Habituated

Went out birding as the sun was rising, since I didn't need to watch Peggy today. Didn't even bother with a sweater or jacket....just went out crunching around in the snow and slogging through the mud.

The first Eastern Phoebe of the year obligingly showed itself right in the honey locust and the ducks and geese were busy over the river. It is pretty cool to be able to pick up waterfowl right in your backyard, Common Mergansers, American Black Ducks, and Mallards, besides the Canada Geese this morning.

But talk about getting used to winter. I didn't even get cold and it was about 35 degrees. You know it's been pretty cold lately when that feels downright balmy.

Or maybe I'm just balmy. You never know.

Anyhow, it's great to have the sun shining for the first time in lo these many days.