A 40 Score Swing

Autumn is the flavor when those of us along the Colorado Front Range frequently sense a xl score (F) temperature swing inwards the score of a day, awakening to a temperature inwards the upper thirties in addition to basking inwards warmth virtually eighty degrees past times mid afternoon.  Such wide temperature ranges are mutual inwards arid in addition to semiarid regions across the globe, particularly those that prevarication at relatively high meridian inwards the Temperate Zone.

By October, the longer nights, high meridian in addition to dry out air augment oestrus radiation, permitting overnight temperatures to autumn virtually freezing.  During the day, intense sunshine, dry out (dense) air and, on around days, a downsloping current of air force afternoon highs into the seventies or eighties.

Of course, strong mutual frigidness fronts or a persistent upslope menses may disrupt this cycle, equally is forecast to educate afterward this week.  By early on adjacent week, daytime highs may live on inside 10 degrees of the overnight depression in addition to the starting fourth dimension snowfall showers of the flavor are expected to dust the urban corridor. 

Milkweed Bugs

Walking through South Platte Park the other day, I looked ahead in addition to saw vivid cherry-red masses on the side of the trail.  Initially idea to live on approximately type of fungus or slime mold, I establish that they were large clusters of pocket-sized bugs.....milkweed põrnikas nymphs to live on exact.

Found throughout North America, from southern Canada to Mexico, these truthful bugs feed alone on milkweed plants.  Eggs are repeatedly position on the plants past times the adult female; during her calendar month of adulthood, she volition lay thousands of eggs.  Upon hatching, the nymphs molt 5 times earlier reaching the adult stage; each nymph stage is virtually vi days inwards length.  While the elongated adults convey a hitting dark in addition to orangish designing on their dorsal surface, the younger nymphs are vivid orange-red.  Both adults in addition to nymphs may cluster where milkweed seed pods are abundant in addition to their vivid coloration warns potential predators that they are toxic (due to compounds ingested from milkweed sap).

Unlike most insects, milkweed bugs overwinter every bit adults; those that mature inwards northern latitudes must migrate to southern climes or honor a protected site inwards which to hold off our the season.  Considering the date, most of the nymphs that I encountered volition probable non attain the adult stage earlier mutual frigidness tumble weather condition envelops the Front Range. 

Great Dark Wasps

Yesterday afternoon, spell sitting outdoors, my married adult woman together with I noticed a large dark wasp that was scurrying across the driveway.  It before long became evident that it was dragging a dead or paralyzed cricket toward a mulched expanse adjacent to the pavement.

This was a keen dark wasp, flora across North America, from southeastern Canada to Mexico; it is a resident of all of the Lower 48 United States except Washington together with Oregon.  Females dig a hole inward the reason inward which they lay a single, fertilized egg; they together with thus capture a grasshopper, cricket or katydid, paralyze it together with house it inward the nest cavity, repeating the procedure multiple times throughout the warmer months.  Once the egg hatches, the larval grub feeds on the miserable victim until it is mature plenty to pupate.  Adults emerge from the pupae together with pass much of the summertime feasting on nectar; inward the process, they pollinate a diversity of flowers.

Of course, almost of this life wheel is unnoticed past times humans.  Gardeners may run across keen dark wasps equally they deed amid bloom beds simply yesterday's run across was pure luck on our part.  Unaggressive, these wasps rarely sting humans (unless threatened) together with play an of import purpose inward controlling grasshopper together with cricket populations.  Their agency of feeding larvae may look vicious simply nature's spider web of life is non ever pretty to behold.

Cormorant Exodus

Yesterday morning, beneath a clear bluish heaven together with enveloped inward cool spill air, I visited South Platte Park.  Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 steady, southeast air current kept many of the songbirds nether comprehend together with the waterfowl numbers remained good below par for early on October.  Fortunately, a massive parade of double-crested cormorants made the view peculiarly memorable.

Beginning nearly viii AM, modest flocks of cormorants appeared overhead, flight southward through the South Platte Valley.  They were followed past times a steady line of piece of job of cohorts, numbering 87 birds inward all.  I tin alone assume that these "fish crows" are commencement their exodus to southern lakes or the Gulf Coast, perchance stopping past times Chatfield Reservoir for a hateful solar daytime or 2 of angling earlier moving on.

Their exodus is certainly triggered past times the waning sunlight hours simply they mightiness too feel a alter inward the atmospheric delineate per unit of measurement area equally a mutual depression temperature front end gradually approaches from the northwest.  We await cooler, rainy conditions inward the coming days together with possible snowfall showers past times early on adjacent week.  While that would non threaten the welfare of these hardy fishermen, their lives are governed past times instinct together with they "know" it's fourth dimension to go south.

Snowbirds Drift In

On this cloudy as well as chilly afternoon, the get-go dark-eyed juncos of the flavor appeared on our Littleton, Colorado, farm.  They were members of the Oregon subspecies as well as had arrived merely inwards time.

Commonly known every bit snowbirds, juncos are small, hardy songbirds that summertime upward inwards Canada or inwards the mount ranges of North America.  Fond of cool weather, they wintertime primarily across the northern one-half of the the United States as well as frequently operate into amongst the get-go snows of autumn.  The latter fact is peculiarly truthful hither inwards Metro Denver and, inside the adjacent few weeks, our farm volition host dozens of these wintertime residents.  Gray-headed juncos descend from the Front Range as well as the slate-colored as well as Oregon subspecies operate into from to a greater extent than northern latitudes; on occasion, white-winged juncos too catch from the Black Hills portion of western South Dakota.

All 4 subspecies are classified every bit dark-eyed juncos as well as are frequently observed inwards suburbs as well as along province roads, their white outer tail feathers obvious every bit they scatter toward cover.  I am pleased to choose them dorsum on our farm as well as I appreciate the conditions alert that they bring....snow flurries are expected this night or tomorrow. 

A Hermit Visits The Farm

Yesterday, spell wandering through our Littleton farm, I noticed drive behind a row of shrubs.  Standing my ground, I waited several minutes earlier the stranger emerged and, though he remained inward the shadows, I knew forthwith that he was a hermit thrush.

Summer residents across Canada together with southward through the mountains of North America, this hardy thrush is dull to migrate southward or to the coasts, feeding on berries ane time the insects disappear.  Like his cousins, he prefers to feed on or nigh the ground, running into the encompass of shrubs or thickets if disturbed.

While nigh hermit thrushes terminate upwards wintering across the southern USA or along the coasts, simply about linger inward colder regions if adequate nutrient is available.  Yesterday's visitor was the starting fourth dimension I convey seen on our farm and, if nosotros convey simply about other mild winter, he may simply remain for the season.

Tropical Kingbird Inwards Colorado

Several days ago, a tropical kingbird was sighted inward southwest Metro Denver, only W of South Platte Reservoir.  As 1 mightiness expect, it has since attracted birders from throughout the share in addition to I made my pilgrimage yesterday afternoon (after all, the place is only a few miles due south of our Littleton farm).

Though the weather condition was far from tropical (cloudy, mutual depression temperature in addition to misty), the large, attractive flycatcher was gleaning insects from the side of a building, stopping to residuum on a barbed wire fence.  Joined past times a Say's phoebe in addition to a modest flock of household finches, the rare vagrant seemed unfazed past times the raw, autumn weather.

Permanent residents of Mexico, Central America, northern South America in addition to extreme South Texas, tropical kingbirds equally good breed inward southeastern Arizona.  While well-nigh birds take toward the Tropics inward winter, to a greater extent than or less convey long traveled northward along the Pacific Coast; well-nigh terminate inward California but to a greater extent than or less convey been sighted inward the Pacific Northwest, equally far N equally southeast Alaska.  Other vagrants convey turned upward inward valleys of the Intermountain West, along the Atlantic in addition to Gulf Coasts in addition to fifty-fifty inward the Great Lakes region.  Most of the far-flung vagrants convey been encountered during the saltation or fall; arguing remains equally to whether to a greater extent than or less of the sightings (especially those inward the East) were of Couch's Kingbird.

The Surge Coast

The entire Gulf Coast of Florida, from the Keys to Pensacola, is peculiarly vulnerable to tempest surge equally hurricanes in addition to tropical storms come upward ashore.  Counterclockwise winds force H2O toward the coast on the "right" side of storm's eye, forcing it across the depression province in addition to upward the coastal rivers.

This procedure is accentuated along the Florida Gulf Coast due to the topography of the Gulf itself.  Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 wide shallow area, representing the westward part of the Florida Platform, parallels the State's Gulf Coast; equally body of body of water H2O is swept inward past times the storm, it cannot dismiss downward in addition to builds to destructive depths across the barrier islands in addition to coastal lowlands, leveling structures in addition to flooding the landscape.

Hurricane Michael, immediately a Category four storm, is poised to come upward ashore close Panama City this morning.  Storm surge is expected to arrive at xiii feet or to a greater extent than inward around parts of the Great Bend earlier the hurricane in addition to its remnants cutting a swath of devastation across the eastern Panhandle, due south Georgia in addition to the Carolinas.

Harriman Lake Park

Harriman Lake is a 67 acre H2O storage reservoir inward southwest Metro Denver, fed yesteryear an irrigation canal; a 1.7 mile graveled trail leads or together with then the lake together with yesteryear several wetland areas, offering wide views of the opened upwards H2O together with of the Front Range foothills to the west.  Access to the Park is via a parking lot on the northward side of Kipling Parkway, a brusk distance southward of West Quincy Ave.

