tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75229462103090728142024-02-01T20:26:43.039-08:00Biodiversity BlogWhat I love about plant biodiversity in Cape Town & beyondMarijkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07067433608013964750noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522946210309072814.post-60954666011970623312014-12-28T04:14:00.000-08:002014-12-28T04:14:52.618-08:00Plant palette: Highveld Grassland<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
During a recent visit to <a data-mce-href="https://www.facebook.com/RandomHarvestNursery?ref=ts&fref=ts" href="https://www.facebook.com/RandomHarvestNursery?ref=ts&fref=ts" target="_blank">Random Harvest Nursery</a> I had the privilege of visiting a restored grassland. About 25 years ago this piece of the farm was a dense stand of alien invasive Black and Silver Wattles. Linda de Luca and her mother decided to remove the forest and allow the grass to re establish itself, initially for grazing purposes. Then about 12 years ago, their interest in grassland deepened and they decided to play a more active role in restoring the grassland. The result is spectacular: a little piece of climax high veld grassland in the heart of Gauteng, and only a stone's throw from the bustling centre of Johannesburg.</div>
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><a data-mce-href="https://plantpalettes.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/dscn0629.jpg" href="https://plantpalettes.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/dscn0629.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img alt="Drifts of golden Helichrysum in a matrix of grasses" class="size-medium wp-image-48" data-mce-src="https://plantpalettes.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/dscn0629.jpg?w=300" height="225" src="https://plantpalettes.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/dscn0629.jpg?w=300" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="300" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 4px 5px;">Drifts of golden Helichrysum in a matrix of grasses</dd></dl>
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It was an overcast day after a few days of rain - the grasses were lush green and flowering, in their prime. <em>Eragrostis curvula</em>, <em>Eragrostis capensis</em> (heart love grass) and <em>Themeda triandra</em> (red grass) were a few that I could name. in this matrix of finely textured green were splashes of yellow <em>Helichysum</em>, and the striking tall inflorescenes of prickly <em>Berkheya</em>.</div>
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><a data-mce-href="https://plantpalettes.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/dscn0645.jpg" href="https://plantpalettes.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/dscn0645.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img alt="Berkheya radula (Boesmansrietjie)" class="size-medium wp-image-52" data-mce-src="https://plantpalettes.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/dscn0645.jpg?w=225" height="300" src="https://plantpalettes.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/dscn0645.jpg?w=225" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="225" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 4px 5px;">Berkheya radula (Boesmansrietjie)</dd></dl>
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I was lucky to have Carol Knoll as my guide - she had just published an excellent article on the restoration of this grassland in Footprint Limited magazine. As we walked through the grassland, we were like kids in a candy shop, excitedly pointing out little herbaceous gems under our feet.</div>
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><a data-mce-href="https://plantpalettes.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/dscn0619.jpg" href="https://plantpalettes.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/dscn0619.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img alt="Carol Knoll giving me the species names" class="size-medium wp-image-47" data-mce-src="https://plantpalettes.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/dscn0619.jpg?w=300" height="225" src="https://plantpalettes.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/dscn0619.jpg?w=300" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="300" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 4px 5px;">Carol Knoll giving me the species names</dd></dl>
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><a data-mce-href="https://plantpalettes.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/dscn0612.jpg" href="https://plantpalettes.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/dscn0612.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img alt="Veronica species" class="size-medium wp-image-46" data-mce-src="https://plantpalettes.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/dscn0612.jpg?w=300" height="225" src="https://plantpalettes.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/dscn0612.jpg?w=300" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="300" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 4px 5px;">Veronica species</dd></dl>
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><a data-mce-href="https://plantpalettes.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/dscn0637.jpg" href="https://plantpalettes.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/dscn0637.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img alt="Tulbaghia leucantha (Wild garlic)" class="size-medium wp-image-49" data-mce-src="https://plantpalettes.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/dscn0637.jpg?w=225" height="300" src="https://plantpalettes.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/dscn0637.jpg?w=225" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="225" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 4px 5px;">Tulbaghia leucantha (Wild garlic)</dd></dl>
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><a data-mce-href="https://plantpalettes.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/dscn0639.jpg" href="https://plantpalettes.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/dscn0639.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img alt="Monopsis or Lobelia species" class="size-medium wp-image-50" data-mce-src="https://plantpalettes.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/dscn0639.jpg?w=225" height="300" src="https://plantpalettes.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/dscn0639.jpg?w=225" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="225" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 4px 5px;">Monopsis or Lobelia species</dd></dl>
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Carol showed me how the Milkwort was alive with insect activity - ants, beetles and of course butterfly pollinators.</div>
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><a data-mce-href="https://plantpalettes.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/dscn0649.jpg" href="https://plantpalettes.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/dscn0649.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img alt="Xysmalobium undulata (Milkwort)" class="size-medium wp-image-53" data-mce-src="https://plantpalettes.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/dscn0649.jpg?w=300" height="225" src="https://plantpalettes.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/dscn0649.jpg?w=300" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="300" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 4px 5px;">Xysmalobium undulata (Milkwort)</dd></dl>
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The star flowers remained firmly closed, in the absence of sun, but below is a picture I took in the same grassland last year.</div>
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><a data-mce-href="https://plantpalettes.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/dscn0643.jpg" href="https://plantpalettes.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/dscn0643.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img alt="Hypoxis hemerocallidea (Star flower) was not going to show its bright yellow flowers on this dull overcast day" class="size-medium wp-image-51" data-mce-src="https://plantpalettes.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/dscn0643.jpg?w=300" height="225" src="https://plantpalettes.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/dscn0643.jpg?w=300" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="300" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 4px 5px;">Hypoxis hemerocallidea (Star flower) was not going to show its bright yellow flowers on this dull overcast day</dd></dl>
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<a data-mce-href="https://plantpalettes.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/hypoxis-hemerocallidea-2.jpg" href="https://plantpalettes.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/hypoxis-hemerocallidea-2.jpg"><img alt="Hypoxis hemerocallidea (2)" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-57" data-mce-src="https://plantpalettes.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/hypoxis-hemerocallidea-2.jpg?w=300" height="225" src="https://plantpalettes.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/hypoxis-hemerocallidea-2.jpg?w=300" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></a></div>
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As we left the restored grassland, I saw a dense stand of <em>Hyparrhenia hirta</em> and wondered how this local but weedy invasive species was kept in check? I found the answer in Carol's article which describes how the <em>Hyparrhenia</em> was cut and removed before it seeded, and used to make compost for the nursery. In addition, the grassland is regularly weeded to remove pompom weed, tall verbena and <em>Plantago</em>. To increase biodiversity and provide different conditions, the grassland is burnt every 3 years, and slashed annually, with one third slashed in autumn (March), one third in spring and the remainder left untouched. Quite a regime, but it has yielded excellent results.</div>
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In addition to the spectacular increase in plant diversity, the restored grassland has provided a habitat for the Giant bullfrog and many species of butterfly, including the Eyed Pansy.</div>
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><a data-mce-href="https://plantpalettes.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/dscn0650.jpg" href="https://plantpalettes.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/dscn0650.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img alt="Pelargonium luridum (Waving pelargonium)" class="size-medium wp-image-54" data-mce-src="https://plantpalettes.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/dscn0650.jpg?w=225" height="300" src="https://plantpalettes.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/dscn0650.jpg?w=225" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="225" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 4px 5px;">Pelargonium luridum (Waving pelargonium)</dd></dl>
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As I left - in great haste - to catch my plane at Lanseria airport I spotted a Waving pelargonium - a fitting end to my grassland visit.</div>
