Isle Royale Forums

Just an observation (not wishing to start a conflict about global warming, etc.)

Just returned from two weeks on Isle Royale (first boater) and I noticed that I have never seen the following this early in the season since my first trip in 1976:

1. Mosquitos and black flies out (usually don't come out until late May)
2. Trees have leafed out
3. Garter snakes sunning on trails

Lots of things seem to be peaking early this year. I wonder if part of it may also be an El Niño pattern as well as longterm warming.

I spent a week in the Porcupine Mountains (nearby Michigan mainland) and noticed the same things. The trees leafing out this early were especially jarring.

It was a mild winter overall up north. Very little ice cover on the Great Lake s this year. Hope it's just an anomaly.

Here in Ohio, the average temperature for the last 12+ months have been above average. We only received 1/2 the normal snow this and last year. The rain fall during the winters has been above normal. I've believed in global warming for many years.