Eugene Weekly : It’s About Time : 9.2.10

By David Wagner

Because our rainy season tends to linger into July, we really don’t have a summer that matches the notion of summer in other parts of the country. What we do have, however, is a prolonged dry season that begins in August and lasts for a good six weeks, well into September. The dry season ends when the rainy season begins with the first fall rains, normally in late September. Mild winters and dry, late summers classifies us as having a Mediterranean climate. Wild yearly variation is normal.

Toward the end of our dry season, river and pond levels get very low. I imagine the herons like it very much because all the little fish which have been reproducing so prolifically all summer get concentrated in shallow places. The fish are easy to catch, and the herons fatten up before slim fishing in the cold months.

Thinking of birds, don’t forget the spectacular passage of the Vaux’s swift migration at the middle of the month. If you want to congregate with other bird lovers, attend the sunset events hosted by the Lane Audubon Society. Go to Agate Hall on Agate Street between 17th and 18th Avenues in Eugene on Fridays, Sept. 17 and 24.

Songbirds have by now fledged their nestlings and all headed south. The surviving bugs are getting ready for overwintering, laying eggs or burrowing into the ground to pupate. Spiders are catching the last and fattest of these insects for the same reason: making eggnests to overwinter. Fat spiders mark summer’s end.

David Wagner is a botanist who has lived in Eugene for more than 30 years. He teaches mosses and leads plant walks. He may be reached at fernzenmosses@me.com

A Note From the Publisher

Dear Readers,

The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.

That’s because of you!

Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.

Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.

We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.

And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.

None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.

As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.

Thank you for standing with us!