Mosier Skeeters

westender · Joined: 02 Aug 2007 Posts: 1288 Location: Portland / Gorge

Sailed Mosier 5-25 and was attacked by the most gigantic swarm of ferocious mosquitoes. Just FYI. Down by the water no problem. Grassy? rigging area watch out!? They'll invade your vehicle too!!

cgoudie1 · Posted: Fri May 27, 2016 5:54 am Post subject: Re: Mosier Skeeters

I've seen Doug's get like that early season also, not sure what causes it, but it
had us running towards the track while we were derigging a couple of years ago.
Always seems worse around dusk

-Craig

biffmalibu · Joined: 30 May 2008 Posts: 556

(I live in Mosier.)
There are two "lakes" in Mosier. They are ideal skeeter breeding waters, close to the park. The state highway department used to poison the lakes/mosquitos; they have not done so for years. Perhaps it was wiser to divert highway funds toward I-5 bridge consulting or Oracle's Cover Oregon consulting. So, be prepared for attack! Stay away from the tall grass and shrubs (good habitat for ambush). And pack up before the wind dies and the sun gets low. I fantasize about timely introduction of guppies (mosquito predators), etc. into these lakes. Because I don't believe there are enough bats to go around eating the adults. It would make Mosier much more comfortable as temperatures warm.

The Gorge is a special climate for this latitude, relatively mild even in winter. And getting milder, thanks to GLOBAL WARMING. Just look at the USA Today climate map of USA on a regular basis; you will consistently see a tongue of mild weather extending from Portland through the Gorge as climate is moderated by the gigantic river and gorge topography. Legit theories exist re: catastrophic disease and death of the natives hundreds of years ago due to malarial mosquitos (transported from the south via bilge tanks in British and Spanish ships). Perhaps more than smallpox did them in. Mosquitos do not like hard freezes, and so perhaps the malaria outbreak lasted only one year. This was back in the day, before the Industrial Revolution and consequent GLOBAL WARMING.

I think it would be wise to monitor the Gorge for various mosquito-borne diseases. Including Dengue, West Nile, and Zika. Bugs prefer warm weather, and it's just not freezing here much anymore.

westender · Joined: 02 Aug 2007 Posts: 1288 Location: Portland / Gorge

I'm feeling old and tired. I think the skeeters did something to me.

biffmalibu · Joined: 30 May 2008 Posts: 556

I'm feeling old and tired too.
Ready to shred fatties again today?
Twisted Evil

beaglebuddy · Joined: 10 Feb 2012 Posts: 1120

You lost me at GLOBAL WARMING.

dllee · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 5329 Location: East Bay

"Global warming" old news.
Cyclical Climate Change is the new happenning.
Mean's similar, but places the blame away from humans.

merriam · Joined: 28 Apr 2008 Posts: 95

westender · Joined: 02 Aug 2007 Posts: 1288 Location: Portland / Gorge

Ouch. Biff takes a left and then a right. The old one two.

biffmalibu · Joined: 30 May 2008 Posts: 556

This is a good read. It explains the difference between the concepts of global warming (a measurement) and climate change (a phenomenon resulting from global warming).
http://cleantechnica.com/2015/05/27/global-warming-is-not-a-theory-it-is-a-measurement/

I noticed when "climate change" became the predominant verbiage several years ago, replacing "global warming". It is more palatable to the conscience. Because it avoids psychological admission of the big/original problem. And it is vague. Therefore, it reads a lot nicer in proposed government bills designed to address the ultimate problems resulting from the original cause (which is global warming, of course). Some of those bills even get support from Republicans.

I respect scientists who dedicate their lives to collecting data and crunching numbers, as well as making experiments, in the search for answers to big questions. We should never forget their efforts or disparage them in the name of politics. I feel comfortable siding with 97% of scientists who agree that global warming is measurable and human-induced, starting with the burning of coal as a main fuel/power source during the Industrial Revolution. It's very sad and alarming, and so I understand how many cannot bear to admit or think about, especially those who have children and grandchildren, etc. who will be forced to contend with consequent desertification, water/oil wars, higher population/smaller land mass, less food, intensified violent weather phenomena, mass species extinction, etc. And so I cannot get very upset about it when deniers pop up anywhere.

I suppose this should now be moved to a political section.