August 6, 2023
Sharing my pages from today’s short hike up Cedro Creek, on the fringes of the Manzano Mountains. The water shortage here and all around us has become dire; soils are cracked and dry and beginning to take flight with the barest puff of wind.
Since we last hiked this area (a few days shy of a month ago), the scattered shallow pools of water have either evaporated completely or made a retreat underground, where there may be just enough water to wet the riparian area. All the tender flowering plants have disappeared; many have been able to set seed in hopes of a wetter year to come. With this premature wrap up to the summer season, the birds, bees and butterflies have moved on; hopefully up in elevation where food may still be found.
Our summer monsoon season just didn’t materialize (yet?). But despite the hot and dry conditions, we did manage to find a few leafy green shrubs. The massive cottonwoods appear to be doing well (must still be sufficient groundwater). In the cooler parts of the canyon, there are berries hanging on the 2 species of juniper trees. Acorns have begun to mature on several oak species, even though there are many that have withered; is all of this earlier than usual?
At the trailhead, tucked in a swale where water (when it comes) can collect, I was surprised to see some very stunted smooth sumac. Already showing off their clusters of juicy red berries, the plants are barely a foot tall. This species can rapidly grow to heights of 16 feet. Maybe flowering and fruiting on such short plants is a type of survival mechanism this sumac exhibits when conditions are not favorable? I will be able to watch this little grove over the coming years and maybe answer that question.
Then further up the canyon, about 20-30 feet above the riparian area, Gambel’s and Wavyleaf oaks are growing their acorns. That’s encouraging news for the squirrels who collect and cache them in overwintering nests.
It’s been a challenging year.
What differences in nature have you been noticing where you live? Do you think our changing climate has played a role in driving the changes? Have you observed not only negative but positive affects? I’d be very interested in knowing!
As always, thanks for following!
a curious nature 
Wonderful observations, Barb, and questions about plants in the dry, cracked soil! The Gambel’s Oak seems to be acclimatized to the dry summer and still producing its acorns. Our big oak trees here in our neighborhood have been dropping their undeveloped acorns — I see the caps on the sidewalks, but a very stubby acorn that has not grown. I suspect it releases the acorns prematurely in times of unfavorable weather — ie. the dry weather we’ve been having in the PNW. A little rain in the forecast the next couple of days will be welcome. I’d love to send a few sprinkles your way!
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Excellent feedback, Karen! I suspect you’re correct about the hardiness of our oaks! Even bough there are more failed seeds than successful, they are Brave souls! Sounds like you’re seeing similar amounts of failure with your oaks (which species?), which must be very rare there. Hope you do get some more proper seasonal moisture soon. We’re getting clouds today, so it’s cooler, but still no rain. Hey! I’ll take the clouds! Take care, and as always, thanks for following!
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