Following the recent Arctic invasion, my wife and I have returned to Colorado, where we have been greeted by mild, sunny weather. Only a few residual snowbanks attest to the winter storm that paralyzed much of the country.
A walk along the South Platte River this morning turned up a good variety of waterfowl and winter songbirds were both noisy and active in the valley woodlands, seemingly as happy as the hikers, bikers and joggers that took advantage of the glorious weather. Of special note, the hysterical calls of northern flickers rang through the cottonwood groves, always among the first, welcome signs of spring.
Of course, this is Colorado and, if the weather forecasters are right, we can expect a new blanket of snow tomorrow. But that is the nature of a Front Range spring, recurrent episodes of snow that rapidly melts in the intense sunshine; the moisture is vital to the welfare of this semi-arid ecosystem and the warm, sunny interludes support the mental health of its human residents.
