Nature enables me to be mindful, focus my attention on the present moment and help combat my anxiety. I am lucky that I work outdoors (no, I don’t mind the rain and cold weather) it enables me to dose up on serotonin and vitamin D as well as get plenty of exercise. Also, I can observe nature as I work which is great therapy.
Last week was busy but I still managed to take time out of my schedule to focus on nature.
The week started joyfully with a Red-tailed bumblebee flying around me while I was working. It was a male drone, identified by its yellow markings, along with the black and red colouring. I love hearing bees buzzing, especially when it is amplified by a trumpet shaped flower or there is a chorus of them, it is so relaxing.
Then on Tuesday, while retrieving a ladder from the shed, I noticed an adult Robin trying to fly in through the shed door. Realising it probably had a nest in there I left the door ajar and walked away. After a few moments I was glad to see it fly into the shed and reappear with a fledged youngster. It was beautiful to witness this.
On my way to work, the next day, I came across a male Pheasant dining out with some sparrows and two squirrels. The pheasant and sparrows were eating some bread and birdseed (left on the lawn by one of my neighbours). The squirrels were attacking the bird feeders. I have heard the pheasant for a few weeks now but this was the first time I had seen him. The sparrows and squirrels were unfazed by him, obviously realising he was no threat. I love the colours of a male pheasant’s plumage. They are so rich and great inspiration for craftwork. I can just imagine knitting a jumper in those colours, now there’s a thought…
During Thursdays lunchtime I watched a Magpie washing its feathers in a puddle. It was splashing around for about 5 minutes, flew into the nearby conifer only to return to the same puddle for another long cleaning and preening session. Watching it made me smile.
The working week ended with a lovely lullaby. I fell asleep listening to the beautiful song of a male Blackbird. He started singing around 10:20pm. He hasn’t sung at that hour since; perhaps he was only visiting the Rowan tree outside. It is also possible that something disturbed his slumber and the lit streetlights confused his body clock. Whatever the reason for his singing at that time of night it was a lovely way to fall asleep.
This invasive non-native ladybird has become common in the south over the last 10 years. I have frequently seen them in the last few years.
Bee in the Moment 