There were some very noticeable signs of spring when I went for my wander around with the dogs this morning.

The green leaves by the burn (stream) will soon turn into yellow flag irises, which grow wild all over Shetland – they are known locally as “seggies”.

Disappointingly, it’s not our best wall of primroses this year.  Maybem as the warm weather gets going, they might make a better effort.  There are usually many more and look like scrambled egg.

Still, the celandine are making an effort now. A sure sign the weather is warming up and winter is well and truly over (I may regret saying that).

As it is nearly Lambie’s 11th birthday (25th April, thank you for asking – obviously he will be having a big party, so please bring cake or chocolate and absolutely no veggies), I went to see how he was doing.

Aww, my little boy will be 11 years old.  Who’da thunk it?  Lambie’s main aim from Day 1 has always been to die…… at me.  Anyway, I asked him for a pre-birthday smile and this is what I got and then he followed me around, trying to stand next to me at all times, while I tried to photograph the others.  I think he knows it is nearly birthday time so he’s hedging all his bets and sucking up.

Lambie is not a natural charmer, like Gus-Gus.

Or Maggie, who is an optimist about everything (I have no idea why she looks like she’s swallowed a button!)

Even ‘Ster found his inner cheesey grin.

I also found these three in the far reaches of the sheep field.  It was funny to think that this time last year, they didn’t even exist (well, mum-duck did, obviously).  So I told them this and was duly ignored for my efforts.