It wasn’t just a discrete little tap, tap, tap on the window frame, it was a very loud and insistent hammering. The first time I heard it early in the morning I thought what an inconsiderate visitor this is. It must be an emergency. Continue reading “A woodpecker at the window”
Ella, the younger cat, adores her special friend, the elderly cat named Pip. Each is a close friend to me, but the friendship they share with each other is touching to witness. Continue reading “Inseparable friends”
Bringing good cheer and nectar in the late autumn and early winter, the Wild Dagga’s bright orange flower clusters, arranged vertically on segmented tall stems, brighten wild grasslands and gardens alike. Continue reading “Wild Dagga: Cheerfulness in early winter”
These delicate fungi appear suddenly, when the temperature and humidity are just right. Continue reading “Ephemeral fungi”
Many cultures have long traditions of basket making. Baskets can be seen to embody a dynamic blend of culture, technology and environment, and traditionally they were made from natural plant fibres. Basketry continues as a living tradition and its uses, aesthetics and even materials are subject to ongoing change. Continue reading “Living heritage: The art of basketry”
Capture something reflected back to you in such a way that you look at your surroundings differently, is the invitation in this week’s photo challenge with the theme ‘Reflecting’. Continue reading “Reflecting the sun”
The appealing Wood Owl is one of the species of raptors that occur in our neighbourhood. Raptors are generally beneficial to us humans because they prey on species that, if their numbers get out of hand, can become problematic to us, in both urban and rural settings. Continue reading “Raptors, rat poisons and us”
When we picked green chillies from a new plant in our garden, they had no flavour at all. So when they ripened to red we added them liberally when cooking our supper. Continue reading “Danger! Fire on the line”
Previously, I have highlighted birds that are daily visitors to our garden. By contrast the Bush Blackcap and the Swee Waxbill appear to be infrequent or very discreet visitors. Continue reading “Fleeting garden visitors: The Bush Blackcap and the Swee Waxbill”