Though pocket-size inward size, Harriman Lake is a magnet for resident together with migrant waterfowl together with is i of the region's best locations for viewing together with photographing those species.  Last week, every bit a mutual frigidity front end loomed to the northwest, my married adult woman together with I visited this Park; on our walk or together with then the lake nosotros saw an first-class multifariousness of waterfowl, including the root American coot, ruddy ducks together with redheads that I had observed this season.  H5N1 lonely American white pelican lounged on the shore, double-crested cormorants fished on the lake together with pied-billed grebes pigeon amongst the coot inward the marshy shallows.

While naturalists together with birders commonly prefer to a greater extent than secluded nature preserves, far from the trappings of human civilization, wild creatures are oftentimes content to utilise less pristine habitat; every bit long every bit they experience prophylactic together with their preferred nutrient is abundant, they volition stick around.  Harriman Lake, but southwest of a busy intersection, offers an first-class example; it sure enough appeals to waterfowl.

The Other Spill Warbler

Birders who reside across key latitudes of the United States of America are never surprised to regard yellow-rumped warblers inwards October; indeed, these hardy insectivores fifty-fifty remain for the wintertime inwards roughly parts of the Midwest.  But at that topographic point is roughly other warbler that is likewise deadening to caput for southern climes together with may all the same endure encountered inwards mid autumn: the orange-crowned warbler.

Breeding inwards opened upwards woodlands or inwards the deciduous understory of coniferous forest, orange-crowned warblers summertime across Alaska together with Canada together with southward through the Western mount ranges.  Come fall, they caput for coastal areas of California together with the Southeast or further S to United Mexican States together with the Caribbean.  En road they by together with large look alone, scouring shrubs, thickets together with the lower branches of trees for a broad multifariousness of insects; similar many insectivores, they occasionally catch suet feeders together with may swallow berries if their insect prey is scarce.

Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 lone orange-crowned warbler has been visiting our Littleton farm the past times few days, feeding amongst chickadees together with yellow-rumped warblers.  I incertitude he'll remain much longer but, dissimilar close warblers that are good S of the freeze draw of piece of occupation past times now, our visitor has already shrugged off several frigid nights together with a few periods of snow.

Natural Solutions To Climate Change

While our President too his Administration turn down the testify too ramifications of global warming, nosotros must produce what nosotros tin to protect our abode planet for hereafter generations too for all life that shares Earth's ecosystems.

Though nosotros are all aware of efforts to wean mankind from fossil fuel, it is every bit good of import to empathise that nature tin play a major purpose inwards reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide.  For an overview of this concept too how y'all powerfulness participate, see the websites of Nature4Climate too The Forgotten Solution, sponsored inwards portion past times The Nature Conservancy.

Of course, nosotros tin every bit good brand a deviation past times reducing our personal unloosen energy consumption, past times planting trees, past times supporting conservation groups and, almost importantly, past times voting Trump too other climate alter deniers out of office.

First Snowstorm Of The Season

As predicted, a rigid mutual depression temperature forepart dropped southward through the Rockies together with Northern Plains final night.  Following yesterday's warm, sunny weather, snowfall developed overnight together with continues along the Front Range this morning; upwards to vi inches of accumulation is expected.

While our spring, upslope storms are normally triggered past times Pacific storms that deed eastward along the Colorado-New United Mexican U.S.A. line, tumble together with wintertime snowstorms almost oft number from mutual depression temperature fronts that plunge downwards from Canada.  Driven past times mutual depression temperature high pressure, clockwise winds along the leading border of this dome sweep wet inward from the Great Plains, producing the snowstorms.  As the dome moves eastward or southward, the Front Range upslope breaks down, the snowfall subsides together with clear, mutual depression temperature high pressure level grips the region.  Eventually, on the backside of the dome, southerly winds sweep warmer air across the Front Range urban corridor together with mild conditions persist until the side past times side mutual depression temperature forepart arrives.

Such undulating weather condition is mutual hither throughout the colder months, every bit warm, sunny periods alternate alongside snowstorms.  It is an invigorating climate together with those who alive hither welcome the snow; afterward all, it is primarily responsible for keeping our semiarid surroundings from becoming a desert.

Mountain Bluebirds Off To The Desert

Mountain bluebirds, with the to a greater extent than or less attractive songbirds inwards North America, breed throughout the Intermountain West, from Northern Canada to Northern Arizona as well as New Mexico.  During those warmer months, they favor opened upward areas with scattered trees as well as may go observed on meadows of the foothills as well as mountains, inwards pinyon-juniper woodlands or on the alpine tundra close timberline.

Come fall, they descend to lower elevations, heading for the Desert Southwest or the Southern High Plains.  On their journey, they ofttimes locomote inwards large flocks, adding coloring to the drying autumn landscape of the Colorado Piedmont as well as the volcanic terrain to our south.

Following the commencement major snowstorm of the season, flocks of mount bluebirds convey been spotted all across Metro Denver as well as I was fortunate to discovery 10 of those beautiful migrants at South Platte Park.  By March, when snowstorms all the same lash the Front Range, they volition return, fueling what petty jump fever may arise during that fickle flavour hither inwards Colorado. 

Colorado's Indian Summers

Following a snowstorm too a difficult freeze, nosotros are dorsum inwards the warm, sunny days too crisp, cool nights of mid autumn, the classic "Indian Summer" that outdoor enthusiasts relish; hither along the Front Range, nosotros hold off highs inwards the upper 60s too 70s (F) over the side past times side few days.  Now that around pesky insects accept been killed, hiking, birding too other outdoor activities are peculiarly pleasant.

Defined every bit the warm catamenia next the starting fourth dimension difficult freeze, Indian Summer sets the phase for at to the lowest degree vi months of similar conditions patterns along the Front Range urban corridor.  This undulating cycle of mild sunny days next a brief catamenia of mutual frigidness too snowfall tends to hap from Oct to early on May; inwards essence, nosotros sense a continuous serial of Indian Summers.

Unlike around regions of the country, the Colorado Front Range climate is non characterized past times 4 distinct seasons.  Rather, nosotros accept summertime too winter, battling for potency for much of the year; piece establish life cycles, the changing angle of solar radiation, astronomical events, mammalian ruts too aeroplane migrations offering about justification for identifying confine too autumn inwards Colorado, the conditions itself is unremarkably summer-like or winter-like.  Indeed, layered article of apparel is a must for outdoor run a endangerment hither since nosotros oftentimes sense both summertime too wintertime inwards the same day!

Tourism Together With Our National Parks

Anyone who has visited our National Parks inward recent years has certainly noticed a dramatic growth inward the tourist population.  The massive crowds detract from the tranquillity and, to a greater extent than importantly, bring a pregnant touching on on the natural ecology.  As a result, around Parks bring begun to bound access as well as others volition for certain locomote forced to create the same.

Some powerfulness combat that tax-paying citizens ain these natural preserves as well as that whatever limits placed on access is inappropriate if non un-Constitutional.  Of course, other citizens resent the protection of Federal lands altogether, favoring access for grazing, mining, drilling as well as "development."  In the end, nosotros Americans volition bring to determine what should locomote protected for the create goodness of futurity generations as well as for the welfare of our planet as well as its ecosystems.

Those seeking natural retreats without the tourist throngs should consider visiting our National Wildlife Refuges.  Relatively unknown to the full general populace as well as frequently devoid of the "comfort facilities" that nearly tourists seek, they offering around of the greatest wild animals glasses on the planet.  Some of the to a greater extent than pop refuges tin grade notice piece of job past times away a flake congested during altitude viewing seasons only it's nix similar the urbanization of our National Parks.

Leaf Armies

Here on our Littleton, Colorado, farm, I create non bother raking the leaves.  While nosotros bring a large seat out of deciduous trees in addition to shrubs, I'm inclined to allow nature handgrip their autumn debris.  Besides, it tin forcefulness out endure entertaining, watching the leafage armies race across our driveway in addition to "lawns."

In this semiarid climate, the leaves rarely buy the farm bogged downwards yesteryear precipitation; they may endure stabilized yesteryear a snowfall for a hateful solar daytime or ii only the intense Colorado Sun chop-chop frees them to rustle across the landscape 1 time again.  Eventually, the armies settle downwards beneath the shrub lines in addition to forest borders, providing fertilizer for adjacent spring's growth.

It's a win-win situation.  Entertainment in addition to no travel for me in addition to natural nutrients for our trees in addition to shrubs.  The mounded leaves too offering wintertime protection for many invertebrates, at to the lowest degree until they are discovered yesteryear the birds, mice, raccoons in addition to skunks that see the farm.

The Nature Of Regret

When I involve heed soul nation that they convey no regrets inwards their life, I tend to hold upwards skeptical.  After all, regret, whether major or minor, is purpose of human nature, a production of our large, complex brains.  Prone to ruminate, nosotros oft regret by decisions, actions or comments, whether justified or not.

This vogue to alive inwards our by oft makes us less happy inwards the present.  Judging ourself through the prism of hindsight, nosotros are non ever fair-minded, having buried the context inwards which by choices were made; neither practice nosotros ever acknowledge the benefits that arose from those actions.  It's ane matter to regret having made an insensitive remark together with quite around other to regret major life decisions.

Unfortunately, nosotros are non ever honest or reasonable when nosotros review our past; whether nosotros acknowledge it or not, nosotros all harbor regrets.  The existent issue, it seems to me, is whether nosotros allow those regrets touching on our electrical flow happiness together with relationships.

The Tumble Crier

H5N1 smashing horned owl was hooting exterior our chamber window end night, the showtime calls I convey heard this season.  Like a town crier alongside an of import message, he seemed to hold out alarm the locals that, despite our electrical flow mild weather, wintertime is on the doorstep.

