Assorted Insects

I saw a butterfly today for the first time in ages - a meadow Brown flitting around the brambles at the edge of the path.

I am assuming this is a Buff-Tailed Bumble Bee until I learn otherwise.... Update:OK now I've learnt otherwise...don't know what it is yet, though....

....and I was intrigued by this dear little (or rather disgusting depending on your point of view) black fly. I wonder if I will ever be able to identify it.

1st Painted lady 8 6 2007

The first Painted Lady of the year drifted aimlessly accross the garden and back yesterday morning as I was waiting to go for my interview. It seemed to be associating itself as far as I could tell with the valerian which is in full flower.

I also saw a large number of medium grey spiders on the slate chippings by the Buddlia. One of my fellow candidates (the successful one) had an interest in photographing spiders and identified them from my description as female Wolf Spiders. I will check later and try and get a picture.