NASA Report: 60 Years of a Warming Earth

Last week NASA posted a short (15 sec) animation of the aggregation of analyzed data from 1,000 meteorological stations collected over the past 63 years (see below to watch). The animation is part of an updated report released by NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) in New York, which analyzes global surface temperatures on a constant basis, to include 2013 temperatures.

According to the updated report, the average global temperature in 2013 was 1.1 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than the mid-1900s (57.2 degrees vs 58.3 degrees).

Climate change and global warming is a very touchy subject in today's political theater, particularly on whether or not it is human driven (or human aided). It will be interesting to see if this report is used, or forgotten, in the coming year.

If you'd like to learn more on what you are seeing, check out NASA's website.

Kebler Pass Aspen Auto Tour

Kebler Pass with aspen foreground
Photo by: Matt Brincka

The Rocky Mountain region of Colorado is jam packed with GORGEOUS auto tours. One is hard-pressed to actually find a horrible drive through the mountains (unless you are stranded on I-70 thanks to construction, mountain goats, blizzards or run-away tractor trailers). My wife and I love to go for drives and no matter where we go, we are just awed by the beautiful scenery.

The beginning of October rolled around this year and I kept on hearing about the Aspen fall foliage in the mountains. Being from the east coast, fall foliage was the one thing other than water my wife and I were truly missing. We knew we wanted to get into the mountains one weekend this autumn to see the golden aspens, but we were hard-pressed on time and only one weekend popped up where we could actually do some exploring.

So before we went, I did a little Google Search on the best fall foliage in Colorado. The first thing that popped up on my radar was Kebler Pass, home of Colorado's largest aspen grove. The one problem? Kebler pass is down by Crested Butte, CO, which is quite a hike from where we live in Longmont, CO. That weekend we could actually go fell into the early time-slot of peak foliage season, so we risked being too early for the colors and just went for it

What was ultimately decided was we were going to take a full day road trip through the Rockies to Kebler Pass. In all, Google Maps was telling us to expect our loop to take 10-11 hours of driving, so we packed a lunch, left super early in the morning, and drove drove drove!

Red line indicates Kebler Pass. Blue lines indicate the there and back again driving trip

There is a lot to see between Longmont and our first stop, Crested Butte. We hopped on I-25 to I-70 and instead of going straight into the Rockies, we hooked south on I-470 to route 285. Route 285 is a drive filled with dynamics. You first push through the Front Range and once you get past Bailey, your surroundings change drastically - you've made it to South Park Basin. South Park is flat grassland basin that encompasses around 1,000 square miles and antelope and cattle are aplenty. Fairplay is the largest town found in the basin, with a booming population of around 600. Within Fairplay is a very interesting historical western town called South Park.

After passing through Fairplay, you skirt around the outskirts of Buena Vista and by-pass Salida (a cute artsy town) and turn right onto route 50. This is where things start to get a bit more interesting. On route 50 you cross Monarch Pass (one of the snowiest places in Colorado). You start to get small pockets of fall foliage and even some snow once you get to the peak of Monarch Pass. After crossing the Continental Divide you then roll into Gunnison, CO and make your way north to Crested Butte. The drive between Gunnison and Crested Butte has some great fall foliage itself, but we were racing against the clock so we didn't stop to admire!

Once you get to Crested Butte, CO there is a small visitor center on the main route with bathrooms. After 4.5 hours in the car... we were ready for them!

The entrance to Kebler Pass, to me, almost seemed like a forgotten back road through an older housing development on the west end of town. Which is completely A.O.K. with me, but to the layman trying to find Kebler Pass, it might take a bit without a map.

From Crested Butte to route 133 the drive is an absolute joy. This is the Kebler Pass we came to see. Most of it is unpaved and there are plenty of areas to stop and just... drop your jaw in amazement. Enjoy the following photos...

Lost Lake Slough in Kebler Pass
Photo by: Matt Brincka

Driving the Kebler Pass
Photo by: Matt Brincka

Once you hit route 133 and start your drive north you are still in some beautiful country. The most breathe taking part of the drive is when you go through the ever popular White River National Forest. If you EVER get a chance to explore the White River National Forest, make sure you go to the iconic Maroon Bells, one of the most photographed mountains in Colorado (yet to go there... so no pictures from me yet! If you google Maroon Bells you will find them).

The rest is kind of a blur; zooming down I-70 back east. You do pass some cute (and often unique) ski towns, such as Aspen, Vail, Eagle, and Avon. If you ever make it to Vail in the spring and summer, make sure you go during their Farmer's Market. It is full of interesting crafts and wonderful food vendors. Kebler pass is also the perfect drive for individuals visiting Aspen during fall.

Overall, if you are visiting Colorado during peak fall foliage and have a day to spare... don't rule out Kebler Pass because it is 5 hours away. Actually, rule-in Kebler pass because any 5-hour drive in the Colorado Rocky Mountains is a drive worth taking.