<a href="http://plantpalettes.wordpress.com/"></a>Marijkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07067433608013964750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522946210309072814.post-48473812210616561512013-09-17T12:25:00.001-07:002013-09-17T12:40:17.494-07:00The Biodiversity Showcase Garden revisited<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3C-F3Q9T-N-jzl4wUOgdxozfecpc3M4Hd3uGM2vb81ZuK8LAQHTXYnfcey-dTCvMSJT23e9YjSwDknbp_8G4vk_lv2PXf4IngPIORWaVcLXSUCV66YvXaR-uw8WXtad9jrfVX6peZIOU/s1600/DSCN4839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Spring has sprung in the Biodiversity Garden at Green Point Park. Parts of the garden are awash with colour, such as the 'Hybrids and cultivars' display seen below. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbd2X-aZUdT1mearSMryXVm6fWPRjw2At5-x2rGo63GaG6Xpors8Ezu81y41pFgqj0uETI6sfVq4erDcDx3yLQMbCJNcdOPYPDRrAhW4KX0tvuYVeZGmrOL9AWOidkT6AdhAJKuKthfos/s1600/DSCN4849.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbd2X-aZUdT1mearSMryXVm6fWPRjw2At5-x2rGo63GaG6Xpors8Ezu81y41pFgqj0uETI6sfVq4erDcDx3yLQMbCJNcdOPYPDRrAhW4KX0tvuYVeZGmrOL9AWOidkT6AdhAJKuKthfos/s400/DSCN4849.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I like the way the 'Invasive plants' display has turned out, with the rare and endangered Strawberry Spiderhead crowded out by statuesque invasives. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk05AK6wsdhUVTEE7IFPsAkSWayMx9zHuRaj4vA7TvEu0-JZvdx502qJJCMnieitNQIn1O2cO2WqeI3xJmRIZJIlCBh25elLZVYbMOLIIzJHzU2StdZVOz_plHsKXJzJfbkBhDEMLqOno/s1600/DSCN4841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk05AK6wsdhUVTEE7IFPsAkSWayMx9zHuRaj4vA7TvEu0-JZvdx502qJJCMnieitNQIn1O2cO2WqeI3xJmRIZJIlCBh25elLZVYbMOLIIzJHzU2StdZVOz_plHsKXJzJfbkBhDEMLqOno/s400/DSCN4841.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This is what the same planting looked like in December 2010. Notice how the coastal thicket in the background has effectively screened the lawn display - the thicket is now about 2m high. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvFKrpDSwS7c3T-KmO0xRUa315NwBSVaX28QS5CyCg_kSTvV8zXaBNr0qk-PssXm6EsMx7Ukmm9o_p4lSPESmOzQf8yaw1qu0iCV7wdoU0xJDpZezDrSerhVHX4PNb6ebGcc8Le2IamNM/s1600/DSCN9531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvFKrpDSwS7c3T-KmO0xRUa315NwBSVaX28QS5CyCg_kSTvV8zXaBNr0qk-PssXm6EsMx7Ukmm9o_p4lSPESmOzQf8yaw1qu0iCV7wdoU0xJDpZezDrSerhVHX4PNb6ebGcc8Le2IamNM/s400/DSCN9531.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The 'Shade Dome' is still looking stark and err... where is the shade? The fast-growing Forest Pea (<i>Dipogon lignosus</i>) which raced to the top and looked so promising last year, is now bare at the base, and looking untidy with a lot of dead material on the frame. The Wild Grape (<i>Rhoicissus digitata) </i>is the trust-worthy long-term solution, but growing very slowly. Too much competition, perhaps. I've asked the area around the base of the climbers to be cleared. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Hedge display is looking good enough. The Confetti Bush (<i>Coleonema album</i>) and <i>Grewia robusta</i> are thriving, but unfortunately it's too wet for the grey Beach Sage (<i>Salvia africana-lutea)</i> which has died back in places. We will replace it with <i>Rhus </i></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>glauca </i>(Blue Kuni-bush) which also has greyish leaves. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">One of the challenges of gardening in the Biodiversity Garden is the heavy clay soil and</span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">high water table. In fact the Green Point Park area used to be a seasonal wetland, and sailing regattas were held here! Clay soil dredged from the harbour (now the V&A Waterfront) was brought in to create sportfields and recreational amenities in the 1900s. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A life ring has been installed right in the framed view of the fish - what a pity. I understand safety comes first but aesthetically it's plain awful.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The frolicking fish don't mind at all...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>Marijkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07067433608013964750noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522946210309072814.post-14993931423058662862013-06-07T00:34:00.000-07:002013-06-07T01:20:18.556-07:00Blogger, Google - what have you done?I am sad to see that all the images are missing on this blog. No response from Google, no explanation. I started reloading the images, but for 71 posts spanning 3 years it's just not feasible. My apologies. And of course if anyone can help....?<br />
<span id="goog_578009469"></span><span id="goog_578009470"></span><br />Marijkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07067433608013964750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522946210309072814.post-981066466600350842011-12-13T02:05:00.000-08:002013-06-07T01:19:54.151-07:00Sunshine flowers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2XHMQNzAWUFOGq1CD56ooT7LkOg_IiG-8h0uYhP75-s2RkSeW0c-SI8K6G9y1xevCdinbKEdE4owkxmNUSZL0B3_lxcsyW7Ey1G-gJPGHUD-22NqMBlE9DkYVQK7ZBLv4p9R_qxfLIM/s1600/DSCN4213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2XHMQNzAWUFOGq1CD56ooT7LkOg_IiG-8h0uYhP75-s2RkSeW0c-SI8K6G9y1xevCdinbKEdE4owkxmNUSZL0B3_lxcsyW7Ey1G-gJPGHUD-22NqMBlE9DkYVQK7ZBLv4p9R_qxfLIM/s320/DSCN4213.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Aren't these just <span style="font-style: italic;">yum</span>? It's a hybrid of <span style="font-style: italic;">Leucadendron </span>called 'Summer Sun'. I had ordered a wide variety of fynbos for a farm landscape outside Caledon (Western Cape), and of <span style="font-style: italic;">all </span>the plants standing in my driveway, this one was my favourite.<br />
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The pompons which look like flowers are in fact cones - male cones to be exact. The genus Leucadendron (collectively known as Conebushes or <span style="font-style: italic;">tolbos </span>in Afrikaans) is dioecious - in other words male and female flowers are borne on separate plants. The flowers are clustered together in 'cones' and are pollinated either by wind or insects, depending on the species. The pale coloured 'petals' are in fact involucral bracts. That's the science - and then there is the beauty...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4FHgEpIl7e6UvxJ11GrkdtN5lczOHbraBVORMdhl1gpIzV8nFRlN4vosoopI1fHI05MlXWeSNFooX5m0XphCaPean-3wGMVrj7Os7EfQZDina_YrEe0Aqyr3KJTrdOVSn7BsVWDY8vWU/s1600/DSCN4214.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><br />
Summer Sun is a hybrid between <span style="font-style: italic;">Leucadendron laureolum</span> and a Peninsula endemic, <span style="font-style: italic;">L.strobilinum</span>. They are adapted to winter rainfall and nutrient poor soils. If you live in SA and just <span style="font-style: italic;">have </span>to have Summer Sun in your garden, you can get plants from <a href="http://www.arnelia.co.za/" style="color: #993300;">Arnelia</a>. Remember they require well-drained acidic soil. You can compost / mulch the plants, but no phosphorous, and remember it's best to plant in autumn or winter.Marijkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07067433608013964750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522946210309072814.post-219668971273087222011-10-18T08:22:00.000-07:002011-10-18T08:43:56.735-07:00The Fan Aloe<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv0AvTpQTOkF0OMez4BGlqAr6IAQuOXjUT_uqhMZEqWFJ9YiH0tpl9OB6ZqwEcy14KEtM_msRTz5E5FrF3-IdNLWCaS6ERGrksdhnN_uUdpipeXYF2_9VZ8l23C109-jvyHz3F13U60RA/s1600/aloes.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv0AvTpQTOkF0OMez4BGlqAr6IAQuOXjUT_uqhMZEqWFJ9YiH0tpl9OB6ZqwEcy14KEtM_msRTz5E5FrF3-IdNLWCaS6ERGrksdhnN_uUdpipeXYF2_9VZ8l23C109-jvyHz3F13U60RA/s400/aloes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664855250311040018" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzyiFv8jZNyKRMCdCOU2rEDJpyWMu80p3wRdxM5RSj-AwJUNtKWE9x3puVIMfqACPbamTTvxFms4HW0Re4DF2i4zYlqD13IZZSTSBDeiSTmzpcuOuAbCgq83FCgeMGUDUKlKn0d7Tpkc/s1600/aloe.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzyiFv8jZNyKRMCdCOU2rEDJpyWMu80p3wRdxM5RSj-AwJUNtKWE9x3puVIMfqACPbamTTvxFms4HW0Re4DF2i4zYlqD13IZZSTSBDeiSTmzpcuOuAbCgq83FCgeMGUDUKlKn0d7Tpkc/s400/aloe.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664854592600039890" border="0" /></a><br />This magnificent Fan Aloe (<span style="font-style: italic;">Aloe plicatelis</span>) is flowering in a garden in Muizenberg. Although it is a true fynbos species - occurring only on Table Mountain sandstone soils, in fynbos areas - it is not native to the Cape Peninsula. Which means this one was planted.<br /><br />I wonder who planted it, and when?<br />Judging by the size (height: 2.5m), thick woody trunk and slow growth rate of this species, my guess is that it could be 50 to 70 years old. A real <span style="font-style: italic;">grande dame</span>...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYK5j9k59_r3_RsZuTDUbnW1aX3Jb8bDuvYjy4qfjY8wE6nabB26dIQbcxoGclRsokmZyVkQIUBvmafzhPsbW63UMMf-Xb6IRBRjzOOpAc-Pnu6LF-IBncj475uRbrArvQInYVSeOzJi4/s1600/aloe+flowers.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYK5j9k59_r3_RsZuTDUbnW1aX3Jb8bDuvYjy4qfjY8wE6nabB26dIQbcxoGclRsokmZyVkQIUBvmafzhPsbW63UMMf-Xb6IRBRjzOOpAc-Pnu6LF-IBncj475uRbrArvQInYVSeOzJi4/s400/aloe+flowers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664854601723980018" border="0" /></a>Marijkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07067433608013964750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522946210309072814.post-12610068503848554942011-09-24T12:34:00.001-07:002013-06-07T00:28:47.473-07:00HomegrownThis year I have my first show of Leucospermum 'Spider' in my garden. It's a hybrid of <span style="font-style: italic;">Leucospermum tottum</span> with typical grey-green leaves and salmon-pink flowers.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkc3H_A_wDiAuWKEU3nKED3UMKwOYaJ1j7Iclt42jungZyGpp2IkAHGV15RuJfAlBP31zvy3mjY0U4FiGJCFkEAinCQh35GzIlAnqMgcCT6RbHOMMun6-KyXQ3kb9dooIz2BW0kPWVi4E/s1600/Leucospermum+Spider+(5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkc3H_A_wDiAuWKEU3nKED3UMKwOYaJ1j7Iclt42jungZyGpp2IkAHGV15RuJfAlBP31zvy3mjY0U4FiGJCFkEAinCQh35GzIlAnqMgcCT6RbHOMMun6-KyXQ3kb9dooIz2BW0kPWVi4E/s320/Leucospermum+Spider+(5).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpuYvTiYNDJ4zSRxxvuLgU2QGOPD9bZLcaUQ3FYa1kPyGIosvJaDUu79TITpoy6bTn3_itTBbowY5C_dUbkaFnGJaxGJoeiCs0TOpo7KzPaMYXvSN_PmciSBmfBCECV9bAOpvCecZcDuo/s1600/leucosperm+tottum-open.jpg"></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7D8cW2xDVHx_EW7dqrEc-SY9mP76vTt8C1Ar2MTpuD86294Jx5_YiStSWcxLYQ65qj-6dYI3CdCK7kCUcCTcWts4jDNwgXOzpViX466HlS1jgcblSQi4tUE7t0FMvKpNZu9n_M8JBOm4/s1600/leucosperm+tottum.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>I think the flowers are breath-taking - can't get enough of them!</div>
Marijkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07067433608013964750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522946210309072814.post-66356210425418101232011-09-24T11:30:00.000-07:002011-09-24T12:15:35.593-07:00Winter ColourBusy times! - months have passed since I have given an update on the Biodiversity Garden. Here are some pics taken in July:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJAU5Ul5I4Y2Yqt55mkt-pySrab_3ygoJG0ACQiH7hjjO9vDOFFL7qBcSqU9cY1ZKS9qOvHdlGqHagUCBUrQqC6bv9InSH3zcCPvHql7AURSbfAoWwj5q7Mf3x54vTVUd8WGBnlLivmg/s1600/aloe+arborescens.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJAU5Ul5I4Y2Yqt55mkt-pySrab_3ygoJG0ACQiH7hjjO9vDOFFL7qBcSqU9cY1ZKS9qOvHdlGqHagUCBUrQqC6bv9InSH3zcCPvHql7AURSbfAoWwj5q7Mf3x54vTVUd8WGBnlLivmg/s320/aloe+arborescens.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655999287727964162" border="0" /></a>The Mountain Aloe (<span style="font-style: italic;">Aloe arborescens</span>) is in full swing.<br /><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSoQz6XZ_riJcvmaoOLvbwLbtxtHPeOMGMu9sYeeDVmd6YsnZmPrhn0indD9T1yy81J5XZow-fyj1xDsVhviA6HlKigXraW3MTdgaWxo3o4F7a0RZn2KcPUx8KM68Dl12-IEv9hkWPX1g/s1600/aloe+succotrina2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSoQz6XZ_riJcvmaoOLvbwLbtxtHPeOMGMu9sYeeDVmd6YsnZmPrhn0indD9T1yy81J5XZow-fyj1xDsVhviA6HlKigXraW3MTdgaWxo3o4F7a0RZn2KcPUx8KM68Dl12-IEv9hkWPX1g/s320/aloe+succotrina2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656001721966315122" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsfl6eFNDavKFH6iSizCjmJS9hkHVv_DlbWu3xq2WaKMmNii-NWu1xc023u4aMQMgJB5Q6j7AVOTTfbNoh_tvXASA6UfHnWXY2oWsIPtRtVmq22tc8NgKZbS8d6UhKfkhWL1f2IWNCDAo/s1600/aloe+succotrina.jpg"><br /></a>Bright red torches of <span style="font-style: italic;">Aloe succotrina</span> in the Mountain Fynbos section. This aloe species is a fynbos endemic - usually found in rocky areas or scree slopes.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZNbvuUOS-eAkRtU2QTesUm3duMkQiPVY6mtO08MsowZGVilKIxWlIe2l9aNC4Y2AIXsvBTBdmee3KSENjA-TIuYLY01fA1sYU5PMalqXzseIXbXaG4NavmadqQKq2nmPUN0k1nE4M1o/s1600/lachenalia2.jpg"><br /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggA7DHliB0sFceIde5xrPIKble_mj7R4XEtaonCg8YxEu5YjskQEg6HLedAgZu8h0tuSKO3RDThtIGYsN5zuapHMzn3mKIfHnjAwWCNXvd6RuWX9SRhVtjA7E2KAtDR9wQh5ulQ8ND5vY/s1600/daisies.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggA7DHliB0sFceIde5xrPIKble_mj7R4XEtaonCg8YxEu5YjskQEg6HLedAgZu8h0tuSKO3RDThtIGYsN5zuapHMzn3mKIfHnjAwWCNXvd6RuWX9SRhVtjA7E2KAtDR9wQh5ulQ8ND5vY/s320/daisies.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655996871266080386" border="0" /></a>Daisies such as <span style="font-style: italic;">Arctotis </span>and <span style="font-style: italic;">Osteospermum </span>are in full bloom.<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCHOI8QboWYXapjCffv93FnEERUytaPsJqAnDRnOxL5bmJtYsD9wT2L3wz14xBNx_1Y1KN9OJgwmbPWyCj-Ppn_xqCwHn6mVXHxOtQfpxR2Hf819nRvB8c-Qu78PxfJ270JzGr9WqnVak/s1600/jordaniella.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCHOI8QboWYXapjCffv93FnEERUytaPsJqAnDRnOxL5bmJtYsD9wT2L3wz14xBNx_1Y1KN9OJgwmbPWyCj-Ppn_xqCwHn6mVXHxOtQfpxR2Hf819nRvB8c-Qu78PxfJ270JzGr9WqnVak/s320/jordaniella.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655996868101079186" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Jordaniella dubia </span>in the Strandveld section.<br /><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOp4yHznJhJQ0KXSCJItv_yJ4DY09lvi7BLNPjdnRF-7KFz7YUApw9tNXt620hGMv4aamGoK76pVouzSfrl1N53ROQzyY7ewBGVBUmdVmIw8AW7YotaoyB5mXsJwh-OB99C1T3Tkqxzmw/s1600/lachenalia.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOp4yHznJhJQ0KXSCJItv_yJ4DY09lvi7BLNPjdnRF-7KFz7YUApw9tNXt620hGMv4aamGoK76pVouzSfrl1N53ROQzyY7ewBGVBUmdVmIw8AW7YotaoyB5mXsJwh-OB99C1T3Tkqxzmw/s320/lachenalia.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655996865287014610" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Lachenalia reflexa</span> in the Lowland Fynbos section. I was surprised to see this diminuitive plant on the Alert List for Environmental Weeds in Australia. "Yellow Soldier was first recorded as naturalised south of Perth, Western Australia, in 1957, probably after escaping from a garden planting. It has since become a problem weed and is spreading through tuart (<em>Eucalyptus gomphocephala</em>) and banksia woodlands".<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZNbvuUOS-eAkRtU2QTesUm3duMkQiPVY6mtO08MsowZGVilKIxWlIe2l9aNC4Y2AIXsvBTBdmee3KSENjA-TIuYLY01fA1sYU5PMalqXzseIXbXaG4NavmadqQKq2nmPUN0k1nE4M1o/s1600/lachenalia2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZNbvuUOS-eAkRtU2QTesUm3duMkQiPVY6mtO08MsowZGVilKIxWlIe2l9aNC4Y2AIXsvBTBdmee3KSENjA-TIuYLY01fA1sYU5PMalqXzseIXbXaG4NavmadqQKq2nmPUN0k1nE4M1o/s320/lachenalia2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655999279940719106" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJgXMTY7RCvM2Z0dFnl4zN-fS5G6ySCPVFpCFAKw12H-_GHsg_TAa75-QFNZl3WAJa4VSXM5jG90_83FNKRdhxJBwVupYAk_RBtdb9KS7K_0dyLgc854vrp62QX7KYq2xfOqtKQVsxiM/s1600/cotyledon.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJgXMTY7RCvM2Z0dFnl4zN-fS5G6ySCPVFpCFAKw12H-_GHsg_TAa75-QFNZl3WAJa4VSXM5jG90_83FNKRdhxJBwVupYAk_RBtdb9KS7K_0dyLgc854vrp62QX7KYq2xfOqtKQVsxiM/s320/cotyledon.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656001727880465730" border="0" /></a>Plakkie or Pig's Ears (<span style="font-style: italic;">Cotyledon orbiculata</span>) are flowering now.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWu2dPcmC4HRXxYFueaiqRKo66b1joOp4IayYL6O0iywzwMHpcH-fpFsiGCJcfwJDIVWa6KH2WguDvpWP0acmbAxwWlyMQTBz2dZ7nNGAUKvdpe3lEp7mN4ov4Ra0s_gjObyWIvv4TCE/s1600/new+hedge.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWu2dPcmC4HRXxYFueaiqRKo66b1joOp4IayYL6O0iywzwMHpcH-fpFsiGCJcfwJDIVWa6KH2WguDvpWP0acmbAxwWlyMQTBz2dZ7nNGAUKvdpe3lEp7mN4ov4Ra0s_gjObyWIvv4TCE/s320/new+hedge.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656006388414024962" border="0" /></a>The newly planted <span style="font-style: italic;">Coleonema album</span> hedge in the Hedging display area.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHaSupX5LDSLnKVBa1hJYHFT-67m6XKI_vxFkJo8xAnQfxYMDZJVojy_zPnsncciruyj0tXH-9FgibJ2RFbinOG6AopN17M9oB59edVVl6NoK7X_w3EOcheWIb72oPYQqNQNhXbFEH4jk/s1600/mnt+fynbos.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHaSupX5LDSLnKVBa1hJYHFT-67m6XKI_vxFkJo8xAnQfxYMDZJVojy_zPnsncciruyj0tXH-9FgibJ2RFbinOG6AopN17M9oB59edVVl6NoK7X_w3EOcheWIb72oPYQqNQNhXbFEH4jk/s320/mnt+fynbos.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655996859881406386" border="0" /></a>Restios, grasses and aloes in the Mountain Fynbos display.<br /></div>Marijkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07067433608013964750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522946210309072814.post-60524846936408835132011-08-22T10:56:00.001-07:002011-08-22T12:14:03.104-07:00Biodiversity Garden - Signage Upgrade<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">t</span>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfEjWjV3bS2AKBO3LiyccOFGFRdIKXU-ygVKEB0zFOVEa_kHPf6vRYJGbM_QXBEI08xHNbjZcRIMs14HRBxjLHElG5pvODJiMnG1uZfvEHGzdh2aRM55F0se8v7x4WVITLgofY-6UdK4/s1600/DSCN3841.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfEjWjV3bS2AKBO3LiyccOFGFRdIKXU-ygVKEB0zFOVEa_kHPf6vRYJGbM_QXBEI08xHNbjZcRIMs14HRBxjLHElG5pvODJiMnG1uZfvEHGzdh2aRM55F0se8v7x4WVITLgofY-6UdK4/s320/DSCN3841.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643744345859359730" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: left;">There's been much activity on the signage front in the Biodiversity Garden. Some new additions, an improved fixing method and new graphics all round.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcp_tPofSeUpkiAzWm5Q_3EAVmQZYCHGlbZjtDIWQVCpnjZZETepvuWZOX9vJR6lA5QsBkBSzvr-ZAyFBn98gpT8m4-XxqCDgWcB4tS1lT2pHAwq_S1m0ciUv5OkSeDLdSy-zWnbnvM5w/s1600/DSCN3802.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcp_tPofSeUpkiAzWm5Q_3EAVmQZYCHGlbZjtDIWQVCpnjZZETepvuWZOX9vJR6lA5QsBkBSzvr-ZAyFBn98gpT8m4-XxqCDgWcB4tS1lT2pHAwq_S1m0ciUv5OkSeDLdSy-zWnbnvM5w/s320/DSCN3802.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643744335662973554" border="0" /></a>
<br />In the <span style="font-style: italic;">Make a Difference </span>theme area, there are five examples of people and organisations who are doing great work to promote biodiversity in communities and schools. Take <a style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);" href="http://beep.org.za/">BEEP </a>(Beyond Expectation Environmental Project), for example, started by Lindela Mjenxane. Here's one person who saw a need in his community, took initative and is making a real difference.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFTCPvzTCm7ls_EIMtPgo6Zx1bzYR8kCVtcRcWh4KH54Tp3kiLl-lkOxi76iXr3znlFon9sMEvbqEI3UL0EnlmEbxDGNM2QfaWR04e9yiMp1KGfXPp9FTOW84klP0VJfhjDhaY_nX3wjU/s1600/DSCN3804.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFTCPvzTCm7ls_EIMtPgo6Zx1bzYR8kCVtcRcWh4KH54Tp3kiLl-lkOxi76iXr3znlFon9sMEvbqEI3UL0EnlmEbxDGNM2QfaWR04e9yiMp1KGfXPp9FTOW84klP0VJfhjDhaY_nX3wjU/s320/DSCN3804.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643745029429651730" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXmZP2f0avE1DoWvG7pFgevD752p7Vif4pD60ZA8Ie7mXRZS0JHbKd9eosRHM_M03NhadaYhcz0WIBVP0NkUg-dzRYvXx8xMJuZ8CRG3EA_L1lLqF9L122XKhF5pjo1XTXtoEDBHV9b5k/s1600/DSCN3808.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXmZP2f0avE1DoWvG7pFgevD752p7Vif4pD60ZA8Ie7mXRZS0JHbKd9eosRHM_M03NhadaYhcz0WIBVP0NkUg-dzRYvXx8xMJuZ8CRG3EA_L1lLqF9L122XKhF5pjo1XTXtoEDBHV9b5k/s320/DSCN3808.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643744335873534626" border="0" /></a>The City of Cape Town<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </span>has an exciting programme for schools, involving drama and theatre. And there are three more inspiring stories one can read about in the garden.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-G15tCiHPstVdhfVzR2QszUhrIaT0d3gM5w_YlxXknO2HQFSJXRoPifhebKipfxeI4m5RZZK3VAEgWmUXTt02uOdGTGMxkYYkgFD6Nk5AAwefvWokHq1JcSOYYG_RYdL36Bs7lvxyw7E/s1600/DSCN3797.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-G15tCiHPstVdhfVzR2QszUhrIaT0d3gM5w_YlxXknO2HQFSJXRoPifhebKipfxeI4m5RZZK3VAEgWmUXTt02uOdGTGMxkYYkgFD6Nk5AAwefvWokHq1JcSOYYG_RYdL36Bs7lvxyw7E/s320/DSCN3797.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643744330694044882" border="0" /></a>In the <span style="font-style: italic;">Everything is Connected</span> theme area, the Knock-on Effect display received new full-colour signs.
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<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbm_NAE6gRv2ktKQqcLA9rlEP23BLYWku_3xpnA8aQt-TS-d5B4jk43OCBRfYQz9tu-avUNCSZaylZ8_PeASUjVjlIqRp6jeGZy-oksHt_q61Ei82NEbdZrVksG34bh1pws0u6Y49SlY/s1600/metalgrapho2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbm_NAE6gRv2ktKQqcLA9rlEP23BLYWku_3xpnA8aQt-TS-d5B4jk43OCBRfYQz9tu-avUNCSZaylZ8_PeASUjVjlIqRp6jeGZy-oksHt_q61Ei82NEbdZrVksG34bh1pws0u6Y49SlY/s320/metalgrapho2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643745033322784738" border="0" /></a>Metalgrapho have done the signage work - it has been a pleasure working with them.