Of course, this song beau was only responding to his ain hormones, unleashed yesteryear the waning catamenia of daylight; the long, chilly nights are expert for hunting together with his mating flavor is fast approaching.  At this point, inwards mid autumn, he is exactly announcing his presence together with his target is non the human ear.

No doubt, his hooting (and that of his eventual mate) volition increase inwards the coming months.  Unfazed yesteryear frigid nights together with heavy snow, he volition bask the dark, tranquility flavor of nature's year.

The Therapeutic Nature Of Writing

Those who write, peculiarly those who compose fiction, essays or poetry, know that it is a hard task; indeed, finding the correct words or selecting content that is both interesting as well as inspiring tin forcefulness out live on frustrating.  However, I bring industrial plant life that writing is a therapeutic process, forcing the author to seem upward their ain experience, beliefs as well as biases.

Telling a even out or persuading readers is to a greater extent than than an intellectual endeavor, it is an emotional one.  While all humans, consciously or subconsciously, endeavor to bury life events that were peculiarly painful, embarrassing or emotionally-charged, writers must genuinely draw on such experiences to brand their content "real" for those who swallow it.  Though their run may non live on autobiographical, it is ever infused alongside their ain thoughts, emotions, convictions as well as insecurities.

Writers sure empathize these points as well as to a greater extent than or less would acknowledge that the writing procedure is essential to their feel of well-being.  Many psychologists as well as psychiatrists purpose writing every bit a course of didactics of therapy as well as non-writers mightiness desire to personally investigate the therapeutic benefits of this human endeavor; it is, afterwards all, a depression peril as well as potentially enjoyable course of didactics of self-discovery.

First Goldeneye, End Osprey?

On this cool, sunny morning time along the Colorado Front Range, I visited South Platte Park.  There I encountered a skillful diversity of waterfowl, including the showtime mutual goldeneye of the season; the attractive manful somebody was line-fishing past times himself on the clear waters of Eaglewatch Lake.  I was likewise fortunate to detect a solitary osprey, peradventure the final 1 I volition reckon at the Park this year.

Common goldeneyes breed across Alaska in addition to Canada in addition to wintertime primarily inwards coastal areas of the Pacific Northwest, the Canadian Maritimes, New England in addition to the mid Atlantic Region.  Though less common, others wintertime on lakes across nearly of the United States in addition to at to the lowest degree a few dozen pass the colder months at South Platte Park, feasting on a broad diversity of aquatic creatures, from invertebrates to crustaceans in addition to modest fish.

Ospreys, on the other hand, are summertime residents hither in addition to a dyad accept been nesting at the Park inwards recent years.  More mutual along the North American coasts, inwards the Pacific Northwest in addition to inwards the Great Lakes Region, these "fish hawks" caput for southern shores during the colder months in addition to I suspect that this morning's visitor was on his way.

Table Mountain, S Africa

Watching a cinema ready inwards Cape Town, South Africa, today, I wondered nearly the geology of Table Mountain, which looms inwards a higher house the city.  As is frequently the case, the natural history of that famous massif is complex.

About 500 meg years ago, during the Cambrian Period, a rift valley developed inwards the southern part of a continental plate that included today's Continents of South America, Antarctica in addition to Africa.  Initially flooded past times a shallow sea, the rift accumulated sediments over the side past times side 100 meg years.  Throughout the belatedly Paleozoic in addition to early on Mesozoic Eras, this part was folded, lifted in addition to eroded past times tectonic forces every bit Earth's Continents merged into Pangea in addition to and then rifted apart.

Among the sedimentary rocks that formed inside the ancient rift valley was a thick layer of difficult quartzite sandstone; resistant to erosion, this Table Mountain Sandstone straight off outcrops every bit the steep cliffs of Table Mountain in addition to the Cape Fold Ranges of western South Africa.  Of note, the western terminate of this sandstone formation is straight off institute inwards Argentina, separated from its South African segment every bit the Atlantic Ocean opened, simply about 150 meg years ago.

Winter Tries Again

Just over 2 weeks ago, the get snowstorm as well as the get difficult freeze of the flavor descended on the Colorado Front Range, putting an halt to tumble for 48 hours.  Though many of the colorful leaves were taken downward yesteryear the air current as well as snow, the temperature apace rebounded, the snowfall melted as well as nosotros get got enjoyed summer-like warmth e'er since.  Of course, the longer nights gain chilly mornings exactly afternoon highs get got been inwards the mid 60s to mid 70s (F).

Yesterday, or as well as thence other mutual depression temperature forepart pushed southward across Colorado, bringing a raw twenty-four hours alongside intermittent showers.  Overnight, that pelting changed to snowfall as well as it continues this morning, alongside minimal accumulation; yesteryear this afternoon, the Sun volition furnish as well as the snowfall volition disappear.  Mild atmospheric condition are expected for the adjacent week, though temperatures volition hold upward to a greater extent than autumn-like.

Once again, wintertime volition retreat northward exactly it volition expire on making incursions into the Heartland.  While its travelling pocket volition probable solidify across the Midwest as well as Northeast yesteryear December, those of us along the Front Range volition taste mild (if non warm) interludes, thank you lot to the intense sunshine, dry out air as well as downsloping "chinook" winds.

A Wounded Hunter

As I walked along the South Platte River on this brilliant but chilly morning, I spotted a coyote on the contrary bank, nosing his agency through the thickets.  It presently became apparent that he had injured ane of his dorsum legs in addition to could non ship weight on that limb.

While nosotros are entering the flavor when predators to a greater extent than ofttimes than non direct keep an payoff (leafless foliage, dry out grass in addition to active prey), I wondered if this wounded hunter volition become inwards through the winter.  No doubt, it volition live on harder for him to chase downwards rabbits in addition to other agile prey.

Then again, coyotes are intelligent in addition to highly adaptable creatures, proficient at surviving inwards remote wilderness every bit good every bit inwards rural in addition to urban environments.  Known to direct keep payoff of human garbage in addition to domestic dog food, they too feed on carrion, berries in addition to domesticated animals inwards add-on to a host of wild birds in addition to mammals.  My bet is that he'll grapple but fine. 

Chaos At The Refuge

On this cloudy, mutual depression temperature morning, ducks were abundant at South Platte Park.  Northern shovelers, gadwalls too American wigeon dominated the scene, joined yesteryear smaller flocks of mallards, hooded mergansers, buffleheads too American coot; a few northern pintails, redheads, green-winged teal too pied-billed grebes were every bit good observed.

The tranquillity of these flocks was all of a abrupt disrupted yesteryear a couple of bald eagles, 1 adult too 1 immature, that circled higher upwards the lakes, sending clouds of ducks into the air.  Despite their reaction, virtually of the waterfowl postulate non fearfulness the eagles, which tend to focus on old, sick or injured birds that are tedious to response or cannot proceed upwards amongst their cohorts.

While our National Birds are powerful raptors, particularly proficient at snaring fish from the surface, they every bit good pocket fish from ospreys or gulls too oft congregate along salmon runs to feed on dying fish inwards the shallows.  At other times they may endure constitute far from water, feasting on the carcasses of deer or elk that were killed yesteryear predators or succumbed to harsh wintertime weather.  

Back To Snowfall Geese Country

While a fair seat out of snowfall geese migrate southward along the Colorado Front Range, heading for wintering areas inwards New Mexico, their numbers pale inwards comparing to those that move through the Missouri in addition to Mississippi Valleys; these migrants caput for the lower Mississippi Valley in addition to western Gulf Coast, where they pass the wintertime on crop fields in addition to inwards wetlands.

Returning to Missouri for a few weeks, nosotros spent the nighttime inwards Abilene, Kansas, in addition to resumed our journeying this morning, guided past times a Cheshire satelite in addition to brilliant Venus inwards the predawn sky.  Once the Sun rose, I began to scout for flocks of snowfall geese though it's a chip early on all the same for those hardy migrants; unfortunately, I solely saw their large Canadian cousins in addition to a host of raptors equally nosotros crossed Eastern Kansas in addition to Western Missouri.

No doubt, I'll notice enough of snowfall geese (and greater white-fronted geese equally well) earlier returning to Colorado.  After all, I'll endure hanging out inwards the middle of snowfall geese country!

Our Soulless President

Whether y'all thin toward a liberal or conservative philosophy, it would look impossible non to live on disgusted yesteryear the guide of our President.  Self-indulgent, he belittles anyone who does non openly adore him.  Women, immigrants, minorities, the press as well as political "enemies" are his favorite targets.

Having only lost the House of Representatives to the Democrats, Trump held a intelligence conference to wallow inwards his victory as well as to chastise those Republicans who shunned his back upwards as well as and then lost their election.  When faced amongst tragic shootings across our nation, he bemoans the fact that they distract the press from his personal accomplishments.  Taking banking concern notation of a parade of desperate refugees, far from our border, he sends inwards the military machine amongst instructions to shoot anyone who throws rocks.  Having learned that Saudi officials killed as well as dismembered a journalist, he readily accepts their denial of complicity.

Trump the narcissist is incapable of empathy. He cannot "feel the pain" of those who endure since he, himself, has lived a life of luxury.  Soon afterwards ending yesterday's intelligence conference, he announced the forced resignation of his Attorney General, only the latest endeavour to shield himself from populace scrutiny.  It's fourth dimension for Democrats as well as Republicans alike to dislodge this soulless President as well as to restore dignity as well as pity to the almost powerful piece of occupation on Earth.

Boredom On The World Roads

Most adult humans relish both the scenery together with the placidity of a solid reason drive, specially during the sunny, colorful months of autumn.  Unfortunately, preteens are non e'er every bit enamored alongside the experience.

