Getting Warmer

Bit of a thaw today- all the way up to 49. Ice that had been on the trees and bushes all melted off in the morning when the sun came out- it felt good this afternoon just to stand in the sun's warmth. Pond actually thawed out enough to clean the filter and scoop some dead leaves out. Seized the opportunity to replant some bulbs that I dug out of the front flower plot last summer in the spot where the Yoshino Cherry used to be- had to take the pick and break up some of the permafrost before I could put the bulbs in. This is the same plot that has the Joe Pye Weed and various other butterfly attracting plants in it. As I was rooting around in the plot I discovered some Spring bulbs that were starting to sprout, including a crocus or two. Female Downy Woodpecker on the suet was busy even though I was only about six feet away, occasionally giving an alarm call.