I’ve been searching the garden and the countryside for early signs of spring.  And while the daffodils are starting to poke their heads through the ground, they’re having to contend with a very cold winter and hens this year, and they’re not doing quite as well as they did last year.   The leaves are looking a little yellow for some reason:

But other than the daffodils, signs are few and far between.  If I try really hard I can convince myself that the trees are starting to bud, but the signs are that small that I doubt any camera could capture the buds!  So instead I started to look at rocks today.  Up the hill behind our house there is a rock which stands aloof from the others around it.  It is a lovely shape:

and while it just looks like a rock from a distance, when you get up close you can see all the treasures it harbours.  There are a range of beautiful lichen:

and even some red growth – I’ve no idea what this is, so if you know please leave a comment:

In the little gully on top of the rock there is a whole range of grasses and plants:

And the contrast between black and white lichen is very eye-catching and chic:

But from afar, it is just a rock.