Saturday, March 24, 2018

Palm Trees, Figs and Dates ?

MARCH OF TIME
Longer Summers ?
some shorter winters ?
WINTER PARADISE ON YELLOWSTONE LAKE - nps photo
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.. Of course we've noticed that the snows come later and leave earlier.
.. Certainly we've seen the entrances to Yellowstone National Park change their seasonal opening and closing schedule.
OUR CHERRY BLOSSOMS
.. We've not been foolish enough to confuse weather with climate. We've enjoyed the increased growing season and the increased yields of our postage stamp garden.
.. We even have cherries and plums for pies. This coming Spring a couple of apple trees will go into the ground.
.. These are the only fruit trees in town. Some folks refuse to see the coming changes.
.. We are not afraid to accept the fact of a climate change toward the warm side.
.. For more than the last quarter century our little village has grudgingly come to accept the economic cycle that has reduced winter commerce and increased summer commerce.
.. We just came across an interesting note in the WyoFile. Good fodder for the popular mind. They have discovered that the winters in Yellowstone National Park are getting shorter: yawn.
.. In broad strokes the article hints at the changes in future environmental scenarios within Yellowstone National Park. Might be worth a read if you are so inclined.
OUR CHERRIES - TWO YEARS ON
.. We note, from this article, that there is an effort by the NPS to stockpile seeds from the current vegetation species.
.. The NPS has expressed a worry that "invasive" species, (like cheatgrass,) will gain a foothold.
.. My, my, my! Terms like 'native species' and 'invasive species' fail to recognize the time-transgressive nature of landscapes and biological communities.
.. The native species alive in one place today are the invasive species in another place tomorrow as the parameters of the environment change through time.
.. No Melania, they don't march down the road to invade their neighbors pasture. They do, however, move inch by inch and foot by foot toward environmental situations that are more conducive to their survival and reproduction.
.. With their supreme dedication to saving today's environmental expressions the NPS will, in 100 years, have failed to accept the inevitable changes that occur.
.. They will, on the other hand, have the opportunity to take their sack of seeds to a place where they will grow - provided that they can find the soil, bedrock, erosion cycles, climate and, other factors to suit the plants.
.. Maybe they will move a few voles and some Richardson's Ground Squirrels too. Bison? Rattlesnakes? Cutthroat Trout? At what time depth and what place are they going to preserve?
.. For those, in this world, that can plan past the third quarter and, enjoy a perspective beyond their own generation and, have an honest concern for their grandchildren it might be well to invest in palm tree plantations in Bozeman. OR, think through plans for your offspring's future. Or not!
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.. We are currently enjoying our Spring Mix of weather. Rain, snow and hail, (sometimes graupel,) in the same day: keeps the visitors guessing.
.. When the sun pops out and, the wind lays down the midges are still providing fodder for the fishes. The neighbors are exhibiting their tying skills and tying down to size as the generations of midges recede toward invisibility.

SIZE 28 ROYAL COACHMAN & MATCH HEAD

SIZE 32 MINI MIDGE & MATCH HEAD
.. Out of the goodness of their hearts the neighbors tie a few of these dinkers on to a bit of tippet for us to use. We certainly couldn't achieve this task. It's hard enough with cold wet hands to tie the line tippet to fly's tippet.
.. The Notellum Backwater is getting crowded. Somehow word has spread. Loose lips and all . . . .
.. Happily, over at Leapfish Rapids, the neighbors have staked out some fine holes. It takes clever navigation of a boulder field and dodging some icy patches - BUT, the catching is even better than elsewhere.
.. With the longer daylight we'll make it just in time!
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WALLPAPER:  RIB EYE, TOMATOES, FONDANT SPUDS