Sunshine, feathers and fluff

While some parts of Scotland were battling with deep snow this morning, we had the smallest sprinkling overnight then enjoyed a largely sunny, if chilly, day. The birds were tweeting happily around the garden, most of them flitting from branch to branch, not staying in one place long enough to be photographed. That is, until I spotted this robin who was quite happy to enjoy the sunshine while keeping his beady eye on me.
Elsewhere in the garden, I spotted what I thought was a strange fungus growing in one of the birch trees (extra). As I got closer to it I realised what it was and it brought a smile to my face. Nick had been filling the bird feeders earlier in the morning and, thinking about the birds that will soon be gathering nesting materials, he had also secreted the beautiful soft fur that I have saved every time I have groomed Bertie over the past year.