American tree sparrows, scouring the gravel for seeds.  These attractive songbirds, easily identified by their rusty cap and central breast spot, are winter residents across the northern two-thirds of the Lower 48.

Despite their name, American tree sparrows breed across the Arctic tundra and adjacent scrublands; in fact, they breed farther north than any other American sparrow.  Nests are placed directly on the ground and adults forage primarily on grasslands or in thickets and shrubs.  Insects and seeds are consumed while they are in the Arctic but their diet is limited to seeds on their wintering grounds.

Indeed, these hardy sparrows migrate south rather late in the fall and are among the first songbirds to head north in the spring (often by early March).  On the other hand, they are fairly common here during the winter months; just don't look for them in trees!

A Peregrine on the Missouri

This past weekend, while birding southwest of Columbia, I encountered a peregrine falcon, perched in a large tree on the banks of the Missouri River.  Once common in the State, these magnificent raptors, like many others, were decimated by the use of DDT.  Since that chemical was banned, peregrine falcons have become more common here, thanks to reintroduction programs and an increase in migrants from other regions.

Today, most of these large falcons breed across the Arctic, along northern coasts and throughout  the mountain corridors of the West though some nest along rivers and lakes across the country. Others have also settled on tall buildings and bridges in large cities where large populations of pigeons and starlings offer a convenient source of prey.  In the wild, peregrine falcons feed on a wide variety of birds, especially shorebirds and waterfowl, and are thus most often observed on floodplains, lakeshores and coastlines.

Checking on the current status of peregrine falcons in Missouri, I learned that 14 breeding pairs were documented in the State in 2021.  Due to this "success" and an increased number of migrants along the Mississippi and Missouri River Valleys, peregrines were removed from the State's Endangered Species List last year.  Reassuring?  Not for this birder and naturalist!

A Gift of Snow and Rain

It has been a wonderful Holiday Season in the American West.  A massive winter storm brought heavy snow to the Cascades and Sierra Nevada and is now moving across the Great Basin and into the Rocky Mountain corridor.  Higher elevations of the Desert Southwest should also receive significant amounts of snow.

While the storm is a boon to ski resorts, it is far more important that the mountain snowpack will be fortified.  After all, that is the source of vital water for all ecosystems across the West, not to mention the water supply for most towns and cities.

As the storm pushes eastward, blizzard conditions will develop across the Northern Plains while tornadic thunderstorms will pummel the Southern Plains.  Gulf of Mexico moisture, streaming northward ahead of the cold front, will bring much needed rain across the Mississippi River watershed, a second major benefit of this massive storm system.

Kevin and the Pigeon Lady

Yesterday afternoon, I watched Home Alone II for the umpteenth time with my grandsons.  I waited patiently for the only redeeming scene in that rather violent "family" series.

As one might guess, it was the interaction of Kevin with the Pigeon Lady whom he meets in Central Park and who lives above the orchestral hall.  Raising important issues in human relationships (empathy, trust, kindness, honesty) this brief segment has always been my favorite part of the Holiday classic.

Over the years, it has impressed me even more and I always ask my grandkids and others in attendance to pay close attention to that scene.  Sometimes, popular media comes through and one should not miss such rare opportunities.  

Mental Toughness & Success

Mental toughness, by my definition, is the ability to focus on personal goals despite hardships, setbacks, criticism or episodes of emotional turmoil.  It is, like talent, one of the keys to success.

Persons who are mentally tough need not be self-absorbed or brutish.  They may be kind or not, empathetic or not, personable or not.  Indeed, there are generally no outward features that identify them beyond their obvious commitment to achieving their goals.  Above all else, they take personal responsibility for their choices and mistakes; blaming others is not in their constitution.

I suspect that both genetic factors and familial influence are at play.  As a result, mental toughness is often evident in children, long before their life goals are established.  Those who lack the trait are unlikely to succeed at a high level, whether they choose the professions, business, creative arts or sports; while some individuals inherit opportunities, lasting success without mental toughness is unlikely.

The Business of Charity

The Holiday Season is also the Season of Giving.  Those of us with the means to do so support charitable activity that is especially important to us but want to be assured that our donations are used for those in need, not for running the business.

