I commute on a bike 365 days a year, rain or snow or subzero cold. It is sometimes a challenge, to be sure, but it is always interesting, due in large part to all the
wildlife I see that folks zooming by in cars almost never see. Going slow and quiet does have its advantages. That's why I usually carry a
monocular or a
compact binocular, too, since I can easily stop, anywhere along my commute and watch the wildlife. My route takes me though about a half mile of Forest Preserve dirt trail and always plenty of wildlife and birding to do on that section, of course, but what is more remarkable is that I see as much wildlife outside the Forest Preserve, early in the morning, out wandering in the suburbs, as I do inside the Forest Preserve. Last week was a case in point. I was a good mile from the Forest Preserve and right out on someone's front lawn, soaking up the early morning sun, was a Red Fox. I didn't have a
camera, but I did take a closer look in my monocular. The fox seemed quite content, so I smiled and went on my way.