The blossoms on the big leaf maples in front of our house have started to open. Every morning my car and the driveway is covered with large clumps of moss and lichen, that have been dislodged from the maple's branches by varied thrushes, eagerly seeking insect grubs overhead. In another week the car will be further decorated by the sticky tendrils and gum that fall from the blossoms.

The King apple, which developed a 45 degree tilt after the last heavy snowfall this winter, has leafed out and the only falling snow now, is pale pink and carpets the swordfern below the flowering cherry.

One of the rhodos has burst into full bloom and a rufus hummingbird is staking his territory in a buzz bomb display over the magenta blossoms of the salmon berries.

Spring is definitely here and wonderfully early this year.