July 31, 2013

This photo was taken on 23 June while we were waiting at False Bay Park for the 

Super Moon to rise.  The sun had was already quite low, and only the Gulls that were 

flying high enough were touched by the beautiful orange light.

(There was no time to take a photo today)

July 30, 2013

 Burchell's Coucal 

It is also known as the Rainbird because it seems to call most often in periods of high humidity, 

leading to the belief that it can tell when it is going to rain!

July 29, 2013

I have seen and photographed many spiders, but have never seen one like this before.

A fast mover with a body length of only about 7mm.

It has the typical two large forward facing eyes of a Jumping Spider 

Strangely, on this spider those eyes are the same colour as the body, while the smaller eyes are black.

Unfortunately it moved quite fast and I did not get the opportunity to take more photos.

July 28, 2013

A still fluffy juvenile Laughing Dove sat on the fence this morning and watched my every move. 

This is not an unusual sight - these birds have a very spread out breeding season

July 27, 2013

A Crested Barbet - smiling at the camera or cursing because I intruded?

Although the sun was very harsh, it created a beautiful natural Bokeh effect 

on the leaves in the background .

July 26, 2013

 Same thorns, different angle.

July 25, 2013

Roll on Spring - it's cold up here!

July 24, 2013

A few nights ago while looking through my 2010 files for a photo of False Bay Park for a friend.

I stumbled across this photo taken on 24 July 2010.

This beautiful old Erythrina graces the corner in front of our school.

I decided to take a photo again today to compare.

24 July 2013 - and it is not as if I missed the flowering season!

There has not been a spectacular show this year as what there was in 2010.

It is also interesting to see how the branches have changed s in three years

July 23, 2013

Fork-tailed Drongo's seem to be in abundance at the moment! 

I love the light on this one - proving that they are not plain black as we think they are. 

Is this one really sitting on that thorn? 

July 22, 2013

The remains of Leonotis leonurus, also known as Lion's Tail or Wild Dagga make an interesting 

picture as the dry stems reach skyward.

July 21, 2013

 Of all that I saw in the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park today, this site was the most awesome.

A Baboon Mother with a very newborn, very pink Bababy ;)

 Mother Baboon was feeding on young grass roots while Bababy clung to her for dear life!

Every now and then Bababy would loose grip and screech very loudly until Mother Baboon gives it a hand by pushing it up against her stomach so that it can get a firm grip on a new hand- and footfull of hair as high as it can reach. 

 I see Crocodiles on occasion, but today I saw two!

The early morning sun was a bit harsh on the first one, though.

It could be the light, or just the fact that the one in the photo below is cleaner, but these guys don't look like the same type of Croc to me ;)

Lastly I bring you the view 'atmaggieztree' today.

A very Wintery scene compared to the previous photos I have taken at this spot.

Some controlled burning has taken place as you can see in the background. 

We have had about 35mm of rain over the last two weeks which has done wonders.

July 17 to 20, 2013

 A visitor to the bathroom

 Flowers on a succulent

 Fork-tailed Drongo

Bees feasting in the Aloes

July 16, 2013

Strange companions. 

I can't help but wonder if these two were aware that they were sharing a rock?

July 15, 2013

Smile - Monday is nearly over :D

Schools re-opened today after a three week break.

My day at the office started off with PC problems - need I say more? 

July 14, 2013

This is the hind leg of a dead Grasshopper that I picked up today.

It was perfectly preserved, as the photo below shows.

(and quite willing to pose for a photo)

July 13, 2013

The Fly.  Ugly but beautiful at the same time!

July 12, 2013

Still repotting plants!

These very tiny flowers looked quite dead when I transplanted a succulent creeper.

I was about to snip them off but decided to take a macro shot first.

What a surprise to find pretty little flowers with dark stamens. 

July 11, 2013

A small swarm of bees seemed to want to move into the rockery today.

This very opportunistic Lizard took full advantage and nabbed a bee.

The lizard seemed to be struggling to swallow the bee and I ran for the camera.

When I returned the swarm had started to move off and the Mr Lizard

did not look very happy.  I was convinced that his throat was swollen :)

I wonder if lizards are immune to bee sting?

July 10, 2013

Today I decided to put an apple on the spike for the birds - I have not done so in a while.

I set up the camera just inside the front door where the birds cannot see me.

They are very aware of the sound of the shutter, though!

Despite the fact that there is now a resident cat on the hostel grounds where my cottage is situated, 

an amazing variety of 9 bird species arrived for the feast!  Before long only the core was left. 

Next on the menu was a banana and when that was eaten, I placed another apple on the spike. 

The Sombre Bulbul at bottom left seemed to be shouting:

"Hear ye, hear ye - she's put out a fresh apple!"

How else did all the birds know that fruit had been put out for them today?

Who spreads the news?

July 9, 2013

Two 'schnauzes' smelling a cat!

One wonders what they would do if they were able to get through that gap....

July 8, 2013

Today while re-potting a few plants,  this little Jumping Spider emerged from the shadows. 

I begged it to please turn around a show it's face...

A little bit more, please.....

There we are!  Thank you - but please stop waving those pedipalps at me now.....

July 7, 2013

A plant of many names: Balloon Plant, Cotton Bush, Hairy Balls, Milkwood -  to name just a few

This photo nearly landed in the recycle bin, but the more I looked at it, the more I liked it!

The seed that would not let go initially caught my eye, but with the setting sun coming from behind towards the right side of the picture, I did not have much hope for the shot, but took it anyway.

I love the way the afternoon sun lends a glow to the whole picture. The little white spots are where the light penetrated the seams on the other side of the dry seed head

July 6, 2013

Catching some winter sun on his back and giving me a very dirty look!

I was so far away that I thought it might not even notice me.

At first I thought it was a Square-tailed Drongo, but then saw that the eyes were dark.

Perhaps a Black Flycatcher?

July 5, 2013

The tiniest flowers often show amazing detail!

The little stamens are loaded with pollen,

The uncropped photo:

The last photo shows the size of the little flower compared to a safety match 

July 4, 2013

A Scarlet-chested Sunbird stretching his neck to reach the sweet nectar

For the last two years the Aloes in the rockery at the far end of the garden have had Aloe cancer and I had to remove the blooms.  I was advised by several people to remove and destroy the plants as well, but never got around to doing it.  I am pleased to see that so far this year there is no sign of the cancer, and happy that I did not destroy the plants!

If you missed the previous post and photo of the cancer, you can click here to see it.

July 3, 2013

A spectacular mass of colour created by a Golden Shower Vine and a Bougainvillea 

that was planted under a tree.  

July 2, 2013

I have never been this close to an Emerald-spotted Dove!

It sat dead still I can't help but wonder if it was also too scared to breathe?

Such a pretty little bird!

July 1, 2013

SO! A little bird whispered in my ear that we are now in the second half of 2013...

(This photo was taken in 2011 and has always been one of my favourites! Apologies if I have perhaps posted it before)