So it's up at seven and a venture out to a waterfall about ten kilometres away. The gorge containing the waterfall appears as a major canyon dropping away from the plateau we are travelling along. Despite there not being any water coming over the falls - and we really mean not a drop - we had good views of a number of species.
Firstly, the view over the gorge.
and some Aloe on a ledge on the other side of the gorge from the viewpoint.
Species seen included Rock Kestrel, Cape Wagtail, this smart Yellow Bishop
Cape Bunting and the gloriously named Gymnogene (also boringly re-named recently, the African Harrier Hawk).
This magnificent bird we saw actually flying past very low and very slow, coming in to take prey off the face of a rock. It seemed to land on the vertical face with it's wings splayed out completely, its body and wings flat against the surface, taking the prey from a crevice. It then flew onto a perch to devour the morsel. Unfortunately our picture doesn't quite do it justice as we were in the bus when it did its spectacular flat display.
Plants included;
Return to the restaurant for our breakfast before heading out on another outing to a glacial pavement, formed millions of years ago.
Eric researches the site details and tells us that a glacier with boulders and rocks trapped on its bottom surface formed these grooves, with the weight of the glacier slowly moving along, dragging rock against rock surface.
Eric prefers the Bulbinella, thinking it's a yellow lollipop,
to the black gall he found on the trail.
A possible Jackal skull is also found.
Driving to our next destination, just before we arrive we see this Ludwig's Bustard on the far side of an adjacent field. It's a very big bird!
We arrive at Hantam Botanical Garden; it is unusual in that it is a botanical garden set in the native habitat that does not contain plants from around the world, just Namaqualand natives growing in this preserved habitat - so not planted at all, just growing wild.
This rather large home for invertebrates is just in front of the visitor centre; good for Bees and Lacewings and other suchlike. Eric thinks it would suit him too.
We see evidence of porcupine, but as they are nocturnal we don't see the actual animal. Thinks - If we collect enough quills perhaps we may be able to assemble a whole one? Apparently they are very large - the size of a small bush.
Eric found a quill and thought it could make a good spear, making him like a Masai Warrior (we don't like to say that we are in the wrong country for that).
There were some Lachenalia species plants that look a bit like Orchids.
Some plants with curly leaves (no flowers yet), but there were quite a few different species with a variety of curly leaves, so maybe it is some form of adaptation to the climate or habitat. Forgot to ask our guide so will have to check that out.
Some with very papery bracts (I presume)
A pretty twining climber
A pretty flower that looks a bit like a powder puff.
Insect with a long pointy end! Yet to be identified.
Bird - we are checking the identification as the one we think it is (Collared Flycatcher) it might not be (possibly out of its range).
We thought that this was a piece of un-ravelled plastic string, but apparently it is a parasitic plant! Growing on the roots of the small curly plant next to it.
Also a small scorpion was spotted under a rock by our guide.
Some plants with curly leaves (no flowers yet), but there were quite a few different species with a variety of curly leaves, so maybe it is some form of adaptation to the climate or habitat. Forgot to ask our guide so will have to check that out.
Some with very papery bracts (I presume)
A pretty twining climber
A pretty flower that looks a bit like a powder puff.
Insect with a long pointy end! Yet to be identified.
Bird - we are checking the identification as the one we think it is (Collared Flycatcher) it might not be (possibly out of its range).
We thought that this was a piece of un-ravelled plastic string, but apparently it is a parasitic plant! Growing on the roots of the small curly plant next to it.
Also a small scorpion was spotted under a rock by our guide.
We return to our accommodation for lunch before heading down into the Karoo landscape. Here we visit an Aloe forest.
It's hard to come to terms with the scale of the views. The flat top mountains, termed sills, which are interspersed with flat
plains make up a typical Karoo landscape. They formed as a result of
erosion of rocks which were laid down when Africa was part of
Gondwanaland. A long time ago then!
Eric finds a good seat to contemplate the geological time it took to form this landscape.
Some general views of the Aloe forest. It is Aloe dichotoma, or the Spindle Tree.
There has been very little rain here for a while - the Aloe leaves on the floor are a sign that the trees are stressed, and there is some concern about their long-term future with the effects of climate change.
Some of th trees are actually dead already.
Knowing how much we love rock shapes, my brother points out one on the horizon that looks like a church or maybe a Big Top tent? All caused by erosion, nature is wonderful.
Two slight detours on the way back . The first took us to the Rhyn's Pass viewpoint, where a panorama over the sills and plains was available.
Next stop Olongskloof to view some Fynbos Protea species.
Behind this Protea (above) was a Roobois Tea Plantation, neatly planted in rows. This is big business in South Africa as they ship the tea all over the world. Our driver tells us his mother used to make it for him when he was younger, but not with a teabag, just infusing twigs in water.
If I remeber correctly this may be an Euphorbia - but will have to get back to you with a positive ID later
and on the other side of the road, this rather pretty plant, also needing my memory to be better for identification! We will have quite a lot of naming to do when we arrive home, luckily the daily lists should help to joggle the brain to link the name with the picture.
Coming back to our accommodation we passed the factory where they process the Rooibos tea before packing it to send around the world. Here they firstly put it into long piles for a few days before spreading it out and leaving it out to dry in the sun, the stage you see in the photograph.
and on the other side of the road, this rather pretty plant, also needing my memory to be better for identification! We will have quite a lot of naming to do when we arrive home, luckily the daily lists should help to joggle the brain to link the name with the picture.
Coming back to our accommodation we passed the factory where they process the Rooibos tea before packing it to send around the world. Here they firstly put it into long piles for a few days before spreading it out and leaving it out to dry in the sun, the stage you see in the photograph.
Close to the main part of the town (or perhaps village) there is a church. The South Africans seem quite observant in the sense of adhering strictly to the rules of a particular religion - we've noticed that pretty much everything is closed on Sundays, much like it used to be in Wales at one time.
Photo courtesy of relative - LM
Return to our cottages for a short rest and refresh before dinner. There was a Heron lurking in the garden.
Our B&B host is very knowledgeable about the local flora and has laid out many books about the area on a table in the dining room for us to peruse before we eat. A pleasant meal and chat later, it is time to retire.