Coexistence

April 20, 2025

Earlier this week the NY Times carried an article by Jack Nicas about an invasion occurring in Argentina. Since the pandemic, “carpinchos,” as they are known, have proliferated in Nordelta, a ritzy gated community of 45,000 people north of Buenos Aires. Over the past two years, biologists estimate the capybara population has tripled to nearly 1,000 in this gated community, posing a test case for the urban coexistence of humans and wildlife. While most residents find them cute, they also cause traffic accidents, chomp their way through gardens, and have occasionally attacked some of the community’s smallest dogs. These actions have led to an effort to place controls on the animals. Veronica Esposito is one of a small group of neighbors leading a rebellion against the controls. They have protested in the streets, taken legal action against developers, and gathered 25,000 signatures for an online petition to protect the animals. “I believe their adorableness is a strategy of the species itself to survive.” said Silvia Soto, the most vocal neighbor. In February, the Nordelta organization told residents in an email that it was moving ahead with a “contraceptive vaccination program,” to sterilize 250 adult capybaras. It seems some do not want coexistence.

When I looked online, I found the future of wildlife depends on the willingness and capacity of human coexistence. To coexist means to live in a dynamic state where the needs and interests of both humans and wildlife living in proximity to each other are generally met. This coexistence may not be entirely free of negative interactions and may still contain some level of impact on both people and wildlife. Living together is especially dependent on a level of tolerance on the human side. Humans have lived alongside wildlife for thousands of years, but conflict arises when the presence or behavior of wildlife poses a direct or perceived threat to people’s needs, interests, and safety. As our planet becomes increasingly crowded, livable space is decreased by accelerated climate change, habitat loss, and competition for resources. What it means to share space with wildlife differs drastically from place to place and from species to species, which often makes moving toward coexistence a complex and ever-evolving target.

Thirty years ago, Nordelta was an untouched wetland where capybaras roamed free, hunted by pumas, jaguars, caiman, and sport hunters. Eduardo Constantini, the real estate developer who controls the Nordelta organization, began transforming the area in the late 1990’s, building housing, infrastructure, a shopping center, and a golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus. Construction has been nearly nonstop. Ms. Soto argued that the capybara population is only increasing because developers destroyed the animals’ wild habitat, forcing them out of the forest and into the suburbs. As capybara grazed on a playground, a married couple walking by held different views of the plight of the animals. Felipo Contigiani said he used to hunt capybara as a child and had little sympathy, “It’s a wild animal that came to live in the city.” His wife Lidia Schmidt corrected him, “No, the city came to settle where the wild animal was.” Coexistence seems a long way off.

THOUGHTS: To achieve some level of coexistence between people and wildlife, various stakeholders must partner together to address the challenges and devise solutions that focus on the benefits of living alongside wildlife. This is especially true for the local communities who are often directly negatively impacted by living with wildlife. The town of Churchill in northern Manitoba, Canada is most famous for the many polar bears that move toward the shore from inland in the autumn, leading to the nickname “Polar Bear Capital of the World”. Coexistence often means a willingness to think outside the box. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Barrier

April 19, 2025

My MSN browser reported on a recent discovery in Australia on the region’s marine life. The research was published in Science Advances and shows how marine dynamics could have far-reaching implications for understanding the resilience of oceanic ecosystems. Research found that the Marine reserves on the Great Barrier Reef outperformed expectations, with fish densities two to three times higher than in zones where fishing is allowed. This is especially true for the leopard coral grouper (Plectropomus leopardus), or coral trout, which is a key species for both biodiversity and commercial fisheries. The sanctuaries serve as critical breeding grounds where the fish grow larger and produce more offspring. The baby fish then migrate to fishing zones, maintaining catch levels without depleting stocks. Researchers found that even though the reserves make up less than a third of the Great Barrier Reef, about 55% of all coral trout reproduction and 47% of the total catch across the reef originates from these protected areas.