Since my oldest grandson (a novice birder) is visiting this weekend, I took him on a crusade through the farmlands due east together with southward of Columbia.  While the temperature hovered nigh freezing, vivid sunshine illuminated the landscape together with an interesting multifariousness of livestock together with wild animals were encountered on our journey; raptors were specially common, including numerous kestrels together with 4 red-shouldered hawks.  And though nosotros failed to discovery migrant snowfall geese, waterfowl occupied most of the lakes together with farm ponds.

It was 1 of those days when I could convey driven nigh for the entire afternoon, allowing the chilly air to waft through my pickup together with soaking inwards the peaceful scenery.  But my companion was bored inside an hour, bespeak what I planned to create next; a brief halt for snacks offered roughly consolation simply nosotros were dwelling shortly thereafter.  The joy of nature exploration, similar that of most human endeavors, is acquired through repetition together with I am pleased to offering that sense to my grandkids, all the same brief the dose.  Over time, I promise it becomes a vital purpose of their lives, every bit it has for me.

Birding Urban Parks

While nearly naturalists too veteran birders caput for conservation areas, nature preserves too wild fauna refuges to notice too photograph wildlife, urban parks convey a corking bargain to offer.  Providing a natural escape from human "development," these urban oases are by too large planted amongst a broad diversity of native wildflowers, shrubs too plants, attracting a various assembly of wildlife.

Indeed, inwards my experience, the to a greater extent than extensive the nature sanctuary the to a greater extent than dispersed the wild creatures too the to a greater extent than hard they are to find.  Urban parks, on the other hand, tend to concentrate wildlife, offering nutrient too shelter that is non readily available inwards the surrounding concrete jungle.

This morning, my grandson too I walked through Stephens Lake Park on the due east side of Columbia.  Though its hike-bike path is less than ii miles long, nosotros observed 20 plane species, including a yellow-bellied sapsucker (a lifer for my grandson).  Urban parks may non offering the solitude too serenity of wilderness or large nature preserves simply the local birds for certain appreciate their offerings!

Eagle Bluffs Lite

From Nov through January, nearly of Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area is unopen to the populace for duck hunting season.  Only the northernmost department of this fabulous refuge is accessible; nevertheless, birders may soundless run across a skillful multifariousness of species.

On this cold, snowy morning, I ventured downwardly to that floodplain save in addition to was rewarded amongst a span novel sightings for the season: 14 trumpeter swans in addition to at to the lowest degree 50 snowfall geese.  Raptors were express to a Cooper's hawk in addition to a red-tailed hawk in addition to a host of other sightings brought the species total to sixteen, rather meager for this well-known birding mecca.  The conditions in addition to my express fourth dimension frame were pregnant factors in addition to I'm certain my species listing would accept doubled if I had to a greater extent than or less other hr to explore the accessible region.

Except for a two-hour window inward mid afternoon, birders must aspect until Feb to to a greater extent than fully explore Eagle Bluffs 1 time again.  While I accept no personal objection to duck hunting (assuming the centre is consumed), I accept long wondered whether hunting in addition to birding could non safely coexist across this large refuge (e.g. past times narrowing the hunting zones and/or reducing the hunting hours).

Deep Freeze At Eagle Bluffs

The landscape of Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area was peculiarly beautiful this morning; crystal-clear air, brilliant sunshine together with snow-crusted leafage produced spectacular scenery.  On the other hand, the temperature was inward the mid teens (F), causing steam to rising from the opened upwardly pools together with injecting patchy fog from the following Missouri River.

Waterfowl, to a greater extent than oft than non mallards, congregated on what opened upwardly H2O remained together with large flocks of ducks wheeled inward a higher house the frozen landscape.  Ten trumpeter swans lounged on an H2O ice covered pool, oblivious of the wintertime chill, together with a unmarried flock of snowfall geese passed overhead, on their means to less frigid climes.  Several bald eagles together with 2 red-tailed hawks patrolled the floodplain, where massive flocks of red-winged blackbirds scoured the icy fields.

It was nature at its best, combining scenic beauty, the challenges of wintertime together with the fortitude of wildlife.  Watching the activeness from the comfort of my heated pickup, I was forced to admit the relative vulnerability of modern man. 

Companions On The Trail

Veteran naturalists, despite decades inwards the field, frequently run across species or beast ask that they had non observed inwards the past.  Indeed, it is this expectation that keeps us interested as well as attentive, drawing us into natural ecosystems throughout the year.

This morning, spell I was birding at the Columbia Audubon Sanctuary, I heard a dissonance behind me; turning to look, I discovered 6 immature white-tailed deer, standing at attention.  As I continued to brand my agency across a sunny hillside, the deer followed at a rubber distance, stopping to browse when I stopped to scan the landscape amongst my binoculars.  This blueprint continued for a quarter mile about earlier they seemed to lose involvement as well as wandered into an following meadow.

I suspect they were of late abandoned past times their newly meaning mothers as well as banded together for comfort.  No doubt, I was a mere curiosity and, having spent their brusk lives inwards a nature sanctuary, complimentary of hunters, they had no argue to fright an aging human.  As for me, it was a humbling as well as emotional sense to last joined past times these gentle creatures; equally good frequently despised for causing route accidents or damaging suburban foliage, deer are a "problem" because nosotros humans killed off their natural predators as well as destroyed close of their natural habitat.

Avian Political Party Crasher

On this cloudy, cool afternoon inwards Columbia, Missouri, a mix of songbirds together with woodpeckers descended on our backyard, partly drawn past times fresh seed inwards the feeding area.  Such feeding groups are mutual during the colder months, making their foraging efforts to a greater extent than efficient together with reducing the adventure of predation (more eyes ameliorate the degree of alertness); the latter create goodness was peculiarly of import today.

As I watched from the comfort of our household unit of measurement room, the visitors scattered into the nearby shrubs together with trees when a Cooper's hawk swooped inwards for a belatedly lunch.  Fortunately for the songbirds, the powerful accipiter missed his target but the avian political party was over.

Though nosotros alive nigh the middle of Columbia, but westward of the University of Missouri, our neighborhood lies betwixt 2 wooded flow valleys, favored habitat for both Cooper's hawks together with barred owls.  We therefore buy the farm to a greater extent than than our fair portion of raptor sightings together with the local songbirds are for sure aware of that fact.

Snows Over The Floodplain

Ah the sight of snowfall geese inward the morning!  Arriving at Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area only earlier dawn, I encountered a large, restless flock inward 1 of the fields; having spent the nighttime at the refuge, they seemed anxious to buy the farm on their journeying and, inside x minutes of my arrival, they exploded into the air, circling overhead earlier heading downwardly the Missouri River Valley.

During my xc infinitesimal visit, I was fortunate to see 8 to a greater extent than flocks of snowfall geese, coming inward from the due north as well as eastward as well as passing inward a higher house the floodplain refuge equally they angled southward.  In all, I gauge that I saw at to the lowest degree 2400 of the hardy as well as song travelers on this cool, cloudy morn inward key Missouri.

While I likewise encountered a skilful order out of raptors (including ii bald eagles) as well as a fair diverseness of waterfowl (including x canvasbacks), I had come upwards to see snowfall geese as well as my endeavor was rewarded beyond expectations.  The stirring spectacle of migrant snowfall geese is ever the highlight of my natural year.

Wildfires In Addition To Global Warming

The tragic wildfires inwards California are, inwards large part, related to an ongoing drought but at that spot has been about speculation that they are a lawsuit of global warming.  While stagnant conditions patterns cause got laid the phase for wildfires throughout the history of our planet, their electrical current human relationship to climate alter is less clear.  On the other hand, i tin reasonably speculate that a warmer climate volition brand dry out areas drier as well as moisture areas wetter; afterwards all, latitude, geography as well as body of body of water currents volition non alter (at to the lowest degree inwards the foreseeable shape of human history).

As alongside hurricanes, the incidence of wildfires may non hold upward straight affected past times global warming but their severity volition sure hold upward augmented.  Those who alive inwards fire-prone areas (e.g. semiarid forests), similar those who alive on barrier islands or inwards coastal lowlands, must bring the fact that the adventure of disaster volition croak on to ascent every bit the climate warms.  Economically, that adventure volition house a stress on gild every bit a whole; insurance rates cannot hold upward indefinitely raised for everyone inwards monastic state to embrace those inwards high adventure areas.  As a result, someone insurance companies volition probable reject to offering "fire insurance" inwards wildfire prone regions only every bit they cause got eliminated overflowing insurance coverage across nearly of the country.

In effect, global warming volition laid about to dictate where human dwelling household is both sustainable as well as affordable.  Urbanization, already a tendency inwards human society, volition probable accelerate as well as high adventure natural ecosystems volition hold upward handed dorsum to Mother Nature; of course, the survivability of wild animals inwards those ecosystems volition hold upward tested every bit well. 

The Beaver Moon

November's amount moon, currently brightening the nighttime sky, is commonly known every bit the "Beaver Moon," a designation attributed to the Algonquin Tribe together with immediately imbedded inwards American folklore.  The advert reflects the fact that beaver are specially active at this fourth dimension of year, repairing their dams together with lodges together with storing nutrient for the wintertime months.  The latter unremarkably consists of minor deciduous trees together with limbs that are placed underwater for sustenance spell H2O ice coats the current or pond.

My married adult woman together with I, frequent visitors to Philips Lake inwards southeast Columbia, convey of late noted extensive beaver harm to minor trees along the 40-acre lake.  Once a farm pond, the lake is stocked amongst fish yesteryear the Missouri Department of Conservation together with the surrounding state was dedicated every bit the A. Perry Philips Park inwards 2011.  This is the get-go twelvemonth that nosotros convey noticed the beaver harm together with convey been surprised that these large rodents made their agency upward from the nearby Gans Creek Valley.

