20 Nebraskaland • January-February 2022
nyone can hike on a warm day, surrounded by birdsong
and verdant meadows of wildfl owers. The world is full
of sights and sounds. But in the winter? That sounds
ridiculous. It's cold outside, the plants are all brown
and animals are either hibernating or vacationing in warmer
places. What are you supposed to do, tromp through the snow,
bundled up like that one kid in that one movie? Well, yes.
Whether you explore the local trail or head out to your
favorite state park or recreation area, plenty of animals,
animal signs and other winter attractions will make your trip
worthwhile. Sure, it's nippy out there, but throw on an extra
layer, fi nd that second glove and go see what's happening
in the world. Here are four great reasons to leave your cozy
home and venture into the cold.
No. 1 Animals
While many animals either migrate out of Nebraska or
enter a dormant state during the winter, many others are
still active, at least some of the time. Large mammals, such
as deer, can sometimes be easier to see in the winter than
the summer, in part because the absence of leaves on trees
makes it harder for them to hide in woodlands. Coyotes,
foxes, opossums and other medium-sized mammals often are
out and about, too, especially on warmer days.
Winter brings opportunities to see a diff erent suite of
bird species than can be spotted during the rest of the year.
Juncos, Harris' sparrows, tree sparrows, Lapland longspurs
and bald eagles are just a few species that are either
A Winter Hike
A Great Time to Observe Nature
Water boatman in ice.
Story and photos by Chris Helzer
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