“A bird does not sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.” I love this quote from Maya Angelou. Isn't it encouraging for us humans?
Today we were in the fields fixing irrigation - broken compliments of our cows. Despite the heat the birds filled the air with their joyful song. Overhead the swallows promising rain. A couple of squabbling hoopoes and a juvenile Southern Pale Chanting Goshawk also filled the skies. The Goshawk and his family are regular visitors in our area. I love seeing them. I love catching them on camera. Today my camera was not fast enough for the hoopoes but the young Goshawk graced me with a few seconds on a pole before taking lazily to the skies.
Remember my little Sunbird family?! Well they remember me?!!! The first couple times the mama and one of the no-longer babies dropped to my feet while I was at the washing line I thought it was a cute coincidence. Then today mama Malachite Sunbird came to call me when I was in the field. Chattering happily as she followed me from post to post. My husband commented in amazement; "She recognizes you! She's actually talking to you."
Over the last couple weeks the little Sunbird family keep popping by to say hi. On our return one of the little girls perched in the thorn tree chirping very insistently to me. Then she fluttered over to a bouganville to feast.
It has been special for me to realize that, not only do they recognize me, but have actually formed a bond! The beautiful Daddy Malachite Sunbird is less affectionate. But he often watches me from a lofty perch when I am outside.
Armed with hats, water and my camera I and the BuckarooBabies then wandered around our mountainside home. The wild flowers are a picture at the moment! After all the rains we are delighted to see the selection of veld plants that survived the long drought. So delicate it is difficult to imagine they thrive in these conditions.
And yet, like the birds who sing because they have a song - the flowers bloom because they can!! Our prickly pears are a riot of colour at the moment. Hopefully that brings a promise of a bountiful crop of fruit.
With such a hopeful choir of beautiful Creation let us all be encouraged to sing because we have a song! Because, if not, as Suzy Kassem says: “A heart without dreams is like a bird without feathers"