before winter turns to spring

Before the brown of winter gives way to the green of Spring, it's amazing to get out and see what treasures are hidden in the yard.  Not sure where this nest had been before it ended up here; may have been in the rafters of the chicken house.  Wonder what kind of birds?
 

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These shells have been popping up in the yard all the years I can remember.  Where did they come from?  Shouldn't they be near an ocean?!  Or else that's one heck of a big snail!

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