Yesterday, a series of little things happened.
To start with, I noticed for the first time this year that the sky was no longer pitch black when it was time to get up.
At lunchtime I was lured out from my desk by sunshine, and felt its warmth through my clothes.
The crocuses were open; indeed, some of them were wide open, which they only do when they're really relaxed.
Honeybees, bumblebees and even a couple of small hoverflies were eagerly visiting the flowers...
...and their faces were dotted with golden pollen.
And then a Red Admiral butterfly flew strongly around and settled in front of me.
It was a simple equation that seemed to add up to something bigger than its parts. I then realised what it was: happiness!
If you want to drop by my RSPB wildlife gardening blog, it is updated every Friday, and I'd love to see you there - www.rspb.org.uk/community/blogs/hfw
Adrian, couldn't have said it better myself, simple pleasures. At Northward Hill gnats were clouding, today a Bumble bee sped past me and I saw, last week a Red Admiral.
Last week I joined a debate about chasing after every species to add to the 'list'. For me listing is something a ship does before it sinks! That said there is a scientific argument for it, not something to brag about, i.e. ' My year list is 84, 184, 2,084. Who cares!!!
The North Kent Marshes are a very special area and worth preserving at all cost.