When I looked online, I found the Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system. The system is composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for over 1,400 miles (2,300 km) over an area of approximately 133,000 miles² (344,400 km²). The reef is in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland, Australia, separated from the coast by a channel up to 100 miles (160 km) wide and over 200 feet (61 m) deep. The Great Barrier Reef can be seen from outer space and is the world’s largest single structure made by living organisms. The reef is composed of and built by billions of tiny coral polyps (phylum Cnidaria, subphylum Anthozoa) and supports a wide diversity of life. The reef was selected as a World Heritage Site in 1981, and CNN labelled it one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World in 1997. Australian World Heritage places included it in its list in 2007 and the Queensland National Trust named it a state icon of Queensland in 2006.

The study used an innovative mix of fish surveys, genetic testing, ocean current modeling, and reef mapping to pull together decades of data. Researchers found the benefits of marine reserves extend far beyond their boundaries. Nearly 95% of reefs receive at least 30% of their baby fish from reserves, and 93% of fished reefs get at least 30% of their catch from protected areas, demonstrating the far-reaching impact of conservation strategies. As fish from protected areas travel and repopulate nearby reefs, the entire ecosystem becomes more resilient. Michael Bode, of the QUT School of Mathematical Sciences, said, “By protecting fish populations within these no-take zones, we not only safeguard biodiversity but also guarantee that there will be a new generation of fish on the reefs that are open to fishing.” Environmental pressures on the Barrier Reef come from runoff of human made pollutants, climate change (mass coral bleaching), dumping of dredging sludge, and cyclic population outbreaks of the crown-of-thorns starfish. The reef has lost more than half its coral cover since 1985.

THOUGHTS: This recent study of the protected areas in the Great Barrier Reef shows the synergy between conservation and economic security. By ensuring that fish populations remain healthy and abundant, marine reserves support sustainable fishing practices, helping local fishers and coastal communities maintain their livelihoods without compromising long-term ocean health. The Australian government is investing millions into reef protection and this study offers evidence that marine conservation is not at odds with economic growth. While some consider such government-funded studies to be frivolous, they can guide better practices to benefit the economy and natural ecosystems. Sticking your head in the sand or ignoring problems has never proven to be viable for long-term growth. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Colossal

April 18, 2025

My MSN browser reported that the world’s largest squid species was filmed and photographed in its natural habitat for the first time since scientists discovered it about a century ago. The video was recorded in the South Atlantic on March 9th by the crew of a vessel owned by the Schmidt Ocean Institute. The crew’s remotely operated vehicle sighted the animal 2,000 feet (609.6 m) below the surface around the South Sandwich Islands, a volcanic archipelago located between the tip of South America and Antarctica. The squid caught on video was a juvenile and much smaller than a full-grown adult. The research team estimated its size at around 11 inches (28 cm) long. According to the Schmidt Ocean Institute, the expedition occurred during a 35-day voyage where researchers sought to find new marine life. Although this was a juvenile, the squid can become enormous and have been named colossal squid.

When I looked online, I found the colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni) is a species of large squid belonging to the family Cranchiidae, known as cockatoo squids or glass squids. Glass squid are a group of about 60 squid species that have transparent bodies. As the squid grow their bodies become opaque over time. The colossal is sometimes called the Antarctic cranch squid or giant squid (not to be confused with the genus Architeuthis) and is believed to be the largest squid species in terms of mass. Individuals have been confirmed to reach at least 1,091 pounds (495 kg). Beaks found in sperm whale stomachs suggest some may weigh as much as 1,300 to 1,500 pounds (600 to 700 kilograms). That would make it the largest extant invertebrate. The maximum total length has been estimated between 33 to 46 feet (10 to 14 m). The colossal squid has the largest eyes of any known creature to ever exist, with an estimated diameter of 11 to 12 inches (27 to 30 cm), with a whopping 15 inches (40 cm) for the largest collected specimen. The colossal is presumed to be an ambush predator, with a diet including various fish, and is likely a key prey item of the sperm whale.

