Summer is coming
‘Sumer is icumen in‘* sang 13th-century English minstrels and probably Scottish minstrels as well in their own Scots language. It isn’t quite right given the Beast from the East, but still points us in the right direction of Spring renewal and hope.
The non-native (surprise, surprise) Snowdrops started showing their tops in our garden in mid-January. A nice clump has however disappeared due to no doubt to me forgetting where they were during an over-energetic Summer weeding session. Neither the Snowdrops nor a Certain Person allows me to forget my misdemeanour!
Winter hasn’t released its damaging grip just yet, however. A so-called frost-hardy pot which kept a small pine rescued by Kay proved not-so-hardy, bursting apart in the low temperatures. Perhaps there are different definitions of frost-hardy.
But the Willow is glorious in the late Winter sun and beginning to show small green buds clinging tightly to their branches. That at least is a tree that knows the right direction to go.
And I had my closest ever encounter with a wild bird at the feeding station. A party of Long-tailed Tits flew in to have a rapid gorge on the suet balls. I stood 18 inches or so from the feeder and this small, very bold tit paid no attention whatsoever. I could even see their delicate, tiny whiskery moustaches. Magic!
They even interrupt . . . sharing lunch with me and my binoculars.
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