Still Winter But.....

As soon as Christmas festivities are over I find myself looking for spring. I know January is still (technically) the heart of winter and we could still be in for some nasty weather but I am impatient with this winter grey. However the fields are becoming lime green and sheep are being put out on pastures. 

I start imagining I detect new bird sounds, (arriving from their winter migration?) and knowing morning appears sooner, daylight lingering a smidge later each afternoon.

If the sun comes out I'm likely to head outdoors looking for even the slightest hint of something budding out or emerging from the soggy ground in our garden. This is all I came up with recently but its a start anyway. It gives a little  hope. Spring is surely on the way.