Hope springs eternal

Going for a walk at the weekend, I spotted this coltsfoot plant growing virtually out of the tarmacked path. Such a tough, hardy plant!

 Does anybody know why ladybirds huddle together? I read that they do it for warmth ... but do they even give out warmth??
Either way, every winter, without fail, I see these little groups huddled together. Waiting for the spring sun, no doubt, which will warm them and allow them to leave the huddle and move on.

I was happy to spot this bumblebee. My first this spring!
It busied itself in a patch of crocuses, emerging dusted in pollen, only to move on to the next flower.

Beauty in small things

Now the weather has turned cold again, an icy wind is blowing and it seems that spring has abandoned us!

But then, walking through the churchyard we spotted this little huddle of ladybirds on a gravestone.

How sweet are they??!

The second group seems a little bit more organised! LOL 

These little guys certainly brightened up this cold, miserable day, and gave me hope that spring IS on its way. After all, the ladybirds should know, shouldn't they?