Snow and cold have a way of biting into outdoors activity schedules. Shoveling, not snowmobiling. Bulky clothes; can’t run.

Just plain dangerous; stay inside.

Vehicular travel, while somewhat impeded, may open some exits.

Without becoming a pest and disturbing sedentary birds and mammals, viewing, photographing, scouting, and counting animals can take the place of hiking, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and skiing until the weekend.

Eagle observations, which we never seem to tire from enjoying, are hastened because ice limits their water feeding to smaller areas. Snow, too, seems to push eagles roadside where carcasses accumulate.

Nests are often visible from roadways, too, and because these more-than-a-ton structures are perennial, once located, the location may be used for several years, or up to a decade. There are nests in every county but Milwaukee.

Because bald eagles are scavengers as well as predators, they huddle along roadways.

Sitting birds are nice to view, but with a wind span of more than seven feet, don’t forgo viewing a flying bird, either.

For mammals and birds, winter is a time of stress and disturbing an animal may zap it of energy it does have to spare.

Don’t forget the immature birds, those without white heads, and golden eagles, which resemble to some extent immature bald eagles; they’re here, too.

Snow has put smiles on snowmobilers’ faces, but be careful, assist others in distress, and respect the landowners who allow trails to cross their land.

Alcohol was involved in 70 percent of the 23 fatalities last winter.

Some other interesting winter viewing finds are young deer with “short faces” caused in part by the smaller, shorter face and facial hair standing on end. These features make a young deer’s head fatter-looking and wider, too.

Deer are particularly fond of evergreens during winter. White pines, white cedars and some red cedars attract a hungry animal but we’re likely too late to protect them.

American robins and eastern bluebirds will take your mind off winter for a moment. Robins congregate where there is food and water.

Food comes in the form of hackberry fruits (hard and dry) and frozen berries. Bluebirds do the same. A heated water bath can be key to seeing these migrants who stayed.

Trout anglers will be back this weekend when the temperatures moderate and ice fishing will be much more comfortable, too, even in a shelter.

While most hunting seasons are closed, check out the squirrel hunting regulations and how it may be possible to hunt squirrels year-round.

Watch, too, for ways animals are coping by fluffing their feathers and allowing more air to get among the fibers making things look larger than life.

A bit of being outside goes a long way, but that smidgen is probably worth the effort.

— Jerry Davis is an Argyle native and a freelance writer who lives in Barneveld. He can be reached at sivadjam@mhtc.net or at 608-924-1112.