Winter Wonderland

Karner Blue Preserve

Now that winter is finally here, get out and enjoy the beauty that comes with the cold. Birds are now easier to see close as the temperatures drop and the snows come. My bird feeders are now very active with a large number of birds. If you are looking for water fowl, try around the piers on Lake Michigan as they are congregating by the dozens or hundreds in the calm open water just past the ice. Be extremely careful as the piers are covered in ice and don’t venture out on the ice piles as they are always to be considered unsafe to be on.

St Joe Light Covered in Ice

The recent days of wind have left some interesting ice formations and covered everything in a layer of ice along the lake shore. The lake effect snows have also blanketed trees in a winter wonderland of snow.

Great-Horned Owls will be beginning to nest at any time now. If you live near a wooded area you may want to listen for them after dark in the evenings. Remember if you feed the birds; don’t stop during the cold snowy weather as they become dependent on the food source once you start. Watch for unusual or rare winter visitors at your feeders.  The Redpolls and others are always a welcome site this time of year.

Get and enjoy the beauty before it is gone. Local parks are great places to see the snow covered trees and look of birds or drive to one of the beaches along Lake Michigan to see what the wind and waves can do. If you are extremely brave you could kayak as I saw someone doing in St. Joe. For the rest of us snowshoes or cross country skis are a great way to get out.

And don’t forget to dress warm!