08.01.08
Reflections on nature
There was no arguing with my brother when he chided me about the state of my back garden. It had been weeks since I had last cut the grass and the recent unseasonable deluge had resulted in a surge of growth.
But later, as I headed for the shed to get out the necessary implements, I noticed a magnificent bumble bee which, according to the laws of aerodynamics, should not be able to get off the ground, flitting from one dandelion to another with the grace of a ballet dancer. Further on, I observed a beautiful butterfly delicately balanced on the very edge of a buttercup petal, adding immensely to the colour of its surroundings.
Instead of getting out the lawnmower, I sat on a garden seat and reflected on the relationship between the three creatures in the garden – the bumble bee, the butterfly and myself, the human. The three of us had arrived at this moment in time after fifteen billion years of evolution since the creation of the universe by the Big Bang.
The three of us, in different ways, are amazing products of that evolution. There can be no doubt, however, that the human is the dominant creature. Nature has given us, through a combination of brain and mechanical power, an advantage far outweighing any other creature on the planet.
Neither the butterfly nor the bumble bee has the ability to sit down and reflect on my fate. Neither do they have the ability, as I do, to activate a machine that would utterly destroy the particular little piece of nature that they are at present enjoying.
The bumble bee does not have a shed at his home containing machines that have only one purpose – the destruction of selected parts of the natural world that he deems undesirable. The butterfly does not keep at her home a selection of poisons that will bring instant death to certain of her fellow creatures that she considers inconvenient or not fitting in with the latest garden fashion.
And what of the plants that these beautiful and amazing creatures are grazing upon? True, the buttercup contains a poison that can be dangerous to cattle and horses but nature has provided the plant with an acrid taste that prevents these animals from eating it.
It is the dandelion, however, that really impresses as a plant. Ruthlessly attacked as a weed in modern times this miracle plant has been a friend and healer to man for centuries. In addition to serving as a remedy for such ailments as kidney and liver disorders, gall stones and the removal of warts, the dandelion makes a delicious ingredient to salads and can also be used to make dandelion beer, wine and coffee. Dandelion wine, in particular, has a reputation as an extremely good tonic for the blood.
Nature, of course, is the chief beneficiary of the dandelion. It serves as a major supplier of nectar for the bumble bee and it is estimated that over ninety three different kinds of insects benefit from visits to this wonderful plant. Small birds in particular are very fond of its seeds. So why, as I sit here contemplating the scene, do humans go to such lengths to wipe out this bountiful and beautiful plant?
I think there are two reasons. Firstly, we have been conditioned over time to take pleasure only from a neat and perfectly controlled garden. Secondly, and connected to the first reason, humans have a strong tendency to conform to the social norm of the time.
The stark consequence of this conformity is the creation of countless thousands of perfectly controlled but barren ‘green deserts’ which to the human eye are very satisfying but are passed over in horror by birds, bees and butterflies in an increasingly desperate search for the real and vital diversity of nature.
Nature is operating as it always has. The birds, bees and butterflies are responding and spreading that nature by their activities as they always have. In other words, nature is still natural.
It is the human animal, itself a part of nature, that has gone astray. It is the human animal that has decided that a billiard table perfect garden is more pleasing than the kaleidoscope of colour and diversity provided by nature. It is the human animal that must, literally, change its mind.
To that end, I have decided to allow nature have more freedom in my garden. While still continuing to control growth by mowing I now leave large islands containing buttercups, daisies, dandelions and any other natural flowers that nature sees fit to provide for my pleasure and its benefit.
Has it worked? Well, the bumble bees and butterflies are now regular visitors and the other day, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a small bird hovering over a dandelion feeding on its seeds.
I think nature is happy with my change of mind.
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