Snail's Pace

Patience, Perseverance, and Slow but Steady Progress

Hot or cold, dry or wet, a mixture of both greeting summer this year. Snail, moths and birds in the mix bringing us to end of this week. Actually feels a bit like life of late, some days dragging along at snail's pace getting little to nothing done, then zooming around accomplishing much.

At the end of it all a shower irrespective of what transpired, wash away sigh or negative thought, push through a trail is OK to not all unrealistic deadlines are met, connect within natural cycle.

Snails constantly on the move carrying it's burdensome house along, slowly gliding in the rain with horns outstretched feeling it's way, no cumbersome excess only necessities. Still getting to clearing, reminder of the week.

Brownlipped Agate (Metachatina kraussi): A large native species found in KwaZulu-Natal's forests and savannas, with shells up to 16cm long. (Width of drain is 10cm depth 14cm)

We never pick snails up, they apparently carriers of rat lungworm parasite which can lead to meningitis in humans.

Sphingidae (Hawkmoths) The Nepheles (Sphingidae) vau a name used for slight differences in species.

The term "vau" appears to be an informal or local name for a specific type of hawk moth caterpillar (family Sphingidae) found in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa, likely referring to the diamond or V-shaped pattern on its back.

Dark-capped Bulbul (Pycnonotus tricolor) Bulbuls are chatty, cheerful birds in suburbia and wild places too. Reasonably tame in gardens taking advantage of whatever is on offer.

This bird does not enjoy swimming in the lower larger pool, will perch high on the water feature to 'shower' fly into the tree preen and clean to return a few times, it sure does love doing this on hot days, so entertaining. Great except my water feature does not afford me spectacular views, placed for the birds I have to take photos through the window.

Taste of young life using all it's senses, appears to be tasting a flower found on the floor, how else would it learn? Kind cruel life, always by lessons learned, perhaps inherited, then passed along.

Not all things being equal, right now learning life, later fighting for position in the group. Baby Vervet monkeys always look cute, the road ahead is dangerous, how little one knows when young.

Rain lilies (genus Zephyranthes and Habranthus) our vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers. First time twins now looking closer I see another about to sprout two off one stem. _Doubling up our fairy lilies that show their faces after rains, sometimes slightly before the rains arrive.

Never planted these free spirited flowers, imagine they arrived on the wind, roaming seeds of life.

Travel safe if going to visit family or friends, Merry Christmas - Zulu Ukhisimusi omuhle, Happy Hanukkah be blessed!

16th December South Africa have Day of Reconciliation, not sure what that is all about any more either.

All photography my own using Canon Powershot SX730 HS. Time is equal opportunity, use it wisely.

Thought for Today: "A parent should not give up modelling their children because the ancestors too never give up on us." - African Proverb