We must be the change we wish to see in the world ~ Mahatma Gandhi
One of the hats I wear in this lifetime is ‘Organic Farmer’. My husband and I have a strong commitment to food production that nurtures and values the land, and that uses no chemicals or harmful practices. We believe that protecting and restoring the land’s biodiversity results in healthy farms, healthy plants and animals, healthy humans and a healthy planet.
Apart from that, living like this just sits well with me. Being on this farm, surrounded by a rich diversity of species is good for my soul. And we’re blessed to live in the Byron Shire, where many of our friends and neighbours share this view and have a commitment to the Earth.
So, what does biodiversity look like? I’d love to show you.
Grab a cup of tea and we’ll go for a stroll through the paddocks to see what we might discover.
Let’s go! Tramp, tramp, tramp…
Cows.
Look up. You may need to squint. Sun, sorry. Tawny Frogmouth and her chicks.
Butterfly on the lantana.
Grass, trees and sky.
Sleeping koala. This one keeps us awake at night with his gruntiness.
Platypus, busy in the creek.
Black cockatoo, singing a mournful cry.
Green frog that lives in the stone wall under my kitchen window. Cute, huh?
Heritage citrus from the orchard – lemons, mandarins, oranges, tangellos, grapefruit. Shall we pick some to take back and make a fresh juice?
Cedric the carpet snake who lives in the roof, right above my writing desk!
Chillax the possum, (named by a neighbour) and her bub. She quite likes living in the shed. Nice and dry, and warm on those cold nights.
More koalas. They’re breeding like rabbits. Rabbits? Yes, we have those too, although the wedgetail eagle has cleaned up quite a few!
Owls – lots of owls…
Wallabies. They like to graze the orchard in the morning, and the river flats in the afternoons.
Pademelons – also known as garden thieves!
Gus, the water dragon. He ate all my goldfish, but how can you stay mad at something so… Yeah, I’m still mad at him.
I could go on, but you’re probably getting tired from all this walking. No doubt you’ll need a restorative cup of tea and a tasty snack, back on my veranda.
Dogs? Yes. We have those too. These are the domesticated variety. Sadly, I still haven’t taught them to vacuum or do dishes yet.
You’ll have to come back again. There’s still so much left to show you. Now, how about that cuppa? The chocolate brownies are delicious aren’t they. Do you want the recipe?
Heavenly Chocolate Brownie Recipe
I’m so glad you came to visit ♥ xx
Heaven! <3
I absolutely LOVE that quote! If only more people would understand it and live by it. So glad to be sharing your journey of living by that creed. 🙂
What a beautiful post. Wow. I’d love to spend some time there. And great photos.
Wow! Great to be with nature and do our best to preserve. Nice post! Thanks!
A glimpse of heaven … and what better way to end it, than a delicious brownie? I’m officially mellow (for the moment). xx
I very much enjoyed your tour with a large mug of steaming tea and a banana, although I wouldn’t mind nibbling on one of those brownies now, too. What a splendid selection of flora and fauna, your beasties are quite astonishing, but then Australia is the land of astonishing beasties. My dad did a bit of work in Australia when I was a nipper and one time he brought me home a book about Australian marsupials. I wish I still had it because I remember I found it utterly enthralling, and was especially taken with the koala and platypus. Your owls are magnificent, in fact everything you’ve shown us today is wonderful, and I would love to have another tour some time. No wonder you love your farm, I can certainly see why. That cow is adorable, too. 🙂
Oh. My. Word. I loved EVERY single bit of this post. I don’t even know where to start! Firstly, I was so inspired to read about your organic growing and connection to the earth. As an organic-grower-hat-wearer (loved that expression) I am seeing the importance of it too, and my connection is strengthening by the day. the last year and a half, I have worked as an organic grower but mainly because I love it, with the environmental element laying the foundations. Now it is right up there with my love for it, working hand in hand as I sit my feet in the soil all day.
As for your home – so amazing. It made me so excited to have some place like that to call my own one day, so thank you. You have done an amazing job and deserve it all. And thanks for the brownies and tea, hope I can swing by again soon. : ) xox
You’re welcome any time! I honour your path as an organic grower – we need more caring souls like you in our world. Bless ♥ xx
xxx
Gorgeous. Thank you for sharing.
That was awesome! Thanks for introducing all the beautiful creatures you share the land with 🙂
Thanks Kim – I live in such a magical place, and I feel so honoured to share it with you 😀 xoxo
What a fabulous backyard! Thank you for sharing your beautiful corner of the world ♥ And all your wildlife is simply divine ♥
Oh I love your place!
Walking the talk is the best way to change the world. Power to you Nicole.
Thank you for taking us on an adventure in your glorious “backyard”. A slice of heaven! [No doubt the brownies are too 😉 ] xo
Beautiful, just beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing your world. I love owls too and have only ever seen one here in suburban Brisbane.
Sorry, Simone – I think all the owls moved to my farm…
The way you live and where you live is exactly what I dream of….. you’re an extremely blessed lady nicole. Can’t wait to make to brownies!! Thanks for sharing xx
So cool! I’m surprised you have the platypus. i thought they were endangered…Any sugar gliders?
I thought that too about the platypus, are they rare?
Absolutely heavenly 🙂 Thank you for sharing your world with us. If you find a way to get the dogs to vacuum, please share! Mine have been know to “wash” the occasional dish or two, but not because they were trying to help 😉