Letting nature in rather than reigning it in, providing sanctuary rather than imposing orderliness, cherishing local plants, critters and wildlife, all open us up to a more relaxed and diverse environment. Since August 2016 I have celebrated the creatures and plants that inhabit and enrich suburban spaces, especially in my previous garden in KwaZulu-Natal, as well as nature in wilder places further afield. Moving to a village in the Western Cape in February 2023, I continue to explore how letting nature back in can shift our priorities.
About me: 
I believe that everyday nature around us, even in suburban environments, can be cherished and nurtured rather than taken for granted or shut out. After moving to the Western Cape (South Africa) to a smaller and more hybrid garden in terms of plants, I share what I discover about nature in an environment that is new to me.
Contact me: email dcbramm@gmail.com
letting nature back in 
January 17, 2023 at 8:52 am
You have an impressive blog Carol! I have found your post on Village Weavers very useful and better than everything else I have found so far. I am researching the species for a series of posts that I will be doing on Instagram. My tag on Instagram is james.adriaan.photo
Thanks and a big thumbs-up from me!
James
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January 17, 2023 at 2:51 pm
Hallo James
Thanks very much for your kind comment, and I am pleased that my Village Weavers post has been useful. They are so interesting to watch. We had fewer nest-builders this year and they only kept at it for a few days before moving on.
I have enjoyed seeing some of your photos on Instagram (although I am not a registered user) and I also took a peek at your photos on picfair and your website. The Anthroposcenery shots are great and an interesting concept too.
With best wishes
Carol
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September 11, 2022 at 2:43 pm
Thank you so much about the agama lizard info eating caterpillars and the chrysalis. I feed lots of butterflies in my organic garden and have noticed the invasive species in Florida have been eating lots of the caterpillars! What a shame for my monarchs and swallowtails. I have a screen enclosed porch and brought two swallowtail caterpillars inside and will have to watch them for release. Your site is amazing, glad to have found you! I am worried about our pollinators the way the agamas are breeding here.
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September 13, 2022 at 7:09 pm
Hi Dawn
I have just read a bit about the invasive species of agamas that occur in Florida. Sounds like with increasing numbers it is a worry for insects, including butterflies and their larvae. The trade in exotic pets has a lot to answer for!
Here our agamas are a native species and they themselves are vulnerable to many threats including from road traffic, domestic pets and the use of insecticides so our situations regarding agamas are rather different.
Lovely to hear that your organic garden provides something of a haven for butterflies and their larvae.
Best from South Africa.
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August 21, 2021 at 7:16 pm
What a wonder-filled site. So glad I found it. Thank you 🙂 🙂
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August 24, 2021 at 7:37 pm
Thank you so much Cheryl 🙂
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May 23, 2021 at 6:09 pm
Carol, I found your blog posts about bees and am really delighted. I love photographing insects, and have recently committed to learning more about bees. Your level of knowledge is impressive and inspiring. I live in the US, in New York State near the Canadian border, and have been taking photos of insects for a few years. I recently purchased a house on a tenth of an acre in a small village here and am undertaking to balance out the many invasive species (which are unfortunately typical of suburban yards in northern New York ) with plants the native insects will use for food and shelter. I look forward to reading more about your work to let nature in. Eudora
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May 24, 2021 at 8:24 pm
Hallo Eudora – how nice to connect via blogging. There is seldom a dull moment in the garden once one develops an interest in insects! I hope you are settling into your new home and that you have fun planting native plants for insects and other animals to share your garden with. With best wishes from SA.
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April 27, 2021 at 4:51 pm
Wow Carol, just a little comment here on your about page to let you know that I am so happy to have discovered your blog. It is full of treasures to read and supported by stunning photographs. You really know how to convey the love for the flora and fauna surrounding you in your beautiful country. I have just subscribed by e-mail and as we seem to cover similar topics (even though I am not from South Africa but currently based in Paris), and I am looking forward to reading more of your stories. Kind regards, a passionate writer and wildlife enthusiast from Europe, Marcella
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April 29, 2021 at 9:46 am
Hi Marcella – Thank you for your very kind comments and it is so nice to have connected. I have visited your blog and skimmed quite rapidly and really like what I have seen and read so far and I look forward to spending more time there. I am now following your blog and I agree that we seem to share many interests and passions. In these current travel-free times it is wonderful to be able to connect virtually. With warm wishes from South Africa, Carol
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April 29, 2021 at 9:51 am
Hi Carol, thank you for connecting back and meeting virtually 🙂 Thanks for your kind words regarding our website and for following our website as well! It seems like you live in a wonderful place and I am looking forward to learning more about your country through your beautiful posts. Have a lovely day. Warm regards from France, Marcella 🤗
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April 29, 2021 at 10:05 am
Thank you Marcella. I see from your ‘about’ page that you are interested in the pros and cons of wildlife volunteering. Have you posted about this at all?
