Aquaphiles

There are enough truisms about ducks and water, but the thing is they are all true.

Our Cayugas can’t get enough of it. When their pond was given a refill these two were at their ablutions as soon as there was an inch of water

personal boundaries breaking down amid the enthusiasm

The after-bath flap

A bit more water in and the hidden occupants can throw up some spray

Some of our animals live in blissful ignorance of a water-free world. This is Ken (the Loach)

and new arrival Rob the Bob replacement

Outside water comes…

…and goes sufficiently to allow our bees a little foray

Reading the Signs

Our bees are out and about, visiting the heather

Frogspawn is appearing, sometimes in appropriate places

Other pond life is stirring

Nestboxes are at the ready

Daffodils are poised to usurp crocusus

Tomatoes are germinating

And Floppy is crowing

to distract us

from his moulting bottom

An encore was not needed

By yesterday the last lot of snow drifts had shrunk to a few skulking heaps in out of the way places.

So we were not impressed by our waking sight today

with a reprise of the Easterly wind blasting the fine snow into heaps and piles

sticking to windows

and lodging on ledges

Recent attempts at Spring sprouting were smothered

The Cayugas seemed impervious

but the Meadow Ducks, unsheltered from the full blast, came to spend the day in the greenhouse

the birds turned their backs to the wind

and again there were queues for the feeders

a good chance to see the Redpolls

Fortunately we have invested in some expensive, spring loaded, expert-designed squirrel-proof feeders

The Blackbirds stick to the ground

and are joined by the first new addition to our species list in over a year – a blown in Reed Bunting

Only the Robin seems at ease

Things are buzzing

The long lost sun makes a visit and encourages the bees on their first proper outing

The scouts find the treasure

and soon things are a buzzing

Booty is brought home

Nearby other insect life begins to stir

A few days ago the robin was preoccupied with finding food and surviving the frozen nights

Today his efforts are concentrated on fiercely defending his territory

from the other-side-of-the-shed robin

A few days ago the Meadow Ducks were seeking refuge with the hens

Today they decide it is time for a thorough spring clean of the plumage

including the hard-to-reach spots

Retreat

The snow is shrinking back, retreating to the edges

The sheep move in on the exposed green

As green vanquishes white the patterns on the opposite hill swirl

Bees are seen flying (not in this picture)

and up above the conflict is reflected as rainbows attempt to stake their claim

Snow on the ground documents who has passed

Some places hold on – once water is ice it takes a lot or persuading to return to liquid

and where snow has amassed, blockading the way, it will not easily be moved

Come on spring

Let Spring Commence

We have dug our way out of a late winter

Things are dripping

Mist is clearing

Catkins are shaking off the ice crystals

The Cayugas share a celebratory bath

and shake off their ice crystals

Bert has found his legs

(and discovered they are orange)

And the motley ducks complete a transhumance

Back to the meadow where Cagney regains her stump

Ice-Nine?

In the last few days we have felt a bit like we are battling Vonnegut’s Ice-Nine with liquid water becoming a rare and preciously guarded commodity.

How can the stuff become so solid that it makes an impenetrable barrier

and today the air is composed of droplets which crystallise all they touch

Over the last two days the dry fine particles have been driven by the blasting Easterly through every crack and crevice, invading out buildings

They also smooth contours and fill in crannys – the vital feeding habitat of the Treecreeper. He is driven to disdainfully visiting the ground feeder

Now the wind has abated the previously evacuated meadow hens have returned home where they celebrate with a corn circle

Cut off world

The world cut itself off from us today.

Up the lane:

Down the lane:

Bottom entrance:

We are quite safe from the world in all directions.

We even have defences on the door handles

Some seldom-seen visitors slip in such as this fieldfare

The meadow ducks and hens have had to be evacuated to the greenhouse

They are not impressed