Here we are in the Deep Freeze. The sun is shining brightly, I’m hanging out with the indoor crowd, and I’ve decided getting old is a good excuse for moving slowly. But I am still treasuring the compliment I received yesterday when I finished my last lap in the pool. I was about to get out when the young smiling woman in the next lane said something to me. I had to stop the music in my waterproof MP3 player and ask her to repeat what she said. “You are a beautiful swimmer.” I thanked her and replied that it was the music. Indeed, I was swimming well, perhaps, dancing in my mind as I swept through the water.

Her comment reminded me later of another unsolicited observation I received years ago, when I used to work downtown and visit Grant Park on my lunch hour to see the birds. It might have been spring or summer. I forget what birds I was observing. But a woman who was on the tennis court nearby came over to tell me that she wished she had my level of concentration to apply to her tennis game. Perhaps I am not often thinking about myself when I am engaged in birdwatching or swimming, but somehow my demeanor must express some measure of dedication or authenticity which is the gift of allowing myself to be in the moment, as it were. To have a total stranger pick up on this transformation and feel moved to tell me is a fabulous gift. I have to remind myself to notice others and pay back some compliments. I think we all need them even more now.

Here are photos from two recent visits to the Chicago Portage, starting with February 11. It was a rather gloomy visit weather-wise.

I had walked nearly halfway through before I saw a Red-tailed Hawk perched overlooking the river beyond the break in the fence.

A young deer greeted me.

I seem to notice Downy Woodpeckers foraging closer to the ground more often in the winter.

I caught a glimpse of a Red-bellied Woodpecker and another Downy.

Then I noticed sparrows on the ground. First there were White-throated Sparrows.

Then I saw some Fox Sparrows.

A Northern Cardinal stood out near the paved path.

An American Goldfinch didn’t look too happy about the weather.

I saw the backside of a female Northern Cardinal.

There was a Hairy Woodpecker.

And one more Downy Woodpecker.

Two more Sparrows and the backside of the Statue…

Two days later, I took a rare afternoon walk through the Portage in bright sunshine

The recent snowfall covered everything.

I found an American Tree Sparrow.

The Black-capped Chickadees were in good spirits.

I found a flock of White-throated Sparrows and managed to photograph two.

There was even a momentary Song Sparrow.

Without much else to look at, I noticed the snow on the trunk of a tree.

We are remaining pretty cold all week, but between bright sunshine and warming temperatures into the weekend and beyond, looks like we’ll survive this cold blast. Through it all, the days are getting longer. Some things, like weather and the rotation of the planet, are still simply beyond anyone’s control. I find that reassuring.