The High Bright Skies of Spring

Today was windy and cold. Snow flurries whirled around now and again. However, it was really bright with a sky full of cumulus clouds. Sometimes you could see the curtains of snow falling from a cloud. So despite the chill wind it was a lovely day to be out walking.
There were signs of spring everywhere, at least in the bird world.  We spotted our first crane, stalking its way around a still frozen lake and raucously calling out for company, so far without luck. The lapwings, ducks, and swans were out in force, either in or close to the small open patches of lake. I watched two pairs of Canada Geese have a shouting march over a particularly suitable patch of lake side. They squarked and hooted at each other for a couple of minutes before one pair retreated and flew off down the lake. The victorious pair then settled down on the ice until I moved nearer when they again started loud protests. I stood there ignoring them and after a few minutes they decided I was no threat and quietened down. A huge flock of small birds wheeled around in the sky. We couldn't see what they were but they were definitely headed north. I guessed waxwings but it really was just a guess.
Flowers are also appearing. We found more coltsfoots, but on the edge of the garden the Daphne Mezereum was already in flower and I found the season's first liverwort, or Blåsippa in Swedish, Anemone hepatica.
The forecast for the next few days' weather looks a bit like a saw blade, with temperatures above freezing every day and well below every night, but it does look as if spring is here to stay.
The extras show the flowers I mentioned, the lake we skied on not so long ago, and the victorious Canada Geese, strutting their stuff.