We all got up at 5am yesterday.
Tim and Rhiannon have gone to the UK for half term and their flight left at silly-o'clock. I am staying here to look after the pets.
It was COLD. About 2 degrees C at that time of day. Frost decorated cars left on the street and some of the fallen autumn leaves.
We've put some bird feeders outside "my" window - the one nearest my computer looking out over my Japanese garden.
I stared out of the window into the darkness, hugging my morning cuppa and enjoying the peace and quiet of an empty house. It took a long while to get light but I could hear a few birds singing.
As soon as the sun peeked over the horizon birds came into the garden. Most visitors were Great Tits, Coal Tits, Blackbirds and Jays.
But then I was thrilled to see a beautiful Crested Tit taking a drink from my granite bowl.
On the big tree, a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker arrived for breakfast.
And the pièce de résistance, a very smart Hawfinch paid a visit! I've wanted to see one of these ever since I was a child looking through my Dad's bird books.
Aren't they gorgeous? Nature is wonderful.
Unfortunately my camera didn't have a battery in it, so these photos come courtesy of Wikipedia.
And I don't think any of these were the "screecher" from the other night...