Warmer and grayer

The sun leaks through breaks in the cloud cover occasionally.  No feeder birds - the seeds were stuck again.  I shook the seeds down and also put water in the birdbath, but it may take a while before the birds notice. It is warm enough for bees to be active.  The yellow jackets continue to work on their nest under the leaves.  I noticed more pieces of it lying around from the raid back in October. A white violet is blooming. 

Out on the creek is more lively.  A juvenile gull is fishing for minnows.  Sometimes it just plunges its head into the water, but sometimes it leaps up out of the water, flips, and dives head-first.  Other gulls circled in the air for a while, then moved on.  Also on the creek are a few buffleheads, a mallard pair, a flock of geese, a great blue heron and an egret.  The crows are very interested in the water too, parading along the bulkhead opposite, watching whatever is below the surface.

The chickadees and the nuthatches are back.  A rabbit hopped around the far side of the pool.