Last Monday, John and I took our tandem for a ride to Ada. Normally, we would have rode the 13 mile loop around the township. The air had a astringent taste. The smell was prevalent with burning . A haze was seen resembling a fog.
Coming back home from the library, John was short of breath on several up hills. Opting not to ride the longer loop, we heard the air quality was in the dangerous range. People were asked to limit their exposure to the outdoors and don’t exercise. Feeling foolish, we vowed to remain indoors as much as possible.
Attached is a photo of the sunset on the highest pollution level. The Sunlight was diffused. The sun’s bright light was dimmed to resembled a rising full moon rather than the setting sun.
A neighbor flew his drone 100 feet over the area. looking towards Grand Rapids the horizon blurred and disappeared.
The birds and small mammals are changing their habits. A flock of blue jays were pushing to eat at the feeder at the same time. Normally, birds will wait and take turns. The flock of 8 birds couldn’t all eat at the same time. One blue jay became disoriented and flew into our slider door, breaking his neck.
Smaller black birds the size of sparrows were feeding , throwing the seed out of the feeder. The family of robins in the lilac bush was active with the parents pushing their offspring to fly. One baby was left in the nest to fend for himself.
Squirrels and chipmunks continue to feed for long periods of time. We only see this behavior when the birds are readying for a migration. Deer and racons are active both day and night.
The smoke has has limited the number of bees in the garden flowers. Smoking bees signals the hive to gorge on honey to prepare for relocating the colony away from danger.
My brother Bob, reported the fires in Alberta have sent smoke and ash high into the atmosphere. A funnel of south moving air is streaming through the Great Lakes and creating hazardous conditions for people and animals alike. This is a wake up call for people concerned with global warming. The Canadian fires may continue to burn into the fall.
Limit burning and make sure fires are contained and dosed with water when done with the cook out. Sparks from the flames or ashes can ignite dry grasses.
Keep yourself and your environment safe. We all have a stake in protecting Mother earth.
Burning
Burning weeds is a practice to clear land.
Usually, it is controlled with water.
Recently, the water is scarce.
Now, we see fires out of control.Now,
Time to change our way we handle fire.
It could be too late for many areas.
Never to see the old growth woods again.
Gone, up in smoke.
carolaspot@aol.com. July 3rd 2023
traveling up and down the blind highway 