Nature Diary 2015

• Black Tulips, Viola Tricolor, Forget-me-not, Aquilegia, Plantago

The sounds of Nature

TITLE PAGE

Eggs of Birds

• Eggs of Quail, Song Thrush, Sedge Warbler, Starling etc.

PAGE #1

Bullfinches

• Bullfinches over Nestle

PAGE #2

Christmas Roses

• A white beginning of a new year.
• First stood up, everything is still quiet. For me on the table are an antique dolls cup and a milk jug that I've got from a friend.
• I put a few Christmas roses - so small, so sweet. Since now I am completely happy.

PAGE #3

Double-Collared Sunbird

• No great tomtit is on the feedball, but a small double-collared sunbird on protea. That is clear, we have revisited South Africa.

PAGE #4

Guineafowl/Strelitzia

• In whole shit you see guinea fowl, it's just wild. As a child I was wondering which of those crazy bird feathers would come. Such a bird does not exist - fixed dyed. And here sick me: coating as the wild fowl stroll through the wine vineyards, looking for insects and other color stuff. Saves spraying once?
• We will also be visiting Kirstenbosch botanical garden above the beautiful Cape Town. Just beyond the entrance is a collection of strelitzias, paradise birds' flowers. Orange with purple, a green / pink boat. But there is a yellow variety between. There is a sign in, including name and photograph of Nelson Mandela. It took the garden over twenty years to grow this yellow flower. The naming was not difficult. Can such a heating flower get a nicer name than Strelitzia reginae 'Mandela's Gold'?

PAGE #5

Agapanthus

• The agapanthus in Dutch is a popular container plant, which has overwinter indoors. Too cold for us! In the african it's called Jangroentje. It's Dutch name is African lily - and that's why we do here in South Africa, everywhere. These grew against a dark garden wall plate itself ...
• All of a sudden: ZAP! Spark shiny green, malachite sunbird is drinking nectar.

PAGE #6

Coral Fishes

• In Cape Town, opposing V & A Waterfront, is the Two Oceans Aquarium. Cost you a day if you want to see everything. Cape of Good Hope is just on the boundary between the warm Indian Ocean and the cold Atlantic. All residents, including turtles and penguins are seen here. Two floor high gene help forests, gently swaying in the current, incredibly beautiful!
• You can cage-diving with sharks as you have dive certificate with you. Then a stitch must still sit there with your loose, I think abominations. But son Mischa feels there for. I'm just glad his diploma preserved at home.
• Most beautiful I find coral fishes of the Indian Ocean. Crazy colors, shapes and patterns. Fashion designers can indulge here, I guess.

PAGE #7

Giraffes

• Botswana is now at the turn of the famous Okavango Delta. We start in the Savute Elephant Camp. The airport, where we are with our toy-plane are landing, is a sand strip. At the end of the strip is the ranger waiting for us in his jeep.
• What animals we hope to see? Well, all of course, the more the merrier. All the way to the camp we see bright-blue rollers, hornbills, here and there an elephant, antelopes and those unsavory warthogs.
• Actually - I very'd like to see a giraffe ... I know him just because of Burger's Bush. Could that be ?? On our first game drive that same afternoon, we see eleven of them. Parents and children. Very quietly they cross our path towards the fresh green branches from a few tall trees away. Lucky Dog!

PAGE #8

Bee-Eater and African Monarch

• Of course I am also a Great-Wild-Animals-Fan, otherwise I would not have gone on safari to Botswana. But while I enjoy lions and elephants, I also see the little everywhere to join it. Butterflies, beetles, millipedes, grasshoppers and birds. So many birds! Big boys like the eagles and vultures, ostriches and ibises, but also the small kingfishers, bee-eaters and scavengers, in the most amazing colors. What riches.
• This is the Swallow-tailed bee-eater. A bee-eater with a forked swallow-tail. In Afrikaans: Swaelstertbijvreter. Has bugs, but this butterfly, the African Monarch, will not touch: the butterfly is poisonous!

