Migrating birds have biological clocks



Scissortailed Flycatcher

Birds have biological clocks telling them things like when to migrate. This "clock", based on sun angles, overides everything else, even food availability and local weather. Although many birds migrate at night, some migrate by day. They use a related, internal “sun compass” to keep them traveling in the right direction. The internal clock also measures day-length.  The changing length of daylight tells all birds when to begin their migration flights. Some species are migrating now, others won't migrate for weeks. Nighttime migrators use the stars’ positions. These don't change at all [or only minutely] over several bird-lifetimes. And, lest we forget, our sun is a star, too.

Conversely, the birds depend on the plants at their destination for their food supply. Whether these plants are in bloom, withered, under water, snow-covered or failed to set seed the past year, due to changing climate, is another matter.

Crape Myrtles are being pruned as if it were 1800
About now, Crape Myrtles are being “pruned” drastically for some reason, pushing them near death. After being severly pruned, they will put most of their energy into healing the wound, and will unquestionably produce fewer flowers and are far more prone to disease. Anyone who says different hasn't been following nationwide horticultural research for the past decade.

This outdated pruning style is totally unnecessary. I have no idea why the habit didn’t fade away along with alchemy and human sacrifice. It benefits nobody except whoever has the nerve to charge you for it. Crape Myrtles grow far better if only the old seed pods are removed or if they’re just left 100% alone