All things nature, animals, art & life.
If you love floral sketches, botanical illustrations, or just watching art come to life, my latest creation is for you: a hand-drawn illustration of the Abutilon (Sevitzia) flower. Known for its soft, bell-shaped petals and gentle, lantern-like form, this bloom is a favourite among botanical artists for its elegance, charm, and natural detail.
The afternoon begins in that gentle, almost magical way that only quiet coastal hours can offer. The sun stretches lazily across the sky as you step onto the pier, its wooden boards warm beneath your feet. A soft, salty breeze drifts in from the ocean, carrying hints of seaweed and distant waves. For a few moments, the world feels simple again - slower, softer, and just wide enough to breathe.
Every now and then, nature turns up when you least expect it. This time, the unexpected visitor was a European wasp, also known as the German yellow jacket. What began as a brief buzz through the yard turned into a rare opportunity to slow down and observe an insect most of us usually see only in passing.
Have you ever walked past a garden and been stopped in your tracks by a plant with oversized, sculptural leaves and tall, elegant flower spikes - only to realise you have no idea what it’s called? You’re not alone. This was one of those plants I admired for years before finally learning its name.
Spending time around wildlife teaches you one important lesson very quickly: things can change in an instant. A quiet moment can suddenly turn into one that demands attention, care, and calm thinking. That’s exactly what happened during this encounter with a young Magpie-lark - often called a Mudlark - one of Australia’s most familiar and intelligent birds.
There’s something quietly exciting about starting something new with no expectations. Sitting down with a blank page, a pencil, and no real plan can feel both intimidating and freeing at the same time. This sketch marks my very first attempt at drawing a flower, with no practice beforehand and no idea how it would turn out - and that uncertainty was part of the fun.
If you appreciate clean white blooms paired with bold green foliage, Zantedeschia aethiopica - commonly known as the Arum Lily or Calla Lily - is a plant that never goes unnoticed. In this update, we follow the plant’s progress over a two-month period, observing how it develops from early leaf growth into its signature flowering stage.
Have you ever planted something and eagerly checked in a few weeks later to see what’s changed? In this update, I revisit my Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia) plant one month on, taking a closer look at how it’s growing, whether there are any signs of flowering, and what these early changes can tell us about the plant’s overall health.
If you’ve ever noticed a tiny spider hopping across a windowsill or pausing to watch you from a garden leaf, chances are you’ve met a jumping spider. These small but charismatic arachnids have a way of capturing attention, thanks to their alert movements, expressive eyes, and surprisingly curious behaviour.
Have you ever stopped to really observe a jumping spider? Up close, these tiny arachnids reveal an unexpected amount of personality. With their large forward-facing eyes, quick movements, and curious behaviour, jumping spiders often surprise people who might otherwise overlook spiders entirely. When viewed through macro photography or video, they become even more fascinating - small, alert hunters navigating the world with precision and purpose.