Today's photos were all taken in and around the garden, which I suppose proves the point that there is often as much to see right where you are as there is in more exotic (or distant) locations. Sure, many of these are very common sightings, but I did manage an insect 'first' and a second-ever sighting of our smallest bird.
I'll start with a seasonal shot… a small white butterfly flitting around the garden this morning.
The hundreds of ladybirds I spotted last week have migrated! From the back garden to the front garden. It took me a while to find them.
Now for something less common. It's the first time I've seen one of these, and going by its name it must have wandered in from nearby. It's a brassica bug, presumably named because it feeds on brassicas (cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli). 
The bees are beginning to get busy. This one was resting against a window.
There are plenty of birds as well. At various times I spotted greenfinches, chaffinches and goldfinches in the trees at the back of the house. There were the usual pigeons (wood and feral varieties) and collared doves, crows (we have a pair nesting). And I mustn't forget the gulls. But the prize 'spot' was of the tiniest bird we have (joint holder of the title, to be fair). Strictly speaking it wasn't in our garden, though the tree does more or less overhang the boundary. I was about 30 feet away, which didn't help, and the shade made things more difficult. But here it is… a tiny bundle of feathers, a goldcrest.
That just leaves two more of today's visitors, seen tonight. 
I might well stay at home again tomorrow. I wouldn't want to miss anything 😀
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 7D. I used the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens for the butterfly and goldcrest. The rest were all taken with the EF 100mm f/2.8L macro IS USM lens.
wellisteffi
27 Mar 2011Great pictures! :up:
I like the hedgehog.
gdare
27 Mar 2011I saw 4 butterflies today. Spring is on its way here :yay:
SittingFox
27 Mar 2011Goldcrests are horribly hard to photograph! Well done!
I still haven't seen any butterflies although we have flowers now, so they should hopefully show themselves before much longer.
cakkleberrylane
27 Mar 2011Wonderful photographic diary of a great day! Congratualations on the brassica bug! It's great to see so many signs of spring!
Words
27 Mar 2011Steffi, thanks! The hedgehog was being very cooperative.
Words
27 Mar 2011Darko, that's great :yes:
Words
27 Mar 2011Lois, thanks. To be absolutely truthful, Mrs Words found the bug while gardening 🙂
Words
27 Mar 2011Adele, photographing them isn't so bad… it's seeing them at all which is the problem. I'm sure they are garden regulars but they love dense hedges and conifers. I was pleased to get the shots.
I'm sure you'll get butterflies arriving soon. I've seen four species so far this year (latest was a peacock).
cakkleberrylane
27 Mar 2011Congratulations to her too!!:up:
Words
31 Mar 2011Erwin, thanks!
dcweather
2 Apr 2011Love the Brassica bug! Some great macros and other shots which I am working my way through.
Words
2 Apr 2011Dave, thanks!
dcweather
3 Apr 2011Inspired me to check out my garden for some early seasonal bugs!
Words
4 Apr 2011Dave, oh great. Gardens are excellent at this time of year, and so convenient.
Wulpen
19 Oct 2012Great :up: