Colors

 Skotogala

Colors in Corrales are amazing, and we often see the best ones in the late fall. The orange of ripe pumpkins is usually reflected in the last of the autumn leaves. But vibrant hues are seen in many places if we know where to look.

               New Mexico does not usually get to see the aurora borealis, but his month we were privileged to get quite an amazing view for one night during an intense solar storm. Magnetic particles in the upper atmosphere interacted with nitrogen in the lower atmosphere, releasing neon hues. On November 11-12 three solar storms converged and gave New Mexico quite a firework display for a brief period overnight. We also saw other visitors.

               The sandhill cranes visit New Mexico every year quite predictably. They must be quite used to the auroras at the latitudes they spend their summer nights, flying as far north as Russia and northern Canada. They draw attention to each other with their bright red heads during the day, as well as their loud calls and balletic dancing.

               Someone who does pay them attention is the coyote. While these do well by being mostly omnivores, they are not above snagging an unwary crane is the chance presents itself. Either feathered or furred, both animals like to frequent apple orchards and corn fields. Coyotes are very good at blending into their environment, and few people notice they are there if they don’t want to be seen. While reviled they are quite important to the whole ecosystem.

               Leaf litter is usually viewed negatively as well, which is weird in light of their value to the future. It is an important resource for seedlings during the mild winters when plants are still able to grow despite the short days and cold nights. Seedlings such as hackberry trees benefit from the minerals and moisture found in the deep leaf litter. Dead leaves also insulate from the freezing air that could damage a fragile plant.

               Many insects also benefit from leaf litter. The moisture and warmth protect larva of many insects who might otherwise not survive the winter. The larvae of a hoverfly might spend a mild winter feeding on aphids, while the adult emerges in the spring to be an important pollinator. Despite the fly’s bee-like appearance, this fly is completely harmless to humans.

               The colors of the fall and winter are quite impressive, but they do not exist in a vacuum and may even one day vanish. Sandhill cranes were once rare, as their cousin the whooping crane is now. Coyotes thrive because their predators, mountain lion and wolves were extirpirated. We don’t even know how many insects are vanishing as their protective leaf litter is cleaned away. Even the heavens are vanishing. The aurora needs dark skies to be seen, and when was the last time most people saw the actual milky way through the lights of cities?