Because doves and pigeons mate for life, people in many cultures have attributed to them the qualities of loyalty, love and devotion, virtues that, sadly, have had paradoxically lethal consequences for these birds characterised (pigeon-holed?) as being gentle and unaggressive. Continue reading “Redeyed Doves, Turtle Doves, monogamy and sacrifice”
After the hardships of winter, spring brings new life.
Continue reading “After winter, spring”
Many birds die or are seriously injured when they inadvertently fly into window panes. Reflections of sky and landscape on the glass or else seeing through a window to plants or light on the side can mislead them. Big plate glass windows are the worst for flying birds because of their large seamless reflections. Continue reading “Making your windows more visible to flying birds”
Whatever path one travels, the future is often obscure. Accepting and admitting confusion can paradoxically transform into a moment of truth. Such illuminations cannot be sought, but are sometimes found. Continue reading “Translucence”
He built this nest in anticipation of attracting a mate. Continue reading “Anticipating attracting a mate”
Some Christmas decorations, still popular today, are adopted from old winter solstice traditions. Continue reading “Festive decorations in the garden”
The sun always on their horizon, a new horizon every day! The gerbera daisies in our garden are showing me the way. Continue reading “Simplicity”
Even in sunny South Africa, European winter traditions are evident at Christmas time. There are Christmas cards that feature red-breasted European robins and there was a time when shop windows sported cotton-wool snow and plastic holly, even though December is at the height of the southern hemisphere summer! Continue reading “Christmas cards and robins”
My favourite place for relaxing is the veranda, an intermediate zone not really inside and not really outside. I like to go out onto the veranda to watch the world go by, the birds go by, the sun go by, or maybe to enjoy a book, a cup of tea, a sundowner, a conversation, or simply just to sit. The veranda can be a meditative place. Continue reading “On the veranda”
