April has been a month of uncertainty as winter and spring tussle for dominance.  The last snow fall of early April which dumped over a foot and a half of snow has finally melted and the orchard is filled with the chirping and twittering of birds.  The killdeer, robins, and tree swallows have returned ushering in the celebration of early spring in the orchard.  The orchard floor lies matted and brown, the apple trees are dormant but the irises along the south side of the Apple House are poking through the mulch.   Another welcomed sign of spring.