If left alone, the beavers volition before long convey destroyed well-nigh of the minor trees together with shrubs along the lake together with ane wonders whether Park managers volition extirpate the squatters; such is ofttimes the dilemma faced yesteryear those charged volition balancing human recreation together with natural ecosystems.  I'm guessing the beaver volition move relocated (or worse).

November Rain

Nov rain, similar that of March, is mostly mutual frigidity together with unpleasant.  And, dissimilar the pop-up showers together with thunderstorms of the warmer months, it is unremarkably a long-lasting affair.  After all, it close ofttimes develops along a mutual frigidity front, where dense, chilly air noses beneath a warmer, humid air mass.

Unlike pelting that occurs inwards March, the Nov atmospheric precipitation falls on the world that has non silent frozen, allowing the H2O to percolate into the soil together with diminishing the adventure of runoff flooding that together with thence ofttimes muddies the landscape inwards belatedly wintertime together with early on spring.

Today's atmospheric precipitation inwards Missouri was typical Nov rain, developing yesteryear mid morn together with non letting upward until belatedly afternoon.  The temperature hovered inwards the forties (F) for close of the 24-hour interval together with a low, gray overcast precluded whatever sunshine.  It proved to live practiced conditions for watching college basketball game exactly I'll conduct keep Dec snowfall over Nov pelting whatever day. 

The Mute Swan Problem

As my married adult woman together with I walked some Philips Lake inward southeast Columbia this morning, a brace of adult mute swans flew overhead.  Graceful together with tranquility every bit they cruised inward a higher house the lake, they were a beautiful sight to behold; i would non imagine that those swans are a potential menace.

As I discussed inward my post service from September of 2016, Mute Swans inward the U.S., these large birds are native to Eurasia together with were offset introduced to North America inward the belatedly 1800s.  Since that time, they convey colonized the Northeast together with Mid-Atlantic Coasts also every bit the Great Lakes Region.  Looking at their make map on eBird, i finds that mute swans directly inhabit or catch portions of all of the Lower 48 States.  Unfortunately, they are aggressive birds, known to gear upward on native waterfowl species, together with are voracious consumers of aquatic vegetation, threatening the wellness of both coastal together with interior wetlands.

Wildlife managers along the Eastern Seaboard attempted to constitute a hunting flavour to command their population exactly that get was blocked past times swan-loving citizens.  While efforts to eliminate invasive plants rarely grab the attending of the full general public, the killing of swans, long associated amongst wilderness, royalty together with fairytales is some other matter; the fact that they may comport upon the welfare of our native trumpeter together with tundra swans seems to send niggling weight.  Such are the consequences of careless introduction programs, a human habit that continues today.

After The Blizzard

We inwards Columbia, Missouri, were on the southward side of a strong wintertime tempest that raced across the northern Midwest final evening.  Though nosotros entirely received nearly 3 inches of snow, the high winds plastered everything outdoors alongside snowfall in addition to ice.  So what to produce on the morning time after?  Head downward to Eagle Bluffs, of course, to regard what the tempest blew in.

Nearly solitary on the floodplain, I drove slow through the wintry landscape, stopping at favored viewing points along the way; since most of the refuge is however unopen for the duck hunters, I completed my road inwards less than an hour.  Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 squadron of trumpeter swans arrived from the north, equally did wavering v's of snowfall geese in addition to greater white-fronted geese.  Large flocks of mallards, gadwall in addition to coot dominated the scene, joined past times smaller groups of green-winged teal in addition to a few northern shovelers.  While I expected to run into a large release of raptors on this cold, cloudy morning, a brace of bald eagles in addition to a lone kestrel were the entirely avian hunters.  Perhaps the highlight of my see was a large, restless convention of horned larks, fluttering nearly an ice-crusted field.

Our abrupt boom of wintertime is expected to abate over the adjacent few days in addition to we'll supply to to a greater extent than "seasonal" conditions.  The residents of Eagle Bluffs volition probable appreciate a milder bring out simply they are equipped to bargain alongside whatever challenges that nature throws their way; they ask entirely worry nearly natural predators in addition to the threats imposed past times human society.

Flashback Postal Service Xi

After all the negative things that I accept said nigh President Trump, I idea I should contribute to his fear-mongering when it comes to immigrants.  I accept therefore provided a link to a worrisome postal service from July of 2007.

See: Armored Immigrants

The Kings Of Bradford Farm

Bradford Farm, an agricultural query pump operated past times the University of Missouri, stretches across opened upward province due east of Columbia.  On this cold, cloudy morning, a friend too I drove along its graveled roadways, hoping to catch longspurs or uncommon grassland sparrows.  Instead, nosotros encountered a host of raptors, the kings of this farmland refuge.

We were initially greeted past times a rough-legged hawk, hovering inwards a higher house the snow-laden fields; this heavy-bodied buteo, downwards from Northern Canada, is an uncommon only regular wintertime visitor inwards key Missouri.  Later on, a duo of northern harriers crossed our path, flight depression over the crop stubble inwards search of rodents too unwary songbirds.  H5N1 red-shouldered hawk patiently hunted from the limb of a large tree too ii American kestrels observed our approach from above; i of these modest falcons was feasting on a plain mouse that dangled from his talons.

Oblivious of the frigid weather, these hunters bask an payoff during the colder months, their prey forced to provender inwards barren, icy fields.  Red-tailed hawks too kestrels are to a greater extent than ofttimes than non the close mutual raptors at Bradford Farm only bald eagles are regular visitors too short-eared owls may last observed hither inwards winter.

Migrant Dark Scoters

Black scoters bring been turning upwards inwards both of my primary eBird areas (Arapahoe County, Colorado, together with Boone County, Missouri) inwards recent weeks.  These body of body of water ducks breed along Arctic Coasts together with on tundra lakes of Alaska together with Northern Canada, wintering along both coasts of North America too equally the Gulf Coast.

While they occasionally plow upwards on reservoirs together with lakes of the interior, they are non equally mutual away from the coasts equally their white-winged cousins.  Black scoters are unremarkably encountered inwards flocks, bobbing inwards the H2O of coastal bays together with diving for mollusks, crustaceans together with other aquatic invertebrates.  When observed on lakes of the interior, they tend to hold out lonely or inwards pocket-size groups; close deed on to coastal areas for the wintertime only roughly remain on inland lakes if adequate nutrient is available together with the waters remain open.

Unfortunately, I bring non had the chance to disclose this year's visitors to Colorado together with Missouri only I bring oft seen wintering dark scoters off Longboat Key, Florida, where nosotros ain a condo.  Wherever they are found, i cannot assistance only admire these hardy migrants from the far North.

Heaven Makes The News

This morning, piece watching a tidings study on the expiry of President George H.W. Bush, I was appalled when the anchor concluded her remarks amongst the contention that the one-time President is straight off inward sky amongst Barbara (his belatedly wife) as well as their daughter, who died at the historic menses of three.

Just every bit at that topographic point must move a separation of Church as well as State inward the Government, at that topographic point must likewise move a separation of faith as well as fact inward the tidings media.  While it is for certain acceptable for tidings organizations to study on the activities of as well as crimes inside religious groups, they should non convey sides when it comes to mysticism.  Their labor is to investigate information as well as to study truth, non to limited personal beliefs that may cause got no footing inward fact.

Mysticism corrupts human society, injecting intolerance, placing limits on scientific enquiry as well as raising doubts virtually science-based data.  While religious faith is a personal right, it should non move preached from the newsroom.

A Midwest Winter

So far, this Midwest wintertime is truthful to form.  Cloudy, cold, damp conditions has dominated my calendar month inward Central Missouri in addition to is forecast to persist until I render to Colorado adjacent weekend.  Caught betwixt Canadian mutual frigidity fronts in addition to warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico, this portion is known for its unpleasant winters.

The humid air in addition to a dearth of sunshine brand the mutual frigidity air experience colder in addition to a low, grayness overcast makes it await colder than the thermometer mightiness indicate.  The large shade trees, in addition to therefore colorful inward October, are straight off barren in addition to their brown, soggy leaves clog our gutters in addition to downspouts.  Snow, oftentimes mixed alongside rain, provides the natural beauty of this season, at to the lowest degree until its gray, slushy piles job our streets in addition to parking lots.

While nosotros may last unable to avoid the Midwest wintertime weather, nosotros tin escape to the woods in addition to wetlands, where our wild neighbors in addition to seasonal visitors are unfazed past times the conditions.  After all, their survival depends on that mental attitude and, fortunately for us, their cheerfulness in addition to optimism is contagious.

Eagle Bluffs' Other Birds

Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, on the Missouri River floodplain, is best known for its H2O birds (waterfowl, waders, shorebirds, pelicans, etc.) in addition to its raptors (especially, of course, its bald eagles).  As a result, many visitors focus on the fields in addition to wetlands, ignoring the woodlands unless it happens to hold upward the jump warbler season.

On this sunny but mutual coldness morning, the pools were frozen, occupied past times entirely a dozen trumpeter swans in addition to a little pose out of mallards in addition to gadwalls.  And piece the raptors were represented past times a lonely bald eagle, iv red-tailed hawks in addition to a red-shouldered hawk, at that topographic point was non much activeness on the icy fields.  I so turned my attending to the riparian woodlands that describe of piece of occupation approximately pools in addition to the Missouri River; this determination was rewarded alongside the sighting of almost xx species, including a pileated woodpecker, a play a joke on sparrow in addition to 2 red-breasted nuthatches (the receive down I convey always encountered at Eagle Bluffs).

