When the temperature reaches far below zero, we often think of the outside as the dead zone.

Plants and mammals are asleep. Birds have flown south. Yeah, there are exceptions but generally we equate winter's long nights and cold temperatures with death.

Here's a wake-up call: Nature in winter is alive. Whether in the woods on the prairie or right smack downtown life is teeming even when we don't see it.

Let's start where it's obvious: the bird feeder in the yard. In town you may have mostly house sparrows and finches, eating bird seed and surviving.

Meanwhile, lurking in the bushes nearby migh...