I have returned home after less than two days in Manjimup. This is tall timber country that hosts a cherry festival in summer and more recently, the area is becoming known for black truffles. It is a small community. People immediately recognise one from being out of town. The talk is always light and friendly and ends with a warm, “have a safe journey home”. This time, the farewell had special relevance. The winds were strong, with constant rain. Starting my return journey, I was exactly 333 kms from home. The thought of driving along winding roads flanked by tall old timber in a storm, was daunting. And, it was.
Despite the rain I found a few moments early morning to walk in the Timber Park while waiting for breakfast. The only protea, just waiting to bloom, shone bright like a torch in the sombre day. I had not noticed before, the colours of the native flowers, the pink gum blossoms, the delicate vine growing Flame pea flower, and yellow wattle which I will post later, were more vivid. To match this, the wings of the New Holland honeyeater and the underbelly of the Red Western Wattlebird were a brighter shade of yellow. The white breasted robin, shy, quiet and non-descript, was just as beautiful. It stayed with me in the deep shrub, watching me with curiosity, but just out of reach of my lens, to get that perfect picture. They are shy, co-operative birds that help each other. I am always surprised and delighted when I see one. They are so silent in the scrub and I find them by movement alone. By that I mean, the slightest movement of leaves, signals their presence. In contrast, the wattlebirds and honeyeaters are noisy and are always in company. While eating breakfast I noticed a honeyeater clinging to the edge of the canvas canopy, waiting for the insects to roll towards its beak! In a garden of plenty, it found a different way, an ingenious way, to feed.
It was an interesting thing to observe the honeyeater on the anniversary of the day when I resigned from secure government employment, to venture into the unknown world of small business. In the last few years, like the honeyeater, in a garden of plenty, there are times I have to be creative. There are times when I just have to hold on. But, at all times, I know, I have a strong backup plan. My faith gives me wings.
May your day be blessed by what you see and experience.
As always,
a dawn bird
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