THE BEAUTIFUL BOUNTY OF NATURE

While humans run themselves ragged working long hours, away from home, in a stressful environment, and a career which they often come to hate, animals in the wild live such a simple yet satisfying life. Minus the predators and the humans which often infringe on their peaceful life Creation is in perfect harmony and balance.

After my sun bird sipping aloe nectar won the @papa-pepper Combination Contest I realized that I hadn't yet shared this special photo with all my readers. And here it is! I have to admit it took great vigilance and plenty bad photos. The sun birds are constantly enjoying our blooming aloes. However they are very timid and their fast beating little wings carry them from petal to petal so rapidly that it's hard to capture the moment. Not only was I rewarded by this dainty "posing" sun bird but I later snapped some stunning close-ups of bees collecting pollen. If you haven't already seen that post you're in for a treat: https://steemit.com/flowers/@buckaroo/blooming-aloes-are-a-buffet-for-the-busy-bee-the-contests-of-petals-flowers

Here in the Cape the aloes are blooming across the countryside. It is a spectacular sight. And do you know that aloes have the most incredible healing properties. The aloe gel contains two hormones; auxin and gibberellins, which is what trigger wound healing. These little hormones are also high in natural anti-inflammatory properties which can be used to treat anything from digestive ailments to serious skin conditions. Aloe has been used for millenia in Ayurvedic medicine.

Personally I add the skinned aloe flesh to my veggie juices - to benefit from the amazing antioxidants and minerals. Although I more frequently use the aloe as a type of sun screen as well as to speed healing. Although the gel can be extremely bitter my goats love it and I often feed it to them (if they don't feast on it themselves!) as it's a natural anti-parasitic. Homesteaders would benefit by adding a few slices of aloe (ferrox specifically) to the drinking water of both livestock and household pets. Perhaps the wild animals know better than us. While it delights me to watch the birds, bees, butterflies and bugs feasting on the beautiful aloes possibly it is not merely nourishment they seek but health!