Chief scientist Dr. Michelle Taylor said the team was initially unsure what the squid was but filmed the animal because it was “beautiful and unusual”. The footage was later verified by Dr. Kat Bolstad, who said previous squid encounters had mostly been as remains in whale and seabird stomachs. A distinguishing feature of the species is the presence of hooks on the middle of their eight arms. Dying adults have previously been filmed by people fishing but they have never been seen alive at depth. The Natural History Museum has suggested it is hard to estimate the global population of colossal squids. In 2022, the institution said the lack of observations meant that, “even to this day, the enormous invertebrates still straddle the line between legend and reality”. The Schmidt Ocean Institute’s research trips have led to the first sightings of four species of squid, including the colossal squid sighting. The institute’s executive director Jyotika Virmani described the encounters moments which “continue to remind us that the Ocean is brimming with mysteries yet to be solved.”

THOUGHTS: The recording of the colossal and other three species of squid is another reminder of the amazing diversity yet to be discovered in the oceans of the earth. Yet even as we seek and find new life, the actions of humans are threatening to destroy the species and ecosystems that are known. It is unclear whether the Ocean depths are so far immune from human intervention, or just so far out of our radar that we do not see the changes we are making. It is known that microplastics have been found in the bodies of deep-water fish. We need to take steps to preserve these fragile ecosystems while there is still time. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Partula

March 28, 2025

This morning’s MSN browser caught my eye with an article on a creature that has managed to return from extinction. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species has reclassified a peanut sized snail as critically endangered after being previously declared extinct in the wild, according to a release from the Zoological Society of London (ZSL). The snail’s comeback is credited to a decades-long conservation program led by ZSL and its global partners. Paul Pearce-Kelly, leader of the conservation program, said in a news release, “This is a landmark moment for Partula tohiveana and for decades of international conservation work. Seeing a species return from the brink after years of collaborative effort is exactly why we do what we do.” The press release states that the reclassification follows the discovery of adult Partula snails born in the wild.

When I looked online, I found Partula tohiveana is one of several species with the common name Moorean viviparous tree snail. The species is an air-breathing tropical land snail in the family Partulidae endemic to highlands on Moorea, French Polynesia. The species was reintroduced into the wild in 2024 and by September “born in the wild” snails were observed for the first time in 40 years, meaning the species is officially considered re-established. While the snail is still critically endangered, it had been extinct in the wild since the 1980’s. The snail is the first invertebrate species to be successfully re-established following an Extinct in the Wild IUCN status. ZSL started breeding these snails in the 1980’s after the invasive carnivorous rosy wolf snail (Euglandina rosea) began to threaten the Partula tohiveana’s wild population. The snails were bred and cared for under carefully controlled conditions and were then marked with UV reflective paint prior to their release back into their forest habitats. The 2024 reintroduction saw the release of about 6,000 snails from 10 species and sub-species of Partula snails raised at zoos worldwide.

Ali Reynolds, Senior Keeper, Lower Vertebrates & Invertebrates at the Marwell Wildlife Zoo, said: “It was so heartening when I heard the news of tohiveana being downlisted, it makes all our efforts worthwhile, and shows what a difference zoos can make.” Reynolds has a tattoo on her arm with a picture of a snail along with words, “never give up”. She went on to say the more you learn about Partula, the more fascinating they become. The snails show a high level of speciation, and a single species can evolve in very small specific areas, at times even living in only one valley. They are unusual amongst snails, as they do not lay eggs, but give birth to a single live young. Their name comes from Partula, the Roman goddess of birth. “Given the cause of their decline is entirely manmade, we have a responsibly to try to make things right, and this shows that is possible!”

