Garden life

We are now well into November, and our Mozambican garden is exploding with life and colour. We have seen a number of new visitors, alongside the scarlet and pink hibiscus flowers and magenta bougainvilleas. Most days, we see this blue-headed tree agame who basks on the fence before scuttling up the tree trunk and onto our roof.

We also see a number of smaller lizards, including this little brown one, who gratefully lapped up a little pool of water I gave him on a particularly hot day.

Paradise flycatchers are a new sight for us. They are shy creatures, difficult to photograph as they perch for just a few seconds before taking flight again, their long tails twisting and streaming behind them like banners.

   

The black-collared barbet put in another brief appearance, attracted by the fruit on an overhanging palm tree.

Meanwhile, the weaver birds are very busy building their nests, squawking and squabbling as they work.

It’s mating season, which means lots of showing off, frantic aerial displays and cosy pairing up on branches.

I find it impossible to photograph the black and yellow butterflies that flit through the air. Instead, I choose to focus on better-camouflaged subjects who are more willing to pose.

Mozambique’s November colours are certainly different from England’s.  There is little to suggest that Christmas is on the way, other than the red and green flame trees whose festive colours make me think of poinsettias and holly berries. Although there are many days when I long for cooler temperatures and miss my canal walks, I am really enjoying the daily surprises in our back garden.