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<br />Marijkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07067433608013964750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522946210309072814.post-71329958688104374372011-06-08T12:57:00.001-07:002011-06-08T13:38:07.422-07:00Flowering - right now!<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">After a long dry summer, and extended autumn, the winter rains have finally set in, and the Cape is lush and green again. The Biodiversity Garden is awash with flowers and colour.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUNqSQQ12VtBeDOG8h_r9YWNOlHH4P26ax9AnM-iAu4UzCEqz804uVaJ2zHNTfnoiK0x2RnuV6BabylIEm20um6oZXeldw5-2GWPIhuM_egZACP7O31iSjQITJq5YAkFl1ZhUDrA8jBs/s1600/kniphofia.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUNqSQQ12VtBeDOG8h_r9YWNOlHH4P26ax9AnM-iAu4UzCEqz804uVaJ2zHNTfnoiK0x2RnuV6BabylIEm20um6oZXeldw5-2GWPIhuM_egZACP7O31iSjQITJq5YAkFl1ZhUDrA8jBs/s400/kniphofia.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615943500659685586" border="0" /></a>Cheerful <span style="font-style: italic;">Kniphofia praecox </span>in the Attract Sunbirds display.<br /></div><br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5gvqPbzvBTLpYjksBtSgm5pI50zC8NW1v3eCPCzSB0GkICNKwgUpmjdAiaxXiY26WP0MB4xrB7g3aQ9G8gFo0CuHEj8yi_SWzezndxRyz1onveljZ_rq7yYBv3jVo0C6x_oOPFLFwbI/s1600/Eriocephalus.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5gvqPbzvBTLpYjksBtSgm5pI50zC8NW1v3eCPCzSB0GkICNKwgUpmjdAiaxXiY26WP0MB4xrB7g3aQ9G8gFo0CuHEj8yi_SWzezndxRyz1onveljZ_rq7yYBv3jVo0C6x_oOPFLFwbI/s400/Eriocephalus.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615943492743368994" border="0" /></a>The snowy white clusters of Wild Rosemary, <span style="font-style: italic;">Eriocephalus africanus.<br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD404wfLyrcY5yoTagD2Sb714QxYHO0rBVM3h9mF30Bv2FVhyphenhyphenZ90sG59QFw91NkrLkB9Nua-dZPC7lDsgtksjhy5BQKahCQN-ftzC3WbPPeOIg8-LlwTt2rLetbIKJQvvYp2iec6AZJSI/s1600/gnidia.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD404wfLyrcY5yoTagD2Sb714QxYHO0rBVM3h9mF30Bv2FVhyphenhyphenZ90sG59QFw91NkrLkB9Nua-dZPC7lDsgtksjhy5BQKahCQN-ftzC3WbPPeOIg8-LlwTt2rLetbIKJQvvYp2iec6AZJSI/s400/gnidia.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615943487728090194" border="0" /></a>Evening-scented <span style="font-style: italic;">Gnidia squarrosa</span>. This dainty yet hardy shrub has proven to be a reliable filler where plants have died from poor drainage. I first saw this species growing wild in a seasonal wetland in Vermaaklikheid - and indeed it seems to tolerate wet feet, or even thrive under these conditions.<br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisihy0lSZK4AiiQUk0fR5t1JotkXfr7I_Lr3aLFW2xVJNFWMDDTOy_uIn8BsXTMoRKrsr48JAw2IOTK0saNi3DtmLoRngK0Bvm81Nm0m0L1hjXMnqPCZfO_z4uVjbplE4Nt8IAvXc1mnQ/s1600/erica.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisihy0lSZK4AiiQUk0fR5t1JotkXfr7I_Lr3aLFW2xVJNFWMDDTOy_uIn8BsXTMoRKrsr48JAw2IOTK0saNi3DtmLoRngK0Bvm81Nm0m0L1hjXMnqPCZfO_z4uVjbplE4Nt8IAvXc1mnQ/s400/erica.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615943481941910162" border="0" /></a>The Fire Heath, <span style="font-style: italic;">Erica cerinthoides, </span>has been going strong all year.<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpuOWs-C6r4M6ciused4I9CqhjTOqKgt7_wqaQo762lGTZ4gPXeJIl1rlwshCaY1fiTgoNrnK-jctk48B02JiRJhC-PQKsLlm4K3unFTQCOR7to67GWmTATVhnGQtnRYQolPbZs6Vd7qY/s1600/Spiloxene.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpuOWs-C6r4M6ciused4I9CqhjTOqKgt7_wqaQo762lGTZ4gPXeJIl1rlwshCaY1fiTgoNrnK-jctk48B02JiRJhC-PQKsLlm4K3unFTQCOR7to67GWmTATVhnGQtnRYQolPbZs6Vd7qY/s400/Spiloxene.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615941520366606370" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Spiloxene aquatica </span>- Sterretjies (Afrikaans: 'little stars').<br />You'll find them in the pond.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimrUnwqNK1TjyRWFtN6g9wPqrEYC1J4FrWsJ7MqOaE5R6ITgMhjkTL2QjSse2_rf1RKPheYBTNtAnhPcrZocusIFMvM1WxQYW-afyNFSik0Qy8rCCN5p_qY6kQ_Ov839SegsiKmYoPITY/s1600/Spiloxene2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimrUnwqNK1TjyRWFtN6g9wPqrEYC1J4FrWsJ7MqOaE5R6ITgMhjkTL2QjSse2_rf1RKPheYBTNtAnhPcrZocusIFMvM1WxQYW-afyNFSik0Qy8rCCN5p_qY6kQ_Ov839SegsiKmYoPITY/s400/Spiloxene2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615941512347052578" border="0" /></a>And there's lots, lots more. If you haven't been to visit the Biodiversity Garden lately, it's a good time to visit.Marijkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07067433608013964750noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522946210309072814.post-9818616712524828302011-05-29T13:39:00.001-07:002011-05-29T14:21:14.187-07:00Something new in Green Point Park<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">ttt</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5m1nOKpOaRPVR8pFff-ef0cmkrQAw31yCTI1QVYTagh2SGDg-9RvwyJ01T5x4-VuMGt_510xYXL1k6NspAilrkWs8227ivf1LgsJH7tkguDCUUWNufXGPEaTaLpMw1r-PIYiiAigZ8m4/s1600/DSCN2331.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5m1nOKpOaRPVR8pFff-ef0cmkrQAw31yCTI1QVYTagh2SGDg-9RvwyJ01T5x4-VuMGt_510xYXL1k6NspAilrkWs8227ivf1LgsJH7tkguDCUUWNufXGPEaTaLpMw1r-PIYiiAigZ8m4/s400/DSCN2331.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612242617508093938" border="0" /></a>What's this, lurking behind the bushes?<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGd5x1yAvQVkP72vgECEUiomy7qewmwTYWQHuoYslT0yreai-qAhlI6WvV_qsjU7jG29DtH5xASbhwIHOQxa3aVTY5jONLHQNtWKMjSN3zmgsZipZMQMHpU6Hesh0x7c7jFMDBDLY0Rt8/s1600/DSCN2325.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGd5x1yAvQVkP72vgECEUiomy7qewmwTYWQHuoYslT0yreai-qAhlI6WvV_qsjU7jG29DtH5xASbhwIHOQxa3aVTY5jONLHQNtWKMjSN3zmgsZipZMQMHpU6Hesh0x7c7jFMDBDLY0Rt8/s400/DSCN2325.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612242611287351746" border="0" /></a>There's something new behind the grysbokkie...<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0gl_QBNwscoO6CjIBeI91KNis_rSgFspn4OUx_0vg4krlBMKW1PTAc0X66ODohLXcuSpwaFORQyJUbMsYvqUqtYAVLGWcAEBbZGOXn9rTlJ765HI0RWq8fzVnnQ23rNaOnIQgJcdmupM/s1600/DSCN2356.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0gl_QBNwscoO6CjIBeI91KNis_rSgFspn4OUx_0vg4krlBMKW1PTAc0X66ODohLXcuSpwaFORQyJUbMsYvqUqtYAVLGWcAEBbZGOXn9rTlJ765HI0RWq8fzVnnQ23rNaOnIQgJcdmupM/s400/DSCN2356.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612242621024921090" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Aha! - it's the new water wheel. It will be set into motion by spring water, which has been piped from natural springs in Oranjezicht to the Green Point Park. I am told the flow rate of the Camissa spring water is 4o liters per second - that's 2400 liters per minute! (actually that sounds too much - need to check this info). Anyway, energy generated by the water wheel will be used to power street lighting in the Park. Very neat.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02c24HrDaacrsPAzeKqKYado6NKl08BVNXK3gw8H7rp49-5PEw3WR7XGaY2KGIAx2I2EpS07BM6zG7S4wMZ0D54P-HrGh8a1WMBpWD9sCKVOajuJnuyhlDEbURvz2JWN2Ynjb-jvutXQ/s1600/DSCN2433.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02c24HrDaacrsPAzeKqKYado6NKl08BVNXK3gw8H7rp49-5PEw3WR7XGaY2KGIAx2I2EpS07BM6zG7S4wMZ0D54P-HrGh8a1WMBpWD9sCKVOajuJnuyhlDEbURvz2JWN2Ynjb-jvutXQ/s400/DSCN2433.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612242629848367042" border="0" /></a>And another beautiful wintry evening scene...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ObY8EEtlvV3u9GPocMckan_PgNG2Ss8X_ZbP_mWg9cI5Ee1gGKReQWOUE_FJjwdanmEU_ylS_TPPOdJs-0vkp-GKOwcfRDILqvssy3l5dCz3ioVtGsKewb4Ex6DUmjKN-6GVm9T3Dvk/s1600/DSCN2432.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ObY8EEtlvV3u9GPocMckan_PgNG2Ss8X_ZbP_mWg9cI5Ee1gGKReQWOUE_FJjwdanmEU_ylS_TPPOdJs-0vkp-GKOwcfRDILqvssy3l5dCz3ioVtGsKewb4Ex6DUmjKN-6GVm9T3Dvk/s400/DSCN2432.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612242625125677186" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Marijkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07067433608013964750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522946210309072814.post-26797566596349362832011-05-13T10:20:00.001-07:002011-05-23T15:15:21.760-07:00Biodiversity Garden - Visitors and EvaluationIs the interpretive signage in the Biodiversity Garden effective?<br />It is not an easy thing to evaluate, but I would say people are reading them. However the degree of <span style="font-style: italic;">interpretation </span>part is harder to evaluate. A few storyboards in the Garden engage the reader directly - e.g. <span style="font-style: italic;">Look up to Signal hill</span> - and so when you see someone looking up at the hill, then it's working.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKnKdAnyHcuT8qaixFN5FTGSY8J8ROTjD45nKpQ8NUxtoxGpRWRoV6Rfgunzb-fvVGdSEl87hx1CRzoKzAiWkxjAPwLL9TiPaapVjVCDptJPhyphenhyphen0RVjrVZhBpv6iJSwiScjaKEDf1fPsBs/s1600/DSCN2231.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKnKdAnyHcuT8qaixFN5FTGSY8J8ROTjD45nKpQ8NUxtoxGpRWRoV6Rfgunzb-fvVGdSEl87hx1CRzoKzAiWkxjAPwLL9TiPaapVjVCDptJPhyphenhyphen0RVjrVZhBpv6iJSwiScjaKEDf1fPsBs/s400/DSCN2231.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606966234505132882" border="0" /></a>I noticed these two ladies read almost <span style="font-style: italic;">every </span>single sign in the People and Plants theme area, and looked pretty absorbed. The lady in black was leaning forward - means the text is a bit too small.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwOyPeSj7GsJod6rQ_1QS2gRhF4q-hfZJHL83J0xR-T9aFXw_dD21EVVWCD-KrNL2uF2xqjYzbVwGfeGX6TV5ktnIRmJo77otKdmgP614yQL_slcL5AuRloxy-5qiiCHHcaYB1DPfc79E/s1600/DSCN2239.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwOyPeSj7GsJod6rQ_1QS2gRhF4q-hfZJHL83J0xR-T9aFXw_dD21EVVWCD-KrNL2uF2xqjYzbVwGfeGX6TV5ktnIRmJo77otKdmgP614yQL_slcL5AuRloxy-5qiiCHHcaYB1DPfc79E/s400/DSCN2239.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606259241259063506" border="0" /></a>I just missed the moment: when this lady bent down to pick and smell a piece of wild rosemary - as invited by the storyboard: <span style="font-style: italic;">Reach out to the wild rosemary bush in front of you. Squeeze some leaves gently and smell your fingers. Would you cook with this herb?<br /></span>John Roff was instrumental in co-writing the texts and finding opportunities to engage visitors. I find this kind of <span style="font-style: italic;">interpretation in action </span>rewarding and exciting!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZJg2GXANSPiWbjl1NmtrXqZIVDM5HXUmbgvULlt4R4QxOz4q7CsQs_Fp2lFyl44Auat5xb4W79ZxCSUQIAmdOyr1A8uzf2lAKnHvoc-oG96XQMzX8jo1FxdWaSA9am8L0hq_9wYocMg/s1600/DSCN2243.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZJg2GXANSPiWbjl1NmtrXqZIVDM5HXUmbgvULlt4R4QxOz4q7CsQs_Fp2lFyl44Auat5xb4W79ZxCSUQIAmdOyr1A8uzf2lAKnHvoc-oG96XQMzX8jo1FxdWaSA9am8L0hq_9wYocMg/s400/DSCN2243.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606259244960070690" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjq_HE1NC9g77ufYRG-Y_SMr-Qode1scw2DAgL9eikx_t4u6nFM_e02yyuIwamwN5-WGCnl0sGaiOiUHAaMOJoad8GwsUlxDY3LpcPLMICytOEi46MdHMGUeD05n6TfpJ7JtVqanucp9E/s1600/DSCN2246.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjq_HE1NC9g77ufYRG-Y_SMr-Qode1scw2DAgL9eikx_t4u6nFM_e02yyuIwamwN5-WGCnl0sGaiOiUHAaMOJoad8GwsUlxDY3LpcPLMICytOEi46MdHMGUeD05n6TfpJ7JtVqanucp9E/s400/DSCN2246.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606259254114672514" border="0" /></a>A cold misty morning (13 degrees) and yet there was a group of school kids in the garden.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitu3ckxdVIYfZRWuIbbXd6_5wPXuudY7ZQszhnHaHQvTg7_2ITAdRLB88Ksa248Z7T-RJXaxTZPcHmp5o_UNG3lYj4RnyDfBHx0dV3dnU40OnJv1YeqnHvWF6Os5Wi9nDOdoho9NKLVog/s1600/DSCN2302.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitu3ckxdVIYfZRWuIbbXd6_5wPXuudY7ZQszhnHaHQvTg7_2ITAdRLB88Ksa248Z7T-RJXaxTZPcHmp5o_UNG3lYj4RnyDfBHx0dV3dnU40OnJv1YeqnHvWF6Os5Wi9nDOdoho9NKLVog/s400/DSCN2302.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609997828652546610" border="0" /></a>Here Wendy Hitchcock is with a school group on another cold morning - playing a climate change game. I heard a roar of excitement and later I heard from Wendy that they were cheering for the roll of the dice which would create a mass extinction!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqqpgxyZeTUxRWSR-tdyvlib3spT58yo0GAwu8a-CHwRQIgr6z5tnTNuqwJgh3dF7vZQa8OWRWBdpxdbiKjpo2GGaCH-GWqn3zE3WBe8d19kMpW_5UTzn6lhSeiqWBHLWr-HwoF1bl8oI/s1600/DSCN2360.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 276px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqqpgxyZeTUxRWSR-tdyvlib3spT58yo0GAwu8a-CHwRQIgr6z5tnTNuqwJgh3dF7vZQa8OWRWBdpxdbiKjpo2GGaCH-GWqn3zE3WBe8d19kMpW_5UTzn6lhSeiqWBHLWr-HwoF1bl8oI/s400/DSCN2360.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609997856347523042" border="0" /></a>The visitor's book is almost full. Many comments refer to people feeling proud of our City and what it has achieved (in the Park). There are hundreds of thank yous - a wonderful sense of gratitude.