Wildlife, New York version

Manhattan is actually one of the best bird-watching spots in the country, Central Park being an attractive rest stop during those long migrations over hundreds of miles of relentless urban sprawl.

Even in Midtown, miles away from the park, I get interesting birds in the trees outside my bedroom window. In addition to the ubiquitous house sparrows and starlings, there are crows and mourning doves on my fire escape from time to time, with the occasional blue jay and cardinal and, once, a mockingbird.

Today, a cardinal in the trees, too far away for my limited zoom, and a little blurry, but a nice burst of color in the winter browns. Notice the trees are starting to bud, even though we're only halfway through February, with snow on the ground and more due Tuesday.