The Bravest Birds Are The Rarest and Most Beautiful

The rarest, bravest and most enigmatic birds fly alone. Those who stand proud and don’t look towards others for recognition. These are the regal and fearless feathered creatures, soaring ahead on a singular mission. Eagles generally prefer to fly solo, at extremely high altitudes, reaching up to 10,000 feet.  Hawks, Falcons and red-throated Hummingbirds are also solo travellers, and even some nocturnal birds like Owls prefer their own company. What do these singular birds have that others don’t? The ability to soar high into the sky and have the world at their feet, to be independent and free. They have exacting tastes, choosing only the
delectable ingredients to feed on. Their feathers, sometimes showy, sometimes camouflaged, are always magnificent. They are daring souls who feel and live, victorious and absolute, driving them forward; many of us wish to have this energy, this spirit, but very few do. After eight years of creating, Galivant perfumes are regal, independent perfumers who, like our rare feathered friends, stand proud, independent, creative and free. In a world where free spirits are few, let’s celebrate the rarest and most beautiful. Find out more in The Bravest Birds Are The Rarest and Most Beautiful.

Image on left, Samantha Inman @rememberingtobreathe, post production Jo phillips

So what do our feathered friends have in common with sensual and delicious fragrances? On the surface, not a lot, Eagles don’t even have a decent sense of smell, relying on their pin-sharp eyes to catch their prey.    Hummingbirds do have a sense of smell and can use it to locate food, whilst Hawks and Falcons have a somewhat reduced sense of smell. Some birds, of course, use scents to attract a mate, just like us humans. These feathered high flyers also share a set of values that are most precious to a chosen few people.

Freedom, individual power, courage, and personal expression, as well as beauty, grace, and independence. These birds all fly with these magical, almost mythical values, just like a beautiful, chosen perfume. What we decide to scent ourselves with reflects these values, feelings and emotions. The best perfume is an individual expression, and aids us to stand candidly proud.

Fragrance is a powerful medium for storytelling that can transport the wearer to a different place and time. We may not have the wings of our flighty friends, but we can enjoy the depth of journeying via our sense of smell. We, like individual kings of the skies, love our individuality, our uniqueness and our freedom.

The Lesser-spotted Eagle traverses the deserts of Israel on its migration journey. Entering alone from Lebanon and crossing the skies, the flight path concentrated over the Tel Aviv metropolitan area.

When they land in Tel Aviv, the lesser spotted eagle rests before journeying on to continue southwards over the coastal plain to the Negev Desert and onto the Sinai Desert in Egypt.

This rare and majestic bird is known for its characteristic quick wingbeats, its ability to glide with wings slightly arched, and its soaring on flat wings. It’s call to a mate? a loud ‘Yuk’ when in season.  

But why Tel Aviv? This metropolitan city? With its rush of Floral, fruity and Mediterranean warmth and coastline gust. Could it be the scent in the air that calls the birds in? The initial hit of fresh fruity Clementine with the sharp, zingy note of Bergamot and richness of juicy Blackcurrant that wafts through the air. Or maybe it’s the addictive floral high of Jasmine Sambac absolute that grows without being asked on every street corner of the most unusual of cities. Alongside this distinct, elegant floral, maybe they love the regal Rose oil and abundant yet delicate Freesia that sit happily with exotic Ylang-Ylang.

Before they lift off on their next path in the powerful journey, they linger for the trials of woods, soft Sandalwood, a ‘splinter ‘of the powdery sweetness of Deer’s tongue absolute, and the final fleeting note that lifts with them, as they open their wings to set out, is that of the balsamic Vanillary soft treacle of Benzoin.

Now you may not realise, but the Peregrine Falcon has adapted to the tall city buildings, making them a common sight in downtown Buenos Aires. Here, fruity  mixes with zesty against the smell of leather, so Spanish and Latin Americans

You do have to wonder, does it swoop down to pick from the Grapes, the Citrus and the Petitgrain? Because here, grape vines and citrus are in abundance. But so is its flora and fauna.

The accord of fougère, all green and fresh, sits with the contrasting smoky, soft-bitterness of Yerba Maté Tea and the flowering tree of the Ceibo flower, with its fiery red blooms.

