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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.

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” →

Wildlife gardeners, dogs and other animals

Many nature lovers also love domestic animals. Part of letting nature back in can be in the form of sharing our lives with our companion animals. Although there is potential for conflict, pet dogs can coexist with wildlife in a suburban garden. Here are some pointers to good neighbourliness between domestic dogs and wild animals in suburban spaces and gardens. Continue reading “Wildlife gardeners, dogs and other animals” →

Gracefulness of the maternal bond

One very hot day summer’s a small group of vervet monkeys visited our garden. Continue reading “Gracefulness of the maternal bond” →

Fairy-tale fungi: The magic of mushrooms

Not all fungi produce mushrooms, but for those that do, the mushroom is akin to a flower or fruit in a plant. This small mushroom is known as Fairies Bonnets and it lives on decaying wood.  Continue reading “Fairy-tale fungi: The magic of mushrooms” →

The ambience of first light

The soft slanting light of the early morning sun lends a special ambience to the garden. Continue reading “The ambience of first light” →

Two summer-flowering lilies

  Flowering in our mini-grassland this summer are the crimson Inanda Lily and the more understated, though intriguing plant known as the Pineapple Lily.
Continue reading “Two summer-flowering lilies” →

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