If you're feeling down....

Where does one go when one is lost in thought? For me, our daily walk is often a time to reflect, and as I walk my eyes turn down towards the ground . "Look up" B. often urges, if we are walking in the forest , for he fears that I may miss the latest wild flower or fail to hear a certain birdsong. Of course , he is right. But if you are feeling low, I would urge you to look even further. Look up beyond the tree tops, towards the towering cloud formations that are constantly changing shape. Or on a cloudless day, marvel at the deep azure blue of the summer sky. I guarantee that it will lift your spirits.

Sometimes , in summer, I may find myself nodding off on a recliner beside the pool. On opening my eyes I may spot some small dark specks wheeling and turning about the sky directly above me. They are so tiny, it is impossible to make out any details, but I know these to be bearded vultures that have been successfully reintroduced into this area. See these, and your spirit will swoop and soar with them.

Raptors are always hard for me to identify , as they fly so high. But the peregrine falcon is always one that I recognise, with its drawn back wings and fast steady flight. When it descends to earth it is like a rocket.

Eagles

How I wish that I could easily identify some of the eagles that soar above us from time to time, but alas I neither possess the eyesight nor binoculars that would be up to the job. However, there is one, the short toed snake eagle , that is easier to identify. He occasionally passes low over our pool, emitting a gull like call, and displaying a predominately white undercarriage. Beware any snakes, frogs or lizards who may be close by.

However deep in thought I may be, there are two birds that I am unable to ignore.

I swear that the ravens who nest close by to our house, call out a greeting as they pass overhead , often rewarding me with a balletic performance as I look up.

And who could possibly avoid looking up when they hear the joyous scream of swifts as they swoop and soar around our summer skies in search of insects.

And finally, at night ...

It is far too easy to shut our curtains and blinds when night falls. But looking up at night when the sky is clear can be so rewarding . I feel so grateful that we have little light pollution here , and can often appreciate a beautiful star scape , or a full moon. I must keep on remembering to look upwards , for the rewards are manifold.