Shadow Lake a Bird Haven in Bitter Midwest Cold

Bitter cold weather has languished for a few days in the midwest, and with snows a few days ago, it is a frigid landscape.

At Shadow Lake, ever-flowing springs of warm subterranean water has created a unique haven for a few birds.

This small spot was visited on the 15th of January, when the ambient outside temperature was about 6^o below zero. Three bird species were noted. There were 55 Mallards appreciating the warm waters of the lake as their own tiny refuge, a single Song Sparrow, and the resident Winter Wren foraging about.

Not much else was about, but the dichotomy of green and blue, contrasting with white and brown created a vivid scene that can be appreciated only a few days a year.

With the warming rays of a sunny day - while bundled up in layer upon layer of clothing - it was a pleasant visit to the local park.

Further up Wood Creek, along Happy Hollow, were some White-breasted Nuthatch and Black-capped Chickadees, a tenacious Red-bellied Woodpecker, and about a dozen Mourning Dove lingering near an open water area, that probably was an appreciated place for a drink of water.

Snow crystals. Note that these pictures have been digitally altered.