Finding nature where you can

After moving to the city, it became very important to find nature where I could. Fortunately, we moved near a lot that has been difficult for developers to sell because it has a little stream which drains the hill above it.  You can't see the water in the photo but you can see the little green plants still growing even in the snow.

I walk here often but because I usually have my dog with me, I stay on the road to avoid the burrs lurking in the grass.

But today, I decided I needed to get out on my own even though the snow was pretty deep. It was so much fun, I felt like a kid again.


Even the weeds were beautiful

I stopped long enough to notice there was still food left for the birds

and heard the cheerful singing of a little brown bird. It wasn't a sparrow and of course it wouldn't come close enough for a photo but I'd seen this little bird before by the lake.  It flicks it's tail like a wren, and every time I've spotted one, it has been near water.

After reading about the American Waterthrush, I thought I'd identified it but it shouldn't be here through the winter. 

Mind you neither should Red-Winged Blackbirds but one is still visiting our feeder.
This fellow has been staying through the winter for about three years.  I always wonder why some of them don't leave.

Well, that was it for my walk, it was short and not very exotic but very much appreciated.