Kip’s Comments - November 16, 2023

Nov 16

An Assumption and an Observation

Assumption:

I am assuming our flora and fauna are as confused by our weather conditions as I am. We have had record or near-record warm days, ice on the river and frost on the windshield and warm days again. I am not complaining… just confused. I do prefer it warm.

Observations:

Observation #1: Today’s warm temperatures were great! To have the mid-60’s in NE Iowa in mid-November is much appreciated. However, I also had to wear a winter coat since wind speeds clocking at two-thirds the temperature risked tearing my skin off. Someone please turn off the wind turbines. A breeze is fine, but we don’t need this much wind.

Observation #2: Due to the long stretch of warm days with no rain, with a forecasted drop in temperatures by tomorrow, I gave my trees a long, much-needed soaking to put them away for the winter. I am not sure, but I may have heard a belch or two of appreciation from them. Note: If it warms again without rain I may have to get my hoses out, water the trees again, drain hoses, and put them away again.

Observation #3: Adult bald eagles, even when they are sitting in a field of corn stubble waiting to eat on something dead on the road, are still beautiful birds. This one was cooperative and made picture-making easy.