We have had little snow and unseasonably warm temperatures

for most of this winter so when it threatened to get cold weather

warning were issued. At present it is -18 C / which I believe is - 4 F

nothing to get worked up about. I did notice that the house sparrows

were huddled at the base of the honeysuckle next to the feeder. And

every one I ran into, house sparrows, magpies and squirrels had set

their outfits to extra fluffy.

Almost looks stuffed doesn't he, and he seems  to be working on it.

I did notice that most of the wildlife I ran into today are

often considered pests the House Sparrows and Eastern Grey

Squirrels because they are non native and the native Magpies

because of the high concentrations in the city. I realize

that all can take a toll on other species, just as the vast roosts

of wintering starling can be a disaster if you live nearby.

However I do think there is some truth to the quote below, I

have noticed that people who really don't care about a native

species if it interferes with the placement of a mini mall

are all to happy to decry the presence of pest species.

Possibly many of us just don't like to share.

"Perhaps we project on to starlings that which we deplore in

ourselves: our numbers, our aggression, our greed, and our

cruelty. Like starlings, we are taking over the world."

Refuge
Terry Tempest Williams

But I also noticed on my walk that the snow had worked it

usual magic and even the ordinary has been subtlety

changed and lifted up and merited notice once again. And

over it all were woven the winter songs Chicka-dee-dee-dee-dee;

fee-beee and how can you not like them?

"Now the long freight of autumn goes smoking out of the land.

My possibles are all packed up, but still I do not leave.

I am happy enough here, where Dakota drifts wild in the universe,

Where the prairie is starting to shake in the surf of the winter dark."

 

                                                         Beyond the Red River

                                                                Thomas McGrath