Sprung is spring!

The last week or two has seen the temperature rise from heaters-always-on, wear-at-least-3-layers to toasty t-shirt weather.  Well, it would be if such garments were appropriate...

The colourful flowers are coming back out...

...the trees are covered in pretty blossom...

...more interesting birds are starting to make appearances...
(doesn't appear in my bird book, but similar in size and shape to a Tree Pie;
it has fantastic stripes on its tail which become visible in flight.)

...the little grassland butterflies return with a vengeance...
(a Dark Clouded Yellow)

...while the big fancy swallowtails have reappeared
(albeit near the tops of the trees to take advantage of
all that blossom nectar).  This is a Common Peacock.

The Roseringed Parakeets didn't go anywhere,
but I finally got close enough with the camera!

Lepidoptery

After 5 weeks of trying to get close enough to these beauties with a camera, here's a few snaps of what may or may not be a Paris Peacock.

EDIT: On the other hand, after looking through a butterfly book someone lent me, it might be more likely to be a Common Peacock...

All of my pics are somewhat blurry, which, while slightly galling from a photography point-of-view, actually gives a good impression of how they look. Because I have yet to see one of these stop. Ever.

Also, the best view you get of them is when they stop flapping for a second or two and go into a glide, and you can see their full 5-6 inch wings in all their glory. Trouble is, they tend to move at a speed roundabout a reasonable running pace - which obviously wouldn't coincide with optimal photo-taking pace, should you be foolish enough to bother to actually run after one.

Most butterflies I've come across give the impression of flapping about in a somewhat aimless, random fashion; these, however, move with purpose, seemingly choosing the next destination from a good distance away then heading straight for it. And they seem to visit similar areas at similar times of day, which makes taking their pictures that little bit less difficult.