Last year we had so many ladybirds. This year I have hardly seen any.
Ladybirds in my clematis last year
I was reminded today of the ladybirds while on a walk with a friend, when I looked closely at the old man’s beard illuminating the hedgerows. No nesting ladybirds.
(When I arrived home I searched my clematis for evidence of hibernators, but to no avail. None in the potted Christmas tree either. Perhaps they are hiding else where this year?)
On my way home I dropped into Woodstock and the museum where I took this photo in the snow last Friday.
I have had a reply from the museum about the sculptor, and they have told me this:
The sculpture is called ‘Spirit of Audrey’ as attributed by the sculptor, John Kennedy, who died in 2004, to Audrey Hepburn. It was a gift to the Museum from his family. The original version of the sculpture is in UNICEF Plaza at the United Nations in New York. There is more information and some examples of his work here
Here she is in sunshine today
Under one of the trees I saw a yellow flush of celandine. Soon there will be a carpet of crocus and snowdrops. I shall try to go back and take my camera in a week or two.
Spring is coming on this side of the world.
Boadicea's Chariot 
I saw my first snowdrops today and there are already some catkins out too.
yes, catkins and snowdrops have come on a pace since the snow went last weekend.
Well! That’s not my image of the divine Audrey! Nice pics though.
PS envy envy…Spring flowers!
Like the ladybird pics, less said about the statues the better!
Re the ladybirds, same here, a plethora last year and very few this. Last year there were so many in the kitchen hibernating that we collected them with a dustpan and brush gently, put them in a box and overwintered them in the garage, they were literally crusted n deep around the windows and doors.
I have snowdrops, winter flowering jasmine and the witch hazel flowering, along with pyracantha berries still looks quite jolly.
😦
Christina, interesting that you too have many fewer lady birds this year. I often find them in the house at this time of the year… I have only found one or two.
I have snowdrops and winter flowering jasmine, hellebores and viburnum… witch hazel doesn’t seem to do well around here.
Pseu: I have removed several ladybirds this very morning from the conservatory and also the kitchen.
where did you put them, FEEG?
See Christina’s tip…
On Mrs FEEG’s herb garden.
Lovely… I just hope we don’t have any more severe weather.
Once they have come indoors it is better to keep them in, garage, barn, shed, greehouse etc. Outside may be a bit too cold for them. They must be preserved at all costs to eat aphids next year!!!!!
I have to admit that this year there were so few in the house and those that were are mainly in the scullery so I just left them to it!
Anybody that doesn’t like it needn’t visit!
Re your witch hazel pseu, I think if memory serves correctly they like a more acidic soil than I believe you have.
yes, that’s the case I believe. We are not very limey, but certainly not acid.
More snow this morning. Could ou go and bring those ladybirds back in, FEEG?! 😉