Spring is in the air, and some familiar faces are returning after the long winter. I've fallen slightly behind with keeping things here up to date, but I've seen my first butterflies of the year. Not many yet, but this comma settled briefly on our roof.
The garden highlight though is undoubtedly the ladybird. I counted over 100 without really trying. They are scattered all over a shrubby honeysuckle hedge which runs down one side of the garden.
And of course, this being spring, they are mating.
This is just a short clip…
Out in the fields, the smaller birds continue to fill the air with song. Among the more distinctive calls are the skylarks, who trill constantly while on the wing.
And there are blackbirds. This is a female.
The badger, foxes and hedgehogs are continuing their nightly rounds of the garden, and the newts continue their foraging among the frogspawn. It's busy out there. Very busy!
Camera note: bird and butterfly shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens. Same camera but with the EF 100mm f/2.8L macro IS USM lens for the ladybird photos and video.
gdare
22 Mar 2011They say we will not have a proper spring for about next 3 weeks :awww:
RobinL
22 Mar 2011Words, great post. Love the Ladybugs or as you say Lady Birds!
I think we are at least a month behind this year. No butterflies for awhile 🙁
wellisteffi
22 Mar 2011Great aerial pictures.
I like Ladybugs.
Here in Germany, say they bring good fortune or luck.
As a child I always thought that mean
the points on her back her age.
Mickeyjoe-Irl
22 Mar 2011Originally posted by Words:
Very clever 😀
No butterflies here, but plenty of daffodils and sunshine. 🙂
Words
22 Mar 2011Darko, I bet you can't wait. Spring is turning out nice here, and I hope it's the same for you when it arrives.
Words
22 Mar 2011Steffi, thanks! Ladybirds are good for the garden so yes they bring good fortune. There do seem to be a lot this year though. Maybe a plague????
Words
22 Mar 2011Robin, thanks. It's been a mixed early spring, but it's definitely warming up now.
Words
23 Mar 2011Mick, the butterflies will soon follow 😀
cakkleberrylane
25 Mar 2011You are indeed getting some wonderful springtime action there! Very nice!
SittingFox
25 Mar 2011Spring is really here! :hat: Well, less up here than it is on the coast, but still, it's getting there. So nice to see some colour again 🙂 I've yet to see any butterflies but will keep a look out.
Words
25 Mar 2011Lois, the countryside has certainly transformed over the past week or so. It's a beautiful time of year.
Words
25 Mar 2011Adele, we've had a really good week weather-wise. It will cool down again next week, but hopefully we'll get proper seasons again this year.