Ecologically minded media would have us think that the cultivation and preservation of natural resources are newly discovered concerns.  Visiting the grounds of old manor houses indicates otherwise.  In fact in the days before the state came on board, it was private collectors who painstakingly preserved rare bird and butterfly specimens or coaxed rare blooms in conservatories. Many of these collections remain in homes now in the care of the National Trust in Britain. 

I loved how this child darted between the trees just as I focused and ended up looking like a little dryad. : ) 

And back out into the sun.  Do you see that sun? Oh how we soaked it up.  Having lived further south I don't think we noticed the change of seasons happening so definitely as we do now.  The days are distinctly brighter and longer right after spring's official beginning per the calendar, just as they become distinctly darker and shorter in short order come fall.  We are so glad to see blue skies again when we have them.