Spring leaves

 The first leaves of spring appear on the deciduous trees like a cascade of bright green confetti.

According to the information board (below) beside an old ant's nest (I had often photographed in the past), these red ants are on the endangered list, so be careful where you tread.

Meanwhile, the red ants continue with nest building which they have been doing for years. The nest is usually flatten by winter snow but by the summer it can have reached a meter in height once again.