And here they are!

Four little cygnets hatched one day this week.  Here they are on Friday with proud and very protective mum and dad.  I had to use the zoom on the camera as mum seemed not to like me. She hissed very loudly at me so I kept well back. 

A new family

In February of last year I posted the news that I had installed some nesting boxes in my garden. They remained vacant last year but the latest news is that one is now home to a family of bluetits. I don't know how many there are but I have seen either mum or dad popping in and out many times. Today I was quite nearby when it happened and it had a caterpillar in its beak and I could hear the chirping of chicks in the box.

I don't think the other one has been taken yet. Maybe next year.

Ne'er cast a clout till May be out

Well May be out but it is still not warm enough to be casting clouts!

http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/till-may-is-out.html

The splash of tiny webbed feet

The swans I posted about on the ice earlier in the year have been patiently sitting on their nest since early April. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks they will become proud parents. As they were on the lake last summer with no young I am presuming this will be their first brood.

Signs of spring

Tears

I recently filled in one of those email questionaires that do the rounds asking you to answer questions about yourself. One question was when did you last cry. My answer was that I couldn't remember.
I cried this morning on finishing reading a memorable book. I cannot remember ever being so moved by a book before. Try to read it if you can.

It is The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.


http://www.booksattransworld.co.uk/thebookthief/

Snow

Snowdrops in my garden braving the cold weather.

The snow we had this week reminded of a poem I wrote a couple of years ago when it snowed on 1st March. The snow came a bit earlier this year but thought I would publish my poem here as the sentiment is still the same

March

I woke up this morning
With hopes of spring
The kind of day
I'd hoped March would bring.

Alas hopes were shattered
The landscape's all white
Cruel winter weather
Has hit over night.

But sitting here gazing
On the magical scene
The garden's so pretty
Dressed in white and not green.

The flakes gently floating
and coating the trees
That look so majestic
Enhancing the scene.

Perhaps disappointment
At delaying of spring
Is not quite so bad
With this beauty it brings.