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Springtime in February?
Showers in March bring more Flowers in April!
By Doheny Park Naturalist Vicki
Happy Springtime Everyone...I hope that all of you are enjoying the New Year so far! I am back to work after stepping away (ha ha) for foot surgery at the end of December. I must be honest, it was an interesting experience wearing the little post-surgery sandal while rehabbing and I am going to be even more honest! I didn’t feel any pain whatsoever until I had to walk without my beloved sandal...ouch! However, back to my story!
I tried to keep my body strong by taking little walks on the nature trails one step at a time. Yes, it was a slow process but, sometimes life has a way of slowing one down and in quiet reflection, I really believe it is a blessing, at least for me. I was able to see Mother Nature receive heavy rain and then the evolution of dormant California natives go from brown to green to bud and ultimately to blossom. Flower by flower, one step at a time, like me! I knew that February was an early month to celebrate spring, however, I also know that we cannot control Mother Nature (remember that mantra?!). I relished in it by documenting each blossom with pictures each week.
Funny thing is that California native flora and fauna is so painfully misunderstood. People look at the brown hills in the summertime and think that it is a dead landscape, however, it’s not “dead” at all just, merely resting patiently for rain, misty fog, or some other minute source of water. I love it...let nature once again teach us a lesson in patience!
Fast forward to this last week in March and alas, the high pressure has finally been conquered by the low with springtime rain on the horizon throughout the week...yeah, patience has paid off! Perhaps this rain will create another springtime blossom with some of the natives that didn’t bloom last time around. Or maybe, just maybe, it will create some sort of super bloom somewhere throughout the State like the Poppy Reserve or Anza Borrego? Wouldn’t that be amazing?!
For me, I am so grateful for this late in the season rain as it will prepare the ground for my Earth Day project this year scheduled for Saturday, April 23, at picnic site A/B. I finalized my list of California natives with Tree of Life nursery last week with a colorful array of pollinators to attract and encourage the Monarch butterflies to visit Doheny State Beach. It’s going to be beautiful thanks to a most generous donation from the Ohana Festival family who visualized a lovely Cove to welcome park visitors! Additionally, I would like to thank Lori Coble for supporting my efforts to beautify Doheny through these volunteer projects.
Okay, off I go into the rain with a heart full of gratitude for a rainy day. After all, water is life! I have some fun things planned for the year so, I hope that you have some time to join me...Happy Trails Everyone!
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