The temperature was 5 degrees yesterday morning
Or minus 5 if you factor in the wind chill
When the regulars gathered by the frozen lake
To count bird species as they do every Sunday
Citizen science in winter takes real dedication
Though they cut short their observation hour
To go inside to warm up and enjoy donuts social time
Having seen enough to be able to file a report
The birds of course stayed outside all day
Warm enough with their feathers fluffed up
Searching for food to survive the bitter cold
Living a life of necessity in the extreme
Charlie the scribe who compiles the list
And sends a message around afterwards
Told me the group dedicated the frigid day to us
That we should know what we are missing
Because we left for the winter months
Along with the great majority of the birds
That I photograph here and send periodically
So those birders can see what exists in a warmer place
When I was a boy winter had its charms
Ice skating in the swamp and on the river cove
Making money shoveling snow with my friend
Spent at the soda fountain on chocolate and sweets
But when I was grown and working outside for 18 years
Snow days meant extra hazardous work and travel time
And the hawk was the name of the icy gusts blowing through you
Enduring long hours chilled to the bone walking on numb feet
I told Charlie we think of them standing there looking out
Marveling at their fortitude as the cold makes tears in their eyes
With their noses dripping and teeth chattering breathing in the frozen air
And we give thanks winter for us is now but a distant memory