This bird may be sharp-eyed, but it loves the sweet kick of Tonka bean and Dulce de Leche as long as it is wrapped up in dark, deep, animalic Leather

Then there is the Golden Eagle, which is known to inhabit open areas like the steppes and mountainous regions of Bukhara, located in Uzbekistan in Central Asia. The air, woody-floral, spicy and earthy. It is the typical habitat for this unique bird, known for soaring and hunting in the skies above and its surrounding areas

This ancient city was a prominent stop on the Silk Road trade route between the East and the West and a major medieval centre for Islamic theology and culture. Still today it contains hundreds of well-preserved mosques, madrassas, bazaars and caravanserais, dating largely from the 9th to the 17th centuries

So when this powerful winged bird lands to rest here, what do they sense rising from the ground, what do they view from that bird’s eye perspective? What pulls them in to delight in sacred scents? A unique collision of ancient and modern.

Initially attracted to the ripe fruit of Pear, as well as sharp, bright and dazzling Bergamot with the soft spice of Caraway and Coriander, all of which sit in the spice and fruit markets in the city.

This lively animal stays for the soft comfort of powdery, earthy Orris with the sweet spice of Clove, and it revels in the rich floral Jasmine flower, which perks up when paired with soft peachy-skin scent from Osmanthus as its scent sister.

Before it rises high in the sky, it engulfs itself in Benzoin Resin, soft spice of Saffron, with a warm, rich coating of Amber and Musk

Now, some species of Hawks and Falcons are resident, or spend parts of the year in Tokyo, with its zingy, spicy, woody aura. The Japanese Lesser Sparrowhawks live here and are known to breed in the city, particularly in parks and roadside trees in residential areas, especially in the Kanto region.

Is it the quiet of a Tokyo morning that attracts them to this metropolis? Is it the yin-yang of the city with its spiritual temples and buzzing nightlife? Is it its hot tempo and cooling spirit?

Is it drawn to the city by the call of bright, zingy, cool Yuzu and Bergamot that mingles with warm to hot spices of Cardamom via Black Pepper and a Wasabi accord. A vital opening that is as bright as it is dark, hot as it is refreshing.

Maybe it’s the wood at the heart that intrigues them? The morning dewy note of Hinoki wood with its complex fresh, woody, and earthy hints of Lemon and Spice, which allows the top and middle to meet, alongside Cedarwood, Powdery Iris, regal Rose, spiritual Incense and warming Nutmeg.

But before it leaves this metropole, before it takes flight in search of its next meal, it lingers to savour the soft woods of Sandalwood, Earthy Patchouli, dry Vetiver roots, with a cloud of Musk and Amber bringing a cosiness of a ‘sweet cloud’ around them, warming them before they move on to cooler climates.

So, where does the White-Tailed Eagle like to visit?  Believe it or not, this eagle has great taste because it has been spotted in London in recent years. While not a common sight, these birds have been seen flying over the city. The city’s byways and waterways provide a food source, and it is here they rest before moving north in spring. The air, flushed with fresh floral, earthy and leather facets.

The bright, clean watery facets of Cucumber and its powdery aquatic sister, Violet leaf, open up the London roads on this flight path. Alongside the private back gardens by the river, offering up to these arial guests, both Rose de Mai and Rose oil alongside the earthy, rooty Iris flower with her butter-rich Orris.

The final lower-level flight path before this bird of prey hits a vertical sprint upwards allows for a frolic in the gutsy earthiness, the ‘dirty’ ‘gritty’ notes of Patchouli alongside soft animalic hits of Suede, and these dirty yet softly creamy, low yet high; a final waltz of Sandalwood.

While some eagles are year-round residents, others are migratory. The Short-toed Eagle, for example, migrates through Italy, including stopping in areas like Naples, on its way to Africa. The city, a meeting of citrus, woody, incense; the bright meets the spices and sea. This regal animal is drawn by Sea salt, ozone, Ginger, pink Pepper CO2, and Bergamot. Being refined, it also loves Incense resinoid, fumencens (Olibanum), Nutmeg, Cardamom, and deep and dirty Labdanum. Having a seasoned palette, it loves the finale of ‘Green molecule’, Clearwood, Patchouli, Vetiver, Guaiac wood, Birch, and a rich hug of Amber

Which sole travelling birds love West Africa? The Martial Eagle, also known as the gayfeather,  is native to sub-Saharan Africa, but it is drawn to Accra city in Ghana for the fusion of smells and tastes; the aroma full with blend of tropical fruits and spices. Here it delights in passion berry, hot Peppers, juicy Mango, Papaya, Davana, Cognac, and Carrot seed, a cacophony of sweet, hot, fruity and boozy that draws it unusually close.