Unfortunately, we are solicited by hundreds of organizations; mailings and media ads confront us daily.  While we are usually familiar with large national and international organizations, we may question the legitimacy of many others.  Furthermore, it is clear that the marketing costs are substantial and that there is a great deal of overlap in the services that the various charities claim to provide.

It seems to me that charitable activities would be more effective and more efficient if the many organizations were not competing with one another for our donations.  Merging organizations with the same goals and activities would improve logistics and, one would suspect, cut management costs.  Knowing that the great majority of our donations go to the intended recipients or research would likely encourage more generosity.

The Ground Hawk

While most hawks are observed when they perch in trees, soar overhead or cruise through woodlands, northern harriers are usually encountered as they strafe grasslands and wetlands close to the ground.  Easily identified by their owl-like face, long wings, long tail and white rump, these raptors often perch on the ground between sorties.  Males have light gray dorsal plumage contrasting with a white chest and abdomen while females are brown and white with a streaked chest.

Northern harriers breed across Canada and the northern half of the U.S. and most winter across central and southern latitudes of the Continent.  Nests are placed directly on the ground in dense vegetation; 4-6 eggs are typically laid.  Adults hunt for rabbits, ground squirrels, rodents, songbirds, snakes, lizards and grasshoppers, depending on the season.

Though they are still relatively common, the population of northern harriers has been decreasing, primarily due to the drainage of wetlands and the cultivation of prairie grasslands.  As with many other species, their fate depends on our commitment to protect and restore natural habitat.

On Behalf of Crows

Throughout the history of human civilization, crows, ravens and their close cousins have been maligned.  After all, these noisy, aggressive, intelligent, sinister-looking birds are known to raid crop fields and gardens, feast on carrion and kill the nestlings of beloved songbirds.

It is in winter that we most often encounter these truculent omnivores.  While smaller and less hardy species cluster in thickets or cedar groves to escape the biting wind, crows meander about the countryside, announcing their presence with raucous calls and scouring their territory for unwanted hawks and owls.

As a naturalist, I must defend them; despite their traits, crows are vital members of nature's web of life.  Indeed, if annoying behavior disqualified membership, we humans would never have evolved. 

Soccer Memories

Watching the World Cup this morning, I was taken back to my years as a soccer coach.  My players were pre-teen girls.

Nevertheless, the strategies of the match were basically the same and the assembled fans were no less intense.  Though I had not played in my youth, the simplicity of soccer allowed me to coach without much preparation and the parents appreciated my efforts (win or lose).

While I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and was pleased with the enthusiasm of my players, I could not help but notice the family dynamics that always characterize youth sports.  The behavior of each player was a clear reflection of their parental influence, some requiring a good deal of attention while others performed with a stoic intensity of purpose.  Even today, I suspect those traits are still evident. 

When Youth is History

As we advance through life, we lose parents, family members and friends to illness, accident or the natural effects of aging.  The death of celebrities (musicians, actors, broadcasters, etc.) also mark our place in history and reinforce the certainty of our own mortality.

At first, these deaths are accepted as isolated events, some expected and others shocking. But there comes a point at which the collective loss forces us to accept the fact that our generation has been relegated to history.  Those of us who still survive have little to offer but our advice and our perspective.

Staying in touch with life-long friends helps to ease the loss of our youth.  Remaining active and taking on new pursuits are also helpful.  But, to paraphrase the words of John F. Kennedy, whose life was cut so short, we have passed the torch to younger generations and it is best that we bow out with grace. 

Where are the Birds?

Over the past week, I have visited several popular birding areas near Columbia, Missouri, and, except for massive flocks of blackbirds east of the city, the number and variety of observed species have been exceptionally small.  Indeed, on a limited tour of Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, a friend and I saw only seven species, a new low at that magnificent refuge.

Where are the birds?  Are we killing them off?  We have certainly made a sincere effort to deplete their natural habitat.  Of course, the number and variety of birds does decrease during winter across Northern and Central latitudes (in the Northern Hemisphere) and episodes of severe weather may reduce their activity (though recent conditions have been rather seasonable).

The likely explanation for my modest observations is the behavior of birds during winter.  They tend to move about in large feeding groups, consisting of multiple species.  If a birder is in the wrong place at the wrong time, few birds will be seen; on the other hand, should he/she encounter the feeding groups, the field trip is far more "successful."  Fortunately, most birders enjoy the "hunt" as much as the discoveries and there will always be other opportunities.