THOUGHTS: One of the global partners that aided the reintroduction of Partula was the Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kansas. My parents lived there and always had a season pass to the zoo, so when we held reunions, we would all go. This was usually in August and turned out to be the hottest day of the year (100+F/37.7+C). Zoos have always been a subject of interest and debate. Some say they play a crucial role in conserving endangered species and educating the public. Others say they represent captivity for profit and do more harm than good. Zoos do support conservation through breeding and donations that are critical for groups working in areas trying to preserve wildlife. A critical argument for zoos is that people need to see animals to care about their protection and most urban populations will likely never get the opportunity to experience these animals in the wild. Direct encounters with animals encourage people to adopt more eco-friendly behaviors and feel more invested in conservation efforts. Longer life (with ethical treatment) is a tradeoff for freedom. As with humans, not all feel the cost is worth it. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Python

March 21, 2025

This morning’s local newspaper carried a USA Today article on the adaptability of the Burmese python in Florida. The snakes have been established in the Everglades since the 1990’s but recent studies and sightings indicate the cold-blooded reptiles have adapted to cooler temperatures and different habitats. One reason for the adaptation is crossbreeding with the Indian rock python (Python molurus) which has also been introduced into the habitat. Genetic evidence by the USGS shows at least 13 out of 400 pythons studied were crossbred. Climate change could expand their range by 2100 to include New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Colorado, and parts of Washington State. Southern states with climates like the native range of the Burmese python include all of Florida, most of California, the Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, and Oklahoma.

When I looked online, I found the Burmese python (Python bivittatus) is one of the largest species of snakes in the world. The species is a dark-colored non-venomous snake with many brown blotches bordered by black down the back. Burmese pythons typically grow to 16 feet (5 m) but unconfirmed specimens of over 23 feet (7 m) have been reported. The species is sexually dimorphic with females slightly longer but considerably heavier and bulkier than males. Length-weight comparisons in captive Burmese pythons for females have shown at 11 feet 5 inches (3.47 m) length, a specimen weighed 64 pounds (29 kg) and a specimen of 16 feet (5 m) weighed 165 pounds (75 kg). Length-weight comparisons for males found a specimen of 9 feet 2 inches (2.8 m) weighed 26 pounds (12 kg) and a specimen of 10 feet (3.05 m) weighed 41 pounds (18.5 kg). Individuals over 16 feet (5 m) are rare for either sex. The Burmese is native to a large area of Southeast Asia where it is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. It is an invasive species in Florida because of the pet trade.

Importing Burmese pythons was banned in the US in January 2012 by the US Department of the Interior. A 2012 report stated, “in areas where the snakes are well established, foxes and rabbits have disappeared. Sightings of raccoons are down by 99.3%, opossums by 98.9%, and white-tailed deer by 94.1%.” Road surveys between 2003 and 2011 indicated an 87.3% decrease in bobcat (Lynx rufus) populations, and in some areas, rabbits (Sylvilagus palustris) have disappeared. Bird and coyote (Canis latrans) populations may be threatened, as well as the rare Florida panther (Puma concolor couguar). Burmese pythons compete with the native American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), and numerous instances of alligators and pythons attacking, and even preying on, each other. By 2011, researchers identified up to 25 species of birds from nine avian orders in the digestive tract remains of 85 Burmese pythons found in Everglades National Park. Native bird populations are suffering a negative impact from the introduction of the Burmese python in Florida and the wood stork (Mycteria americana) is now listed as federally endangered.

THOUGHTS: A Burmese python named “Baby” was the heaviest snake recorded in the world in 1999 at 403 pounds (182.8 kg), much heavier than any wild snake ever measured. Her length was measured at 18 feet (5.74 m). Efforts in Florida have removed over 23,000 pythons since 2000, but trappers have caught less than 1% of the estimated population of tens of thousands. Lisa Thompson of the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission said, “Every python removed from the Florida landscape is one less invasive snake impacting our native wildlife and ecosystems.” While importing exotic wildlife may be chic, bringing them (and allowing them to escape) into compatible ecosystems is never a good idea. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Parthenogenesis

