This red-billed teal shaking its feathers, lifting its wings in the early morning light, seems to me a fitting way to say to you all – family, friends, readers, colleagues – may you have a wonderful New Year, filled with peace, light, grace, happiness, health, good fortune and the company and friendship of those you love.

May the New Year see a lessening of hatred and division, a restoration of decency and justice, the dignity of all, tolerance and inclusion.

We are all of us a mere speck, hurtling through space on Spaceship Earth, so let’s take care of our planet, too, okay?! It’s the only one we’ve got, and preserving it intact is the biggest responsibility we have to our children and grandchildren.

Happy 2019!