The hawthorn outside the office window, pictured, isn't out yet, but is showing definite signs of life.  Everything is so very early this year.

We have signs of life inside as well, and not only (or even!) from the staff.  We have a hibernating butterfly, a painted lady, who had gone to sleep on one of the corridor windows.  Then the warm weather woke her up and she stomped about a bit,  obviously miffed that her rest had been disturbed.  We were very much hoping that she wouldn't start beating her wings against the window.  We'd have let her out, of course, but she'd have stood little chance of survival outside, awake, in January.

Then she decided that the bookcase was a better place to sleep and migrated down there.  I think she thinks that folding her wings makes her invisible.  Against tree bark and leaf mold it probably does.  Against the spine of a bright yellow and orange reference book it definitely does not.  We've put up a 'please do not disturb the butterfly' notice and won't use those books until she stops sitting on them.

With a bit of luck I can get her to move to the handle of the filing cabinet...

The painted lady butterfly might look fragile - and, in several respects is, of course - but is in fact a tough, sophisticated traveller.  Many of them migrate, going huge distances by riding favourable winds.  I think ours had got the right idea.  Snooze until the weather warms up.