Another thing we have in common – I also studied English literature. But I have not travelled nearly as widely as you have …
Best from South Africa, Carol
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April 29, 2021 at 1:05 pm
Hello Carol, it is quite nice to see how much we have in common! I don’t meet (even if it is virtually) people with whom I have that many things in common often 🤗 yes, we wrote about volunteering, especially to spread the word about the canned lion industry. Many young people from abroad think it is a good thing to volunteer to “rescue” lion cubs but are not aware of the vile industry behind it. We wrote the following article which I am still trying to spread as much as I can on the internet: https://bestregardsfromfar.com/2019/08/10/volunteering-lions-south-africa/
What are your thoughts about this? Warm wishes from France, Marcella
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May 1, 2021 at 8:22 am
Hi Marcella – I know exactly what you mean about not often meeting people with whom one has much in common …
I have read your post about the lion petting and canned lion industries in South Africa and thank you for the well-researched and hard-hitting exposé. I am thinking about doing a future post that I can link to your post.
The situation is distressing and disheartening and I am grateful to the people and organizations who have the courage and compassion to expose the industry and try to shut it down, and to rescue (when possible) abused captive lions. Hopefully one day their work will lead to ending such cruel and damaging practices.
Best wishes from a rather cool morning in South Africa – the first really wintery weather with snow in the mountains!
Carol
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May 1, 2021 at 9:53 am
Hi Carol, yes of course feel free to link to this article about the canned lion industry. Our goal is to raise the awareness so that no one falls for these ugly volunteering projects and to contribute to putting an end to such an unethical industry. It took me a year to research and write this article as every piece of info I came across made me sick to the core. This why we are also happy to write about the beautiful side of South Africa (and many other destinations)! 🤗
Warm greetings from a rainy Paris,
Marcella
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May 1, 2021 at 10:04 am
I can see why it took a long time to cover this sickening industry. It is good that you had the courage to persevere and post this important information despite the pain it caused you. Those working for animals have to dig deep and deserve huge respect.
It does help to balance the pain with writing about more positive aspects and allow nature to replenish our emotional resources. Thank you.
We have some sunshine peeking out now 🌤
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February 4, 2021 at 4:41 am
I was searching for some info on Mkhuzi Game Reserve and I came across your site. I love it! The images at the KuMasinga Hide had me enthralled, especially the ones with the lions. Mkhuzi has always been one of my favourite game reserves ever since my first visit in 1995. I can see you have are many other posts on your site that I am going to enjoy reading. Thanks for sharing your wonderful adventures.
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February 5, 2021 at 3:08 pm
Hallo Rob – Thank you for your supportive comment and how lovely to know that you have enjoyed visiting my blog. Mkhuze is a truly special place to visit. I see that you have done quite a bit of adventuring yourself! 🙂
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December 27, 2019 at 6:52 pm
I’m so happy to have discovered your blog.
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December 28, 2019 at 10:13 am
Thank you so much, and I am very happy to have connected with you via your blog too. (It seems that your name is also Carol?)
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December 28, 2019 at 3:00 pm
Yes!
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December 17, 2019 at 11:50 pm
A beautiful blog and such an insight into the flora and fauna of your backyards.
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December 18, 2019 at 12:15 pm
Thanks very much Georgina. I have enjoyed visiting your blog.
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December 18, 2019 at 1:46 pm
Thanks, likewise.
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July 12, 2019 at 12:45 am
Greetings from Japan,
I discovered your lovely site via “de Wets Wild.”
Best wishes,
Takami
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July 12, 2019 at 5:00 am
Welcome Takami, and how nice to connect via “de Wets Wild”. I have just had a quick peek at some your your wonderful photos. Thanks and best wishes, Carol.
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September 20, 2018 at 6:49 pm
Great to find your blog… only because you liked a post of mine a while ago! Thanks!
I’m always happy when I find a South African’s blog… simply because I miss the place!
Stay safe… enjoy real nature… where the wild is still really wild! 😉
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September 20, 2018 at 8:28 pm
Thanks. Yes we do enjoy the natural world here and try not to take it for granted. I am sure you find lots of consolation where you are now, even if it is so different.