PAGE #9

Impala and Hornbill

• Everywhere we see herds of impala, a dainty little antelopes, quietly grazing. Such slender animals, velvet eyes that make your week in the knees. Whoever would like to do something bad to them?
• Lions! Also we have an impala meat-offering high hanged in a boom on a branch - does leopard as he leaves it for a dinner break. We have seen here the spotted hyena and black-back jackal, both are not afraid of an impala bolt. The meter-long python that we saw yesterday, strangles a small impala and swallows him whole by ... enemies abound. All Impala can do is watch, look after, listen with those huge ears that he can run on all sides. And possibly run. Run for your life, as much as 90 miles per hour! And jumping - 9 meters far, 2 meters high. Let the lion but biting on a bat.
• Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill, this strange bird is named. No fuss, our ranger finds , here it's just called 'the flying banana', logical. Brood is in tree cavities. Ms. Banana is safely immured, a small gap through which she spoke to her husband. Only when she and her growing brood are about cracking out of their cavity, then the door opens again.

PAGE #10

Leopards

• On his walkie-talkie our guide got the message through that this morning a few miles away, two young leopards were detected. It was a rough terrain with lots of holes and hollows and underbrush. Even when we were there just before it took a while before we discovered them also. They sat in the deep shade of a tree that had grown through a termite mound, and stared at us intently. Motionless. What a moment! After some time one of the two left his stump, and walked right in front of us. Lazily stretched out his vision. We did not even need our binoculars - what a fantastic beautiful best. A giant cat, who would you want to pet ALMOST ... but not quite.

PAGE #11

Lilac-Breasted Roller

• The last day in the Chief's Camp. Tomorrow through to Eagle Island Camp in Xaxaba middle of the Okavango Delta. We meet a herd of elephants calmly the bark of a large tree pry. Tusk between them and then run. Around the tree is severely damaged. You see a lot of damaged trees here - elephants not only eat grass and leaves but also roots, branches and bark. Fortunately, the trees usually walk out again as the elephants move on. There is SO much what I would draw, hold. Baboons, lions, pelicans, ostrich, kudu, mongoose ... so much. But this Lilac-breasted Roller I can sign. A flying palette!

PAGE #12

Saddle-billed Stork and Marabou

• The Okavango Delta in Botswana is the largest inland delta. Swamps and water - a paradise for water birds. In a morning safari we see six different types of storks! Ducks, plovers, spoonbills, gently all kinds of small wading birds, pelicans and herons. Fun, we discover here also "our" storks overwinter here.
• I found the most beautiful saddle-billed stork, with the yellow saddle on his red and black beak. But the prize for the ugliest member of the stork family absolutely goes to the marabou. What an ugly! Somber stares into the swamp, hoping for a frog or a grasshopper. Whether he looks despairingly at his reflection? He gets the honor. Poodle Price.

PAGE #13

Kingfisher

• Slowly we sail along sandbanks with crocodiles sunning. They glide secretly with false eyes and too many teeth in the water. On the green banks graze Tsessebe's - the fastest antelope. An elephant with his trunk reaping large clumps losses from the soil, mud and water strikes against his leg before he puts it in his mouth. Hippos, countless fish eagles, cutter jaws and water monitors.
• The best? Those tiny malachite kingfisher, kingfisher. A spark of color against a backdrop of sun-bleached pitrussen. Further on we see the Pied Kingfisher. A lot bigger. But do you see what color!

PAGE #14

Hippos etc

• If no animals were betraying it, you feel like you're on a boat safari on the Loosdrecht Lakes rather than here in the Okavango Delta in Botswana. Reeds, water and Dutch skies. It starts exotic as we go through the groin area to the boat line running: two small eaters who shine in the early morning. And once on the water there's no doubt about it - this is NOT the Loosdrecht Lakes.
• Fish eagles abound.
• Just before the boat comes in - even a whopper of a hippopotamus up, half out of the water to fall back with an impressive splash. Large waves. To swallow ... hippos are not darlings when they get in the way. And where would he have been ?? Underwater he closes his nostrils and ears, and he could easily continue for five minutes under water. If he comes roaring back up, we're happy just out of danger. Well - the big crocodile which we now just slide along? Who looks sleepy - right? That boat is still very low ... Hippos graze mainly at night, near the water. They can eat 60 KILO of grass!

PAGE #15

Happy Easter

• Do not think we are the only ones who make eggs with more tan at Easter. You might sometimes need to look at all the bird nests. It'll Bunny of effort to make it more beautiful!