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhES-BS5V74Kqah1W6lqeipCnUiplELJMKBO377Us0l2F2FQnoZECRZxxk7FK87q-VuoMKBR2Ev-Mglv2SPEg1aO8qnXa6UQ_EpexVnNaLpSDirELDx-vCLcGDvbvnExRGPAx9eBnaHDYY/s1600/DSCN2235.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhES-BS5V74Kqah1W6lqeipCnUiplELJMKBO377Us0l2F2FQnoZECRZxxk7FK87q-VuoMKBR2Ev-Mglv2SPEg1aO8qnXa6UQ_EpexVnNaLpSDirELDx-vCLcGDvbvnExRGPAx9eBnaHDYY/s400/DSCN2235.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606956169187439186" border="0" /></a>And then there are the visitors of a different kind: a bee collecting pollen from the sour fig, <span style="font-style: italic;">Carpobrotus acinaciformis. </span>Plus 2 other insects.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_gnE-vuy5brZtgGrLsYXJTX3DBWwukPkuhBJCHrcMtVs7QkANt1T1rehbGpk9xCvOGlgJdyYDvUAStsmgq_2943HZecc95AUcS4BhOVLEF92EP1DKMmlQxNsYHJ5OUtQGUbMXq71Y64c/s1600/caterpillar.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_gnE-vuy5brZtgGrLsYXJTX3DBWwukPkuhBJCHrcMtVs7QkANt1T1rehbGpk9xCvOGlgJdyYDvUAStsmgq_2943HZecc95AUcS4BhOVLEF92EP1DKMmlQxNsYHJ5OUtQGUbMXq71Y64c/s320/caterpillar.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606253494459661026" border="0" /></a>I was wondering why some climbers on the Dome had no leaves? One of the Kirstebosch guides pointed out this fat fellow - about 10cm long and as thick as a fat cigar. I wonder what moth or butterfly it will turn into?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqjU82W19Gwl8eo4LlVhq9Yt2RUsTzzmmxt79QkRxhoJXkj4PC56aAfao6GZDQ_69yjqPAJ-Ul5OZeohzQBUs3fp2FjuHWt91EbN84fxfO5yFGS0TJV_GofvctYqrLcqkpamz3DASLuI/s1600/DSCN1743.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqjU82W19Gwl8eo4LlVhq9Yt2RUsTzzmmxt79QkRxhoJXkj4PC56aAfao6GZDQ_69yjqPAJ-Ul5OZeohzQBUs3fp2FjuHWt91EbN84fxfO5yFGS0TJV_GofvctYqrLcqkpamz3DASLuI/s320/DSCN1743.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606253503176789314" border="0" /></a>Visitors from the Stellenbosch municipality testing the Exercise equipment. And a small sample of folk going through the Biodiversity Garden last Friday, 19th May:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsVFC0QyLaW4vWRv1JbciYaqtkKSMcCJdXHkv3K1FlbF9BdcCwxo7uyDHnCpBKpYunVDYc7fVO3NRPa6S6xZea1peXSLIH3JbrAgvRqXd160Wmk9k9tGNLeQG5oBnaPNBdYPad7NoSSA/s1600/DSCN2355.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsVFC0QyLaW4vWRv1JbciYaqtkKSMcCJdXHkv3K1FlbF9BdcCwxo7uyDHnCpBKpYunVDYc7fVO3NRPa6S6xZea1peXSLIH3JbrAgvRqXd160Wmk9k9tGNLeQG5oBnaPNBdYPad7NoSSA/s400/DSCN2355.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609997850490690514" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO9WwoO5bAZXWj9MvQ26Cs5kqrg1CFPndrOzALQenrP-e1TWxHOIwv3Od-w6C0pyNho8jNBKY3bk47vkAvZDBK-HneMoAUpVU8qMOnHPU_ciM4oCozMhK1rB2PQJscLDB0ib0krSNZ_Pk/s1600/DSCN2320.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO9WwoO5bAZXWj9MvQ26Cs5kqrg1CFPndrOzALQenrP-e1TWxHOIwv3Od-w6C0pyNho8jNBKY3bk47vkAvZDBK-HneMoAUpVU8qMOnHPU_ciM4oCozMhK1rB2PQJscLDB0ib0krSNZ_Pk/s400/DSCN2320.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609997837536954818" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNUi6CDflpiDRWgjcuxmmv1z51oyoLEVGhHZTpt3JTqYvnhZtetetBCh6WbcwE13rueOmvmehdGF3vJozOD0AyKHNQzUw8AqVplYzGPhyphenhyphenjYCLsdh_9U-Qh7HafKHCvX0fAbcflzcMP7C4/s1600/DSCN2352.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNUi6CDflpiDRWgjcuxmmv1z51oyoLEVGhHZTpt3JTqYvnhZtetetBCh6WbcwE13rueOmvmehdGF3vJozOD0AyKHNQzUw8AqVplYzGPhyphenhyphenjYCLsdh_9U-Qh7HafKHCvX0fAbcflzcMP7C4/s400/DSCN2352.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609997842691563730" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgnJTmGnkacUCdFc2IU-DiU9LwR6HNgnsZWuq617ilJ6eP-S2-KOdFtLVpfHrfhLQbx8J0H2Jbrc1-ToPPfRIqChEwIPj-ipQBRJwWfBBB0-fO7I9kjU13HVHBe4t2qWcpjc02RF-VBrE/s1600/DSCN1740.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgnJTmGnkacUCdFc2IU-DiU9LwR6HNgnsZWuq617ilJ6eP-S2-KOdFtLVpfHrfhLQbx8J0H2Jbrc1-ToPPfRIqChEwIPj-ipQBRJwWfBBB0-fO7I9kjU13HVHBe4t2qWcpjc02RF-VBrE/s320/DSCN1740.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606253497676608418" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZgAjgPJ4wZrqtsZMJFUQeWzPFffUg1siHYSiY1CG62GIjkDfJJqHVgrg5ufxpUXxEiaNPxGWM4S9koBKD2RmPZfTZi9byP3ucZQM0hQzqtVhQcMiHQmtyjfm-r-JrsO7AvlL_N-MMQaI/s1600/DSCN2249.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZgAjgPJ4wZrqtsZMJFUQeWzPFffUg1siHYSiY1CG62GIjkDfJJqHVgrg5ufxpUXxEiaNPxGWM4S9koBKD2RmPZfTZi9byP3ucZQM0hQzqtVhQcMiHQmtyjfm-r-JrsO7AvlL_N-MMQaI/s400/DSCN2249.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606259257022097154" border="0" /></a>On misty mornings the Garden is bejewelled with spider webs...it's magical.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9WWT1zOb6ZyXi2Mtu8yxdvPliaDasetFnlhWUSpj95A9JnY2MpmC2tLEpISVF-bFrbEsXYh9eH4WZRD02VeL4MIWs0S4KdpA0A_rIREWGfDE7WvLGfOFQcVTOYmyBxLCrlyMbSW6I8s/s1600/DSCN2253.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9WWT1zOb6ZyXi2Mtu8yxdvPliaDasetFnlhWUSpj95A9JnY2MpmC2tLEpISVF-bFrbEsXYh9eH4WZRD02VeL4MIWs0S4KdpA0A_rIREWGfDE7WvLGfOFQcVTOYmyBxLCrlyMbSW6I8s/s400/DSCN2253.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606966799416229202" border="0" /></a><br />Our<b style=""> goal </b>is<b style=""> </b>that people leave the Biodiversity Garden with an <b>understanding</b> of biodiversity and why we need it; a <span style="font-weight: bold;">love </span>for our natural heritage and the <b>desire to care</b> for it for future generations.<br /><br />Are we achieving this goal? How does one measure whether it's working?<br />Although we've had a positive response from the public (in the visitor comments book, on radio phone-ins, emails, during guided walks) it remains a tricky thing to measure. How does one evaluate 'love' and a desire to care?<br /><br />And the 'understanding of biodiversity' - how does one test someone's knowledge without putting them on the spot?<br /><br />I would welcome any ideas you may have.Marijkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07067433608013964750noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522946210309072814.post-29609844885169444872011-04-17T11:48:00.001-07:002011-04-17T12:38:18.968-07:00Walk up Muizenberg PeakA few Sundays ago we walked up Muizenberg Peak from Boyes Drive, above Lakeside. It is a short but stunning walk, offering 360 degree views of the Peninsula.<br /><br />The weather was sunny-cloudy, with ever-changing light and lovely saturated colours. There was a sailing regatta on Zandvlei - from afar it looked like white confetti on the water.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiWnf-mHtpaKhRTEa1G7SQjRx9kllOgcGoBSjTWsSaLIjpZpJv0dsViPf3SNTwL_XQp08i5CQK98SYtfj2Md_ye9clRdOZRc9GHXskPAqrzyqDsw28bq2Qh_WAUuhHYmOvU8KgzvuDkQw/s1600/DSCN1776.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiWnf-mHtpaKhRTEa1G7SQjRx9kllOgcGoBSjTWsSaLIjpZpJv0dsViPf3SNTwL_XQp08i5CQK98SYtfj2Md_ye9clRdOZRc9GHXskPAqrzyqDsw28bq2Qh_WAUuhHYmOvU8KgzvuDkQw/s320/DSCN1776.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596631806509984802" border="0" /></a>After a short steep ascent, I looked back and found myself perfectly on axis with Main Rd. It runs like a straight stripe into the distance, connecting a string of southern suburbs, from Kenilworth to Lakeside.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJzZVBSFNhHvFYNQfsmylTHm5CjdZSs6FqxiUxtPwVP408IjKLo91aZ4GvoFjX2xY3I9EHgpqmGQyy1ZMsPtivNDee6G721huPyVR-GfhUGclO0ZuYAQAy1dtcvHNgBX0zSCEWtUSRYwc/s1600/DSCN1779.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJzZVBSFNhHvFYNQfsmylTHm5CjdZSs6FqxiUxtPwVP408IjKLo91aZ4GvoFjX2xY3I9EHgpqmGQyy1ZMsPtivNDee6G721huPyVR-GfhUGclO0ZuYAQAy1dtcvHNgBX0zSCEWtUSRYwc/s320/DSCN1779.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596631793226039074" border="0" /></a>From Muizenberg Peak, there is a layered view featuring water: Zandvlei in the foreground; Marina da Gama - a housing development built on the water in the 1970s; and the sewerage works in the far distance.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTpSDc8_fZn52WCcM2HNhoSnvEF-7htQN4BxVAlWOtwi5a1Tc_QHRagCizuxIH-LWZ6-RpZXWJfZX9Bx1Yiw-GiGhMlkskByZOl0VtZhmEtEjatQWMRbGd8MZDjjaccjWI59PSnvO5O3s/s1600/DSCN1790.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTpSDc8_fZn52WCcM2HNhoSnvEF-7htQN4BxVAlWOtwi5a1Tc_QHRagCizuxIH-LWZ6-RpZXWJfZX9Bx1Yiw-GiGhMlkskByZOl0VtZhmEtEjatQWMRbGd8MZDjjaccjWI59PSnvO5O3s/s320/DSCN1790.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596631787205570866" border="0" /></a>Looking south-west, with Noordhoek beach visible in the gap...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpHVL8BGwFXWylf5Qd0aH4SuJUUhUB0BMGunWhwCZR6uaaiv3BNaz3HAR1UO616yaWmdJrSdqZuMzovembX6rnVVdIGtFL8MQoTLIeQr7ak2mIO81ALbJr-9Q4EC7AMURj5vz2i8v5yJg/s1600/DSCN1793.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpHVL8BGwFXWylf5Qd0aH4SuJUUhUB0BMGunWhwCZR6uaaiv3BNaz3HAR1UO616yaWmdJrSdqZuMzovembX6rnVVdIGtFL8MQoTLIeQr7ak2mIO81ALbJr-9Q4EC7AMURj5vz2i8v5yJg/s320/DSCN1793.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596631777973776114" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">And looking south-east towards Simonstown...<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvKXnVqW9f7zsAdWfvEn_DfTyrCPR3xJ66AiONjNSORtRztaCwOTfDUhD0I7p56jmkgZ-IILCXvUwRX5EdXr0fveDv5gUbGvV42kO8KWHubkZqOPhgCRNMcd2MS8uOT4gEHO2tLSyzP8/s1600/DSCN1797.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvKXnVqW9f7zsAdWfvEn_DfTyrCPR3xJ66AiONjNSORtRztaCwOTfDUhD0I7p56jmkgZ-IILCXvUwRX5EdXr0fveDv5gUbGvV42kO8KWHubkZqOPhgCRNMcd2MS8uOT4gEHO2tLSyzP8/s320/DSCN1797.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596631770653029362" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8iWGyDxlOpmhHKcz6k25a7UgRJ5axVSuLv_chb4L_WOrLVTSrcM03vxqEKSSAPM5GaLGBpgpfQuh2GLJ2Vo9qb8sCZDkVieuxyDPVKNOSKlg1UhW9EShVQwfigx5IbC21Uj6-HLPsnFc/s1600/DSCN1800.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8iWGyDxlOpmhHKcz6k25a7UgRJ5axVSuLv_chb4L_WOrLVTSrcM03vxqEKSSAPM5GaLGBpgpfQuh2GLJ2Vo9qb8sCZDkVieuxyDPVKNOSKlg1UhW9EShVQwfigx5IbC21Uj6-HLPsnFc/s320/DSCN1800.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596628804603523346" border="0" /></a>The King Protea doing its regal thing in the fynbos.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAmKRSsNh7QJgwn4C3ONbhmteBLoAjNhpPnw17Bw82aFnhO_hRLcl2KN0HPqqJJD8dvfrrqm73c5Ho-vD4Rid2Y5F6Vgk1YkHBQH1PmeyC74oFnLMpag2SZv0P5lOuWuHSgDs9_S7HEAw/s1600/DSCN1807.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAmKRSsNh7QJgwn4C3ONbhmteBLoAjNhpPnw17Bw82aFnhO_hRLcl2KN0HPqqJJD8dvfrrqm73c5Ho-vD4Rid2Y5F6Vgk1YkHBQH1PmeyC74oFnLMpag2SZv0P5lOuWuHSgDs9_S7HEAw/s320/DSCN1807.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596628793924658818" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_nNv-AKuZO_ldR2VEZ7kqXxMWnbQOxAkgn6CeYu7skGrlGzKVzhK6mXMQW1rAGTah2YieWvssj-PEwmEz-uPWoqVsnY9JOCW7K2VLBZYAm35_r0nmLWxgyDOcAtPoT0dV45cHeGBVic/s1600/DSCN1823.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_nNv-AKuZO_ldR2VEZ7kqXxMWnbQOxAkgn6CeYu7skGrlGzKVzhK6mXMQW1rAGTah2YieWvssj-PEwmEz-uPWoqVsnY9JOCW7K2VLBZYAm35_r0nmLWxgyDOcAtPoT0dV45cHeGBVic/s320/DSCN1823.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596628787063008306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Erica urna-viridis</span> - a sticky green erica which is endemic to the Silvermine Mountains.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIdsfGIJRnBj26s95hPhWE-9Ksy4oW3kXC8-oXoTxXgF9Pboymqzz_gHy2wzc2LDqgCW8IgQV5yfGYRKd8w1IlkXOu39N5lcF2n9fpT0aDDRZIew2y-uyNqHtw_cv4LPF0QUmsyPr4N-I/s1600/DSCN1826.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIdsfGIJRnBj26s95hPhWE-9Ksy4oW3kXC8-oXoTxXgF9Pboymqzz_gHy2wzc2LDqgCW8IgQV5yfGYRKd8w1IlkXOu39N5lcF2n9fpT0aDDRZIew2y-uyNqHtw_cv4LPF0QUmsyPr4N-I/s320/DSCN1826.