While non every bit spectacular every bit the favored quarry, these woodpeckers in addition to woodland songbirds concern human relationship for a pregnant percent of the annual sightings at Eagle Bluffs (currently 246 species on eBird) in addition to each is only every bit of import to the floodplain ecosystem every bit their to a greater extent than glamorous cousins.  Today, I gave them approximately justified attention.

Short-Ear Strike-Out

Since short-eared owls accept been spotted at Bradford Farm over the by calendar week as well as since I furnish to Colorado tomorrow, I idea ane final view was inwards order.  Unfortunately, nearly of the observations accept occurred close dusk as well as my early on morn endeavour was, ane time again, unsuccessful.  On the positive side, at that spot is a decent endangerment that I volition meet them out West.

Short-eared owls breed across Canada, Alaska as well as the northwest quadrant of the Lower 48, favoring opened upward Blue Planet where they wing to a greater extent than or less the ground, hunting for rodents as well as birds.  Come fall, these raptors caput for prairies, wetlands as well as coastal dune fields across nearly of the Blue Planet as well as may hold upward institute inwards pocket-size groups where prey is abundant.  Unlike nearly owls, short-ears are oft active during the day, particularly only afterward dawn or only earlier dusk.

My involvement inwards finding these predators is partly based on nostalgia.  I discovered my get-go short-eared owl along the southeast coast of North Carolina, inwards 1976, when my birding "career" had only begun.  Flapping higher upward the dunes at Wrightsville Beach, that wintertime visitor was ane of a few species that genuinely ignited my enthusiasm for birding.

December On The Neat Plains

Leaving Columbia, Missouri, at dawn, I headed W too shortly dipped through a dense ice-fog that filled the Missouri River Valley.  Throughout western Missouri, frost-backed cattle grazed inwards icy fields piece stoic red-tailed hawks patrolled the highway from barren trees too band poles.

In eastern Kansas, an atmospheric inversion had order a lid on the Kansas River basin, producing hazy air too keeping the effluent of factories too ability plants inside a few hundred feet of the ground; the inversion broke downwards W of Junction City too brilliant sunshine lit my shape for the residue of the trip.  Throughout key Kansas, where snowbanks lined the highway, numerous flocks of crows, meadowlarks, longspurs too Canada geese moved most the farmlands; the highlight inwards this portion was a large flock of snowfall geese that funneled downwards to a crop field, E of Hays.

Farther west, on the High Plains of western Kansas too eastern Colorado, brilliant sunshine, dry out air too a steady southwest air current warmed the temperature into the depression fifties (F).  Raptors were abundant across this apartment landscape, including rough-legged hawks, prairie falcons, northern harriers, American kestrels too simply about red-tails.  As I approached Denver, the Front Range was backlit past times a spectacular sunset, producing a silhouette of mountains from the Pike's Peak massif to the Wyoming edge too a scenic halt to my Dec journeying across the Great Plains.

When Idols Locomote Truth

While perusing the New York Times this morning, I came across a study that Stephen Curry, an NBA Superstar together with certainly an idol for millions of children together with adults across the globe, stated on a podcast that he doubts humans landed on the moon.  Far from an goodness on infinite exploration, Curry should bring checked the facts earlier making a contention that mightiness influence his admirers.

Celebrities bring the chance to create a dandy bargain of goodness during their lives, peculiarly past times calling attending to the plight of poorly educated together with underserved communities; I suspect that Mr. Curry has already donated a pregnant total of fourth dimension together with coin to such causes.  But to brand rash statements that undermine historical together with scientific facts is both unsafe together with irresponsible.

America is already challenged past times a President who dismisses truth together with ridicules those who endeavour to counter his lies nearly climate change, the judicial system, our gratuitous press together with a host of other issues vital to our Democracy.  We certainly don't postulate others, peculiarly well-known celebrities, to exacerbate attacks on truth; i tin entirely start out to imagine the number of history together with scientific discipline teachers who volition hold out called upon to negate Stephen Curry's offhand remarks. 

Cackling Geese

On my walk along the South Platte this morning, I encountered a large flock of cackling geese, resting on the river.  Prior to 2004, these "small Canada geese" were considered to last subspecies of their larger cousins.  They are right away classified every bit a split upwards species though they, themselves, are represented past times several subspecies.

After nesting on the Arctic tundra of Northwest Canada in addition to Alaska, cackling geese wintertime inwards the Pacific Coast States or inwards the south-central U.S.; their numbers look to last increasing along the Colorado Front Range, both during migrations in addition to throughout the winter.  When mingling alongside Canada geese, cackling geese are relatively tardily to pose due to their smaller size, stubby bill, shorter cervix and, inwards roughly subspecies, a white neckband at the base of operations of their neck.  They besides convey a higher-pitched telephone phone than Canada geese and, inwards my experience, tend to last calmer in addition to quieter when resting on lakes or rivers.

Cackling geese are peradventure easiest to pose when flight at a distance.  While their coloration matches that of Canadas, their pocket-size size makes them await to a greater extent than similar ducks than geese.  Should the flock approach your location, their higher-pitched calls confirm the identification.

Staying Inwards Touch

My married adult woman lately mentioned that nosotros larn less than a 3rd of the Holiday cards that nosotros in 1 lawsuit received together with that at to the lowest degree one-half of them are from job solid unit of measurement members.  Of course, nosotros besides post out far fewer Holiday greetings than nosotros did when nosotros were younger.  Over the years, job solid unit of measurement responsibilities, career-related duties, relocations and, unfortunately, deaths, whittle away the set out of friends amongst whom nosotros remain inwards touch.  On the other hand, every bit nosotros age, nosotros come upwards to appreciate the vital utilization that those friends played inwards our lives together with nosotros yearn to reconnect.

Partly for that reason, I decided to essay out the world's largest social media network before this year, giving myself half dozen months to assess the benefit; I deleted my job organisation human relationship inside iv months.  What I institute was that almost of the "friends" that I accumulated on that network would endure best described every bit "past acquaintances" from high school, college together with my diverse move locations over the years.  Most of my by skillful friends either don't utilization social media or utilization it primarily for job solid unit of measurement communication.  Needless to say, my social experiment was less than rewarding together with it has larn clear that a to a greater extent than personalized essay out is inwards order.

I must acknowledge that my children's generation is much ameliorate at staying inwards acquit on amongst closed friends.  While this is partly due to their facility amongst social media, it besides seems to reverberate a commitment to remain close, including annual gatherings, reunions at weddings, etc. (to a flat that has non occurred inwards our generation).  Hopefully, that commitment volition persist every bit they historic menstruation together with they volition reap the benefits of closed friendships when they may ask them most.

The Greenery Of Winter

As nosotros approach the wintertime solstice, much of the Temperate Zone landscape appears to endure lifeless.  Brown, dry out grasslands, barren deciduous trees too leafless thickets dominate the scene spell the spend upwards of the growing flavor blows across our fields too lawns.  Fortunately, an exception is provided past times the conifers, the evergreen trees too shrubs that adorn our parks, suburbs, farmlands too forests.

Here on our Littleton farm, nosotros convey a mix of conifers, including junipers, pinon pines, Austrian pines too a few spruce trees.  Providing greenery during the wintertime months, they too attract a broad diverseness of birds that utilize their shelter too feast on their berries too nuts.  Among these residents too visitors are red-breasted nuthatches, bushtits, cedar too Bohemian waxwings, pine siskins too other to a greater extent than mutual species.  The presence of these conifers too increases our peril to encounter mount birds that may descend to lower elevations inward winter; these include northern goshawks, Steller's jays, mount chickadees, ruddy crossbills, Cassin's finches and, inward closed to years, eve grosbeaks.

The role of conifers for Christmas trees, wreaths too garlands, stems from the rituals of ancient man, who considered them signs of perpetual life too used them to fuel wintertime solstice bonfires to coax dorsum the life-giving sun.  Even today, when nosotros sympathise the solar cycle, the greenery of conifers offers promise through the dark, frigid months of winter.

Winter Birding

Novice birders to a greater extent than oftentimes than non prefer the warmer months, when they tin hike almost inwards shorts, a T-shirt too a floppy Sun hat, searching for colorful summertime residents too visitors.  Of course, about select a to a greater extent than sedate approach, observing birds from the comfort of their deck.

While veteran birders are non immune to such practices, nosotros are familiar amongst the benefits of wintertime birding, when a large diversity of seasonal residents brand it from to a greater extent than northern climes.  In add-on to this influx, raptors, songbirds too woodpeckers are easier to locate inwards the barren trees too all species tend to locomote to a greater extent than active, driven past times the bespeak for calories during this challenging season.  We too know that wintertime is the best fourth dimension to detect vagrants (that wander inwards from their park ranges) or irruptive species, forced southward past times a shortage of nutrient across their northern homeland.  Finally, those birders who alive nigh mountains relish the arrival of species that usage vertical migration, descending to to a greater extent than hospitable elevations during the wintertime months.

Winter birding, whether conducted from a motion-picture demo window or out inwards a snowy wilderness tin locomote to a greater extent than productive than many birders realize.  We humans may non locomote designed for wintertime weather condition simply our avian neighbors too visitors are good equipped to thrive during nature's culling season. 

Cold Satelite At Dusk

Road trips are non ever equally interesting equally nosotros mightiness hope, peculiarly when they cross familiar terrain.  Returning to Missouri today, the journeying across the Great Plains was far from exciting, despite the sunny, pleasant weather.

The dry out wintertime landscape, relatively devoid of wild fauna (except for numerous rough-legged hawks inwards Western Kansas) was non just scenic; indeed, solely the rust-colored grasslands of the Flint Hills qualified for that designation.  However, equally I crawled through Kansas City during rush hour, the sum Dec Luna rose inwards the twilight of dusk. 