PAGE #16

Back home

• Zambia, Botswana, impressive safaris - a head full of memories. And now AT HOME! Back in the spring. After all that big and grand: elephants, hippos, lions, I'm back to lovely little cuddle with my flowers. Animals do not see me as prey. The blue tit will not suddenly attacking from behind my neck and bite me. May touch again. And all at very close quarters.

PAGE #17

Bye, Okavango Delta

• The last day in the Okavango Delta. Much seen and experienced. Too much for one man. Therefore, I had to draw and share. And as far I draw, week after week, I feel able to experience it all again.
• The last night close to Eagle Island, the water. Soft humming and grunting hippos near us. Kingfisher. Bats. The sun goes red below. What a wealth of memories. Tomorrow Maun-Johannesburg and Amsterdam ...

PAGE #18

Mother's Day

• When I was twelve, I signed for Mother's Day and presenting Sweet Violet for her. I had discovered under a bush - and oh, it smelled delicious. Thanks to my sister that little drawing carefully preserved. When I got back from her - the yellowed paper - came back the memory. The frustration, helplessness and utter satisfaction immoral. "For Mommy"
• She was so happy. I have now tried again. The uncertainty, the search for balance, expression ... actually, nothing has changed. And the strange thing is, my feeling was that lack of violet since then much nicer.

PAGE #19

Gaston's birthday

• Gaston's birthday! While he may stand as I call him, because I have previously foreseen set the table, with a garland of flowers around his plate. That is a tradition in our family. And because you have everything on you for the one you love, I always choose my beautiful flowers out. Granted ... with a heavy heart. But it's really a gift.

PAGE #20

Apple Tree

• Well, if this is not a Mother's Day - drawing ... How can you be happy with a stick? Well yes, it will probably be something like a bunch of flowers on Mother's Day. Or a picture of your child. Or a new frying pan.

PAGE #21

Dogwood (America)

• In my wildest dreams I would not have thought this color combination. But I can not deny that this is happening here in America in front of my nose. The dogwood is in full bloom. Brilliant! As a decorated cream cake with pink icing. And it is still nice if there was a group of American goldfinches in perching. Energetic flower hearts be looted. Looks like vandalism - but it will be what they like pollen.

PAGE #22

Raccoon (America)

• I'm not alone in the valley. Below me, next to the small stream, is sitting raccoon. With his black leather fingers he fishes diligently between wet sheet to crustaceans and worms. As he looks up. Apparently I'm not scary - I can stay.

PAGE #23

In front of my office

• I just went into the garden to anything nice for picking on my table. Dino has beautiful black tulips planted in front of my office. I enjoy it every day - they would not dare to pick ... Yet, I put my flowers on the table - walk back and pick them secretly quick three ... four. You miss them almost not there. And now I have forever four black tulips. At night snapped one of the seed capsules of violets open. With strength, because my table is full shot away seeds.

PAGE #24

My Birthday

• My birthday we celebrate on the boat "Fleur de Lijs" which the canals and rivers of Burgundy sails at a slow pace. Nightingales, nightingales everywhere! It seems like all their territories together seamlessly. Nightingales, crickets and brook damsels, irises and poppies. The best birthday present!

PAGE #25

Bee-Eaters

• Mmm ... what a life! Sit on the deck of the boat. Snack. Sip. The skipper at the helm. In a medieval pace we sail on the river Saone. The drawings that I see on the road, all in my head, a few sloppy crabs after. What a rest.
• Suddenly action! We pass a bluff high - there are holes in. Would that nest holes of bee-eaters can be? Two binoculars, four. Gosh, I can be selfish! But even without binoculars we can see a little later the variegated colors.
• No doubt bee-eaters! Chasing anything that flies. Bees of course, that they are obliged to their name. But here on the wide river the dragonflies and damselflies and demoiselles are going good at it. A Demoiselle sails a bit with us on the deck. Scot.

PAGE #26

Pine marten

• For a moment I thought I saw a dark squirrel in my aviary.
• Well - no.
• This really can not. A pine marten that indulging in my peanut butter! Unheard of. He should eat rabbits, voles and wood mice and many who live around my room. He hears empty nest boxes before, at night to surprise sleeping birds - or raiding the chicken of Sanna. Peanut Butter ...
• I already understood why it was so hard lately with that peanut butter.

