A perfectly un-orchestrated choir of bird song fills our natural garden paradise. It swirls around the trees, erupts across the mountains and embraces the listener. The pure joy of the birds fills the heart with joy. The bird life around our beautiful country homestead is unbelievable. New species arrive in the valley every couple weeks. The sights and sounds of which we have never seen before on our homestead. It testifies to the haven that we call home, which returning creatures are now choosing as their refuge.
Living in the surrounding mountains are different eagles, hawks, jackal buzzard and now black shouldered kite. Four of the beautiful black and white birds of prey live around our home. They hunt in our fields and calling to one another from the trees behind the house. Watching them catch the air currents and drift overhead is comforting.
The lovely long tailed Malachite Sunbird returned to the valley when the rains did, over a year ago. But in the recent months we now see the tiny double breasted Sunbird flitting around our gardens. Their high pitched song echoes around the flowering Autumn bushes.
Taking a walk today along our borders to check the fencing we were amazed at the growing variety of wild birds. They are of a delightful colour and song which adds to the beauty of the growing natural orchestra.
Among the trees we are also seeing an increasing amount of insect life. Some of the trees that are covered with blossoms are also alive with the buzzing of little honey bees. However various butterfly, wasp and bumble bees also enjoy their beautiful Autumn buffet.
Sometimes the crows angry call breaks the lull. We're overly cautious shepherds so crows are one bird we do not like on the homestead. They target the weaker lambs and will mercilessly peck at a lamb while the mother is in labour. Like avenging angels our special black shouldered kites will swoop in. As if from nowhere these magnificent birds will chase the crows where we are slower to reach our flock.
There is seldom a disturbance in the harmony of our tranquil homesteading life that is enough to long unsettle us. Never could we have imagined we would live in such beauty of sight, sound and sweet existence. Truly it is as if we are suspended in time - beginning and eternity. Not a day passes that our voices don't rise in worship alongside the feathered orchestra.