Known equally the Cold Moon, for obvious reasons, it is oft peculiarly brilliant equally it gleams through the dry out wintertime air.  More than a beautiful natural nightlight, the Luna reminds us of Earth's vehement nativity in addition to early on history, when our lonely satellite was ripped away from the molten planet during its collision alongside a smaller planetoid (some 4.6 billion years ago).  Pummeled in addition to cratered yesteryear debris for millions of years, the Luna gradually established its compass just has since been drifting away.  As brilliant equally it was today, the Luna was much larger in addition to brighter inwards appearance when dinosaurs roamed the planet in addition to when our outset primate ancestors explored Earth's ancient forests.

Bobcat At Dawn

The Columbia Audubon Sanctuary is an splendid goal for wild animals viewing throughout the year.  On wintertime mornings, visitors are probable to take in white-tailed deer, barred together with slap-up horned owls, pileated together with red-bellied woodpeckers together with a large diversity of songbirds.  This morning, merely earlier dawn, I encountered a bobcat, which ducked into a wooded gully equally I approached.

Recognized past times their long legs together with bobbed tail, these predators are found inwards forests, opened upwardly woodlands, swamps together with deserts across North America, from Southern Canada to Mexico; long mutual inwards the Ozarks of Missouri, they convey been spreading northward together with eastward inwards recent decades.  Bobcats feed primarily on pocket-size mammals together with game birds together with are close active at dawn together with dusk; they frequently hold several dens inside their territory.

Solitary for close of the year, bobcats mate inwards mid-late wintertime together with kittens are commonly born inwards belatedly Apr or May.  Weaned inside a couplet of months, they larn to hunt throughout the summertime together with and then disperse past times autumn, establishing their ain territories.  Increasingly, those hunting grounds overlap amongst human communities but, similar coyotes, bobcats convey learned to conform to urban environments together with are to a greater extent than mutual together with widespread than ane mightiness suspect.

Those Birdless Days

On this sunny, mild solar daytime inwards cardinal Missouri, a friend too I visited iii birding hotspots this morning; our full species count was seven.  This afternoon, my married adult woman too I revisited i of those sites, adding approximately other iv species to the day's count.

Like medicine too meteorology, birding is an inexact human endeavour too expectations are non ever met; the give-and-take "usually" is oft employed.  The argue for such "birdless days" is non ever evident; every bit veteran birders know, they tin sack occur during whatever flavor of the twelvemonth too nether all weather condition conditions.  Perhaps atmospheric pressure level has something to create alongside it!

On the other hand, i of the joys of birding is non knowing what to await on whatever given day.  Patience, spell for sure important, is non ever rewarded.  Besides, birds too other wild creatures are non inwards the concern of entertaining humans; nosotros tin sack entirely promise to reveal their action too our schedules create non ever mesh.

A Brief December Spring

H5N1 rigid wintertime storm, currently centered over northwest Missouri, is dropping heavy snowfall across the Northern in addition to Central Plains.  Ahead of its mutual coldness front, spring-like weather condition has invaded key Missouri, courtesy of strong southeasterly winds that convey brought mild, humid Gulf of United Mexican United States air into the Heartland.

Heavy rains roughshod concluding night, leaving shallow pools across the regional farmlands, in addition to the southerly menses has continued today, pushing afternoon highs into the lower sixties (F).  Our belatedly Dec boundary volition survive short-lived, however, every bit the mutual coldness front end sweeps through the expanse this evening.  While nosotros are expected to escape the snow, highs volition rest inward the thirties for much of the week.

Usually, the jet flow settles into a "zonal flow" yesteryear winter, preventing broad swings inward the temperature hit across Temperate Latitudes.  As our climate warms, however, a less stable jet flow appears probable in addition to bouts of boundary inward wintertime volition for sure larn to a greater extent than common.  What effects that volition convey on Temperate ecosystems remains to survive seen.

Frugality & Conservation

As nosotros know, non everyone is an environmentalist; simply await at the impairment that Trump in addition to his legions are unleashing on natural ecosystems.  Yet, many who deny global warming or plow a blind midpoint to industrial pollution attention to fighting climate modify in addition to habitat devastation inward other ways.

Humans who are frugal past times nature bring less touching on on the environment.  By limiting their loose energy usage in addition to personal consumption, they are playing an of import purpose inward protecting our planet.  They may non openly back upward environmental regulations or donate to conservation organizations but they may endure doing to a greater extent than to bound human touching on than many citizens who are song conservationists.  Too often, nosotros humans march or write checks to demonstrate our environmentalism piece ignoring the effects of our ain consumerism.

Perhaps nosotros should endure putting to a greater extent than emphasis on personal lead than on the policies of close-minded politicians.  On the other hand, nosotros tin in addition to should create both.

Happy Novel Human Year!

On this get-go 24-hour interval of the human twelvemonth 2019, nosotros must in 1 trial again admit that it has no correlation amongst nature's year, which begins amongst the wintertime solstice.  The sun's oestrus as well as low-cal is vital to all life on our planet as well as the solar bike is hence the close appropriate Definition of a twelvemonth on Earth.

Regardless of how nosotros mightiness define the year, let's promise that humans renew their commitment to the wellness of Planet globe as well as brand every endeavor to facial expression upwards the political, industrial, agricultural as well as social forces that threaten natural ecosystems.  We tin contribute past times supporting conservation organizations, past times voting for politicians who are committed to the welfare of our surroundings as well as past times reducing our personal touching on the planet.

Let's equally good promise that American leadership is before long restored when it comes to dealing amongst climate change, environmental pollution as well as the protection of vital habitat.  Of course, that destination volition depend upon the willingness of Congress to neutralize Trump as well as his Administration, either via impeachment or through veto-proof, bi-partisan legislation.  There is currently footling argue to hold off either volition spill out exactly a novel twelvemonth brings renewed hope.

Intelligence, Noesis In Addition To Mysticism

Intelligence is the mensurate of an individual's capacity to acquire, retain together with analyze information spell noesis is the information that he/she has obtained through didactics together with personal experience.  Mysticism refers to belief systems that accept been employed past times humans throughout our history to explicate what nosotros don't or cannot understand.

Early humans were sure as shooting every bit intelligent every bit modern humans.  However, their knowledge, spell maybe superior inwards to a greater extent than or less ways (especially resulting from their intimate human relationship with natural ecosystems) was rattling limited; the advance of science, technology together with other fields of human enlightenment pose far inwards the future.  Indeed, their lives were dominated past times mysticism, which they used to explicate most natural forces together with events.

Today, every bit our noesis close the Universe together with life itself has greatly expanded, mysticism has faded inwards significance.  Yet, it retains its ability with a sizable segment of human society, specially those who are non good educated.  One mightiness hold off that tidings together with didactics would protect most humans from mysticism simply nosotros are besides discipline to fearfulness together with guilt which fuel those primitive beliefs. 

An Ordinary Week

Those of us who write, whether for enjoyment or for income, oft come across periods when compelling textile is elusive.  Since starting this blog, to a greater extent than than twelve years ago, I am to a greater extent than than familiar amongst such periods too the past times calendar week has proven to endure a classic case.

While Trump supplies an endless origin of provender for the progressive media too armchair philosophers, ane tires of his unsmooth narcissism.  As a nature writer, I prefer topics related to wildlife, ecosystems too natural history too this calendar week has offered ordinary Jan weather, mutual wild residents too a lack of rare visitors or odd events.

But complaining almost the ordinary is fraught amongst danger.  Life is curt too oft marred past times tragedy; ordinary is good.  Besides, who does non appreciate fresh air, the serenity of natural ecosystems too the companionship of wild neighbors, nonetheless mutual they powerfulness be.  There, I had something to write about!

Yellowstone Inwards Missouri

Following a nighttime of steady rainfall, I headed downward to Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, on the Missouri River floodplain.  The early on morning time sun, filtered past times a gray overcast, lit the crest of the riverside hills together with a southwest breeze swept mild, humid air into the valley.

As I was surveying flocks of mallards on a large, transient lake, a trio of white-tailed deer entered my land of vision, running across the soggy grassland together with and then splashing through the shallow border of the pool.  In their wake was a yoke of coyotes, clearly relishing the chase together with probable assessing the wellness together with stamina of the deer; to a greater extent than subject on mice, cottontails together with game birds for their sustenance, they would sure enough welcome a windfall of venison.  Watching the drama unfold, I could non assist exactly intend of the Yellowstone ecosystem, where wolves proceed the elk herds inwards check.

Indeed, the specter of deadly encounters is universal inwards nature, equally mutual inwards our backyards equally it is inwards major wilderness areas.  We may direct to ignore this chemical gene of the natural globe exactly it is vital to the wellness of all ecosystems.  On this Jan morning time inwards fundamental Missouri, it certainly held my attention.

A Leeward Aviary

On this sunny, mild morn inwards cardinal Missouri, I arrived at the Columbia Audubon Sanctuary to give away a gusty northwest air current raking the preserve.  This was a disappointing evolution since rigid winds oftentimes crusade songbirds to shelter inwards dense thickets or shrubbery, making them less visible.

As I descended a trail toward the cardinal creek, my describe of piece of occupation concern seemed justified; a few birds were heard but none were seen.  Then, on the due west side of the valley, I entered a leeward aviary, where numerous birds, protected from the air current in addition to attracted to trees that were lit in addition to warmed yesteryear the morn sun, flitted with the branches.  Indeed, of the 19 species I observed this morning, all but ane (a red-tailed hawk) were represented on that sunny hillside.  American goldfinches, dark-eyed juncos in addition to eastern bluebirds were nearly abundant piece fours species of woodpecker were nearly conspicuous.