PAGE #27

Finches/Rose

• Just before me I see a flag carry his child. Comical begging press cradling the young side for his father back and forth. Father can not resist this and spoil him with caterpillars bite. A little boy, then you have to satisfy the hunger.
• Finches are seed eaters, but the young are raised with insects and caterpillars.
• Our granddaughter Rose today is also fed by her parents: homemade apple pie with twelve candles.
• Rose's birthday! So flowers for Rose! And because Rose is very fond of horses, even a dandelion upon.
• Gifts? Horse Presents!

PAGE #28

Nightingale

• The day before we were going to the island, I received an email from Jeroen. He was in our house painting, and had open the doors. "There is a strange bird on your desk, on top of your shell collection." He had two pictures are added. The bird from the front right (it would be a young robin?) And one behind. No doubt, with reddish tail that it can only be a young nightingale! I've often had a wren on my desk, tits and a few times a squirrel, but a nightingale on my table ... that's ultra-chic! Jeroen has put the doors and windows wide open. And the Nightingale understood. The next day I hung evening enchanted on the windowsill of our bedroom to listen to the nightingales in Hagedoornveld.

PAGE #29

Beets, red currant etc

• Beetroot and flowers from Lisette!
• It is always very nice when you visit, you take a bunch of flowers - it makes more fun! Beets, herbs, zucchini, lettuce, berries and flowers - everything from her own garden. A garden that she shares with goats, sheep and bantams.
• And with me now!

PAGE #30

Ameland (island)

• Ameland - It's still very early. The bedroom windows are wide open, gulls squawk. The sun comes up. I love it anymore, I want out! The dune grass is wet with dew.
• So many beautiful snails, yellow, pink, striped, I'll count a hundred.
• Birds sing, the surf roars ... Adam is still sleeping well and I am Eve in paradise. The world is just mine alone.

PAGE #31

City of Ede

• The wholesaler for my paints and brushes sits on the industrial estate in Ede. Dull neighborhood?
• Forget it! It is there pure enjoyment. This I saw all bloom in berms: salsify and chicory, carrots, malva, dark mullein, daisies and poppies, too many to mention.
• Totally not need Tom Tom! The longer you're wandering, the more fun. The longer you have to wait for a traffic light, the better.
• Ideally I would like to pick a big bunch ... Signs ... but then, with my new brushes?
• Congratulations municipality of Ede!
• Industrial estate? Delicious!

PAGE #32

Cosmea

• I am a card collector. Today I collect by color. Red onions harvested in the herb garden. A further section are some dark red geraniums, knautia and great masterwort. So beautiful together!
• Near the pond is standing a pot with dark purple petunias. Which are also belonging there.
• I discover the wonderful Cosmea: cosmos "chocamoca".
• This is how you actually your own painting. Without paper, without paint. Alas, it is not about painting, it is looking. Enjoy with your eyes.

PAGE #33

Pond in Switherland

• For our home in Switzerland, we have a pond to allow capture. By the reflection of the water, we suddenly have twice as many mountains!
• And where once there was no water life, teeming now water critters!
• Salamanders, frogs, toads, damselflies, backswimmers, dragonflies, skaters, pond snails, a single Water stick-insect, whirligig beetles, beetles and fish.
• Just like that. Automatically!
• Nature has seized his chance: a new biotope, new residents. Action is reaction!

PAGE #34

Edelweiss

• It is summer. The cows Hänni family are back on Alp Ritzli, high in the mountains. My cow Rosa is also there, along with her teenage calf which we have called Edelweiss. So on Toni shows her pride. "Promising!".
• In the dark, cool cellar under the house standing on wooden racks piled cheeses. Real Alpkäse, self made by Hans and Margrit.
• The two chickens find all sorts of goodies in the dunghill. Tomorrow is a breeze.
• After milking the cows go out, and we enjoy the evening sun with his only richly laden table, homemade sausages, all kinds of cheeses, homemade bread, tomatoes from the garden and delicious thick sweet cream on the coffee. Merelen Rose play with the cat, the dog Nero, goats and calves. A night to remember.

PAGE #35

Swiss Garden

• Rowan in our Swiss Garden are ripe! Immediately the blackcaps and Willow Warblers along. Belly around for the draw in September.
• In the Netherlands, you can now in the winter sometimes a blackcap encounter - the earth is warming up. But here in Switzerland is that different: winter = snow.
• Skiing, snowboarding show. No place for blackcaps. So eat. Greasing. Fuel for the journey over the Alps to SW Europe and North Africa.
• In recent years, attracts some blackcaps from Switzerland to the NW rather than to the SW, to Ireland, England and Wales.
• What would be the Tom Tom recommend this blackcap ??

