Slowly signs of Spring emerge...

This little blackbird has become quite tame, more through hunger than sentiment I fear. She has taken to waiting outside the back door for me, and following me, having learnt that I always carry bread in my pocket.
All the birds and animals like bread, so it's very useful. I use it to bribe Kelpie the Highland pony out of his stable on cold grey mornings, and if I need to catch a sheep or goat they always fall for a crust of bread.
Other essentials in my jacket pocket include baler twine (for tying gates shut and emergency fence mending), a pocket knife (for emergency cutting of baler twine), and, of course, a camera.