This is the ladybug time of year.

Many years ago when our kids were much younger we were poking around Lawson Garden, anxious to get out after winter, and we stumbled on masses — as in millions — of ladybugs in the dead grass and leaves at the edge of the small spring behind our yard.  Each year since, like clockwork, on any sunny day in March (...boy, have those been in limited supply this year!) they increase their activity and move up out of deeper layers where they wintered over.  By mid-April, they have dispersed and we have to wait another year to see them again like this.  We never tire of seeing them and so, even though the kids are no longer around, we make a point to look for them.

Here is a small patch discovered over the weekend:

And, closer up: