Three cheers for the National Trust as they plough on ahead whilst others squabble. Especially as I can pat myself on the back for including some of the species they mention.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/nov/03/national-trust-to-plant-1200-hectares-of-flower-filled-grassland-in-devon

The opening of this introduction resonated with me so that I simply had to buy it after reading >>>

‘There is a common turn of phrase that turns up a lot in books about nature, which goes something like this: ‘If you are really lucky then you may catch a glimpses of a […]. I am sorry to break it to you, but no, you won’t. What these books should say is’ If you accompany an expert to exactly the place where these rare things are found, at exactly the right time of year – and you look where the expert is pointing – then you might have a chance of seeing the rear end of the creature in question as they fly away/dive under the water. ‘

“Every Day Nature”
Andy Beer
ISBN 978-1-911657-09-5

All too often, so many nature articles focus on the ‘aristocracy’ of flora and fauna, neglecting and dismissing the humble and ordinary as irrelevant and worthless, or even as something to be erradicated. As though nature spotting is similar to the stereotype of Japanese tourists collecting selfies without turning to admire the view. Yes it is wonderful to be able to see these fabulous things, even if only in film or photograph, but it misses the diversity around us we can view in 3 dimensions, 4 including time; experience with all our senses. And appreciate without actually knowing anything at all about them. Appreciation frequently leads to curiosity and research, which often leads on to wanting to nuture. And lots of questions. This book format is a short piece for each day; it would make a lovely gift.

This clover is an example of the humble found in the garden and allowed to prosper. Pollinators like it and it is nostalgic to me. There is also a patch of self sown native Geranium that will be transplanted at some point – it won’t thrive in the current position.

It astonishes me that I put in a little effort and attention and nature responds with compound interest for my troubles. It creates a humbling feeling of being valued. It’s not rational, but it is very pleasant.