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letting nature back in

at home and further afield

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naturebackin

Sharing insights and celebrating the creatures and plants that enrich suburban spaces, with images from my previous KZN garden and current Western Cape garden in South Africa, and from wild places further afield.

Crocosmia aurea: Saffron-scented falling stars

The rich lushness of the Crocosmia flowering in late summer, is a sign that autumn is imminent. The increasingly golden light of autumn perfectly enhances the oranges and reds of this season of change, preceding the more subtle colours of winter. Continue reading “Crocosmia aurea: Saffron-scented falling stars”

A good match: Pollinator and flower

Flowers need pollinating and bees need pollen and nectar. This week’s photo challenge asks us to share a photo of things that complement each other. Continue reading “A good match: Pollinator and flower”

Black-headed Oriole: Golden bird of the African treetops

Here is a bird that lives up to its beautiful namethe word “oriole” derives from the Latin for “golden”. Continue reading “Black-headed Oriole: Golden bird of the African treetops”

Against the odds: Finding tree frogs in flowers

The odds against identifying this tree frog were not good, as they have very variable colouration, so I hope that I am right in saying that this is a Natal Forest Tree Frog.  We live close to the edge of its range, and that reduces the odds of seeing it here, in our inland garden, when they are more common in the coastal region. Continue reading “Against the odds: Finding tree frogs in flowers”

Cats and the wildlife garden

What to do if you love wild birds, but you also love cats? We decided to choose a compromise that we think of as a middle way. Continue reading “Cats and the wildlife garden”

African shadow brocade

Early morning sunshine enhances the yellow gold bark of a Fever Tree, patterning the trunk with leaf shadows; a combination resembling rich brocade. This photograph is posted in response to this week’s photo challenge to capture a shadow.
Continue reading “African shadow brocade”

Solitude in the suburbs

The images used in letting nature back in are limited to photographs I take in our suburban garden. In response to this week’s photo challenge: “Solitude … show us what being alone means to you”, the question arises, how to convey solitude in the suburbs? Continue reading “Solitude in the suburbs”

Say can I have some of your purple berries?

When I see birds and monkeys enjoying these purple berries, I invariably think of the song “Wooden Ships”. The link between the Waterberry tree (commonly referred to by its Zulu name umDoni) and the song is purple berries. Continue reading “Say can I have some of your purple berries?”

Waste not whatnots

Repurposing reduces waste, extends the life of items put to new use, and taps our undiscovered creativity. Continue reading “Waste not whatnots”

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