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February 22, 2018 at 7:26 am
This bird looks similar to hummingbirds. Having flowering plants in the suburbs rather than a concrete jungle definitely improves natural habitats for birds and animals. I live in a semi burb and created a garden for the birds especially hummers. This is temporary dwelling since my area is earmarked for further demolition and build high rises. Nothing to fret for there are provincial parks close by for the birds. When you say South Africa, what is the specific area? Btw, thank you for being a nature enthusiast.
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February 22, 2018 at 8:27 pm
I understand that hummingbirds are usually much smaller and they are much more acrobatic than our sunbirds. It can be hard to be philosophical about change, especially when it includes demolition and loss. At least though there are park lands nearby. I agree that it is so important to maintain green spaces and habitats in urban areas. The specific area where I am is in the Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. Thanks for you comment and for being in touch.
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July 29, 2017 at 11:21 am
I have nominated for award you with the above link.
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July 30, 2017 at 7:31 pm
Thank you so much for nominating me for this award. I really appreciate the enormous compliment. However, I have made a decision not to participate in awards. I do hope that you understand. With best wishes, and I do enjoy reading your thought-provoking blog posts.
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July 30, 2017 at 7:32 pm
I understand of course. 🙂
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July 29, 2017 at 9:23 am
https://declutteringmylifeweb.wordpress.com/2017/07/29/mystery-blogger-award/
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June 23, 2017 at 4:53 pm
I’ve really enjoyed exploring your blog this evening! I am following you. I think I will enjoy reading more of your blog in the future! Thanks.
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June 23, 2017 at 7:20 pm
Thanks so much. Great to connect across continents and also interesting how much we all have in common.
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June 23, 2017 at 7:38 pm
Absolutely! I love all your wildlife…it’s so different to ours here in the uk. X
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June 23, 2017 at 8:20 pm
Although I haven’t been to the UK for sometime, I love the English countryside. My mother is English and her parents came from villages that are still close to my heart. They grew much of their own food and pickled and preserved it without even thinking about it and took for granted that they knew a lot about wildflowers and meadows and woodlands. I shared with my gran her very last bottle of homemade cowslip wine. But their times of unself-conscious self-sufficiency are pretty much gone I should think.
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June 23, 2017 at 9:27 pm
Ahhh that’s lovely. I think many in the uk are trying to recapture those pastimes…or maybe it’s because I’m getting older and meeting more people who enjoy those things? Who knows. I made gooseberry and elderflower jam from https://sultanabun.com. The other week. It was yummy!
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June 24, 2017 at 5:30 am
I think it’s great that many are getting more in touch with being more involved with down to earth things. Thanks for the link. The jam sounds good!
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June 24, 2017 at 6:42 am
You are very welcome. X
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June 18, 2017 at 12:54 pm
I have nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award! I understand that not everyone chooses to be a part of the award nomination process. If you choose to take part, that is fantastic! If not, no worries! Just keep writing and taking those amazing photographs! ♥Roda https://wordpress.com/post/growingself.blog/12433
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June 18, 2017 at 6:49 pm
Thanks so much Roda – it is most sweet and kind of you to nominate me for this award and congrats on your nomination too! I am one of those who choose not to take part, but that does not mean I am not appreciative. By the way, I also have that thing where words trigger song lyrics, not to mention sudden bouts of singing as I try to locate the lyrics and the song. I think I inherited this reflex from my family, and my husband is still learning to live with it :). Oh yes, and do you know that you have intercontinental powers? I have had ABBA songs circulating in my head for over a week now!! Oh my, as I write this I can feel a bout of ‘knowing me, knowing you’ coming on 🙂
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June 18, 2017 at 7:32 pm
Love this!!! Smiling in Michigan while listening to ABBA and planting Kale!
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June 11, 2017 at 3:46 pm
Wonderful blog
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June 11, 2017 at 7:24 pm
Thanks so much. I am glad that you like the blog and I really appreciate the compliment 🙂
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May 19, 2017 at 10:19 am
You have wonderful blog with great pictures. The picture of Halleria lucida and sunbird here is amazing.
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May 20, 2017 at 5:34 am
Thank you so much for your lovely comment Rupali. I appreciate you visiting my blog and I enjoy visiting yours, and I hope to manage to visit as often as I would like to!
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May 20, 2017 at 6:39 am
It’s a pleasure visiting your blog and enjyoing photographs and write ups on South Africa.
