Yellow Goat's Beard

Yellow Goat's Beard (Tragopogon pratensis) in the family Asteraceae. The species is common along roadsides, "weedy patches" along fence lines, railroad and utility easements in Oklahoma.

2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) and Agent Orange

2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) is a broad leaf plant defoliant developed in the 1940s and widely used in agriculture through the early 1980s when the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ended its use on food crops in the United States. Agent Orange is a defoliant that is a mixture of 2,4,5-T and 2,4-D that was used during the Vietnam War. Agent Orange has subsequently been suspected of causing serious illness including cancer in Vietnam veterans that were exposed to the herbicide during the war.
Both 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 2,4,5-T are synthetic auxins. Auxins occur naturally as plant growth substances (growth hormones) that regulate plant growth behavior. Both of these chemicals are members of the phenoxy family of herbicides. The half-life of 2,4-D is estimated to be 7-10 days and soil microbes are primarily responsible for its degradation. Although microbes also break down these chemicals in aquatic systems tests have shown trace amounts in surface and groundwater across the United States and Canada.

For more details about the manufacture, chemistry, and toxicity of the phenoxy family of herbicides, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2,4-D

Herbicide Uses in Agriculture: 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D)

Herbicides like 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) are designed to kill target species while leaving desirable species such as certain crops unharmed. 2,4-D is used to control broad-leaf weeds. It is the most widely used herbicide in the world, and the 3rd most common in North America. More than 1,500 herbicide products contain 2,4-D as an active ingredient sold under a wide variety of brand names. 2,4-D is generally applied as a salt solution or a more potent ester formulation. These chemicals interfere with the growth hormones of target species or so called “weeds” and are classified as plant growth regulators. The chemical is absorbed through a plant’s leaves and effects growth at the apical meristems. The effected plant literally grows itself to death. In a short time plants show leaf curl and withering. Herbicides like 2,4-D are commonly used on industrial sites, railways, and roadsides. Lesser quantities are applied to forest stands, pastures and wildlife management areas. 2,4-D was a component in "Agent Orange" widely used as a defoliant in Vietnam that has now been linked with cancer.

Indiscriminate Herbicide Application in Rural Northwestern Oklahoma

Agriculture in northwest Oklahoma mostly consists of winter wheat and cattle. Many farmers and ranchers have moved off their land and now live in cities and towns; sometimes several miles from their operations. Often farmland is leased and many times individuals manage several large parcels.

Lately, the practice of herbicide application to trees along watercourses and small unnamed creeks and streams has become widespread. As a trained Conservation Biologist and land manager myself, I need someone to explain the purpose of this practice! After all, it seems to me that not only is this a waste of money, but counterproductive for cattle ranchers and wheat farmers. Don't trees provide shade for livestock during the hot summer months and protection from wind, rain, and snow in winter? My college training in forestry, agriculture, and hydrology and my personal field observations leave no doubt in my mind that trees, shrubs, and various ground cover reduce erosion along waterways and in flood prone areas.

I have frequently witnessed both ground and aerial spraying being conducted on days when the wind is blowing steadily in excess of 20 mph. Under these conditions, vegetation far from the target area is harmed or killed. Often, residents nearby these inconsiderate spraying operations loose ornamental plantings, orchard trees, and garden crops.

Another common practice is the indiscriminate spraying of roadside ditches along county roads. Target species include Johnson Grass, (Sorghum halepense), Japanese Brome or Cheat Grass (Bromus japonicus), Giant Ragweed, (Ambrosia trifida), and several other less noxious species. These species do cause problems and are invasive, however there are other methods of controlling them such as mowing, prescribed burning, and more careful application of herbicide. The main ingredients required for a land stewardship are some common sense, a land ethic, and above all farm managers can't be lazy! One prerequisite is that managers/farmers must take the time to learn how to identify noxious/invasive species. Not every non-crop species is bad. The "kill em all" mentality is ignorant if not stupid. Ignorance is just not knowing better; stupidity is knowing better, but not caring enough to act responsibly.

Photos: Top- Overspray kills a variety of trees and shrubs around a stock pond in eastern Major County, Oklahoma; Bottom- Trees effected by aerial herbicide along a natural watershed.

This little owl is so wet that I am having a bit of trouble identifying it.  At first I thought it was a Great Horned Owl, but I am having second thoughts.  The wing feather color is right on for a great horned, but the pattern on the one wing feather is more like a Barred Owl.  Help me out somebody...

Either way, a really cool experience.  We released this little guy at the site of capture.  Chances are, the parents are near by and will take it from here.

We also caught a few snakes including: Black Rat Snake, Speckled King Snake, and Water Snake.