The January month brings the Alpine accentor birds to the Calanques, typically after the 20th. Before that date my favorite spotting plot remains empty of their presence until the day arrives, always they appear enthusiastically, keenly focused on food or just looking around.

Adding contrast to the winter scenery is the explosion of yellow blossoms of the Mimosa bush as well as the pink and golden heart flowers of the Carpobrotus or ice plant. No, not that other Ice.

With the appalling actions of Ice in the USA, the ongoing war in Ukraïne, the ongoing struggle in Gaza and the crushed freedom in Iran, you can say that living a rather normal life today can be called a great luxury. The true change is that there are more and more people getting fed up with the ongoing lies and destructive policies by the few men in power.

A rational mind would conclude that wars and violence against your fellow beings and indiscriminately polluting the earth, are unacceptable. Another year to strive for this and this time there might be a majority who come to such insights and join in developing a brighter future.

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