It settles and stays to hunt out Coffee extract, Saffron, a hit of Cocoa accord, and rough smoke of Tobacco, and Styrax. It lingers for a final hit of animalic Leather-skin accord, soft Cedarwood, Earthy, sexy Patchouli, vintage vinyl, smoky Liatrix, and a final cuddle of Musks.

One of the most ‘showy’ of birds, of course, loves to stop off in the city of Angels. The Anna’s Hummingbird is known to visit Los Angeles; Sultry, smoky, floral, all vie with marine notes for air. The hummingbird can be found there year-round or during specific seasons. This somewhat ostentatious singer consumes tree sap, nectar from flowers, insects, and sugar water.  

This extravagant, feathered star loves sultry, shimmering Hollywood, with its long, hot highways, neon lights and, of course, pink sunsets. A love of the glamour as much as the underbelly of this swinging city. Dropping in to feast on juicy Mandarin and Pineapple, tempering them with Eucalyptus and Clary Sage. Being a little self-absorbed, drinking to refuel on the Absolute of Narcissus, alongside the rich floral of full-bodied Tuberose.

Needing to offset these, the next choice is semi-grounding Palo Santo alongside another wood, Guaiac, whilst still indulging in sweet Heliotrope, woody green of Cade, whilst lifting off on a cloud of Cyriol and Musk.

No bird thinks twice about spreading its wings, about ‘showing up’ and ‘showing out’. From their solitude to their ingenuity via determination, it’s not a choice they have. To survive, they must. Not unlike a true creative who, unable to make, inspire and create, will wilt away.

There is a moment when you see a rare, feathered sole traveller in the sky, peering down, or resting, waiting for its prey. It’s majestic and breathtaking, a reminder that beauty and true greatness are rare and treasured gifts. Not unlike the first time you met Galivant fragrances, your breath was taken away a little, and with 14 cities to discover, the journey has only just begun.

Now, these delicious perfumes from noble Gallivant also offer four roller Perfume oils, the perfect compact travel accessory, 14, 8ml luxury vial spray with travel cases, a discovery set to explore the collection, one exclusive scent to Fortums and Masons, Taif (a celebration of the city of Roses) as well as a small collection of reed diffusers and candles.

This tiny yet powerful fragrance brand is a multi-award-winning and proudly independent, refreshing, brave and dynamic. This truly unique collection of scents is from a creator and perfume-maker from London, Nick Steward, who has worked for many years in the world of perfumery.

All the juices are based around the freedom and the play of travel; unisex elixirs that are perfumed escapism. Each, an exploration of city, town, old, new, a subtle interpretation that lingers in the mind and heart.

The fragrance oils are handcrafted in France, and then the perfumes are matured, macerated and bottled in the Cotswolds, England, in a genuinely artisanal, small-batch, human process.

The visual is minimalist, reflecting their focus on quality and functionality, and belies the complex, clever, innovative scents that are easy to wear, unpretentious, yet extremely elegant and clever. Just the right side of a little bit edgy, desirably beautiful and refreshingly a side step from the crowd.

Each juice, exploring one city, is unusual and rare yet so utterly desirable. Smart, intriguing, they always take an unusual angle, but never stray so far away from the path of beauty that they become too conceptual. Each, a perfect balance of interesting and engaging, beautiful, connected and almost spiritual.

Spray the scent, slow down and absorb the very human pleasure of smell on the skin, of finding your unique perfumed journey. If you physically can’t get to a place, you can evoke its smell, touch, and taste in your mind, and go there via your limbic system.

Where rare and singular birds have a beautiful plumage to serenade, these perfumes entice via a subtle yet extremely well-cultivated aroma that captures and enraptures.

Leaving the wearer not just in love with the scent but in love with a city they may never have flown to, a subtle interpretation that lingers in the mind and heart. Ultimately, they evoke positive emotions, boost confidence, and leave a lasting impression. It’s time to book your perfumed flight.

Find all you need to know about Gallivant-perfumes.com here

If you enjoyed reading The Bravest Birds Are The Rarest and Most Beautiful, then why not read Nyah Grace’s Top Ten Summer Songs here

.Cent Magazine London. Luxury Minded