Nature's opportunism

Here in Northern California, we are in the eye of the storm. We are having luscious, springlike weather in a small respite from the rainstorms and damp chill of winter. It's dry, brilliantly sunny, and softly warm (although under the warmth is the subtle hint of cold, because in fact the sun is not quite committed to providing its heat at this early date).

Nature is revelling in it. Birds are singing, trees are blossoming, even a few flowers are waking up. At first I felt some incredulity-- don't they know it's only February? And then some sadness-- they will be stunned and possibly hurt by the return of winter, for it will return.

But now I am feeling some appreciation, even awe, of nature's actions. How wonderfully audacious to proceed confidently with spring behavior in light of the sunshine and 70-degree temperature. It may last a few days, or a week, or even two weeks, and that time can be used! Rather than sitting dormant in winter mode, why not take advantage of the conditions, responding to the reality of the situation rather than carrying some knowledge of how things "ought to be" in February?

Accordingly, I am going to hang my hummingbird feeder today.