Once I left that expanse on my two-mile loop, it was dorsum to birding yesteryear ear in addition to relatively few birds were genuinely observed.  Like humans, wild creatures gravitate to sites where they are nearly comfortable; those who await for them powerfulness admit this clue but in that place are no guarantees inwards the champaign of birding. 

A K Reopening

Now that the duck hunters bring completed their tour of duty, the northern 2/3 of Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area has reopened for birders as well as naturalists; the southern 3rd remains closed equally a refuge for wintering ducks.

On this sunny but mutual frigidness morning, it was a pleasance to access close of the preserve.  Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 dyad of grand mallards yet dominated the scene but gadwalls, northern shovelers as well as green-winged teal were observed equally well; the highlight was the presence of 44 trumpeter swans, a quarter of which were immature.  Raptors were represented yesteryear bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, a Cooper's hawk as well as a red-shouldered hawk.

Within a few to a greater extent than weeks, the boundary migration volition begin at Eagle Bluffs equally large flocks of snowfall geese, greater white-fronted geese as well as early on American white pelicans halt to residue as well as feed on the Missouri River floodplain.  The wintertime shutdown has ended as well as to a greater extent than or less of the best days at this fabulous refuge are simply a calendar month away.

A Snowstorm Inward Missouri

As I cook to provide to Colorado, a snowstorm has paralyzed much of Missouri.  Beginning every bit pelting yesterday morning, snowfall developed past times early on afternoon together with to a greater extent than than 10 inches accept accumulated hither inwards Columbia; low-cal to moderate snowfall is expected through the 24-hour interval together with a few to a greater extent than inches volition probable autumn earlier the tempest pushes off to the east.

After forming inwards New Mexico, the key depression of this strong wintertime tempest has stayed inwards southern latitudes, moving across the Texas Panhandle, Oklahoma together with Arkansas; it is expected to proceed that track, eventually crossing Georgia together with the Carolinas earlier heading out to sea.  Ahead of the low, southerly winds accept swept Gulf of United Mexican U.S.A. wet into a majority of mutual depression temperature air (reinforced past times high pressure level over the Great Lakes region).  Missouri volition probable have the brunt of the snowfall simply pregnant accumulations are likewise forecast for the Ohio Valley together with Virginia.

Thanks to my pickup, nosotros volition non hold upwards trapped past times the tempest simply close roads inwards key together with eastern Missouri remain impassable for cars together with efforts to clear suburban roads volition probable non laid about for a 24-hour interval or two; ability outages, due primarily to broken tree limbs, accept likewise plagued the region.  Though beautiful to behold, snowstorms remind us that, despite our modern structures together with vehicles, nosotros remain at the mercy of nature's power. 

Five Hundred Miles Of Snow

Heading dorsum to Colorado today, I crossed 500 miles of snowy landscape, from fundamental Missouri to western Kansas.  The deepest snowfall was inwards Columbia (still nigh a foot) together with the depth gradually decreased every 2nd I drove westward.  Once I reached the High Plains of western Kansas, the snowfall chop-chop dissipated beneath intense sunshine together with a mild southwest breeze.  Farther west, the snowfall reappeared across the Palmer Divide together with persisted into Metro Denver (another lx miles).

As expected, raptors were mutual on the snow-laden Plains together with northern harriers were particularly abundant, flight depression inwards a higher house the fields together with crop stubble.  At to the lowest degree a one-half dozen coyotes were observed on the wintry landscape together with large flocks of Canada geese reliably graced the scene.  The highlight, every 2nd is ofttimes the illustration for me, was a flock of snowfall geese that circled inwards a higher house the highway westward of Topeka.

Of my numerous route trips across the Great Plains, this was sure enough i of the snowiest (though no snowfall was falling and, fortunately, the Interstate was clear together with dry).  As the climate warms together with wintertime snowfall encompass decreases, this may larn a rare sense for futurity travelers. 

Death On The Initial Journey

Tundra swans, formerly known equally whistling swans, breed along the Arctic Coasts of Alaska together with Western Canada.  Monogamous, adult pairs rest together throughout the twelvemonth together with enhance upwards to vii cygnets each summer.  Fledged inside 2 months, the immature rest amongst their parents through the commencement wintertime together with disperse the next spring.

Most tundra swans wintertime on estuaries along the Pacific Coast (from Alaska to Northern California) or along the Mid Atlantic Coast.  Smaller numbers caput for wetland areas of the Desert Southwest together with Southern Plains together with to a greater extent than or less movement due south along the Colorado Front Range en route.  Over the past times few weeks, a lonely immature tundra swan settled on a lake at South Platte Park; clearly he/she became separated from the solid unit of measurement or could non proceed footstep due to a congenital or acquired illness.  Indeed, inward recent days, several birders noted that the visitor seemed to live sick and, this morning, it was dead, lying on the shore of the lake.

Tundra swans convey an expected natural lifespan of 15-20 years.  Obviously, our visitor did non last his/her initial journeying from the Arctic, peradventure succumbing to a genetic defect or peradventure poisoned past times the careless action of humans.  Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 life cutting curt is ever a sorry number merely when the victim is a beautiful together with graceful long-distance migrant, the croak seems peculiarly tragic.

Refuge On The River

Recent mutual frigidness conditions has iced over almost of the ponds too lakes along the Colorado Front Range too the South Platte River has larn a magnet for wintering waterfowl, specially through the night.  The moving H2O is relatively warm too sandbars offering protection from trick too coyotes.

Early this morning, huge flocks of Canada geese too smaller groups of cackling geese clogged the stream, joined past times a host of wintering ducks; mallards dominated the latter grouping simply gadwalls, greater too lesser scaup, buffleheads, mutual goldeneyes, ring-necked ducks too mutual too hooded mergansers were besides present.  Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 stoic slap-up bluish heron stalked the shallows spell a bald eagle surveyed the scene from a cottonwood, no dubiousness watching for whatever sign of injury alongside the congregants.

Shortly later sunrise, the geese became restless too began to disperse to nearby fields, golf game courses too crop fields where they volition feast on grass, seeds too waste materials grain.  Most of the ducks volition rest on the river spell unopen to powerfulness caput for larger lakes that are at 1 time partly open.  Come evening, they'll all provide to their refuge on the river.

Tale Of 2 Current Of Air Directions

For most of the day, a gusty SSW air current brought sunshine in addition to mild temperatures to the Colorado Front Range.  Produced past times high pressure level to our northeast in addition to depression pressure level to our west, this air current was downsloping from the Front Range in addition to from the Palmer Divide to our south.  As air descends, it heats upward in addition to dries out, producing the mild, sunny conditions.

About 3:30 PM, the air current all of a abrupt shifted from the northeast, reflecting the fact that a mutual depression temperature front end had crossed the urban corridor.  From that signal on, the air current was upsloping, pulling inward wet from the High Plains in addition to cooling the air equally it was forced to ascension past times the terrain.  The mountains in addition to foothills to our W were presently hidden past times clouds in addition to haze in addition to snowfall is expected to prepare along the Front Range after this evening.  Continuing through the nighttime in addition to during the morn hours, upward to eight inches of accumulation are expected, peculiarly inward western in addition to southern suburbs of Metro Denver.

Here along the Colorado Front Range, weather condition is all most air current administration in addition to a abrupt shift inward the air current leads to a dramatic alter inward temperature in addition to cloud cover.  Since I was outdoors this afternoon, that transition was at nowadays apparent; our avian residents took detect equally well, all of a abrupt flocking to the feeding expanse where a calorie rootage is readily available.

Venus-Jupiter Conjunction

This morning, every bit the root calorie-free of dawn spread across the eastern horizon, Venus too Jupiter were paired inward the southeastern sky.  They convey been "approaching" 1 or then other inward the morn sky for the past times calendar week too volition directly gradually form out every bit the calendar month progresses.

Venus, much brighter from our advantage point, volition slow sink toward the eastern horizon spell Jupiter volition deed higher inward the morn sky.  The "conjunction" of our 2 brightest neighbors was closest yesterday morn only clouds obscured the spectacle along the Colorado Front Range.

Such astronomical events, spell inspiring to observe, are deceptive, a mere production of our advantage indicate hither on Earth; Venus too Jupiter stay every bit far apart every bit usual.  Nevertheless, nosotros humans convey long been fascinated past times the get of heavenly bodies too hold off for or then mystical significance when they exceed inward the night.

An Incursion Of Ring-Necks

Throughout my birding career, which spans to a greater extent than than 40 years, ring-necked ducks bring normally been "also rans" on my plain trips.  Best identified yesteryear the prominent white band on their bills (they should endure called "ring-billed ducks"), they bring mostly been outnumbered yesteryear other waterfowl species.

Yesterday, on an afternoon walk at South Platte Park, the tables were turned.  While the largest lake was mostly iced over, smaller ponds had thawed in addition to ring-necked ducks (totaling 83) were to a greater extent than than twice equally numerous equally the runner-up (northern shovelers).  Prior to that plain trip, I had seen no to a greater extent than than 6 ring-necks at whatever place during the electrical current wintertime waterfowl season.

After breeding across Canada, the Pacific Northwest, the Great Lakes portion in addition to northern New England, where they prefer freshwater, woodland lakes, ring-necked ducks mostly pass the wintertime across the southern one-half of the US or further southward inwards Central America.  Though they are diving ducks, feeding on aquatic plants in addition to invertebrates, they besides feed inwards shallow H2O in addition to may fifty-fifty scour flooded fields for waste materials grain. Yesterday's incursion was a particular process for me only nowhere nigh the tape for Colorado (1400) or for Arapahoe County (413), equally documented on eBird.