February mornings

at the end of our morning walk, Cassie bathed in sun and caked in mud.

an early bee

there were a lot of bees on the mahonia including several very large bumble bees. Early February? Or are we just seeing more because we are getting worried?

thumper

Normally grey squirrels in the woods are very shy. This big fat chap was making odd mewing noises, and didn't flinch until I was about 20 feet away. I have never heard a squirrel make such an odd noise. I guess he was marking out his territory or suffering from indigestion.

spring rising

a mistle thrush full of song

quicksilver

the river flowing like quicksilver this evening

flock shock

I am not sure whether this was a flock of starlings or skylarks, they look too small for starlings but what else flocks in these numbers? Skylarks around here tend to gather together on the ground. This lot squeak excitedly as they fly. Looking at an earlier photo of starlings (2001, see below) I think it must be a flock of starlings.