PAGE #36

Herb Garden

• I went alone but equally to the herb garden to pick some lettuce ... but I was a little distracted by everything that grew to turn around and flourished.
• It took a while, and I came back with a lot more in the kitchen than lettuce.

PAGE #37

Garden "Paradise"

• Summer in my garden ... there are times when I do not desire to paradise, because I've been there! Good morning Dunnock, hi Garden snail, hi Stinkbug, hello Ant, Butterfly hi!
• Hi, Apple of Eve.

PAGE #38

Pyracanta

• Actually, I hate the pyracantha. It does not click between us. And every year I am again going to put a saw in it. And every autumn, I'm glad I did not do it. Because it is bird magnet!
• Now I enjoy the rush on the berries.
• There are the blackcaps, who briefly refuel for their journey to the western Mediterranean area, and the willow warblers, who will fly to Africa, I see two finches and there often bullfinches are sitting between.
• If they get some leave, then are redwings and fieldfares there, coming from the north, by order.
• No ... that would just be pyracantha.

PAGE #39

Dunn Ranch

• Millions of bison once lived on the vast prairies of North America and Canada. Great hunting and slaughter in the 19th century, they have almost completely eradicated. And those endless prairie regions was little left.
• Now we are invited to Dunn Ranch, a beautiful prairie reserve north of Kansas City, where in 2011 the bison was introduced again. Finally, we find them there: a large herd of brown dots on the horizon. And close - the herd grazes and ruminates quietly - you see just what a powerful behemoths are, with their height of nearly two meters. Massive muscles and wool.
• So breathtakingly beautiful! But how do I get some peace and strength radiating giant on such a small piece of paper?

PAGE #40

Mourning Cloak

• The beautiful mourning cloak, the Nymphalis antiopa, you see only rarely in the Netherlands. Until 1964 it was a fairly general state butterfly - then it disappeared.
• Now I am enjoying in America of mourning cloaks. For days all I see them fly along the forest edges, and they drink from a tree right outside my window.
• Mourning cloak it is called here, of course. Occasionally, there is still a large invasion, but they are no more keepers. It is a godsend when you see one.
• But who knows ... it's a stray spirited butterfly, strong butterfly. An easy afstekertje from Germany! It likes open woods with sunny spots and wide paths. Willow and birch forests with prunus.
• The main host plants for the caterpillars are all kinds of willow - but also birch, the butterflies themselves are doing good over rotting fruit and the juice of bleeding trees.
• The last mourning cloak that I have seen long time ago by us, drank from a birch where a branch of tree was sawn.

PAGE #41

American Kingfisher

• The American kingfisher is not as spectacular color as our European, but a lot bigger.
• Throughout the summer, the couple Belted Kingfisher was doing feast on the fish here in the big pond. Often they beat the larger specimens to soften and branch before they are easy to swallow.
• But now Mr. Kingfisher has a problem. There is a guy invaded his territory. For half an hour they sit so still threatening at each other - until the intruder finally understands. He flies away.
• Eh, there should not be any fight!

PAGE #42

Fall

• No matter where I observe a fall, here - in the heart of America, or at home - in Holland, fall is fall.
• Warm colors, rich smells, farewell everywhere.
• Here attracted by large V-shaped streaks of snow geese, I see one last butterfly, birds migrate south road, there are winter visitors arrive from the north, the deer have their warm winter waiting period ...
• Everywhere is a fall. Everywhere a little bit different.

PAGE #43

Watercolors

• For four days I find in the morning two or three mice droppings on my desk.
• Gaston warns me urgently in the evening: no drawings to leave more on the table.
• Would my mouse can paint by watercolors? Maybe he makes himself away (happy) ...

PAGE #44

Autumn in Veluwe

• Autumn in America was great, but nothing beats the mossy, spicy autumn scent of the Veluwe forest! I am quite sure as soon as I get out of Schiphol-taxi stop. And son Dino has ensured that not only smell, but also plenty of color. Autumn Chrysanthemums. They are now available everywhere, in all shades of autumn.
• A grand dessert for the butterflies and last insects. The Admirals and Thistle butterflies are left for the south. The European Peacock, foxes and Angelwings winter here, in sheds or woodpiles, like the Lemon butterflies. Ivy and conifers are also safe on winter-spots.

