February is one of those transition months in the Canyonlands region. Not quite spring as warm daytime temperatures may give way to some freezing nights, and weeks of sunny weather get punctuated with snowstorms the sweep across the landscape. Still technically “winter,” but with glimpses of spring ahead.

Besides some warm days that are ideal for hiking or mountain biking, there are other signs that spring is just around the corner. These include the appearance of early season wildflowers, insects, lizards, and the first avian migrants.

There used to be a friendly competition between botanists in the southwest to announce the first wildflower blooming in the new year. Some years, this could be as early as mid-January, when warm temperatures stir plants nestled in the slickrock, garnering heat from the surrounding sandstone. Several species come to mind: Parry’s biscuitroot, wedgeleaf, twinpod, and the Canyonlands biscuitroot, an endemic plant found in association with the Entrada sandstone.

Both biscuitroots are in the Carrot family (Apiaceae) and have highly dissected leaves and flat-topped clusters of tiny greenish flowers that may turn to seed long before many other wildflowers appear in spring. The roots of these plants were harvested by Native Americans and pulverized into flour and add to food or used medicinally for different aliments. Early season flies may be the pollinators attracted to these flowers.

Twinpod and wedgeleaf are members of the Mustard family but differ considerably. Twinpods have yellowish, four-petaled flowers that produce inflated seedpods; hence, the common name. Wedgeleaf, named for the shape of the leaves, is a small-growing wildflower with whitish flowers which produces a flat seedpod.

If you look closely at some of these flowers, you might encounter some of the early season insects, mainly flies or midges, which hatch as the weather warms. Another, more surprising insect that appears in spring, are adult mourning cloak butterflies.

These largish butterflies have dark wings edged with white or yellowish bands. They overwinter beneath tree bark, barnwood, leaf litter, or wood piles, protective confines that provide protection from the elements. Prior to overwintering, these butterflies enter a state of torpor, a type of hibernation but one that allows them to “temporarily awaken” if conditions are favorable. Also, these butterflies chemically alter their cellular fluids, replacing them with glycols which act as an antifreeze. Though their appearance may herald a fine winter day, these butterflies will return to their hiding places if the temperatures plummet.

Like the mourning cloak butterfly, there are two small lizards, the side-blotched and ornate tree lizards – that may appear in February on warm, sunny days. The small body size of these creatures enables them to heat up quickly, as they need external heat to function. Both lizards may be observed scurrying around foraging for food while the weather is good. Otherwise, it’s back to an overwintering location to ride out the cold weather.

Although the American robin is often considered the first bird of spring, there are other migratory species that show up in February. These may include waterfowl, such as snow geese, Canada geese, and ring-necked ducks, or songbirds such as the Say’s phoebe or yellow-rumped warblers. Both these birds feed on insects and take advantage of those early season hatches or caterpillars that have emerged from their overwintering egg stage. Their arrival dates may be consistent year-to-year, but during mild winters, these birds can take advantage of the conditions and set their migratory clocks ahead.

So, as you explore the redrocks keep an eye out for some of these early arrivals or late winter residents and take them as signs that spring is just around the corner.