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596628775525846130" border="0" /></a>Beautiful views across False Bay, towards Hangklip.<br />And a last pic taken of the False Bay coast.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWrg0nBfzoVpi6xKCNnJxytt7UkKoDURSIXSztAMpgaKxzum2_Jki1td0IKVh8eibijQPUOzrEfjgBz4YoF0oCvq0w-MfWbeOAxj8dfkMEs7SF28hu2pBAU-L1jDLciEp0AShiUJ-Sn0/s1600/DSCN1833.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWrg0nBfzoVpi6xKCNnJxytt7UkKoDURSIXSztAMpgaKxzum2_Jki1td0IKVh8eibijQPUOzrEfjgBz4YoF0oCvq0w-MfWbeOAxj8dfkMEs7SF28hu2pBAU-L1jDLciEp0AShiUJ-Sn0/s320/DSCN1833.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596628767976027538" border="0" /></a>Marijkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07067433608013964750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522946210309072814.post-14736289682326132192011-04-07T05:55:00.001-07:002011-04-07T06:31:18.886-07:00Sunday - Concert in the Park<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">t</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMXMEGMdHLPDQY11PFxlCmVyJtFDnn95yFPHaFmS31DDyxVTXyZYaU6L-kbH4gsR7_vgQ70VagZX6eIcIr5eVWhUN5tS578Nk8Pftp-26EZmb-hJgW7yRXxVBTxStcLQwnM6LrQfYOdM/s1600/DSC_0191.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMXMEGMdHLPDQY11PFxlCmVyJtFDnn95yFPHaFmS31DDyxVTXyZYaU6L-kbH4gsR7_vgQ70VagZX6eIcIr5eVWhUN5tS578Nk8Pftp-26EZmb-hJgW7yRXxVBTxStcLQwnM6LrQfYOdM/s320/DSC_0191.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592830107111450146" border="0" /></a><br />On Sunday, 3rd April the City hosted its first concert in the Green Point Park. Stephen Granger attended the event with his photographer's eye and long lens. Judging by the pics, there were many people enjoying themselves, and the event was a great success.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilSsrCSYO8V1f5swvtA7gDgKFweqCpH-acn4C8DlyuwBhRAGEHeusuqhJmy8eAeq4_GL_VmSK1e6eNYORnkVt_6ozpvn_IDrmHdFOt6Sjo_K2R6Kd7b5gEG-NjHgob3uQobEyIlw-x97U/s1600/DSC_0268.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilSsrCSYO8V1f5swvtA7gDgKFweqCpH-acn4C8DlyuwBhRAGEHeusuqhJmy8eAeq4_GL_VmSK1e6eNYORnkVt_6ozpvn_IDrmHdFOt6Sjo_K2R6Kd7b5gEG-NjHgob3uQobEyIlw-x97U/s320/DSC_0268.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592830109103267378" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrBeUyrM4sq8roNpVZnGDHjp8Fu_EGZWhyRYBWdRCZb3wK39ldYM3F4fZMJZtTanfVo3rMsrUzVOZFZVeSZLf8phY8kGcmB8nnPR2Ivdm9__UI0bBolbXnjB2s2eGdxnEPb2datvJ1f5w/s1600/DSC_0141.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrBeUyrM4sq8roNpVZnGDHjp8Fu_EGZWhyRYBWdRCZb3wK39ldYM3F4fZMJZtTanfVo3rMsrUzVOZFZVeSZLf8phY8kGcmB8nnPR2Ivdm9__UI0bBolbXnjB2s2eGdxnEPb2datvJ1f5w/s320/DSC_0141.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592826629281573250" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4UmQAhqG7MU22Ocn16vCbv6is3Q2soumXiNqeUFyc2bhhH22V6eDlOnD8InLXXJwxA7seJfvLy5qyY4HEKMRHGhRybjMG2fG1vV925puHDEH6Jkiq5G6g2fM81wxzmsZKX5vQ8UrRKuQ/s1600/DSC_0125.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4UmQAhqG7MU22Ocn16vCbv6is3Q2soumXiNqeUFyc2bhhH22V6eDlOnD8InLXXJwxA7seJfvLy5qyY4HEKMRHGhRybjMG2fG1vV925puHDEH6Jkiq5G6g2fM81wxzmsZKX5vQ8UrRKuQ/s320/DSC_0125.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592826628706093826" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-CH8sMmLlSF9wTGbyj2N2ySeNCQvb3UaWNeBDEL8z6JU5H-Z7lYUoSNMVlMhxO-dzrph7u6C7I3WyWQWALyA9s88-4maDNOqbmUlOh9wnOVCdM1gXzsnP6yRSqHfSLoH0XTrNCCV7Zsg/s1600/DSC_0116.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-CH8sMmLlSF9wTGbyj2N2ySeNCQvb3UaWNeBDEL8z6JU5H-Z7lYUoSNMVlMhxO-dzrph7u6C7I3WyWQWALyA9s88-4maDNOqbmUlOh9wnOVCdM1gXzsnP6yRSqHfSLoH0XTrNCCV7Zsg/s320/DSC_0116.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592826624068275202" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJax8Mb5SnV8_LtJra8Gb1G9W7JPX-GjqN728JlpGF119G6G5gXx0ewhYgc0tbokb93SRzYvrGlSnsxDSnYk_Nm7XCoFJbBBs2twfXWJhn4IL9Yfz6-R3l5BvJFEOZ1YERUGC2-W_tfQ/s1600/DSC_0092.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJax8Mb5SnV8_LtJra8Gb1G9W7JPX-GjqN728JlpGF119G6G5gXx0ewhYgc0tbokb93SRzYvrGlSnsxDSnYk_Nm7XCoFJbBBs2twfXWJhn4IL9Yfz6-R3l5BvJFEOZ1YERUGC2-W_tfQ/s320/DSC_0092.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592826618946332018" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjefwDBCs_U81E1uunqdQNq7LS3ySiuB_k5nGWsUrbx-C17UiameMNEENJ2xrBQHHVVFuyMfGq90aXuq1gOq3xqrghYot0hWrwApO7-59j2enwDnrF8_QFAbNB4Ob4w8q_Q7LK3TkNSGVs/s1600/DSC_0187.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjefwDBCs_U81E1uunqdQNq7LS3ySiuB_k5nGWsUrbx-C17UiameMNEENJ2xrBQHHVVFuyMfGq90aXuq1gOq3xqrghYot0hWrwApO7-59j2enwDnrF8_QFAbNB4Ob4w8q_Q7LK3TkNSGVs/s320/DSC_0187.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592826633424297298" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNkiY_IR5lPE_CRdxPfyhW5mnBeXxc1shiefhYMNagTCG_vSibGkzn1G5cg2D0AcjaALgZkGe69zDKealpJ1vQ79n_0tKkAZrBfXnZa3gxkKFGkqCdNDL3E9BukluGEmMR1WuIUBCAHU/s1600/DSC_0305-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNkiY_IR5lPE_CRdxPfyhW5mnBeXxc1shiefhYMNagTCG_vSibGkzn1G5cg2D0AcjaALgZkGe69zDKealpJ1vQ79n_0tKkAZrBfXnZa3gxkKFGkqCdNDL3E9BukluGEmMR1WuIUBCAHU/s320/DSC_0305-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592830124772192370" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuk95Ud_2ct4Ap8r_ogjqCBiwXjw1mskV9gp7ZSmly-lVogD3j3s-4tBlFJptPZhhIEBhH4ZcsKt9bJis-NMlqcfYHkkvIxRMa-02EJ9ghKqL6TsszGk7ijpl4rBfnI_lIE_yE1VhsQTo/s1600/DSC_0296.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuk95Ud_2ct4Ap8r_ogjqCBiwXjw1mskV9gp7ZSmly-lVogD3j3s-4tBlFJptPZhhIEBhH4ZcsKt9bJis-NMlqcfYHkkvIxRMa-02EJ9ghKqL6TsszGk7ijpl4rBfnI_lIE_yE1VhsQTo/s320/DSC_0296.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592830120230492226" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaxQqnBqZbfGPEJqh3D9J2yYcm3uAcUY3TdfKO3P0W9_wv7uio5v2J_uiD0MLfJ9s4uPfRn968h-cN0ujC5L810PcUdg4YU-kcnJnvfncGUVj7u4DiyF32Dnst1_AR7EWp-XA7AqBrv0I/s1600/DSC_0288.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaxQqnBqZbfGPEJqh3D9J2yYcm3uAcUY3TdfKO3P0W9_wv7uio5v2J_uiD0MLfJ9s4uPfRn968h-cN0ujC5L810PcUdg4YU-kcnJnvfncGUVj7u4DiyF32Dnst1_AR7EWp-XA7AqBrv0I/s320/DSC_0288.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592830115282134146" border="0" /></a>Thanks Stephen for sharing your photos.<br /></div>Marijkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07067433608013964750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522946210309072814.post-40938413316470811252011-03-23T05:11:00.001-07:002011-03-23T06:03:59.848-07:00Biodiversity Garden Update<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">t</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKhREk67xeysp2AnCPi5g0Dyb4QMhuOLjZfWkoSf1A0tIq7hHLaqWC7dqBSihTVEAil0OMmoBH_mxRz4OxQ9KkbIAqYl3_6cOGQSOMY9hwnxwAajiHesabEvcyHOrlyx65WoHCrV25ekI/s1600/intro.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKhREk67xeysp2AnCPi5g0Dyb4QMhuOLjZfWkoSf1A0tIq7hHLaqWC7dqBSihTVEAil0OMmoBH_mxRz4OxQ9KkbIAqYl3_6cOGQSOMY9hwnxwAajiHesabEvcyHOrlyx65WoHCrV25ekI/s320/intro.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587249067523158146" border="0" /></a><br />What's happening in the Biodiversity Garden these days? It's the end of summer, so not many local Cape species are in flower. But fynbos is all about foliage textures, so there is plenty to enjoy.<br /><br />In the photo above there is Leucadendron 'Blush' - a selection of <span style="font-style: italic;">Leucadendron salignum </span>with gorgeous wine-red involucral bracts - shown off against fine-leaved grey Slangbos (<span style="font-style: italic;">Stoebe plumosa</span>) growing behind.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXoJAF8PYFSV4_LzpUkZmDKsDimqFB7-d0u7LQBsKHi10NZZx1OT8mrsopICUxX0f0Zg8f3x6gTKUd9I93RJlHuz34eCACwpPWNmHxbaH7JUO1KeAaC6NalBMq6Mq8fUoSf4tGFaFcQSY/s1600/leonotus.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXoJAF8PYFSV4_LzpUkZmDKsDimqFB7-d0u7LQBsKHi10NZZx1OT8mrsopICUxX0f0Zg8f3x6gTKUd9I93RJlHuz34eCACwpPWNmHxbaH7JUO1KeAaC6NalBMq6Mq8fUoSf4tGFaFcQSY/s320/leonotus.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587247983811414498" border="0" /></a>Wild Dagga (<span style="font-style: italic;">Leonotis leonurus</span>) is in full flower in the Medicinal Plants display. Much to my delight we spotted a sunbird visiting the flowers last week, feasting on nectar.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOO5bzu75LoZMiGjJE3lmdJSzy2dTMRRXWcHzgQhR5XYf9wMpC9jTQ68BRAitm2dAOpBy7pyurJoJDcX9cf_ctAz-dtWFI3w8XOLhun_YwSSl-e5vUVZO_6tKhs5e4ozb81nzMU0wJ4o/s1600/metalasia.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOO5bzu75LoZMiGjJE3lmdJSzy2dTMRRXWcHzgQhR5XYf9wMpC9jTQ68BRAitm2dAOpBy7pyurJoJDcX9cf_ctAz-dtWFI3w8XOLhun_YwSSl-e5vUVZO_6tKhs5e4ozb81nzMU0wJ4o/s320/metalasia.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587247975795407122" border="0" /></a>Blombos (<span style="font-style: italic;">Metalasia muricata) </span>is a wonderful texture plant - seen here in the Coastal thicket. The beaded creatures have taken on a slighty faded hue, and are now lurking among plants, instead of a stark new landscape...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBFtjNCY7jVk2u2tIRvzdPK7l5NJ0ZDQjVZtC-S4EY1gf_1Fy9OrUmWupdh338OOy6c-qtSDXg9QSiN4b1VhUWBNsqwNFNNKdUshoBvXPLCAqeogk2-x4oa0GevtPPY8Y6D7kcLetoGFM/s1600/ladybird.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBFtjNCY7jVk2u2tIRvzdPK7l5NJ0ZDQjVZtC-S4EY1gf_1Fy9OrUmWupdh338OOy6c-qtSDXg9QSiN4b1VhUWBNsqwNFNNKdUshoBvXPLCAqeogk2-x4oa0GevtPPY8Y6D7kcLetoGFM/s320/ladybird.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587247969176285522" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQmZW93jZRf7E74hlTBF43wXVaF4wLCT5OjkCNkULbJ8d-bJQQLUq8emu9XJ3bOLikAxc3knvFd1Qh086jGbtHN4aFk9HNCzRrZQYhKxA1R8RwsFhtawJfuxvhoVsrEuy2eSC-tKsCGqM/s1600/chameleon.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQmZW93jZRf7E74hlTBF43wXVaF4wLCT5OjkCNkULbJ8d-bJQQLUq8emu9XJ3bOLikAxc3knvFd1Qh086jGbtHN4aFk9HNCzRrZQYhKxA1R8RwsFhtawJfuxvhoVsrEuy2eSC-tKsCGqM/s320/chameleon.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587249061229758722" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitsVa9TXWPpnZcgIPGhxJ3RxqoTZ-2LfAsXdL3X4uWOlY_qsCnGSkXImxRCH80jPIIm56kfuGBX_cw9JB_OfYEfX-VCgpwXGkNvc67XovzBRg26R5zaFf3twW4zIAae7O4MNSphdFMk7A/s1600/aloe+commixta.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitsVa9TXWPpnZcgIPGhxJ3RxqoTZ-2LfAsXdL3X4uWOlY_qsCnGSkXImxRCH80jPIIm56kfuGBX_cw9JB_OfYEfX-VCgpwXGkNvc67XovzBRg26R5zaFf3twW4zIAae7O4MNSphdFMk7A/s320/aloe+commixta.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587249057040055074" border="0" /></a><br />In the Amazing Cape display we have an exciting addition: <span style="font-style: italic;">Aloe commixta, </span>a rambling aloe which is endemic to the Cape Peninsula (bottom left, above). A member of the public kindly offered these plants from his garden. The story of this aloe gift and their planting has been documented by SABC Greenline, so look out for it on tv.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGx_wY5y2DftVl2PA2LF_qEKIO4Ewa9skL4p_TuYCFaGvTNLVQskY3BJE6pGpFARvuA9VR1H-4zHU51q7HhYHnImJ-BDXaIInusthn_HtQpxIAyeT7su-pjTQuYsngBAVodUWk0yN7u90/s1600/hut.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGx_wY5y2DftVl2PA2LF_qEKIO4Ewa9skL4p_TuYCFaGvTNLVQskY3BJE6pGpFARvuA9VR1H-4zHU51q7HhYHnImJ-BDXaIInusthn_HtQpxIAyeT7su-pjTQuYsngBAVodUWk0yN7u90/s320/hut.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587247971529217874" border="0" /></a>The Khoikhoi huts are looking more natural, surrounded by soft grasses and renosterveld. Below: <span style="font-style: italic;">Hyparrhenia hirta </span>(left), <span style="font-style: italic;">Cymbopogon </span>(? middle) and <span style="font-style: italic;">Eragrostis curvula</span> (right)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiae34Ph71e8nbjQJ7QoqqZvW2828deIeNQKepDmiJGCl1mCSxGh7vu_xHGCvKqVKIqQwWwbtDZSv0vofVeqhHwYDpw6kl4wuoiz9VgcZdaVBKcgd8JKJOyJGAwFlot4AwKVDfnzROaKBo/s1600/grasses.