Observing praying mantis behaviour in Malaysia reveals lessons in patience, timing, and restraint that continue to shape a gardener’s approach to nature.
Category Archives: Observations From Behind the Spade
Butterflies Without Borders
Living in Malaysia reveals the full scale of insect life — giant butterflies, deadly mosquitoes, malaria, and the hard lessons learned where beauty and danger exist side by side.
Under the Bed — The First Insect Zoo
A childhood insect zoo hidden under the bed becomes a reflection on curiosity, responsibility, decay, and the early lessons that shape a gardener’s respect for living systems.
Funnel-Webs, Bull Ants & Painful Lessons
Childhood encounters with funnel-web spiders and bull ants reveal how pain, memory, and enforced boundaries shaped a lifelong respect for insects and the ground they inhabit.
Henrietta the Huntsman
A deeply personal memory of Henrietta the huntsman spider reflects on companionship, childhood trust in nature, and the lasting impact of sharing space with misunderstood wildlife.
Earthly Comforts 