A Speckled Sunbath

I scrambled out past the balcony frame early to inspect the seedling under its sycamore bower. The shoot stood perkier than ever, but sitting right on the rough clay rim beside it was an unexpected visitor: a bright red ladybug with crisp black spots! I sank onto my knees across the sun-warmed brick tiles and extended one open palm flat against the planter edge. The little beetle hesitated, twitched its fine antennae, and crawled right onto my thumb. Together, we soaked in the quiet morning breeze like old friends sharing a sunny treetop perch.