PAGE #45

European Goldfinches

• Here I have a long time to sit and watch.
• A group of fifteen European goldfinches, parents and children, landed chattering and beautifully singing to the almost overblown thistles. Picking seeds from the fluff balls. Gentle breeze ... And there go the fluff, odorless, as feather snowflakes. Nice huh?

PAGE #46

Jays

• Here they work! The jays are busy with the construction of new bundle. Jay knows that much! As low as September, he is busy with the construction of his winter stock. He picks up an acorn in its beak, tap in the soft forest floor and then carefully puts some leaves and blades over it. A jay may hide around 5000 acorns in autumn. And soon as there is something falls down to eat, he still finds most of them too! The rest is from oak.
• Business Card of Jay.
• So unwittingly jay plants his own biotope.
• While nature prepares for winter, winter jasmine blossoms against the house like it's a summer vacation.

PAGE #47

Mushrooms

• It happened again! The Miss World pageant of the mushrooms. On "Early Birds", the winner will be announced.
• My favorite? It is perhaps somewhat primitive - but I fall for colored mushrooms.
• Thinking of my little tubes of paint I see bright pink russula's, yellow mushrooms, golden chanterelles and purple cabbage mushrooms.
• Anyway - the fly agaric is my favorite! Ever since kindergarten.
• Cep and Chanterelle when it comes to the best!

PAGE #48

Lia from Vlaardingen

• In one of my old diaries, full of sketches, petals, feathers and other small treasures, I found this dried daisy back.
• A dear lady ever sent me. - Lia from Vlaardingen.
• The color is what yellowed, not the sweet gesture.
• And I have kept it.

PAGE #49

First powder snow

• We have foxes - we are students at the Veluwe!
• Sometimes i'm crossing a field when I look up from my drawing. I am even curious - already a young fox had paid a visit in my room !!
• Now comes the first powder snow. Read tracks.
• And from the foxes castle. We see the traces (prints) that he had to catch a mole on our lawn. We "see" him chasing a rabbit to go ... we see how he got hold of a mouse.
• We also discover weasel tracks that were wines in a mouse hole. Oops! But fun, the first powder snow.

PAGE #50

Christmas

• "See the moon shining through the trees ..."
• A long time ago I got pink and yellow sugar beasts of Sinterklaas. And knitted mittens that could be laced and have a drawstring through the sleeves of your jacket. And I was hoping for a doll or a hamster.
• Now when I see the moon shining through the trees, I hope other things. I hope to discover the silhouette of a rusting long-eared owl among the branches. And at that tree?
• There I hope to find gifted long-eared owls' pellet. With a red ribbon around it. Thank you Santa-Claus!

 

• "See the moon shining through the trees, comrades cease your wild roar! Lovely night has come, night of Christmas. Expectantly beats our heart, who gets the cake, who gets the rod. "

PAGE #51

Tomtits

• Four cheerful work forces visitors a nice gift with a bird cake!
• Made from a mixture of fat and seeds, peanuts and sunflower seeds, topped with red little apples.
• I put him on a table for the dining room window. Eating together, albeit outside, we enter.
• It took a day before my tits were on. But then there was no stopping on them.

PAGE #52

Head over Heals

• And why not? Snowman on its head?
• Would not it be refreshing once to view the world from a different point of view?
• Away - prejudices, fads, suspicion, distrust and sarcasm!
• Simple though. Simply just stand on your head.

PAGE #53

Christmas tree

• The most beautiful Christmas tree is in the forest. The most beautiful is with a little snow on its branches.
• Last year we had an inside tree with only cotton-woolen snowflakes and lights, very simple.
• This year, a tree with the red asterisks?

PAGE #54

Happy New Year

• I have nothing with fireworks. Give me a donut with currants, raisins, candied peel and a blizzard of powdered sugar. And champagne.
• My fireworks consists of all the memories of the -almost- past year.

PAGE #55

Snowdrops

• Will the winter start as soft as last year?
• With snowdrops wishing us a Happy New Year?

PAGE #56