Those wonderful creatures of nature that frequent our home. Recently three simple events occurred that remind us of why we enjoy living away from the hustle and bustle of city living.
GECKO
Just after Xmas we happen to notice a small yet hugely fat Gecko wondering our inside wall, without a care in the world. I would guess he filled up on numerous insects over the previous days/ nights including our dreaded mosquito.
They are normally nocturnal but this one was out in the daytime hours. Their feet / toe-pads being adhesive based, allow for scaling of smooth vertical services without challenge including ceilings. An added benefit is that they are self-cleaning hence this little creature is pretty hygienic in nature.
The Gecko's lacks eyelids which are replaced with a thin membrane. One will see them continuously licking their eyes clean as there move along. Cool little fellows !!! Always welcome in our home.
SPOTTED THICK_KNEE DIKOP
Our next surprise was the presence of a pair of Dikop birds seeming to be scouting the area. A few days later we saw them again, our garden becoming their preferred choice of home. It was great to see two young ones dashing under mom's wings away from danger every now and again.
These birds are difficult to see when sitting low in the grass due to their natural spotted camouflage. Funny thing is they too are nocturnal so not sure why they were so active during the day.
They feed on seeds, insects, lizards and small mammals
For the next week or so we enjoyed their company, watching the antic's and general chick growing pains. There was the periodic absence of the father only to see him return shortly thereafter with food. We insisted our visitors make a detour to our door during this time which in itself was a bit of fun. Group-ups Tip toeing around these tiny creatures trying desperately hard not to stress them out.
Sadly I got too clever, leaving a Watermelon for them to munch on. Seems this chased them away never to be seen again.
The lesson, ....... leave nature well alone!!!
MOUSEBIRD
Bryony and I were enjoying our lunch when we heard this awful thud above followed moments later by another to our left.
It took a moment or so to realize that a Mouse-bird had flown into our Upstairs window only to fall concussed onto our outside table.
At first I thought it had broken its neck, so still was it. I was about to bin it when suddenly it twitched in the palm of my hand.
A little later one eye opened which seemed terribly unfocused and confused. During this time I tried to keeping it cosy and warm so as not to stress it out. After what seemed about 5 minutes I tested for broken bones and legs which all seemed fine.
Throughout the 5 minutes I tried to keep it awake, gently blowing into its face as its eye's wanted to close. What do I know, in the movies when someone is dying, the person close by tries to ensure the injured continues to keep their eyes open by talking etc.
Once it became apparent that the bird could stand unsteadily, and hobbling around, I transferred it to our garden under close observation, offering it drops of water which it struggled to digest.
Another few minutes passed it which point it could focus. Soon as it gained its bearing it immediately flew into a low hanging branch, just peeping at me with what seemed to be amazing interest.
While taking these pic's I must have got too close as suddenly it regained its strength and flew off to a higher branch.
Hopefully he is still flying around out there somewhere enjoying Gods gift of life.!!
