The first time I saw a Hoopoe was in my mom’s garden in Monteseel, a magical place. I’ve always thought of it like the secret garden. Little nooks and crannies for creatures to hide, and a feasting station for the birds, whose daily grub is fit for a king. While Fruity stuffs his face full of banana, Naughty swoops in to chase the other birds away, and the Robins mind their own business foraging for delicious delights on the ground. Almost always, a clumsy pair of doves will land, sending the other birds flying away temporarily. Watching the birds from my mom’s little cabin veranda is one of my favourite things to do, and it usually comes with a cup of tea and homemade rusks, made with so much love.