Page 9 - March 23, 2022

{ 8 } SNJ Today | MARCH 23, 2022 MARCH 23, 2022 | SNJToday.com { 9 }

awaited mate, all in an effort to produce Male hooded merganser, right, tails a female.
progeny. PHOTO BY AUTHOR
Red maples will flower in minute
buds that make the riverbanks take on a
rosy hue. Woodchucks (groundhogs) and During March, for many species
black bears will come out of hibernation. things are really heating up! There is
Eastern bluebirds will take nature’s much more to come as spring continues
cues and lay the eggs of their first brood. to unfold. By May nature will be in full
As spring advances to summer some swing as each creature successively joins
will actually lay three sets of eggs. Few in its own courtship rituals.
efforts will match the bluebirds’ devo- So whether or not March goes out
tion. Incubation is up to two weeks and with a roar or a bleat it brings on a natu-
care lasts over a month, so that’s a lot of ral bounty filled with wondrous drama to
parental effort! behold. n

I can enjoy March’s contrasts.

But absent a break, the Some people were born to be doctors.
Some of the best come here.
bleaker days just seem

too heavy on the brow. At Inspira Health, the leading doctors of today are training the top
doctors of tomorrow. Learn more about Inspira Health services near
It is this contrast you at InspiraHealth.org/BornToCare

that gives such grandeur
to the splendid ones.

Born to Care.
Female purple martin in flight. PHOTO BY AUTHOR