Today, the Juno probe began to orbit Jupiter. After traveling 1.8 billion miles over five years, the probe will spend the next two years studying our solar system's largest planet, beaming information back to Earth, some 500 million miles away. Following that mission, Juno will crash into the massive planet, the first product of human ingenuity to reach its surface.
Meanwhile, two days from now, The Ark will open to the public in Williamstown, Kentucky. Built to specifications outlined in the Bible, the Ark will house exhibits which "reveal" specifics regarding the life of Noah, the Great Flood and the management of the menagerie onboard the wooden ship. True believers will no doubt flock to the site, paying good money to reinforce their faith.
This week's events highlight the ongoing juxtaposition of scientific achievement and religious mysticism in modern human society. Long before humans understood the nature of our solar system, the story of Noah and his Ark were ingrained in Judeo-Christian culture. Despite the knowledge that we humans have since attained, the simplistic concept of a Great Flood, documented in Holy Scripture, carries more weight among believers than does the vast amount of scientific evidence that validates the theory of evolution.
Tuesday, 5 July 2016
Sunday, 3 July 2016
Algal Sludge in Southeast Florida
Over the past few weeks, a thick layer of putrid algae has been accumulating along canals and estuaries in Southeast Florida, centered near Stuart. This unnatural scourge is threatening both the local economy and the welfare of regional wildlife.
The culprit is polluted water in Lake Okeechobee which, during periods of heavy rain, is released into the upper watersheds of adjacent rivers to relieve pressure an an aging dike; the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee rivers receive the brunt of the runoff. Once the nutrient-rich freshwater mixes with sea water at the coast, an algal bloom is triggered, covering the shallows with a toxic carpet of noxious and unhealthy sludge. The only remedy is to cut off the flow of nitrogenous waste (primarily agricultural fertilizer) that fuels the bloom.
Repeated episodes have occurred over the years and politicians, at both the State and Federal levels, have stymied efforts to provide a solution (i.e. cleaning up Lake Okeechobee and expanding its basin to eliminate seasonal overflow). While the tragic effects of pollution are clearly evident in this case, much of human-induced pollution across the globe goes unnoticed for extended periods of time, destroying ecosystems and poisoning wildlife long before the effects become evident. The warnings of conservationists are often ridiculed by polluting industries (and the politicians whom they fund) until species are lost, fisheries are decimated and our natural environment is forever changed.
The culprit is polluted water in Lake Okeechobee which, during periods of heavy rain, is released into the upper watersheds of adjacent rivers to relieve pressure an an aging dike; the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee rivers receive the brunt of the runoff. Once the nutrient-rich freshwater mixes with sea water at the coast, an algal bloom is triggered, covering the shallows with a toxic carpet of noxious and unhealthy sludge. The only remedy is to cut off the flow of nitrogenous waste (primarily agricultural fertilizer) that fuels the bloom.
Repeated episodes have occurred over the years and politicians, at both the State and Federal levels, have stymied efforts to provide a solution (i.e. cleaning up Lake Okeechobee and expanding its basin to eliminate seasonal overflow). While the tragic effects of pollution are clearly evident in this case, much of human-induced pollution across the globe goes unnoticed for extended periods of time, destroying ecosystems and poisoning wildlife long before the effects become evident. The warnings of conservationists are often ridiculed by polluting industries (and the politicians whom they fund) until species are lost, fisheries are decimated and our natural environment is forever changed.
Saturday, 2 July 2016
North of the Dome
Over the past week, a subtropical dome of high pressure has been developing across eastern Mexico and the northern Gulf Coast. Pushing into the Southern Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley, it is both shunting Pacific storm systems to the north and fueling the Southwest Monsoon.
Along the outer edge of this atmospheric dome, moisture flows across Mexico (from east to west) and then up through the Four Corner States; this flow is augmented by low pressure over the Desert Southwest, which draws in moisture from the Sea of Cortez. Just north of the dome, the moisture combines with inflow from the Pacific and moves eastward along a stationary front; pulses of low pressure move along the front, igniting thunderstorms and torrential rain. "Training" across the same path (from eastern Kansas to southern Ohio), the storms will drop up to 5 inches of rain in some areas; northern Missouri is forecast to receive the brunt of the deluge.