February 21, 2025

Inside the front section of Monday’s newspaper was a USA Today article on the birth of a baby swell shark (Cephaloscyllium ventriosum). The swell shark pup hatched on January 3rd after an egg was spotted by the Shreveport aquarium’s animal husbandry team eight months ago. The birth could be from rare form of asexual reproduction (parthenogenesis), or from delayed fertilization. The two female sharks present in the tank had not been in contact with a male for more than three years. A DNA analysis once the pup is big enough for a blood sample to be taken will determine how the birth occurred, but it will take months before the test can be performed. “This situation is incredible and shows the resilience of this species,” said Greg Barrick, the curator of live animals at Shreveport aquarium. “We are very excited in the coming months to confirm whether this was indeed a case of parthenogenesis or if it was delayed fertilization.”

When I looked online, I found parthenogenesis (Greek parthénos, “virgin” and “génesis, “creation”) is a natural form of asexual reproduction in which the embryo develops directly from an egg without need for fertilization. In animals, parthenogenesis means the development of an embryo from an unfertilized egg cell. Parthenogenesis occurs naturally in some plants, algae, invertebrate animal species, and a few vertebrates (some fish, amphibians, and reptiles) and has been induced artificially in animal species that naturally reproduce through sex (fish, amphibians, and mice). Normal egg cells form in the process of meiosis (division) and have half as many chromosomes as their mother’s body cells (haploid). Such individuals are usually non-viable, and parthenogenetic offspring usually have a complete number of chromosomes (diploid). In parthenogenesis, the offspring having all of the mother’s genetic material are called full clones and those having only half are called half clones.

The baby shark has been named Yoko, after the Native American Chumash people’s word for shark (onyoko) and is said to be thriving, although sharks born by such reproduction face significant challenges. The aquarium staff said she will leave an “unforgettable legacy” to the study of shark reproduction and conservation. If Yoko was born via parthenogenesis, she would join a small number of invertebrate animals capable of “virgin births”. Laying eggs without mating is much rarer in vertebrates, but it has been seen in zebra sharks (Stegostoma tigrinum), sawfish (Pristis zijsron) and a handful of reptiles. This type of birth was first documented in Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis) in 2006 in two separate British zoos. Charlotte, a stingray (Hypanus americanus) in an aquarium in North Carolina, was found to be pregnant in 2024 despite not having been in contact with a male for eight years. While scientists assume vertebrates turn to parthenogenesis when no mates are present, it is unknown why they occur and what triggers birth.

THOUGHTS: Whether Yoko was born from delayed reproduction or parthenogenesis, she is an extraordinary birth. The aquarium staff said she will leave an “unforgettable legacy” to the study of shark reproduction and conservation. While the behavior of domesticated animals has long been studied (ethology) attention has only focused on animals in the wild during the last century. What we have found is they are far more complex and diversified than we previously believed. The study has even forced us to reconsider what “makes us human”. It seems we are not so different after all. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Waves

February 05, 2025

Last night’s sleep was hard as our ship headed into the Aegean Sea. Melissa had worried about being on open water and prepared with a motion sickness remedy. The problem was, she did not take it in advance. I reserved an elegant Italian dinner in the ship-board restaurant, and we were seated next to a window to allow us to overlook the water. The meal started as we watched the rolling waves along with our first three courses. By the time we reached the main course melissa’s stomach was rolling along with the ocean. She excused herself and went back to our stateroom for the medicine. I finished the meal (it was amazing) and watched as the waves continued to roll. I thought nothing of the waves as I crawled into bed and lay down for what I thought was going to be a good night’s sleep. I was wrong. When I lay down all I could feel was the rolling of the ocean. Neither of us had been on a ship in the open ocean and we figured we were just being susceptible to the rolling waves.

