Many people hang on to keepsakes from their childhood. Photographs, letters, drawings, cards and other reminders are special tokens from times past and distant spaces. Continue reading “Wildflowers, war and wonder: Mementos of an English childhood”
Orange is associated with autumn. In our garden this colour is most evident in flowers blooming during March and April, rather than in leaves turning colour on the deciduous trees. Continue reading “Autumnal orange flowers”
The African dog rose is usually admired for its flowers, but it also plays host to many small creatures, including a species of butterfly, enabling it to complete its life cycle from egg to adult. Surprising as it was to find one plant sustaining so much life, it surprised me more that it sustained so much interest in me. Continue reading “Blood-red Acraea butterfly: A complete life cycle in one shrubby tree”
Tropical Cyclone Idai has led to the deaths of hundreds of people, injury to many more and the displacement of thousands and caused catastrophic damage and protracted flooding. Large areas in Mozambique and in neighbouring Zimbabwe and Malawi have been affected and the death toll is anticipated to rise to horrific numbers. Continue reading “In the path of the storm: Cyclone Idai”
Highlighting a bleak future in the wake of the unchecked use of pesticides, Rachel Carson’s landmark book Silent Spring (1962) raised awareness of the vulnerability of nature and our dependence on it and motivated many people to become active in environmental protection. Possibly less well known is the sense of wonder in nature that inspired her, a wonder that stirs joy and a sense of mystery in children and adults alike
Continue reading “Rediscovering a sense of wonder: Seeing insects as tiny treasures”
From being primarily associated with wetlands and woodlands the hadeda ibis has successfully expanded its range across much of the country even where it was formerly absent, and nowadays populations flourish even in urban areas. In suburbia it continues its association with water in the form of well-watered lawns, ponds and swimming pools. Continue reading “Hadeda ibis: From wetlands to birdbaths”
An apparently thoughtful young vervet monkey photographed while quietly savouring a small fruit on the back deck of our house. Continue reading “Weekly Photo Find: Thoughtful vervet monkey”
The usually blue-flowered Agapanthus brightens South African gardens, and many gardens around the world, during the summer. It is an easy-going plant that I pretty much take for granted, so I was surprised to find that its classification has been a complex issue for botanists. Continue reading “Agapanthus: A true blue summer flowerer”
Who, who’s watching who? A young vervet monkey watched me, matching my curiosity as I watched back. Continue reading “Weekly Photo Find: Primate watching”
