I was driving to the grocery store last Wednesday and passed the high school football field about 4:00 in the afternoon. There were several kids playing ball with a skiff of snow on the ground. It occurred to me that some of the athletic success in Kansas might be predicated on the innate drive of our kids to get out and joyfully play in less than perfect weather conditions. I then thought that possibly the majority of all our outdoor activities happen in adverse conditions. My conclusion is that Kansas really does have some of the best people living their lives in a lot of bad weather--then I think of the spring days with warm sun and no wind when we are catching walleye or hitting errant golf balls--and wonder who would choose to live anywhere else.
The ability of our wildlife to thrive in the marsh is as amazing as the sight of those kids playing ball in freezing weather. Hibernation protects the snakes, lizards, frogs and turtles. The staff at the Bottoms told me about finding a group of the large snapping turtles buried in the ground by one of the gates they were cleaning or repairing during a drought-- and they were stacked on top of each other in the coolest, dampest possible spot. They must go to similar areas in winter. Even ground squirrels, woodchucks and raccoons hibernate.  
I personally love the fall and winter. Hunters have internal clocks and get much stronger and tougher during the seasons. When the meat is in the freezer and the jerky and sausage are made--I still have the cameras to use. Winter scenery and wildlife make for some spectacular photographs! Go get a copy of the 2016 Wildlife/Parks photographic issue that has just come out. Mike Miller and Nadia Marji have exceeded themselves with this issue- Bob Gress, Judd Patterson, Jay Miller, Karole Ericson and several other talented photographers are featured and this issue has some stunning photographs. I was even fortunate enough to have a picture included. We are so lucky to have access to their skills.
I have spent some time bundled up in front of a feeder at the home of a friend who lives east of Great Bend. He has a pond and feeds the birds very well. The “feeder birds” are so pretty--lots of different sparrows, juncos, cardinals, blue jays, woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees--and are so busy and serious about eating to survive.
The marsh is frozen except for a few spots of open water. There are eagles, owls, and hawks on the prowl and keeping watch over the land. Our winter and it’s bounty are here--get out and see these critters living and surviving during tough times. It makes me proud of our kids!
Doc