There are two dictionary definitions of cheerfulness: first, the quality or state of being noticeably happy and optimistic; and second, the quality of causing happiness. Continue reading “Holiday cheerfulness: The sunshine colours of yellow”
This Forest Canary didn’t seem to notice me sitting with my camera in a corner of the garden, and it approached really close, even drinking from the nearby birdbath before seeing me and flitting up into a tree. Continue reading “Wild and free canaries in the garden”
This little caterpillar has impressively long hair down the entire length of its body. It looks rather as if it has just left the hair salon. Continue reading “Weekly photo find: Long-haired caterpillar”
The Cape Robin-Chat rather paradoxically can be shy as well as confiding. These lovely little birds occur over much of South Africa where there is dense enough vegetation to provide for their needs. Continue reading “A charming visitor: The Cape Robin-Chat”
Photos of striking insects taken in the garden have been catching my attention as I visit my photo archive. Continue reading “Weekly Photo Find: African Paper Wasp”
One of the first spring-flowerers, the wild Sagewood (Buddleja salviifolia) produces a profusion of nectar-laden blossoms. Their pungent yet strangely sweet scent attracts many insects. Continue reading “Sagewood: Spring flowers hosting many insects”
Flowers are often the focus when we think about gardens, and when we photograph them too. Leaves, seeds, grasses and bark, although beautiful, interesting and photogenic, are neglected by comparison. Continue reading “The beauty of leaves”
This well-known South African plant probably needs little introduction as it is cultivated in many countries across the world. I was surprised to learn that it is the floral emblem of the city of Los Angeles. Continue reading “The iconic strelizia”
Our suburban sunrises and sunsets are circumscribed compared to those we have experienced in wilder places. In contrast to wide open spaces such as in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Botswana, our garden skyscapes are fringed by trees and the horizons are close and small. Continue reading “African Sundown/Sundowner”