When I looked online, I found most ocean waves are wind generated. Wind blowing across the water’s surface creates little disturbances or ripples (capillary waves) that start from gentle breezes. Capillary waves have a rounded crest with a V-shaped trough, and wavelengths around 1 inch (less than 1.7 cm). These small ripples give the wind something to “grip” to create larger waves as the wind increases. Once the wavelength exceeds 1 inch (1.7 cm) the wave transitions from a capillary wave to a wind wave. All waves are opposed by a restoring force that attempts to return the water to calm. The restoring force of capillary waves is the surface tension of the water, but for wind-generated waves the restoring force is gravity. As the energy of the wind increases, so does the size, length, and speed of the waves. There are three important factors determining how much energy is transferred from wind to waves, and how large the waves get. These are wind speed, wind duration, and distance the wind blows across the water in the same direction (fetch). Increasing any of these factors increases the energy of wind waves along with their size and speed. There is an upper limit to how large wind waves can get. As wind increases, the waves get larger, but when the wave height exceeds 1/7 of the wavelength, the wave becomes unstable and collapses, forming whitecaps.

The waves kept Melissa and I up for much of the night and we were tired the new day. While Melissa chose to stay on the ship, I set out on the day’s excursion to Dion, an archaeological site from the Classical Greek and Roman eras. Melissa asked several of the crew about the waves and none of them had noticed anything unusual (i.e., it was us). I traveled with other “landlubbers” who had experienced excessive waves. Over lunch, it was mentioned the rough seas had been created by the hundreds of earthquakes that rattled the Greek islands on the Aegean Sea. This “seismic swarm” could continue for weeks before diminishing. Santorini’s Mayor Nikos Zorzos told The AP Tuesday, “This phenomenon may play out with small quakes or a single, slightly stronger one, followed by gradual subsidence.” The quakes are credited with the rough sea and waves we experienced. There are thousands of residents and seasonal workers who have left the Cycladic Islands as quakes up to magnitude 5 have been recorded in the volcanic region since Friday.

Thoughts: The waves we encountered the night before left melissa and I both seeking solace. Melissa found it lying on a beach chair on the ship overlooking the city of Volos. As I struggled to walk the site of Dion, I found it with a large dog. I stopped listening to the lecture and felt something on my hand. Looking down I saw a scraggly dog nudging me for attention. I stopped to pet him, and I did feel better. Animals have an uncanny ability to sense unease and try to make us feel better. I would be nice if humans could find the same compassion. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Holla Bend

January 27, 2025

The intense cold (highs below freezing) that has stricken most of the south began to lessen over the weekend and Melissa thought it a good time to get out of the house with the kids for a drive. While the motivation was to “just go”, we also wanted to see a birding site. The Sequoya Wildlife Refuge is only about 90 minutes west, but we have not had much luck finding birds in the winter. Lake Fort Smith is an hour north and has good fishing in the cove, but we have never caught much from the shore. I put in a little work while Melissa searched for a new birding site. What she found was about 2 hours away near where she spent her college years. This sounded like a possibility (and promised a trip to her favorite burger joint). We packed up the kids, got gas and aired up the tires that had been deflated by the cold, and took off for Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge.

When I looked online, I found Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge is a 7,055-acre (28.6 km²) site located 5 miles (8 km) south-east of Dardanelle, Arkansas. The refuge is bounded on one side by the Arkansas River and on its others by an oxbow lake that was formed in 1954 by the Army Corps of Engineers during efforts to straighten the river navigation channel. The resulting island was transferred to the US Department of the Interior in 1957 for a wildlife refuge. The refuge provides habitat for migratory waterfowl, indigenous endangered species, other resident wildlife, and offers interpretation and recreation to the public. The area is a year-round sanctuary for the 236 species of birds, tree frogs, and the American alligator. Migratory fowl following the Central and Mississippi flyways stay in the refuge during the winter months, including 14 species of ducks and 4 kinds of geese, with as many as 100,000 there at once. Winter migratory neotropical songbirds use the refuge as a rest stop during their long journey to and from Central and South America and during the spring and summer migratory birds use the refuge for breeding and nesting. I anticipated birds.

