First of the Season

It isn't even Spring yet, but we know it is coming because...

The winter aconites are blooming, at least when the temperature goes up and the sun shines.

The snowdrops are also blooming.

Not a first of the season.  Yesterday I heard a thump on my patio door, and looked out, but I did not see a bird on the ground.  Then I thought, I should look up.  Sure enough, there was the sharp-shinned hawk in the tree.  One of the little birds at my feeder flew the wrong way when frightened by the appearance of the hawk.  Lucky little bird got away, but maybe next time the hawk will be lucky.