I once observed a touch screen tablet moving slowly through the bush. It was wrapped around the face of a young man.
Seem familiar? So many of us are so attached to our devices or caught up doing things for others, that we’re not making time to look around us and de-clutter our minds.
During the lockdown period, many of us have been forced to slow down. People reported seeing an increase in birdlife. Admittedly, I did smile when I read this. It might be that reduced noise, light and air pollution during lockdown means we can see and hear more birds but I doubt there’s been an increase in birds as such. However, I do believe that there is an increase in predators.
You may already be aware that this year is a mast year. In a ‘mast’ year, trees experience extremely heavy flowering, fruiting and seeding. Historically, this would trigger an abundance of food for native wildlife to make up for lean years. But now, mast events also boost rodent numbers and, in turn, stoat numbers. An increase in predators is a significant threat to our birdlife, so it’s essential to set and maintain traps on your property. In addition to the danger of predators, we are experiencing a drought. This also impacts on our birdlife.
I have a large water dish in my garden. Recently, I’ve been enjoying watching the wax eyes bathing together. Their noisy antics attract the fantails. All it takes is one fantail to clear the dish of frolicking wax eyes. Not that the fantail is being mean, it’s just that when they’re whipping their wonderful tail feathers around in the water, there really isn’t much room for the other birds.
I have a fantail that visits every day. It flies through one open door and out of another. Occasionally, it stops to rest on the arm of a rocking chair and chatters away at me. This new friend has been delightful company during these challenging times.
It’s very hard to maintain a good work/life balance, but if we’re not tuning in with nature, ourselves or those around us, we can become stuck.
With the winter months approaching, I would like to encourage you to schedule some nature time for yourself. Perhaps set up a bird bath; and start trapping, of course. (HEIDI PADAIN)
To see some of Heidi’s other photographic work, go to www.flickr.com and type Heidi Padain into the search box, or you can contact Heidi by email hidihi@xtra.co.nz, or look her up on Facebook... Heidi Padain Photography