Aspen grove in Kebler Pass
Photo by: Matt Brincka

Rocky Mountain Blue Columbine

Rocky Mountain blue columbine (Aquilegia saximontana)
Photo by: Matt Brincka

A jewel of the sub-alpine, the Rocky Mountain blue columbine (Aquilegia saximontana) is typically found at elevations of 10,000 to 13,000 feet. The latin word aquila, which can be found in the genus name, means 'Eagle', which refers to the claw like structures at the flower base. The common name, Rocky Mountain blue columbine, is ofter shortened to Rocky Mountain columbine and is then confused with Aquilegia caerulea goes by same common name (Rocky Mountain columbine)... to add to that confusion, check out the interesting facts section at the end of this post!

The flower itself, which blooms in Late June to August, is a beautiful combination of blue-violet and white petals and a bright yellow center. Each part of the flower symbolizes a part of Colorado. The blue-violet outer petals represent the sky, the white inner petals symbolize the snow and the yellow center is a symbol for the gold mining history of Colorado.

Rocky Mountain blue columbine (Aquilegia saximontana)
Photo by: Matt Brincka

Interesting Facts

• Aquilegia saximontana is commonly thought of as Colorado's state flower, however, Aquilegia caerulea is considered the official state flower of Colorado. Historically, the original document identified the flower as being lavender and white - which is a better representation of Aquilegia caerulea - and not of a specific columbine species. There has been debate that A. saximontana was suppose to be given the title of Colorado's state flower originally, but A. caerulea now holds that honor.

Toys"R"Us vs Environmental Education

When I was told about the new Toys"R"Us commercial by one of my students today I thought they had to have been mistaken. They informed me that Toys"R"Us basically said (without words) that learning about nature is boring and kids receive no joy from it.

I immediately said "what? I highly doubt that."

My student insisted that I pull the commercial up onto my computer and watch it. So I did... and this is what I saw...

I am an environmental educator at heart and practice. I thrive on people's enthusiasm towards experiential learning in nature. I've provided outdoor, educational, nature based events for children between the ages of 3 and 83, of all backgrounds, socioeconomic status, and interest levels for over 8 years. From these experiences I can state one thing... the vast, vast, vast majority of people love environmental education. I've witnessed maybe 5-6 people of the hundreds I have taught who wouldn't hop into a stream with a dip net to collect macro invertebrates to understand water quality. Even individuals who freak out when you pull a snake from under a log to talk about thermoregulation end up saying it was one of the coolest experiences of their life (obviously... there are some people who are highly phobic to specific aspects of nature and as an educator we remove them from the situation if needed until it is safe).

 Environmental education has the ability to reconnect our disconnected youth with what matters most... care taking and understanding our planet.

That being said, I have witnessed horrible "environmental education" programs where the educators acted more like the actor in this commercial playing "name that leaf" game.

I think the absolute WORST thing about this commercial is that this group of kids is (supposedly) an actual group of disadvantaged children. I've worked with children like this before. I've worked with children that didn't know FROGS existed. These children should be attending a good environmental education program because it would probably change so many of their lives. I've seen good environmental programs change the lives of so many children of all backgrounds.

Does this commercial bash the idea of environmental education? I'll let you decide. For me... I think it was probably made in good faith, but could potentially leave a poor imprint of the importance of toys over nature on young-impressionable minds (is that me being too idealistic? maybe). I think it probably should have never hit people's television set. I'm not sure how the commercial made it past trial runs because there is a lot of backlash within the general public.

There are multiple petitions out there looking for Toys"R"Us to pull their add. There are some that are actually looking for Toy"R"Us to back and fund an environmental education program/identity. They aren't hard to find if you google for them... but here is one of the main ones.

While conducting an environmental education event
 at Onondaga Lake in Syracuse, NY with a group of inner-city youth,
I had to tussle with a bowfin and got quite a reaction.
Photo by: David Lassman/Post Standard

Want to read a news release about the program pictured above? Find it here.

NASA | Ancient Mars Video (Conceptualized)

Since childhood, I've always been fascinated with Mars. I owe that passion to my sci-fi junkie novel addiction. Just the idea that life evolved elsewhere triggers hope that all my childhood (and maybe some adult) fantasies of flying a Y-wing bomber for the rebel alliance, or running with the Fremen in Arrakis could come true... for my great great great... great? grandchildren.

That childhood obsession has evolved. Space and space time are fascinating to me. Our solar system has changed drastically over the course of its life and understanding that past is the largest treasue hunt of them all. Uncovering any hints, or speculations, just make me excited.

NASA posted a great short video to their YouTube page on what Mars might have looked like in the past... enjoy the video and here is their description (found on YouTube):

"Billions of years ago when the Red Planet was young, it appears to have had a thick atmosphere that was warm enough to support oceans of liquid water - a critical ingredient for life. The animation shows how the surface of Mars might have appeared during this ancient clement period, beginning with a flyover of a Martian lake. The artist's concept is based on evidence that Mars was once very different. Rapidly moving clouds suggest the passage of time, and the shift from a warm and wet to a cold and dry climate is shown as the animation progresses. The lakes dry up, while the atmosphere gradually transitions from Earthlike blue skies to the dusty pink and tan hues seen on Mars today."

