“The first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another. The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month.”

– Henry Van Dyke

Winter ends with a heat wave. Therefore, it would follow spring begins with cool and rainy weather. Why not? After all this is Southern California where anything goes: life here is about as predictable as … well, the weather.

On Monday, in the early morning hours – 3:28 a.m. – spring arrived. In deep slumber, most of us missed its exact arrival time. Fortunately, it didn’t go anywhere and promises to stay around awhile (three months). Even without a calendar, it was evident winter was nearing its end. Upon close observation subtle changes and activities could be found among the plant and animal worlds. Changes in the weather can’t be included quite yet. The cold rainstorms of winter slipped right past the equinox and became spring showers. Rain is rain. The differing factor of the current storms is the temperature; although the nights remain in the 40s, the daytime temperatures have warmed up to around 60 degrees.

Besides a few early nest builders, one of the first signs of spring’s arrival is the bugs! The most noticed is also constantly and unfairly identified incorrectly. Most people call them mosquitoes! Can you imagine? It is like confusing Gandhi with Genghis Khan!

These oversized insects with the crazy flight patterns, known to entomologists as crane flies or mosquito hawks, don’t buzz or bite and are of benefit to nature’s cycle of life. Birds, skunks, possums and many other small critters eat “mosquito hawk” larvae. The larvae also break down and fertilize organic materials. They are considered one of the “good guys” in the bug world; nothing like the mosquito, which spreads disease, sucks blood and leaves behind an itchy trademark. Fear not – most mosquito hawks don’t eat or even chew. Although, on occasion they have been known to and have been observed partaking in a sip of nectar from a flower. This year’s above-average rainfall has enhanced their breeding conditions, contributing to an increased population and an earlier-than-normal spring arrival. As we open our doors to the mild spring weather, in come these gentle and often misunderstood insects. Welcome them!

Clear, dry, breezy and warmer conditions are expected for today and tomorrow. Late Friday through Saturday a weak storm will pass through. So far, Sunday looks dry. A chance for a spring shower lingers into next week. The weather seems on course with the season.

Sue Kilpatrick is a

Crescenta Valley resident and

Official Skywarn Spotter for the

National Weather Service. Reach her at  suelkilpatrick@gmail.com.

  Sue Kilpatrick