Today’s guest picture comes from my brother Andrew. He found some chilly but very fine weather on his walk past the old mill today.

We had some chilly but fine weather here too today, and it took until breakfast before the thermometer got above zero. Once started though, it kept going and I was able to cycle round to the corner shop to settle my account before coffee with no danger of icy roads.
After coffee, I took a moment to watch the birds. Although a sparrowhawk had flown past the feeder, the small birds soon returned and male chaffinches with smart trousers. . .

. . . and females, dressed more soberly . . .

. . . flew into the feeder.
Sometimes a chaffinch found a siskin in the way . . .

. . . and decided not to make a fuss.

Siskins always make a fuss even if there are free perches.

When there were moments when there were no birds, I could always watch a daffodil instead.

After coffee, and with the temperature now at around 6°C, I reckoned that it would be warm enough in the sun for a cycle ride, so I got wrapped up and went off round my 20 mile Canonbie route. I would like to have gone farther as the wind was light, but I was pressed for time with my Carlisle choir practice in the afternoon.
For the same reason, I didn’t stop to take many pictures, though the chance to take a rather chilly looking sitting bull in a cloudy moment could not be missed . . .

. . . nor could the chance to say hello to sitting Canonbie cows in the sun. They sat so patiently and so near to the road, that a full frame close up was in order.



To celebrate the sunshine, I took a shot of Canonbie Church . . .

. . . and then scuttled home without stopping again.
There were a lot of bees hanging around the crocuses in the garden when I got back so I took a flying picture or two before I went in for a late lunch. . . .

. . . and as they were still there after lunch, I got out my macro lens and took a few more.


Since they were the centre of attraction, I thought that it was only fair to include the crocuses themselves.

I would have liked to have spent a bit more time with the bees, but the choir called and I set off for Carlisle in glorious weather. I got some new prescription sunglasses at my last visit to the optician, and they earned their corn today, as it was very bright driving down the main road.
Our choir conductor, Ellen is on an extended tour singing with an opera company for the next six weeks, so we got a substitute conductor today. Although we missed Ellen, it is always interesting to get a fresh face, and we learned today that one of the songs we are singing uses the pentatonic scale. Our conductor felt that this knowledge would infuse our singing of the song with a new depth. We did our best not to disappoint her.
It was still a lovely day as I drove home after the practice, and the good daylight was a reminder of how close we are getting to the spring equinox.
We are still recovering from being active grandparents, so once again, we were happy to let the rest of the day slip gently by. The Great Pottery Throwdown final provided some relaxing and enjoyable viewing.
The flying bird of the day is a siskin.

Nice cows and crocuses
With a church too it was a day for alliteration.
I caught some highland cattle near the road once but they ran off before I could even get my camera ready.
It’s so nice to see pollen covered bees again.
And the flowers the pollen came from are still very beautiful.
The crocuses have stood up to some frosty nights very well.
I saw The Great Pottery Throwdown for the first time today. Very entertaining!
The three potters in the final were very skilled.
Those bees are covered with pollen! The crocuses are very pretty and I enjoyed the cows.
They were busy bees. 🙂
The highland cattle were my favorites from today.
Honeybees love crocus. Unfortunately, I have not seen any honeybees here yet this year.
This was the first time that we have seen and heard a good number.
That is worrisome. Numbers here have been dropping off over the years. We are more dependent on native pollinators now, and I may get some additional orchard mason bees.
That sounds like a good idea.
Like all the others I enjoyed the cattle and the crocuses. The header picture in the glorious sunshine was very welcome too.
I liked the Highland cattle. It’s a wonder how they see anything.
The crocuses make a fine show.
You did well with the macro shots today
Pot luck. 🙂
Fabulous photos! The bee is especially fine, but I like the picture of the cattle, too. Waiting impatiently for the current season of The Great Pottery Throw Down to make its way across the pond.
This season was very good we thought.
Stunning macro photos. I too am enamored of the cows. And your feeder bird captures are brilliant in the sunshine.
Almost everything looks better in sunshine . . . except me. I am seen at my best in very deep shade.
I know the feeling. 🙂
Always a delight to see the Canonbie cows! Gorgeous macros of the bee, Bee on Crocus 2 is my favorite!
I was very pleased to see a good number of bees this early. I hope that they don’t get caught out by sudden frosts.
Beautiful bee photos. I must check to see if we have that pottery show on BritBox or some other source.