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiae34Ph71e8nbjQJ7QoqqZvW2828deIeNQKepDmiJGCl1mCSxGh7vu_xHGCvKqVKIqQwWwbtDZSv0vofVeqhHwYDpw6kl4wuoiz9VgcZdaVBKcgd8JKJOyJGAwFlot4AwKVDfnzROaKBo/s320/grasses.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587254548126489570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSpfIki4URE_2mVAzDeCb9UKzs9ZsqSeTsRuk3aXNjQSkwzVPdZQuL3xspKFgtnFbpiOd4Jvwzj2s5fDB67UDArCEbdMKJQiXXzl7Cs9UiLbNUyKsyXZPYmJm2-LQkg93cEOJ5-RVt7cE/s1600/bolboschinus.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSpfIki4URE_2mVAzDeCb9UKzs9ZsqSeTsRuk3aXNjQSkwzVPdZQuL3xspKFgtnFbpiOd4Jvwzj2s5fDB67UDArCEbdMKJQiXXzl7Cs9UiLbNUyKsyXZPYmJm2-LQkg93cEOJ5-RVt7cE/s320/bolboschinus.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587249060856688834" border="0" /></a>In the water <span style="font-style: italic;">Bolboschoenus maritimus </span>is in flower. I like it - one of my favourites.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqYdAGZsgpq6-4U-YiLGd1CWQTxcS9cGJq4NWCqVx30jIyk3FhC7WJHUoCGqlSSuOci7b-vuYJo1jg8swujBi44at-q7M7SGphQWkLT7LrpB4ZE1weJxL-MkIaAUcF3JwhWQYp9Bbylb8/s1600/fish.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqYdAGZsgpq6-4U-YiLGd1CWQTxcS9cGJq4NWCqVx30jIyk3FhC7WJHUoCGqlSSuOci7b-vuYJo1jg8swujBi44at-q7M7SGphQWkLT7LrpB4ZE1weJxL-MkIaAUcF3JwhWQYp9Bbylb8/s320/fish.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587247970710046402" border="0" /></a><br />The lake level is high - at its maximum - and the school of fish are happily frolicking in the water. Hopefully they will receive company some time soon: the Park Manager is busy organising the introduction of local Cape fish (<span style="font-style: italic;">Galaxia </span>sp) - which involves Cape Nature, breeding permits etc. So please DON'T introduce any alien fish - rather wait for the locals!Marijkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07067433608013964750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522946210309072814.post-41113182786446506312011-03-14T13:25:00.000-07:002011-03-14T14:19:20.556-07:00Up & Down Table MountainOn Sunday a friend and I went up Table Mountain, while over 32 000 cyclists were making their way around the Peninsula on the Argus cycle tour. Luckily the road closures still permitted us to get to Camps Bay, the start of our walk.<br /><br />The weather was perfect: wind still and cool. We walked up in the shade of Kasteelpoort, stopping a few times to catch our breath and take in the views. Once at the top, we went to the Valley of Isolation, which offers great views south down the length of the Peninsula. Below one can see the end of the Woodhead Dam, and Grootkop on the right.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhACak5mwmEPTV0kUKgFeZLHH70JsmXHRa_rLOFKsdz30bl-8FuvHer-ddAOHQ9pG-V3XXXSsyU70C5-2gVhrvET9wxUvIHmvndCUrLbmBG4sPPLJThPEkJLDm6kzkT4UI6c7yeah505Lg/s1600/DSCN1436.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhACak5mwmEPTV0kUKgFeZLHH70JsmXHRa_rLOFKsdz30bl-8FuvHer-ddAOHQ9pG-V3XXXSsyU70C5-2gVhrvET9wxUvIHmvndCUrLbmBG4sPPLJThPEkJLDm6kzkT4UI6c7yeah505Lg/s400/DSCN1436.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584040967123489090" border="0" /></a><br />After an early lunch on some comfy restios we climbed out of the Valley of Isolation, and turned left (west) on a little-used track going down Ark Valley. We were using Mike Lundy's walking guide, but missed an even less-used turnoff, so ended up right on the edge of the escarpment. Just then the clouds set in, swirling around us, offering partial glimpses of the world below.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqJzVw5eo_fV-rKjlzPrVpgMozNzsRQKBaEzPIIj965l2mRl5PnaPC88VIjYXdVcZfw4Xkj5h58Jy85c-G3Oyn0N5eNzsffIk_mW_kwgh5j4ywhqppW2eTjN6wiULjQCqQhb4hUSPAZE/s1600/DSCN1440.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqJzVw5eo_fV-rKjlzPrVpgMozNzsRQKBaEzPIIj965l2mRl5PnaPC88VIjYXdVcZfw4Xkj5h58Jy85c-G3Oyn0N5eNzsffIk_mW_kwgh5j4ywhqppW2eTjN6wiULjQCqQhb4hUSPAZE/s400/DSCN1440.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584035864576738242" border="0" /></a><br />Yikes - there were steep butresses and precipitous cliffs everywhere - were we really meant to go down here?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYDMIeSuwPseVEugrlN9_VTSQ9FMPwXWmT0z96mQHMTxMxzj4Tj4OoA3-2wi_UW8pPDCqlMG-LebB7ZpJ_dpjAXSWUECJ0hlv8woDuDSb5xGEDjkMLvnx-nQXLCAWdV9MlMn2Xzfu6Vp4/s1600/DSCN1442.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYDMIeSuwPseVEugrlN9_VTSQ9FMPwXWmT0z96mQHMTxMxzj4Tj4OoA3-2wi_UW8pPDCqlMG-LebB7ZpJ_dpjAXSWUECJ0hlv8woDuDSb5xGEDjkMLvnx-nQXLCAWdV9MlMn2Xzfu6Vp4/s400/DSCN1442.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584035860105754434" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqu43j-WaE_xbP4NzNC8WlCmbK8Aidf5TrwIPaodClLddDEPegWe8Nht1M71x5eqRc6kKax57g3nDk20SER_4iKwXuG8O_w1ZpuruEJxdY6xOv4P_FdrQhZ2gzCsP4ZzWJf2u3mMnO_g4/s1600/DSCN1445.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqu43j-WaE_xbP4NzNC8WlCmbK8Aidf5TrwIPaodClLddDEPegWe8Nht1M71x5eqRc6kKax57g3nDk20SER_4iKwXuG8O_w1ZpuruEJxdY6xOv4P_FdrQhZ2gzCsP4ZzWJf2u3mMnO_g4/s400/DSCN1445.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584035850905196834" border="0" /></a>We decided to play if safe and went back to the route description and found a path which took us back to the Valley of the Red Gods. Along the way, in a damp kloof we came across this little cluster of blue disas.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCU3mdXbrT9thEiJK2acAfJkTJPhP7KcMnqf_UiHhA97aUPQcz4a1j9Dc7D9FZJUEqtKVULIY3LkP0ose7B3P-uII9Wlp2hfqZz_wn8fhs8RMDo9v1jsf6OEsH4CTX1FrwE7LacqyJpk/s1600/DSCN1450.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCU3mdXbrT9thEiJK2acAfJkTJPhP7KcMnqf_UiHhA97aUPQcz4a1j9Dc7D9FZJUEqtKVULIY3LkP0ose7B3P-uII9Wlp2hfqZz_wn8fhs8RMDo9v1jsf6OEsH4CTX1FrwE7LacqyJpk/s400/DSCN1450.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584040972656941122" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Disa graminifolia</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMHqfmMB_B5LtIU9hDuoJSa9mZswn-a5qZ0GkPyuYgTMctCO75TVEObnZt1EjlI77RREe7wcvCSDT74X3xIPh97qFuBDLTB9NsVqZdT8m8TLZ_0M70zuHfxxdpUPa_8AW6QhoiYEUmi9I/s1600/DSCN1448.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 350px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMHqfmMB_B5LtIU9hDuoJSa9mZswn-a5qZ0GkPyuYgTMctCO75TVEObnZt1EjlI77RREe7wcvCSDT74X3xIPh97qFuBDLTB9NsVqZdT8m8TLZ_0M70zuHfxxdpUPa_8AW6QhoiYEUmi9I/s400/DSCN1448.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584035845122857874" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTB4QyxZ40bycIcHhG__zdcffEw7zRgZT4vfVLoYlpobkusqldV1L9IhS5jTSkLgdrwlUbA4za0aFucLXhWgpYVI11mAR8K6i0NG75vAcq1JKUgd4ZAss7sNyiliF-Bq0Xa8wjBiNG7s/s1600/DSCN1452.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTB4QyxZ40bycIcHhG__zdcffEw7zRgZT4vfVLoYlpobkusqldV1L9IhS5jTSkLgdrwlUbA4za0aFucLXhWgpYVI11mAR8K6i0NG75vAcq1JKUgd4ZAss7sNyiliF-Bq0Xa8wjBiNG7s/s400/DSCN1452.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584035841092716738" border="0" /></a>And then we started a spectacular descent known as Diagonal Route. The path starts at Barrier ravine, crosses Jubilee ravine and after a short traverse one dips into Porcupine ravine. It offers breath-taking views, but is quite exposed in places - not for those with a fear of heights.<br /><br />And then the real downhill started: a steep descent on rock which looked like it would be a little stream in winter. Mike suggested that 'when one runs out of terra firma (in the ravine) one should look out for a path along a bushy ledge' - and we did just that, which took us around Porcupine buttress and back down to the Pipe Track.<br /><br />Thanks Jana - that was a great walk.Marijkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07067433608013964750noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522946210309072814.post-76647543682969665542011-03-04T11:38:00.001-08:002011-03-05T09:03:05.671-08:00Walk above LlandudnoThursday afternoon we went for a sunset walk from Suikerbossie up Hout Bay corner to Llandudno Ravine. The views are spectacular - first over the Houtbay valley:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUtShCCa4kRHsnPdJWVJUVhV71CrrtApwbmHsosNduYoSNTueKudK824hoL4Q6yaXGyrYerPk_FeS5_CtpN9v2dRVnK_0eFqAzFMIiwyXvqbV-MTOZLoFJSWpEMmh5cbEnGL04HAyiyw/s1600/DSCN1290.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUtShCCa4kRHsnPdJWVJUVhV71CrrtApwbmHsosNduYoSNTueKudK824hoL4Q6yaXGyrYerPk_FeS5_CtpN9v2dRVnK_0eFqAzFMIiwyXvqbV-MTOZLoFJSWpEMmh5cbEnGL04HAyiyw/s400/DSCN1290.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580313109934413426" border="0" /></a><br />And once you've ascended Hout Bay corner, views over Little Lions Head and Llandudno. There are a few places where one has to scramble or climb - with the aid of stainless steel handles - so the Mickey dog needed some help.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XIE_zHVmFk7hz4U7yYd1J8vU911246IDrEq2B8osCXEQ8YdQhcMXtVKyccWq6gap6olEoY-ym76yGrjmP8DBNW15fxgfrJo3M2aN50xI3hs3P2EW9TE1dGxZgf65coX6a4nw1C3yk1M/s1600/DSCN1293.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XIE_zHVmFk7hz4U7yYd1J8vU911246IDrEq2B8osCXEQ8YdQhcMXtVKyccWq6gap6olEoY-ym76yGrjmP8DBNW15fxgfrJo3M2aN50xI3hs3P2EW9TE1dGxZgf65coX6a4nw1C3yk1M/s400/DSCN1293.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580312296367601042" border="0" /></a><br />Much to our surprise we came across a Himalayan Tar - obviously one which the rangers missed out during the relocation programme a few years ago. It was a male, and totally unafraid of our presence. <span style="font-style: italic;">Min gepla. </span>I didn't know whether to look at the tar or the bird of prey sitting on the rock above!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHUBldNYQfHmYLnawFFLRXWKbqnolCc8Ie3KTPnn5M8VD56AfTRzLA3Ibxxzm8kxK_BPf5t4vCNtn1XVgCKlxblgIpflRiqyvdHND6gh5HY44tA8DWnf9zyRYIf6C-chBc3oIVBlllH_8/s1600/DSCN1282.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHUBldNYQfHmYLnawFFLRXWKbqnolCc8Ie3KTPnn5M8VD56AfTRzLA3Ibxxzm8kxK_BPf5t4vCNtn1XVgCKlxblgIpflRiqyvdHND6gh5HY44tA8DWnf9zyRYIf6C-chBc3oIVBlllH_8/s400/DSCN1282.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580313120051519618" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZNfOO5PWWho6CJJAJ6g9GHiWvp0KTaaoF39wLdFJCB0SbC4P2sr_RqoMeWxwal38WxTXmoZoLocnv8qK-UrS7JYber2CPYJ9-ihoN1yUa1am-FuVoxDMu5UFzqF4pekYeFGiMFGNMO74/s1600/DSCN1288.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZNfOO5PWWho6CJJAJ6g9GHiWvp0KTaaoF39wLdFJCB0SbC4P2sr_RqoMeWxwal38WxTXmoZoLocnv8qK-UrS7JYber2CPYJ9-ihoN1yUa1am-FuVoxDMu5UFzqF4pekYeFGiMFGNMO74/s400/DSCN1288.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580313116646614322" border="0" /></a>I noticed the tar browsed a few leaves of the Wild Camphor, <span style="font-style: italic;">Tarconanthus camphoratus</span>. So much for the plant producing aromatics and secondary compounds as a defence against animals!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN00QSuYJMKsMTw8WMZ0b2GNfeyezK_D07122C5ENB91nIMsh1-J5iAfxovnLQHCZCZojs78gqoNdkkpJJCdUM6KPt_4e86zlSw4_2OxfhLwM1_WEVO8XRE75wp9OBSkeCxCGX8-_I-kY/s1600/DSCN1285.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 311px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN00QSuYJMKsMTw8WMZ0b2GNfeyezK_D07122C5ENB91nIMsh1-J5iAfxovnLQHCZCZojs78gqoNdkkpJJCdUM6KPt_4e86zlSw4_2OxfhLwM1_WEVO8XRE75wp9OBSkeCxCGX8-_I-kY/s400/DSCN1285.