Some summer days invite you outside. Others remind you that nature sets the schedule, not us.

Today was one of those latter days.

My backyard weather station recorded a high temperature of 97.5°F, and it felt every bit of it. The air was heavy enough that even standing still left you wishing for a breeze. Like many people across the Northeast, we’ve been looking for air-conditioned places to take our daily walks rather than heading to our favorite nature preserves.

As evening approached, though, the day offered a reward.

Smoke and haze softened the western sky, turning the setting sun into a glowing orange-red disk hanging above the trees. At the same time, the backyard meadow remained surprisingly busy. Bees and other pollinators continued moving from flower to flower through the tall grasses, seemingly unfazed by the heat that had driven most of us indoors.

It reminded me that every species has its own way of dealing with summer. Some seek shade. Some become more active in the cooler hours. Others simply carry on with the work that needs to be done.

The weather forecasters say the humidity will begin dropping tomorrow afternoon. If they’re right, the heat should become a little more bearable, and I’m looking forward to getting back onto one of our local nature preserve trails.

Sometimes stewardship isn’t about doing something extraordinary.

Sometimes it’s simply paying attention, waiting for the right moment, and then stepping back outside.

Tomorrow may be one of those days.