Winter doldrums

Usually I get tired of winter in February, but this year I am already there, perhaps because of last week's frigid temps. This week will be milder (a relative term) but still winter-like. I'm eager to get going in the yard.

And yet I hesitate to order any plants. One issue is my hip, the one with the replacement, which has been bothering me lately. I have my five-year checkup Monday with the ortho place, so we'll see how things look. I really don't want more surgery, but better now than later, after more (theoretical) damage is done.

One bright spot in this dreary winter is the avian diversity in the backyard. Not feeding the birds during the summer has limited the sparrows, but hasn't seemed to affect the other species. In fact, a newcomer has been Carolina wrens, identified by Merlin last fall, and spotted by me in the mealworm feeder. I finally managed to get visual proof:

I tend to favor the more brightly colored birds, but I'll make an exception for this pert little guy, who is all fluffed up against the cold. Looks like a little dirty tennis ball.