Springtime - and sadness

It's a long, slow build up to spring around here.  I found myself wanting to shout at the daffodils to get moving, as I chivvy Toby to get his shoes on when we're running late.  But finally there's a sunny day here... and another one there... and a tantalising smell of green growing things in the air... and I got my camera and went hunting for springtime.

Crocuses

Magnolia buds (and blue sky!)

Daffodils on the windowsill

Flowers on the village green

Snowdrops

Even an early clump of primroses!

Alder catkins

A coot adjusting her nest

Courting mallards

But in the middle of all this new life, I turned on the radio this afternoon and learned that Sir Terry Pratchett had taken the hand of Death.  He was a man of immense imagination and immense humanity.

Not many people can claim to have created a world.  Still fewer have welcomed 70 million people into that world with them. And probably only one has made it as funny, serious and fantastic as the Discworld.  RIP Sir Terry.