As both a birder and one who runs and rides, it is always fun to combine the two hobbies. Riding or running along the Fox River (IL) in winter one finds these goldeneye ducks in rafts, diving beneath the surface to grab crustaceans off the bottom. They are a sign of winter, but did not show up this year until well into January. Normal arrival time is December 8 each year. Climate change is having an effect here in the Midwest with all sorts of birds. And for cyclists and runners too, many of whom have “enjoyed” a basically snowless winter until today. Our first real snow fell today. Photo by Christopher Cudworth