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May 21, 2017 at 5:52 am
Thanks Rupali. Seeing firsthand experiences and impressions of many different places across the world that bloggers generously share is one of the great things about blogging.it is good to connect!
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April 23, 2017 at 3:32 pm
Your photos are wonderful!
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April 23, 2017 at 7:59 pm
Thank you so much Dawn. I really appreciate your kind comment.
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April 7, 2017 at 10:18 pm
What a gorgeous photograph.
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April 8, 2017 at 5:45 am
Thanks very much Arkenaten. I remember literally holding my breath to capture this image. Sunbird are usually so flighty!
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April 8, 2017 at 9:08 am
We have a few Sunbirds that visit – I planted aloes all over the garden a few years back – but I have never managed a shot like this.
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March 23, 2017 at 2:03 pm
You have such a gift for photography–thank you for sharing such beautiful images!
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March 23, 2017 at 6:35 pm
Thank you so much for your kind comment. I am lucky to have such lovely creatures and plants to photograph!
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March 24, 2017 at 10:16 pm
😊
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March 13, 2017 at 9:54 am
Your photo’s are outstanding and I am leanning such a lot from the interesting text, Carol!
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March 13, 2017 at 12:29 pm
Thanks for the lovely comment Suzette. I am learning a lot as I go too!
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March 3, 2017 at 10:26 am
Oh, what a treat! I love where I live but I also love what I’ve seen of South Africa (primarily Mpumalanga). Amazing photos!
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March 3, 2017 at 2:57 pm
Thanks so much Sandra. Not quite the same as actually travelling, but one of the nice things about blogging is being able to share in lives and perspectives from across the globe.
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February 7, 2017 at 11:01 am
Thanks for coming back soon, Carol. Yes, the whole country, including KZN seems to had wonderful rains over the past week or so, except the Western Cape. Fortunately the Fynbos don’t mind….but our poor gardens do suffer in the current heat.. We don’t have water restrictions (yet) but in Cape Town, Stellenbosch and other towns there is a severe water problem currently. You have probably also heard of the fires down here, but fortunately the Fynbos thrive after such fires….Best wishes, Suzette
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February 7, 2017 at 12:02 pm
Yes, am aware of the fires and the dire state of the dams. Let’s wish for winter rains in the Cape. Here in KZN, despite the rains we have had, the dams are still far too low, especially worrying as our wet season is coming to an end. The horrendously hot days seem to have outnumbered the rainy days, and that does not help either. Best wishes to you too.
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February 7, 2017 at 7:48 am
Since last time we have been extremely busy re the Peak Season, Carol, but at last I took some time off to scroll through your blog this morning and check out the new items and interesting photos. Will read through all the relevant info pretty soon and get back to you. Keep up the good work. Regards from Onrus, Hermanus, Western Cape.
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February 7, 2017 at 10:26 am
Thanks so much Suzette. Hope you get more time now to smell the fynbos, and enjoy the coffee and life in general! Hard to believe that autumn is on its way. Here’s hoping you get some rain soon.
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February 5, 2017 at 5:55 am
Carol, as a periodic (but not often enough!) visitor to your much loved little slice of KZN, I’ve enjoyed your wonderful photos, anecdotes and sharing of knowledge. It’s akin to “popping” in for a visit….keep them all coming.
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February 5, 2017 at 7:05 am
Thanks Anne. It’s nice that intercontinental virtual visits are some kind of substitute for actual visits, but of course should not replace the real thing 🙂
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December 13, 2016 at 7:42 am
I’m looking forward to seeing the contrast between nature in your back yards as opposed to ours in grey (at this time of year) old England.
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December 14, 2016 at 11:00 am
Thanks Margaret. Certainly is a contrast. I am enjoying reading about your countryside and seeing your photographs. Yorkshire (dales and moors) does seem to have a certain drama about it. (Perhaps I never really got over “Wuthering Heights”?)
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December 6, 2016 at 1:24 pm
This is a fabulous photo. Also a reminder that we can let nature back in wherever we are, flower pot by flower pot, if space is limited 🙂
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December 7, 2016 at 8:03 am
Thanks Tish.
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October 31, 2016 at 3:51 pm
Hi Suzette, thanks for taking the time to take a look, and I am delighted that you like the blog 🙂
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October 26, 2016 at 2:31 pm
Carol, what a wonderful blog. Your photos, especially of birds, are outstanding. Love it.
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