The gentle blue flowers of spring

This weekend the weather started to become pleasant, and after a bit of rain on Monday, the last two days have been a sign that Spring is coming. After lunch, walking back to the office, I realized that a nearby bank had sprung flowers. Small blue flowers against a tiny green ground cover.

http://www.aist-nara.ac.jp/~mbarker/photos/Snaps20060308/DSC03237.JPG

I thought the flowers would be difficult to see, so I took some closer shots. Here's one.

http://www.aist-nara.ac.jp/~mbarker/photos/Snaps20060308/DSC03245.JPG

In one of the pictures, I realized that not only were the flowers out, but the ladybugs also were enjoying the sunshine. Here is a picture, and a detail in case you can't find the ladybug.

http://www.aist-nara.ac.jp/~mbarker/photos/Snaps20060308/DSC03247.JPG

(psst? Yes, there is a bit of trash in the picture. Even in Japan, sometimes people aren't so clean.)

http://www.aist-nara.ac.jp/~mbarker/photos/Snaps20060308/DSC03247a.jpg

Nothing earthshattering, but it is nice to see spring again.

Mike