Spring

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Almost immediately after I saw that lizard out of hibernation, the temperature started rising and butterflies appeared everywhere.  As if the lizard coming out of hibernation was the cue for temperature to warm up, instead of the other way around.  That lizard was ahead of its time.

Timing is extremely important for the survival.  If an individual comes out of hibernation early and gets a head start, it has more time to gain food and longer growing seasons, and overall stand advantageous against its competitors.  But if it comes out too early then it would spend more energy to fight off cold, and stand at disadvantage.  The competition for survival is a tough one.  But that lizard came out at the most ideal timing.  It is just simply amazing how the nature works.

Unfortunately, I hear the climate change is causing troubles to these timings.  For example, a migratory birds judge timing based on the position of the sun and the length of the daylight hours. Insects hibernating in the soil has to judge the timing based on the temperature.  The climate change is making the insects come out of hibernation earlier, where as the birds that used to migrate just in time to catch these insects are finding themselves short of food.

On the side note, I am not that knowledgeable of the insects.  I do not know the names of the species of those on the pictures.  When I was a small child I used to look at the books and guides about insects as well, but sadly I forgot most of it....