I must admit I wasn’t optimistic I would find much in our yard on January 3. It has been cold in the morning and insects aren’t usually active when it’s cold.

Wait. What’s that tiny green thing?

It’s a little praying mantis.

There’s something in the brittlebush flower.

That’s a crab spider with some prey.

What is this?

Although they look a bit like honey bees, these are flies. I didn’t get a clear look, but probably flower flies in the family Syrphidae.

Not to shabby for a winter day.