With only a trace of precipitation over the week, some as drizzle, some as flurries, it looks like mildly dry soil conditions will remain.  While the U.S. Drought Monitor shows some improvement in our drought condition, it still has this area in a moderate drought.  And now the surface is starting to freeze up, so any improvement in deeper soil moisture remains questionable.  Area waterways are flowing slower and lower while my spring remains at a very low flow.  The trees are almost all bare with just a few stragglers holding on to a few leaves.  The invasive Morrrow's Honeysuckle is always the last to go and is definitely on its way out.  Wildlife is pretty quiet with the usual winter birds at the feeder and a few squirrels too.  And some seagulls have been flying overhead lately, right on schedule.  They seem to be a harbinger of winter to come.