Here in Columbia, light drizzle developed at 6:30 AM; steady rain has since moved in and will likely continue (off and on) for the next two days. While the rains will provide welcome relief from our ongoing drought, heavy downpours on sun-baked soil will rapidly drain into creeks and rivers, setting the stage for flash floods.
Along the outer edge of this atmospheric dome, moisture flows across Mexico (from east to west) and then up through the Four Corner States; this flow is augmented by low pressure over the Desert Southwest, which draws in moisture from the Sea of Cortez. Just north of the dome, the moisture combines with inflow from the Pacific and moves eastward along a stationary front; pulses of low pressure move along the front, igniting thunderstorms and torrential rain. "Training" across the same path (from eastern Kansas to southern Ohio), the storms will drop up to 5 inches of rain in some areas; northern Missouri is forecast to receive the brunt of the deluge.
Here in Columbia, light drizzle developed at 6:30 AM; steady rain has since moved in and will likely continue (off and on) for the next two days. While the rains will provide welcome relief from our ongoing drought, heavy downpours on sun-baked soil will rapidly drain into creeks and rivers, setting the stage for flash floods.
Friday, 1 July 2016
In Search of Grosbeaks
Having learned that blue grosbeaks were recently sighted at Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, a friend and I searched for them on our morning visit to that fabulous floodplain refuge. As is often the case in nature, we failed to locate our quarry but saw many other species in the process; indeed, we encountered more than 45 avian species during our two hour visit.
Among the morning highlights was a large flock of American white pelicans, an abundance of great blue herons, a few bald eagles, a handful of great egrets and the usual mix of summer songbirds, dominated by indigo buntings, dickcissels, tree swallows and, of course, red-winged blackbirds; other sightings included yellow-billed cuckoos, eastern phoebes, eastern kingbirds, Baltimore and orchard orioles and a lone blue-gray gnatcatcher.
Fortunately, blue grosbeaks often stick around to raise a second brood and we should have more opportunities to observe these attractive summer residents before they depart for Central America and the Caribbean. Whether those attempts will be fruitful remains to be seen but uncertainty fuels the joy of birding.
Among the morning highlights was a large flock of American white pelicans, an abundance of great blue herons, a few bald eagles, a handful of great egrets and the usual mix of summer songbirds, dominated by indigo buntings, dickcissels, tree swallows and, of course, red-winged blackbirds; other sightings included yellow-billed cuckoos, eastern phoebes, eastern kingbirds, Baltimore and orchard orioles and a lone blue-gray gnatcatcher.
Fortunately, blue grosbeaks often stick around to raise a second brood and we should have more opportunities to observe these attractive summer residents before they depart for Central America and the Caribbean. Whether those attempts will be fruitful remains to be seen but uncertainty fuels the joy of birding.
Thursday, 30 June 2016
Wild Grape Vines
Today I engaged in my semiannual attempt to control wild grape vines throughout the wood border of our Columbia, Missouri, property. While the fruit of this fast growing vine is an important food source for many songbirds and mammals, the aggressive vines can cause significant damage to trees and shrubs, blocking sunlight and weighing down the supporting plants.
Native to humid, Temperate areas of the Northern Hemisphere, wild grape vines are represented by at least 60 species; of course, domesticated grape vines are derived from these wild species. Most wild grape vines (unlike domesticated species) produce only male or female flowers on any given plant; these flowers, which appear during the second year of new growth, are pollinated by the wind and yield loose clumps of purple-black grapes by late summer. Seeds are dispersed by wildlife that feast on the fruit but new growth may also sprout from older vine stumps (as many homeowners know all too well). Frequent cutting of the vines is the most ecologic means of controlling their expansion.
When I was a pre-teen in the woods of Greater Cincinnati (see Wonderland), large grape vines were a godsend, allowing us to swing out over ponds or creek beds. As an adult homeowner, my image of these prolific plants has become far less positive.
