....Timing is everything.
You know it’s springtime in Hawaii when you see baby birds, baby bees and the oh so adorable —baby boar. Yep, they’re all darling in their own ways. I’m privy to the bees myself, and although I’ve seen plenty of baby chics along the bike path- scurrying after their mamas, and the startling grunting baby boar in my backyard, I have yet to see the baby bees.
Photo by Katie Metzger
I’ll clarify that a bit. I can open up the hives and the baby bees (brood) are there, but not in the numbers that show the nectar flow is on tap. Here’s the thing, a queen bee will regulate how many eggs she lays, as determined by the amount of food resources available to her colony. In other words, if they’re aren’t enough flowers for her bees, she’ll hold off on laying until there are. And from what I can tell, the Hawaiian queen bees are still a bit hesitant.
Baby bees being born -Photo by RD Watters
You might think (as I did) that there’s always flowers in Hawaii. That it’s always summertime here (or at least a warm spring). And yeah, it can feel that way; the average temperature is 80F, the beach is always the place to be, and flowers seem to be everywhere. (Could be in part because of all the tourists -and locals too- who walk around with beautifully colored leis). There’s always bright hibiscus and showy plumeria to spread aloha to locals and visitors alike. But the truth is, the springtime splurge of flowers has yet to be sprung.
Photo by Sara Page
It’s all about timing. Nature has her own timetable. And in my opinion, part of its perfection is in the yin and yang of it's unpredictability. Yes, the sun will rise each day, but what it will reveal, disclose and or unleash, is for us to find out. This holds true wherever you happen to live on the planet.
Here on the island, I find there’s a very subtle cycle and delicate natural rhythm to the seasons. It’s just a little under-the-radar :) I think being a beekeeper has me slightly more tuned into the trees, flowers, and yes--weeds (love em! - at least the flowering ones). But I wouldn’t be so bold as to try to predict that pinnacle moment when the bees decide it’s game on! Let the springtime flower feast begin!
Here on the island, I find there’s a very subtle cycle and delicate natural rhythm to the seasons. It’s just a little under-the-radar :) I think being a beekeeper has me slightly more tuned into the trees, flowers, and yes--weeds (love em! - at least the flowering ones). But I wouldn’t be so bold as to try to predict that pinnacle moment when the bees decide it’s game on! Let the springtime flower feast begin!
Photo by Peter Debicki
Okay I’ll admit it’s tempting. Predicting nature’s timetable- the change of seasons, the weather, the waves, is an obsession of humans. I don’t know a single newspaper or news program that doesn’t at least try. And, as the saying goes, "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me 350,000 times, you are a weatherman.”
But it’s more than just knowing about the weather that wills us on. I believe it's our desire for control, that tricks us into thinking we can predict, and even more foolishly— manage mother nature. Of course we can certainly control our own actions that affect nature, like being respectful of the earth’s resources, and keeping our footprint to a minimum. But no way are we in control of the big picture.
Case-in-point, —“The Eddie.” (-Since I’m on the topic of Hawaii, I’ll just stick with that for now).
It's like the Olympics of surfing; arguably the most prestigious, most revered surf contest in the world. It’s held in honor of the first lifeguard here, Eddie Aikau, an extremely respected Hawaiian and waterman. The Eddie only happens at Waimea Bay here on the North Shore— and only when the waves are at least 30ft (40-50 foot faces) for a minimum of 8 hours straight. The conditions have to be perfect. And, as a result, the contest hasn’t happened in 6 years.
Well, El Nino brought on some huge winter swells this year, and when a massive swell was predicted for February 10th, the Eddie was given the green light!! The news spread like wildfire. You should have seen the North Shore— this contest absolutely took over, -every restaurant, business, & school, felt the affects. Traffic was insane! I felt like this side of the island was gonna tip into the ocean with all the extra people, cars and craziness we were experiencing.
The reality was everyone wanted to see that moment. The moment when mother nature pulls the trigger. In this case that meant ginormous waves- and an opportunity to witness the super-human surfers ride them.
Photo by Eden Metzger
…So, 40,000 people showed up the morning of the Eddie. Actually many (including my husband and neighbors) camped out a day beforehand to secure the ideal viewing spot for the contest. When daylight broke, the anxious energy and excitement was nothing short of Christmas morning. …You know what was short though? The waves. Yeah, the swell that was predicted for the morning veered “off course” and the contest was called off!!!
It was pretty shocking, and yes disappointing. But heck, you’re on the beach with friends, humpback whales are breaching in the distance, life could be worse! People made the best of it and the aloha spirit was strong. We all went back to work the next day a little sunburned and figured, oh well -maybe next year the Eddie will go.
And then in happened. Just two weeks later, another massive swell, another green light -and this time Mother Nature pulled the trigger. The Eddie went. The waves did not disappoint and the surfing was world class. A new champion was celebrated; North Shore local boy John Florence. I’m certain that Eddie would be proud.
It was pretty shocking, and yes disappointing. But heck, you’re on the beach with friends, humpback whales are breaching in the distance, life could be worse! People made the best of it and the aloha spirit was strong. We all went back to work the next day a little sunburned and figured, oh well -maybe next year the Eddie will go.
And then in happened. Just two weeks later, another massive swell, another green light -and this time Mother Nature pulled the trigger. The Eddie went. The waves did not disappoint and the surfing was world class. A new champion was celebrated; North Shore local boy John Florence. I’m certain that Eddie would be proud.
Photo by Eden Metzger
That was two weeks ago and the waves are still pumping. Like an after-party that just keeps going.
But I have my attention focused on the party yet to happen, the flower feast. I know the bees are waiting for just that right moment when the flowers will burst open and the nectar will start flowing. Just like the waves, we can try to predict when that will happen, but just like the Eddie, who knows when it will really go.
But I have my attention focused on the party yet to happen, the flower feast. I know the bees are waiting for just that right moment when the flowers will burst open and the nectar will start flowing. Just like the waves, we can try to predict when that will happen, but just like the Eddie, who knows when it will really go.
There’s something beautifully humbling about the imperfection of humans. We try so hard to bend and pull mother nature to suit our needs and preferences. I’m glad she sticks to her guns. She has lessons to teach and it requires attention, humility, respect and patience to learn them.
The more we listen to the sound of the wind, watch the flowers bloom, feel the power of the ocean’s rumble, we get a little more attuned to her ways. Nature knows. What she wants to reveal is up to her, but every moment is a once-in-a lifetime chance.
The more we listen to the sound of the wind, watch the flowers bloom, feel the power of the ocean’s rumble, we get a little more attuned to her ways. Nature knows. What she wants to reveal is up to her, but every moment is a once-in-a lifetime chance.
“One cannot help but be in awe when one contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries to comprehend only a little of this mystery everyday."
-Albert Einstein