Last year I purchased an Interagency Lifetime Pass from the US National Park Service so we cruised past the Holla Bend information center without stopping. We turned around realizing we did not know where we were going without a flyer. As we got into the refuge, we saw large flocks of American Robin (Turdus migratorius) on the road between the trees and European starling (Sturnus vulgaris) passing among the harvested grain fields. Along the oxbow we found a flock of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) and a flock of ring-billed gull (Larus delawarensis) along the river. The best find however, was totally unexpected. We stopped to admire a herd of 20 does and fawns racing across the far end of a harvested field. Then I noticed what I thought was a group of black vultures (Coragyps atratus) about 300 yards (274 m) out. When I focused my camera, I realized this was a flock of wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) feeding in the field. It turned out to be a great day. And we topped it with a great burger.

Thoughts: When we stopped at the Holla Bend information office a sign listed the daily hours along with the caveat of “Closed when we are not here”. They were not there. The Wildlife Refuge System is the US’s largest network of lands and waters dedicated to wildlife conservation, but it is facing a staffing crisis. The Refuge System has lost over 800 permanent positions since fiscal year 2011, resulting in a 27% loss in capacity. No national wildlife refuge is fully staffed, and more than half have zero staff on-site. Much of the system is unprotected due to the lack of law enforcement officers. This shortage impacts critical volunteers by a lack of staff supervision or infrastructure. We need to invest in this system and prioritize staffing to ensure the future of this network and the wildlife it protects. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Traction

January 14, 2025

Yesterday I decided it was time to get out into the weather and take the kids for a walk. I decided to go to the lake as it was more open and had a better probability for the parking lot to be cleared by road crews. The temperatures in the morning were below freezing (-0C) but were set to warm up to 40F (4.5C) by the afternoon. I did have two concerns. The first was the possibility for windchill which would negate any increase in temperature. I decided to dress for the cold. That meant a pair of long johns under my sweatpants. Then a tee shirt, a long sleeve undershirt, and a long-sleeved thermal undershirt. I topped this off with a light ski jacket. The first concern was covered. The second concern was the potential for ice and snow on the spits we walk at the lake. The kids have been romping in the snow in the side yard, and I knew this would not be their concern. That is different for me and was my reason to shovel over the weekend. Melissa was a runner when we met and one of her first Christmas presents was cold weather gear for running in Kansas. That meant running gloves, hand and foot warmers, and a set of spikes in a rubber harness. The spikes were billed as “everyday traction aids”. The spikes should provide the traction I needed to walk the kids.

When I looked online, I found Merriam-Webster defines traction in several ways. The first definition (and applicable for me) is “the adhesive friction of a body on a surface on which it moves”. A variation of this meaning says traction can refer to “a pulling force exerted on a skeletal structure (as in a fracture) by means of a special device” (splint). A second definition is “the force exerted in the act of drawing or being drawn”. The third meaning took a different approach with “the support or interest that is needed for something to make progress or succeed”. This indicates something “gains traction” as people begin to accept and/or adopt an idea or methodology. Finally, traction refers to “the drawing of a vehicle by motive power”. Here a tractor is something that pulls something else. This is often a piece of farm machinery or the part of a big truck that includes the engine and the cab. The word tractor comes from the Medieval Latin “traction”, or from the Latin “trahere”. The first known use of traction in English occurred in 1608, in the meaning defined by the second sense.

I was intrigued by the spikes guarantee to provide traction as I walked the kids. After I bought them, Melissa had never had an occasion to use them. They sat (in the original package) in my closet along with our shoes for 15 years. When we pulled into the lake for our walk, I found the parking lot was generally clear of ice and snow. Even the roads leading out to the end of the spits were clear, even though the grass on either side was snow covered. I left the traction spikes (still in their packaging) in the car and started on our hike. The temperature was higher than forecast at 45F (7C) and my decision to bundle against the cold seemed unnecessary. Neither of my concerns were warranted. I was toasty in my layers and the snow and ice were gone. However, I was not anticipating the mud. The ground was mostly frozen, but my four-wheeler buddies had been taking laps in the snow and over the roads. As we walked the spits, Loki’s legs and underbelly quickly became covered in mud. We took most of our laps circling the parking lot. Luckily there was enough snow on the grass to wash Loki off before I let him back into the car.