Hoverfly

As a kid camping in the Adirondack Mountains, hoverflies (family Syrphidae) were a common sight, buzzing around the campfire. They receive their common name due to their ability to hover (really? never would have guessed that...). They are often mistaken as bees or wasps due to their mimicry coloration, but are completely harmless to humans. The most common species of Syrphidae in North America goes by the family's common name of Hoverfly (Toxomerus geminatus). Adults emerge in mid-summer to feed off of flower nectar, while the larvae actually feed on aphids, eventually pupating in the soil. Since aphids are huge pests in agricultural systems, both in America and abroad, aphidophagus (aphid consumers!!!!) hoverfly species are increasingly being recognized as potential natural biological control agents.

Hoverfly on top of Estes Cone in Rocky Mountain National Park
Photo by: Matt Brincka 

Hoverfly on top of Estes Cone in Rocky Mountain National Park
Photo by: Matt Brincka

American bison

The American bison (Bison bison), also call buffalos (even though very... very distantly related to true buffalo), are often known as the face of the American west. They are one of the few species in North America that are both raised in captivity (not domestic) for their meat and roam in wild herds. Bison can grow to massive sizes, with wild individuals reaching 700 to 2,200 pounds and captive individuals reaching upwards to 3,800 pounds. Males tend to be slightly larger than females.

American bison in Yellowstone National Park
Photo by: Matt Brincka

The American bison roam the plains, sagebrush and lightly wooded areas of the mid-western and western North America. They are migratory, traveling between foraging sites. On average, a herd's daily routine consists of foraging and chewing cud for roughly two hours then traveling to the next site. Sometimes, this traveling can amount to around 2 miles per day. Similar to other herd animals, females live is maternal heard consisting of other females, juveniles, and sometimes elderly males. Males will often leave the materinal herds when they are around three years of age, joining other males in bachelor herds (parrrrtaaay). During the breeding season, males will gather females into a small harem for mating. These bulls will ward off other males who get too close.

American bison often use man made roads as route of easy travel... often delaying traffic.
Photo by: Matt Brincka

Bison partake in a variety of interesting behaviors. During the fall, herds usually wander into more forested areas, preparing for the winter months. at this time, bison partake in a behavior where their rub their horns against aromatic trees, saplings and even utility poles. The tree release an aroma after being horned which is connected providing a deterrent against biting insects. Bison also participate in a wallowing behavior, where they wallow, or roll, in a shallow depression of soil. There are many hypotheses as to why bison wallow, including shedding, rutting, group cohesion, play, scratching their insect bites, removing of ticks, and to keep cool.

Locking horns
Photo by: Matt Brincka

When Columbus first step foot in the New World, there were an estimated 60,000,000 (yes... 60 million) American bison that roamed in herds as far as the eye could see. Many native plain cultures based their societies around the American bison, traveling with the herds, utilizing every part of the animal. When European settlers came, all did not bode well for our friendly, roaming plain goliath. Bison hunting turned into a continent wide cull. In the 1800s, western expansion was in full swing and it has been told that men would sit on the top of trains and shoot the bison herds as they passed. The option to shoot buffalo was often provided by train companies to tourists because they wanted the herds culled. A single bison herd could delay a train for days. The main reason of the American bison decline was because the US Army actively endorsed the wholesale slaughter of the herds. Hunters would shoot hundreds of buffalo at a time, skinning them, allowing the meat to rot, then shipping the bones back east. The federal government had multiple reasons to promote the mass cull of bison, but it is said it was mainly to allow ranchers to range their cattle without competition from the herds and (the probable real reason) to weaken the North American Indian population by removing their main food source.

Wallowing in a dust hole
Photo by: Matt Brincka

Interesting Tid-Bits

• Sometimes bison give birth to a white juvenile, which are of spiritual significance to Native American culture
• Several American coins have featured the bison, including the "buffalo nickel" from 1913 to 1938.
• The city of Buffalo, NY originally was called New Amsterdam and resided on Buffalo Creek.... and yes, New York City was originally named New Amsterdam by Dutch explorers. Well guess what, it was a Holland Land Company that first established the Buffalo - New Amsterdam. Residents of New Amsterdam (Buffalo) didn't like the name much, so in 1808 they renamed their town as the "Village of Buffalo". There are a few theories as to why the village was renamed Buffalo, and it is often disputed. One is it related to a story that stolen horse meat was being passed off as bison flesh, with the area then remembered as "Buffalo," however, there is great skepticism towards this. Another is that the name "Buffalo" is a horrible butchering of the French saying beau fleuve meaning "beautiful river," which was used to describe the Niagara River. Another is that the town was named after Fort Le Boeuf, translated as "Fort Buffalo," but this fort ceased operation years before the settlement of New Amsterdam. All of these theories stem from the belief that the American bison once roamed Western New York, but there are only 1 or 2 historical accounts, which aren't 100% reliable. It is also widely accepted that if bison roamed Western New York, they were extirpated years before colonists made it there. Many believe it is the legend of the American bison that fueled the naming. However, without more historical discoveries that creates an indisputable generation story, the naming of Buffalo, and Buffalo Creek, will forever be debated.