Sunday Part I. A view from my balcony as I was drinking coffee!

Yes, this is part I written after part II had been safely (?) posted.
I was out in my shorts - I said I would spare you - because it was a very warm 10C in the shade which meant that it was also sunny. Astronomers are like that.


I

had this view. (Split infinitives?) Anyway: straight out, to the right zoomed, and then repeat to the northish.
Then I saw this crazy black bird do a belly flop into the water. When it rose up I realized that it was a kingfisher - they are back! A few minutes later it reappeared on a branch in our willow, so I went off to get my camera. Of course it was gone when I returned. However, I selected manual focus and preset to the distance of the willow tree and waited. I did not expect this:

This is from the best shot, cropped. And so once again I have saved you from yet more impressions. wob

Groundhog Day

We cannot afford groundhogs and we slept in until 9:30 when the snow stopped - so no shadows under our eyes. Maybe some sunshine this afternoon - does that matter for the prediction? We have squirrels - will they do? Bushy tails indicate a long fasting period - carnival is in 2 weeks, plus 40 days: we shall see.

Wind chill -27C:

Beginning to think about the grass and the gardening:

Believe it!!

Ya, these are more my thoughts. And camping with solar power for Earth Hour on Saturday March 28:

Believe it or not they face north, receive no direct sunlight until we arrive in Killarney - provided it is not 2014! And they glow all night long. We think there is a monster who/which lives here and visits us in the night. These tracks were seen this morning:

Wonder if it can be appeased with maple syrup? Help! Call the police!