Winter lies bleeding (the sap is rising)

The weather has turned chill again, as if winter fights a last battle against the greening landscape. On our 10k across the fields over to Wickwar and back the farmer was moving all the sheep with their lambs. I expect shortly there will be a traumatic separation. 

In the lack of gambolling footsteps, the bumble bees were coming out of their holes in the grass amidst the sheep poo, but it's a bit too cold today for many of the smaller insects, who are sheltering in the confidence of warmer days ahead.

In the back garden one of the fruit trees is leaking sap, as it pushes life back into boughs dead and leafless through winter. The low Sun catches the tiny droplet, like a drop of fine merlot... I'm not sure what's held inside; no doubt bees will be on it before long.