Spring is sprung

At last , all around are the signs of spring, the weather for the last week or so has been beautiful, with bright sunshine everyday, although the nights are still chilly with the chance of frost. The apples trees have sudddenly turned from tight buds to green shoots bursting in all directions. The crocus wait there turn for the sun to swing round on to them before they open their petals to its warmth.
Yesterday I saw my first Merlin of the year, Irelands smallest falcon, a female , weaving in front of the car in pursuit of a small bird, which this time escaped her, after which the falcon dropped to the side of the road as if to rest before trying again.