Day 27. Fourteen degrees outside, but the sun shines with a warm illusion. The snow’s reflected brilliance pierces, squints the human eye. A swarm of winter birds–blue jays, cardinals, tufted titmice, juncos, chickadees, woodpeckers, and sparrows–decorate two spicebush shrubs like feathered leaves and squabble at the platform bird-feeder. Three redbreasted robins rim a heated birdbath and drink as vapor rises in steam imitation.