Palmer November change up

We are in earthquake weather, even as the election returns are still be counted. This weekend Palmer had pelting rain which evolved into snowflakes the size of small pancakes. Dismal grey gloom changed into a winter wonderland. Joyful sunrises, shortened days, and serene sunsets have renewed and focused our natural sense of wonder.

Does Palmer Wildlife like First Snowfalls?—This was the serious discussion of a group of elementary science kids, doing a field trip in the Palmer arboretum. They concluded that mice like snow because it hides them from predators. Birds aren’t happy with snow because then seeds aren’t visible on the ground. Worms don’t like it when it is very wet snow because they wriggle to the top and either drown or become bird dinner. Small mammals like a bit of snow as insulation from dry and bitter wind. But large rabbits love accumulated snow because they can reach higher buds formally out of reach.

The Palmer Lynx—Everyone has heard about or seen the lynx that roams the Palmer area. These fine animals are wild animals who normally don’t bother coming in too close to the neighborhoods. Except, of course, in 2020. This year they have been spotted near the cemetery, near the elementary, the middle school, near the airport and by the golf course. They have been spotted on the river banks, on Lazy Mountain, in the Butte and by the college. It’s a question why they are coming in so close and the answer may be delicious bunnies or chickens. Lynx have long legs and large, broad paws, for quick and easy movement in soft snow. Lynx are far bigger than house cats and generally weigh between 20 and 40 pounds and are between 30 and 40 inches long, with an additional 5-7 inch tail. They have elegant faces on their blocky heads with tufted ears. Their markings are remarkable. Palmer resident Louisa Branchflower took some amazing footage of the lynx in her yard which is on her Facebook page and also in the Palmer Alaska Buzz group.

Palmer is the Buzz Bomb for Bohemian Waxwings—These gorgeous yellow and black birds are seasonally visiting all of their favorite Palmer trees in downtown. They are doing their clever berry tricks, tossing and catching ripe berries and then swallowing them whole. The flock arrives in a pack and mobs a tree of all its bright red berries which results in a denuded tree and plenty of drunk birds staggering around and hanging about. This intoxication exercise is interesting to watch—at the beginning. The birds are fun and happy feasting in the fermented fruit of Ash berries. Apparently the birds, unsure of their next meal, indulge out of necessity and habit. Sometimes they can eat double their weight! Regardless, the binging berry eaters have “a bit too many” and soon the the expected consequences of too much alcohol makes itself known. And it isn’t pretty for either humans or birds. They have erratic flights, tipsy turns and stumbling landings. The poor waxies, so beautiful, are also so drunk.

Wonderful Palmer photographer Leilani Devries has some outstanding shots of this exquisite bird, sober and otherwise, on her Loving Life in Alaska facebook page.

Stay Safe Palmer—Corona/Covid numbers are higher than ever now. Wear good winter footwear. Please be oh so careful.

Barbara Hunt is both Palmer writer and artist. She works hard to keep the robust pulse of Palmer, Alaska. She shares the good stuff in the weekly Palmer Alaska Buzz Column in the Mat Su Valley Frontiersman and daily on the Palmer Alaska Buzz Facebook Group.. Contact at bhunt@mtaonline.net or text 907.315.3222