#43 On reflection . . . . .

When I started blogging my nature observations 12 months ago I hoped my enthusiasm wouldn't wane, turning this project into a chore. It hasn't. It's been a valuable exercise in researching, collating information and formating material into readable articles that might be of use or interest to other people. Not only have I learned a lot during my year of blogging, but I have come in contact with some wonderful people who have enriched my life.

Initially, I hesitated, unsure if I had the perseverence to produce worthwhile entries on a continuing basis, but on reflection I can see that it has been a project that has evolved as I've found my way.

Reflections - Williams River, Hunter Valley

My original aim remains; that is, to encourage others to care for nature both close at hand and on a broader scale. If people are not aware of the beauty and value of the diverse ecosystems that we live amongst, they are hardly likely to put any effort or sacrifice into preserving them. I am attempting to create this awareness (albeit on a small scale), which should in turn promote care.

I aim to highlight the nature we live amongst every day but hardly notice. The native animals and invertebrates that live in, or visit, our backyards may well be common creatures, and even annoying in some situations, but they are all part of the big picture.

If we take an interest, gain some understanding and adopt an attitude of respect and tolerance, we can all play a helpful role in improving the health and wellbeing of the natural environment; an environment on which we rely for our every need.

And there are so many exciting surprises and pleasant encounters to experience amongst nature that I am hoping to entice others to take a closer look around them. By sharing my observations and my genuine love of nature, I hope to touch other people's lives in a positive way.

***** ***** *****

My backyard has also evolved over the past 12 months. Due to the strong hot northwesterly winds, and the drought, I abandoned my vegetable patch and transformed the space into an extensive raised bed for native plants.

Together, my husband and I prepared the earth, and I have planted dozens of native ground-covers, shrubs and trees which will eventually form a layered vegetation belt.

I've added mulch, bird bath and ground water, piles of rocks and some logs. Magpies and Spur-winged Plovers are already taking advantage of the abundance of invertebrates, and I've noticed lizards scurrying about.

Part of my new native garden.

My herb garden is constantly changing and is a beaut place for grasshopper nymphs, spiders, wasps, native bees, beetles, caterpillars and skinks. My grand-children love to play in my herb garden where there are always interesting bugs to discover.

In a sheltered corner on our back patio is my fern garden which is home to an Eastern Water Dragon. It is too difficult to put into words the joy this entertaining little dragon has brought to my life. He will eventually wander off in search of a lady dragon, but for now, he is great company.

My fern garden harbours plenty of invertebrates for my resident Water Dragon to snap up

My Water Dragon, Jacky, lounges around in a pot

Besides managing to produce weekly entries for my nature blog, I have recently created a new internet space, Snippets and Sentiments, where I intend recording personal stories that provide a glimpse into how I view the world around me. This journal will contain some controversial and sensitive subjects, but I will keep it family-friendly. It is already proving beneficial to me. As nature is a vital part of my life, many entries will deal with the nature that surrounds me at home and on my travels. My Australian Fungi Blog suffers periodic standstills, but I will add to it when the inclination strikes me. I have hundreds of fungi images and observations to share.

I'm jotting down this post surrounded by nature in World Heritage Listed/Wilderness/Wild Rivers national park rainforest, and as dusk moves in and the air becomes still, birdlife takes over this little green clearing and forest noises claim the evening.

Barrington rainforest

Throughout the year I've been fortunate to see several reptiles in and around my yard including Jacky Dragon, Bearded Dragon, Water Dragon, Rainbow Skinks and Blue-tongue Lizard, along with Long-neck Turtles, Eastern Brown Snakes and Red-bellied Black Snakes. My backyard frog observations have included Green Tree Frog, Spotted Grass Frog, Ornate Burrowing Frog, Lesueur's Frog and Perons Tree Frog.

And new additions to my backyard bird list include Rainbow Bee-eaters and the Restless Flycatcher. I also have some beaut spider encounters to post up next year, and I'll share some of the lovely places around the edge of the Hunter Valley where I go nature-watching.

The beautiful Rainbow Bee-eater

I hope many readers will find something of interest amongst my entries throughout the coming year. May everyone find joy in nature.