It's Both the Heat and the Humidity

On average, the Twin Cities has around 15 days of temperatures 90F or higher a year. But the oddness of this year continues. After a remarkably warm spring (especially March), the trend continues. Yesterday, we reached 90F or warmer for the 21st time. And it was the 22nd consecutive day of temperatures over 85F. Today is the anomaly - it stayed in the 70s. The humidity was high again, so it felt warmer than it was, but at least we weren't dealing with heat indices in the 100s. That's coming back this weekend! Stay cool!

Hearing Nature

Hike out to your favorite natural spot. Get comfortable. Close your eyes. And just listen...

caw caw caw
chick-a-dee-dee-dee
buzz-z-z-z-z-z
cheerio-cheeri up
peep peep peep
pee-o-ee

The woods at the Marie Property rang with birdsong - chickadees, crows, pewees, robins, wild turkey chicks, and many others that I didn't know. The cicadas sounded close by as their high pitched buzzing cut through the trills, chirps and warbles of the birds. A crashing sound in the underbrush marked the trail of a rabbit.

Take time to listen. Nature speaks as much as it shows.

How Animals Beat the Heat

I’m sitting in my air conditioned house trying to find ways to avoid going outside because of the oppressive heat. I’m not exaggerating using that word: oppressive. In fact, there is an Oppressive Heat Warning for the Twin Cities area. It’s 98ºF with a dew point of 71. (I’ve decided I will try really hard to to be a good person because this is must be what hell is like.)

So, this got me wondering about what animals do when the weather is hot like this – they can’t get out of it like humans do, so how do wild animals deal with heat?

Sweat It Out: Horses sweat and dogs do too, but through their paws.

Getting the Heat Out: Sweating isn’t enough to cool off dogs, so they’ll also pant to release body heat. But dogs aren’t the only ones. Birds pant, too! Look for birds with their beaks open – they’re breathing hard to get rid of excess heat.

Shelter: Many animals will hide out, seeking shade under bushes or deep within trees. Or they'll go deep into lakes where the water is cool.

Protection: Some animals, like squirrels, use body parts to divert the heat. By exposing the lighter colored underside of the tail, less heat will be absorbed and the squirrel will stay cooler.

Damp by Choice: Even if they aren’t aquatic, many animals seek out water – birdbaths and sprinklers are welcome relief. And, if you’re a vulture, you’ll cool yourself down by urinating down your legs.

Lots of amazing strategies!

July 2: late afternoon
Just after posting the above content, I was watching the grey squirrels in my backyard. One was in the rose garden, stretched out - fully flat - on the bare ground. Earlier in the day, I had watered that garden. I think the squirrel was spreading out on the damp soil to cool off. It stayed like this for about 10 minutes, then went out into the yard and did the same thing on the lawn. Doin' whatever it takes to stay cool!