On Wednesday in my post, I noted that most of north central Florida is still sporting the browns of winter, and said I was looking forward to the beginning of spring and the beginning of wildflower season. Then, this morning as I drove down our road on my way to work, I saw flowers blooming on the Eastern redbud tree (Cercis canadensis) near the end of the road. The redbuds are usually one of the earliest flowers to start to blossom. Today was Groundhog Day, and I’m not sure what the groundhog predicted this year, but at least for north central Florida, I’d say that spring is on the way. I think I’d rather trust the signs I see in nature to the random actions of a small rodent for predicting the beginnings of spring.