There is still snow in the garden where the shade lingers and there is that huge spoil heap, builders rubble and assorted parked excavators on the lawn … but beyond that we still have a garden.

There are also some early returning birds – the Red-winged Blackbirds and Grackles, of course, but they were accompanied in the garden today with late lingering Common Redpolls and even a small group of Pine Siskins who should be well on their way north by now. Spring is late.

Click on a thumbnail to see the pictures in all their glory: