Spring Is Arriving Full Force!

Yep, the farm is looking like springtime has finally arrived, even though there is much more yet to come. The apple trees were not yet in bloom on this day but my one pear tree was flowering heavily. You can see the farm sign beneath its branches:

The chickens are out all day, every day now - and enjoying each moment of it:

 They spread out across the lawn, circle the barn, explore beneath the apple trees and cross the gravel road to forage in the north field with the cattle. It's a good thing I don't plan to eat them, because I'm sure they'd be tough from all their exercise:

 Oh yes, they also explore the lawnmower. I think they are snacking on grass clippings which collect on the mower deck:

 The fantail pigeons also have freedom every day although they don't use it much:

 

 Occasionally the pigeons come out for a bit of flying exercise, but they're not outdoors birds like the chickens. The pigeons appreciate the comforts of home:

It had been a long time since I'd cleaned the pigeon and chicken coops so when I finally did so, I sure hauled a lot of dry, dusty, stinky bird poop to the manure pile:

  The pear tree was the first to blossom:

 And what beautiful blossoms they were:

 The plum tree which bore fruit last year was the second to bloom. If you click on this photo to enlarge it, you can see a lot of interesting bugs who also enjoy the flowers:

 This is the first year the Bush Cherry will bloom, though the buds were just emerging when I took this photo. I've never eaten bush cherries. I suspect they're not as good as the cherry tree produces but they'll sure be easier to pick:

 The apple trees hadn't yet bloomed, but some of the trees were producing pink buds. I knew it wouldn't be long: