Climate Change

[ysabetwordsmith]

Study suggests US droughts, rainy extremes becoming more severe

Severe drought in the American Southwest and Mexico and more severe wet years in the Northeast are the modern norm in North America, according to new research -- and the analysis suggests these seasonal patterns will be more extreme in the future. The middle of the United States, meanwhile, can expect bigger swings between wetter wet periods -- high-rainfall years known as pluvials -- and drier summers through the rest of this century, the study predicts.


This is a big problem. Some plants and animals have adapted to dry conditions. Some have adapted to soggy conditions. But very few can withstand large, unpredictable swings between both extremes. The same is true of extreme swings between heat and cold. When plants can't keep up, more soil gets exposed, leading to erosion; and that degrades water quality in rivers and lakes.

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Birdfeeding

[ysabetwordsmith]

Today is sunny and mild.

I fed the birds.  I've seen a small flock of house finches.

I put out water for the birds and watered a few plants.

EDIT 9/9/24 -- I watered the patch in the prairie garden and seedlings in the savanna.

EDIT 9/9/24 -- I watered the patio plants, picnic table, and septic garden.

I've seen a mourning dove at the fly-through feeder.

There was a young fox squirrel at the hopper feeder, smaller than average with a less bushy tail.

EDIT 9/9/24 -- I watered the telephone pole garden and grass patch.

I did a bit of work around the patio.

Crickets and other insects are singing loudly.

As it is now dark, I am done for the night.