Wood mouse

I was thrilled to see an old friend in the garden this weekend.   During the summer I had regular sightings of wood mice who seem to have made their home in the shrubs just in front of the french windows.   They seem to love peanuts and the place I see them most often is on a bird feeder which they share mainly with blue tits.   I don't know who is most afraid of who!

When I first saw these long-whiskered, white-bellied little mice I was a bit worried they may want to come into the house but although one brave creature actually ran under the kitchen step I was sitting on to steal sandwich crumbs one day, they have never ventured in.

They just provide the most wonderful entertainment.

A hint of spring maybe?

I have enjoyed the pansies in my window box all through this painful winter but I had a lovely surprise on Friday morning when I drew the curtains.   Two blue iris reticulata which had been tight buds the night before were wide open.   On the window ledge they are at my eye-level, sitting looking cheerful as I write.  So uplifting.