Just yesterday I mentioned how nature was invading my home, saving me from going outside in the cold to see it. Today a Shield bug startled me by noisily flying across my study. I took the opportunity for some photos and I read up on these critters, which taught me something I hadn't known before – though I'm not sure how I'd missed it. They are also known as Stink bugs because they can release a powerfully horrible odour from glands on the bottom of their thorax. I've been handling them for years without knowing this!

And in other news, the close-focusing capabilities of compact cameras are quite something these days, allowing you to get within just 1cm of the target. Unfortunately when you do that you have two problems: you might well block the lighting of your subject; your subject may be inquisitive and climb onto the lens!