Thoughts: This was one of the (rare) occasions where I over planned for the cold and loss of traction. Even though I did not need all the extra layers, it was nice to be warm and snug while we walked. The traction aid I bought for Melissa went back into the closet next to my shoes to wait for another day. I do not know if my over planning can be accredited to experience or unwarranted caution as I age. As a Boy Scout our motto was “Be Prepared”. That is still a good motto for hiking, camping, and even for life in general. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Snowstorm

January 10, 2025

Our first snowstorm of the new year started yesterday and continues this morning. The kids have come a long way since their first snowstorm 2 years ago. Zena had moved tenuously through the flakes giving them their sniff evaluation before finally deciding they were ok to play in. Loki missed that storm, and this was his first real opportunity to snuffle. We let them outside as the flakes were coming down yesterday. Zena immediately went on patrol prancing up and down the perimeter of the fence. Loki was more discriminating. Sensing “something” beneath the inches of snow he began to snuffle and dig. This morning brought on the “zummies”. Both dogs raced through the snow, only stopping long enough to get into a quick fight before getting back to zooming. Since it is below freezing (32F or 0C) I did not keep them outside too long. I also felt obligated to stand and watch to see how they were doing. That probably limited their time, as I get cold fast.

When I looked online, I found the snowstorm that moved through Arkansas overnight dumped nearly 15 inches (38 cm) of snow in some parts of Arkansas, roughly 8 inches (20 cm) across the Little Rock metro area, and 7 to 10 inches (18 to 25 cm) in the areas around my town, according to the National Weather Service in Little Rock. We average around 1 inch (2.5 cm) of snow annually. Entergy reported 8,496 customers without power as of 7:30 am, with most outages in southwest Arkansas. The Electric Cooperative of Arkansas reported 5,390 customers without power. Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport/Adams Field (east of Little Rock) reported there had been 36 flight cancellations as of 8:30 am Friday. Airlines are challenged by deicing planes in the snowfall, delaying morning departures. Airfield crews worked all night and into the morning to plow and sweep the snow from the main runway, taxiways, and air carrier ramp, airport spokesman Shane Carter said in Friday’s news release. Other parts of north-central Arkansas are expected to receive 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30.5 cm) and Northern Arkansas is forecast for 5 to 7 inches (13 to 18 cm) of snow, and some in the area could get more. We still have flurries expected to last until the afternoon.

Another reason to let the kids out in the snowstorm this morning is the combined group of red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus), common grackle (Quiscalus quiscula), and a few brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater) that descended. I do not mind feeding these birds, but when they descend, they quickly devour everything and drive the smaller passerines off by their presence. The blackbirds are skittish and just letting the kids into the yard makes them retreat to the surrounding trees. The smaller birds return despite the kids’ presence. Collectively, blackbirds may be described as a “murder” when they are seen flying together or perched on a tree branch. A “cloud” is a poetic term used as they fly together in formation. A “merle” is an older term used to describe the group as they forage for food on the ground while a “colony” is used to describe a group nesting together. Finally, a “congregation” is used to describe a group of blackbirds gathered in one area. The different names indicate the level of human interest in their various activities.

Thoughts: As the snowstorm winds down, I begin to reflect on getting out. Tad Sours, director of communications for Washington County said, “All that we really ask from the public is if you don’t have to get out in it, don’t . . . give plenty of room to our road crews.” Still, I did not make the pre-snowstorm dash for milk, bread, and toilet paper like most of the area’s residents. Global warming means extremes of both heat and cold, and opposite events at the same time (like a snowstorm and wildfire). Make a difference NOW, not later. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.