Native to humid, Temperate areas of the Northern Hemisphere, wild grape vines are represented by at least 60 species; of course, domesticated grape vines are derived from these wild species. Most wild grape vines (unlike domesticated species) produce only male or female flowers on any given plant; these flowers, which appear during the second year of new growth, are pollinated by the wind and yield loose clumps of purple-black grapes by late summer. Seeds are dispersed by wildlife that feast on the fruit but new growth may also sprout from older vine stumps (as many homeowners know all too well). Frequent cutting of the vines is the most ecologic means of controlling their expansion.
When I was a pre-teen in the woods of Greater Cincinnati (see Wonderland), large grape vines were a godsend, allowing us to swing out over ponds or creek beds. As an adult homeowner, my image of these prolific plants has become far less positive.
Tuesday, 28 June 2016
Symphony at Dusk
Drier air, a gentle breeze and cooler temperatures drew me outside this evening for a late-day survey of our property. Since the trees are in full leaf and the daylight was fading, there was far more to hear than to see.
A rising background din was provided by annual cicadas that started their tune-ups earlier this week; crickets joined in as well, their chirps not near as intense as they will soon become. As usual, the songs of robins and cardinals dominated the avian chorus, mellowed by the soft calls of mourning doves and the distant chatter of chickadees; not to be ignored, Carolina wrens delivered their loud, ringing tunes from hidden retreats. Squadrons of chimney swifts twittered overhead and the sharp "peents" of nighthawks echoed from the darkening sky. Some nights, though not this evening, the questioning call of a barred owl rises from the nearby woods, bringing dusk's symphony to a close.
To fully appreciate the diversity of our wild neighbors, we must come to know them by voice as well as by sight. A pleasant summer evening offers a good opportunity to practice that skill.
A rising background din was provided by annual cicadas that started their tune-ups earlier this week; crickets joined in as well, their chirps not near as intense as they will soon become. As usual, the songs of robins and cardinals dominated the avian chorus, mellowed by the soft calls of mourning doves and the distant chatter of chickadees; not to be ignored, Carolina wrens delivered their loud, ringing tunes from hidden retreats. Squadrons of chimney swifts twittered overhead and the sharp "peents" of nighthawks echoed from the darkening sky. Some nights, though not this evening, the questioning call of a barred owl rises from the nearby woods, bringing dusk's symphony to a close.
To fully appreciate the diversity of our wild neighbors, we must come to know them by voice as well as by sight. A pleasant summer evening offers a good opportunity to practice that skill.
Monday, 27 June 2016
The Rise of Nationalism
As evidenced by the Brexit vote in England and the success (hopefully transient) of Donald Trump's Candidacy, nationalism is on the rise across the globe, especially in developed Western countries. This movement seems to have its roots in the inequalities of globalization and the fear of immigration (especially in light of recent terrorist attacks). Of course, racism and religious zealotry are at play as well.
Unfortunately, some politicians are taking advantage of the anger, fear and intolerance, placing emphasis on the risks of globalization and promising to protect legal citizens from the dangers of immigration, trade agreements and "cultural dilution." Older, less educated and more provincial individuals, many having lost their jobs to outsourcing and failing industries (e.g. coal mining, manufacturing, textiles), are most receptive to their message.
While some of these inequities and concerns are legitimate, globalization is here to stay and international cooperation is vital in our efforts to assist developing countries, to prevent war and to combat the threats of pollution, ecologic degradation and climate change. In the end, we must address the problems associated with globalization without resorting to nationalism; otherwise, we will destroy both our economy and our planet.
Unfortunately, some politicians are taking advantage of the anger, fear and intolerance, placing emphasis on the risks of globalization and promising to protect legal citizens from the dangers of immigration, trade agreements and "cultural dilution." Older, less educated and more provincial individuals, many having lost their jobs to outsourcing and failing industries (e.g. coal mining, manufacturing, textiles), are most receptive to their message.
While some of these inequities and concerns are legitimate, globalization is here to stay and international cooperation is vital in our efforts to assist developing countries, to prevent war and to combat the threats of pollution, ecologic degradation and climate change. In the end, we must address the problems associated with globalization without resorting to nationalism; otherwise, we will destroy both our economy and our planet.
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