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580313122003290498" border="0" /></a><br />Once we rounded the corner we were on the exposed west side. I noticed a distinct increase in succulents (Cotyledon, mesembs and <span style="font-style: italic;">Tylecodon grandiflora</span>, in flower) and some shrubs, notably <span style="font-style: italic;">Coleonema, </span>were looking stressed, with yellow leaves, all rolled up. March is a tough month for fynbos.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij3LEIlyeK92wpecrVfHHICLUUAejZk6N0pl_qri4H-4EwP4DkdsjRJ6GA6YRSyAfslulxVtSPjeOup8DF1A1qajJ8azXD_h99OwmDGPcmovQCO8Qsw2J-8UOR4wLnS-06WkGP_2kI9ZE/s1600/DSCN1294.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij3LEIlyeK92wpecrVfHHICLUUAejZk6N0pl_qri4H-4EwP4DkdsjRJ6GA6YRSyAfslulxVtSPjeOup8DF1A1qajJ8azXD_h99OwmDGPcmovQCO8Qsw2J-8UOR4wLnS-06WkGP_2kI9ZE/s400/DSCN1294.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580312286850977634" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjznOLup4QaIPnXsZtwIes6_TUUL6Va0fpe_5qF_g-nPTV7ZagkCHAxMcmrV51P0hj3gc1oOnQ8iqU2iMBvkGDbJTZh7_lRtc5SRDfV9BAM4Y5k9GHc3zSXWsH44O9MKj5QAL-f_MBQSjA/s1600/DSCN1297.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjznOLup4QaIPnXsZtwIes6_TUUL6Va0fpe_5qF_g-nPTV7ZagkCHAxMcmrV51P0hj3gc1oOnQ8iqU2iMBvkGDbJTZh7_lRtc5SRDfV9BAM4Y5k9GHc3zSXWsH44O9MKj5QAL-f_MBQSjA/s400/DSCN1297.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580312283506104882" border="0" /></a><br />I made a bee-line for the shade in Lekkerwater Gulley, where we enjoyed a sunset drink of water and some fruit. I'd love to go back and continue to Judas Peak next time, returning via Myburgh Ravine.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8sc9GxaLOeBtPZBuitZ0VprvpAiYYbjpQ4sGYpMqsfJwq5ms2iqw8h46oo_5UNDSjxtqrriyLOhhPCE_ZybgXdAiADFnby72N7qPgI91lIdaulhPlEResSLXUHfC1tR6xPJWfg2ttFQ/s1600/DSCN1300.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8sc9GxaLOeBtPZBuitZ0VprvpAiYYbjpQ4sGYpMqsfJwq5ms2iqw8h46oo_5UNDSjxtqrriyLOhhPCE_ZybgXdAiADFnby72N7qPgI91lIdaulhPlEResSLXUHfC1tR6xPJWfg2ttFQ/s400/DSCN1300.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580312274581636642" border="0" /></a>Looking back along Eureka Face towards Karbonkelberg and beyond.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHit38sPQDCCZMKkmnRUCHpffeXdj1wOokrjiWg64ZElBma-pTpSJCUo2XSOa8Q2CejSI5uCoskyTuXMy_k5mA8Y1IsHS4FcmPjVSow_qAzt25OrIoCRptmbf5X662qnEq-LpGQE0cxo/s1600/DSCN1305.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHit38sPQDCCZMKkmnRUCHpffeXdj1wOokrjiWg64ZElBma-pTpSJCUo2XSOa8Q2CejSI5uCoskyTuXMy_k5mA8Y1IsHS4FcmPjVSow_qAzt25OrIoCRptmbf5X662qnEq-LpGQE0cxo/s400/DSCN1305.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580312267761941202" border="0" /></a><br />Looking in the other direction, towards Oudekraal are steep slopes clothed in fynbos, as far as the eye can see, with a totally unspoilt coastline. It is wild and inaccessible - untamed Nature.<br /><br />Peter Slingsby, who has created such an informative map series of the Peninsula, writes:<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">These very very empty slopes - perhaps the least frequented parts of the whole of the Cape Peninsula - are mostly private property and not conserved as part of the National Park. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">May we hope that this truly untracked wilderness within the City boundary remains forever for future generations as a tiny glimpse of this whole Peninsula as it was before 1652. </span><br /><br />I feel incredibly fortunate to live in a City with such natural beauty and biodiversity - right on our doorstep.Marijkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07067433608013964750noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522946210309072814.post-35139860349232801542011-02-25T07:09:00.000-08:002011-03-04T11:16:51.407-08:00Tomato take-over<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">t</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJzr0MNQpXXJJy3tQy4PSCw_y7YQvZVdiNL4cB0DPdwuteYk6PfZ1udLaA0wwFfUlFaqDwbesTdjoGXaPC-CAzUqEzp0ka574ecECxllHxfwnUJwrioRODA24_Pd7Yopl6asBSFI1AUo/s1600/DSCN1203.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJzr0MNQpXXJJy3tQy4PSCw_y7YQvZVdiNL4cB0DPdwuteYk6PfZ1udLaA0wwFfUlFaqDwbesTdjoGXaPC-CAzUqEzp0ka574ecECxllHxfwnUJwrioRODA24_Pd7Yopl6asBSFI1AUo/s400/DSCN1203.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577644805455058546" border="0" /></a><br />Vegetables on a biodiversity blog?<br />I'm really sorry - just wanted to show <span style="font-style: italic;">how many </span>tomatoes came out of my veggie garden last week. Enough to give to several neighbours <span style="font-style: italic;">and </span>make a big pot of sauce, and still wonder what to do with the rest.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcDdpK2xiOtHerymwRqYL1i7OkY9ULMfnmjshgnZihHl1ky9qQSwSV6kBWY_fDWFH8_G-Tx35BGxZXPFPpvVW5qSeCMKsCAQEmfHG6loCmHDXSV1WvDoX5HvU1tpF0aDZFIoQniLaGoU/s1600/DSCN1014.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcDdpK2xiOtHerymwRqYL1i7OkY9ULMfnmjshgnZihHl1ky9qQSwSV6kBWY_fDWFH8_G-Tx35BGxZXPFPpvVW5qSeCMKsCAQEmfHG6loCmHDXSV1WvDoX5HvU1tpF0aDZFIoQniLaGoU/s320/DSCN1014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580303991558199202" border="0" /></a><br />Riccardo gave me a few seedlings of this Italian tomato. Sliced open with S&P, some basil and a drizzle of olive oil... they are delicious!<br />When I threw a few ripes ones into a pot of Roma tomatoes, the difference became clear: the flesh of Riccardo's tomato is firm and a dark, almost wine-red colour, and the pips aren't so juicy. I'm sure they would make a superior sauce.Marijkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07067433608013964750noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522946210309072814.post-44746138672608029512011-02-24T11:08:00.000-08:002011-02-24T11:42:38.242-08:00April Fool in February?<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">t</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmSt1QI0QtCLjQPxWcYusQU2scT3STwTgwM0vdQR3VILDWJ5FW6H1jPjlxmAQs9nta8LNrNy7mkvLEPXK9UthhTEUG-BYOZoJeU_YfU9MEJmRn-oE-B_YmhiBkMnovu6MlgQNqRzG6us/s1600/DSCN1208.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmSt1QI0QtCLjQPxWcYusQU2scT3STwTgwM0vdQR3VILDWJ5FW6H1jPjlxmAQs9nta8LNrNy7mkvLEPXK9UthhTEUG-BYOZoJeU_YfU9MEJmRn-oE-B_YmhiBkMnovu6MlgQNqRzG6us/s320/DSCN1208.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577336876469138690" border="0" /></a><br />Surprise! the April Fool is coming into flower in the Biodiversity Garden.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Haemanthus coccineus </span>is a member of the Amaryllis family. In winter it produces two big flat leaves and then goes completely dormant during summer, with nothing showing above the ground. In autumn a spectacular flower appears - like magic! After flowering, fleshy seeds are produced and the flower stalk eventually collapses, so the ripe seeds are released in early winter - just in time for the rains.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyl2bi_0IASbQSwc1MjlCSfpS1dDeVVlKuCuywbr-mmy_ZFIULA0-GjFMUcopgLCtZJwhIgaBgtijVpn7XLRcBYXZ5X0z64WyBBHZp4vW4CQ1P0fmy12_FiUPVNB1Rl5r1hP5AdF6-1g0/s1600/DSCN1205.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyl2bi_0IASbQSwc1MjlCSfpS1dDeVVlKuCuywbr-mmy_ZFIULA0-GjFMUcopgLCtZJwhIgaBgtijVpn7XLRcBYXZ5X0z64WyBBHZp4vW4CQ1P0fmy12_FiUPVNB1Rl5r1hP5AdF6-1g0/s320/DSCN1205.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577336867765137058" border="0" /></a><br />These bulbs were rescued by the City of Cape Town Biodiversity Management Branch from a development site on the Cape Flats. They spent some time at the old abatoir in Maitland (which is where the Biodiversity Dept is based), and the hundred-odd bulbs were then donated to the Biodiversity Garden.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvFEC6xaK8M2CNSjjI9qhyxZejXs_Boq4JoADtVdVzcREA8AtXwLO-vCN26eeAz6Ciyiiscr2C3Sb7nN9AFPODqqUZdgRsBpNTG3XfgGQLItrvVx2ZL6yZvVdAN0hcL8WQu-aWJB4eeo/s1600/DSCN1207.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 199px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvFEC6xaK8M2CNSjjI9qhyxZejXs_Boq4JoADtVdVzcREA8AtXwLO-vCN26eeAz6Ciyiiscr2C3Sb7nN9AFPODqqUZdgRsBpNTG3XfgGQLItrvVx2ZL6yZvVdAN0hcL8WQu-aWJB4eeo/s320/DSCN1207.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577336870629448546" border="0" /></a><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2kpIKRcbD5tux990KnObxsWxQNpdWJkUAF57wbMtp3UHtFs570muvpV6f3QhQJ5xbH3kr2O1jgp3P9v-ZRRSCrnGA_7JYIcVymBE5j6ULHUKYbidjP554Lsa4Pmegsu2m4Q7GkLV0Vtc/s1600/DSCN1214.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2kpIKRcbD5tux990KnObxsWxQNpdWJkUAF57wbMtp3UHtFs570muvpV6f3QhQJ5xbH3kr2O1jgp3P9v-ZRRSCrnGA_7JYIcVymBE5j6ULHUKYbidjP554Lsa4Pmegsu2m4Q7GkLV0Vtc/s320/DSCN1214.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577336885187636978" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3xKf3R5yGFkfLJ4qWgBmSY3pnkbW289kfL1Uw0HJ6Du-ed7pYvW222jKkOYJ1vF11NeCj1cKaeuCQPb62aEUi19MMEPArcGosMD3iL5VG0g9Zrj7JlXxWSvTpzE9vBI-dfEeU0bscfl0/s1600/DSCN1213.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3xKf3R5yGFkfLJ4qWgBmSY3pnkbW289kfL1Uw0HJ6Du-ed7pYvW222jKkOYJ1vF11NeCj1cKaeuCQPb62aEUi19MMEPArcGosMD3iL5VG0g9Zrj7JlXxWSvTpzE9vBI-dfEeU0bscfl0/s320/DSCN1213.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577336878944153858" border="0" /></a><br />Signs of creativity in the Khoikhoi fire hearth display: red and yellow ochre... looks like they had fun!Marijkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07067433608013964750noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522946210309072814.post-41468216554061187532011-02-18T07:39:00.001-08:002011-02-24T11:08:04.074-08:00Kids in the GardenWendy Hitchcock has been appointed by the City to develop educational activities for the Biodiversity Garden. It is wonderful to see how someone with her special skills and experience is making the Garden come alive for children and linking it to the curriculum.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi25Cw8tKd1DfRBGvj-me1fH6EfIfxM_JFHHQYor43Ptm3XpiFJdA2mkWEM56SlGnu_R3tmi18aAnBxEOOWL5Mz9LKGV8nI1KvSzZT52GkbTo8Dl7NtTqJbGDXzBH30x2rc6TEGGIPqh2k/s1600/DSCF9695.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi25Cw8tKd1DfRBGvj-me1fH6EfIfxM_JFHHQYor43Ptm3XpiFJdA2mkWEM56SlGnu_R3tmi18aAnBxEOOWL5Mz9LKGV8nI1KvSzZT52GkbTo8Dl7NtTqJbGDXzBH30x2rc6TEGGIPqh2k/s320/DSCF9695.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575055017286047954" border="0" /></a><br />The Department of Education has clamped down on school outings - apparently because some teachers opted for going on multiple excursions and didn't bother to teach. Nowaday kids aren't allowed to go on an outing unless it includes exercises to develop literacy and numeracy skills. Fair enough.<br /><br />Wendy has developed worksheets and activities for different age groups, and is currently testing them on various trial groups. Here are some pics which she sent me:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFP1v0m-CsADQoJ0ADxWWWRitEcay0fe14n1ZMmIaRXPsRQWm_CVBqzr523gxBySNjX6Je5wSRgm3Bc2AZVHN5bnofgycDA_5IVHC6YTKW-Lda6KAO2xdF6vZjkp3tW40fHJvVUVzESS8/s1600/DSCN2503.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFP1v0m-CsADQoJ0ADxWWWRitEcay0fe14n1ZMmIaRXPsRQWm_CVBqzr523gxBySNjX6Je5wSRgm3Bc2AZVHN5bnofgycDA_5IVHC6YTKW-Lda6KAO2xdF6vZjkp3tW40fHJvVUVzESS8/s320/DSCN2503.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575055024298016418" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCN5IYbi_QKjzGqBgIye6TltL7cPtx0t6TBMwkJSitQK4-u2s6lIhjEnur51BeQTGW2vaxFfwE_DNPJuU1hooJ_x9cvF_lCCccZdiwzj6PRZLxJGrilv9oS0a4RSlqYGEb16-IV1dlvo/s1600/DSCN2511.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCN5IYbi_QKjzGqBgIye6TltL7cPtx0t6TBMwkJSitQK4-u2s6lIhjEnur51BeQTGW2vaxFfwE_DNPJuU1hooJ_x9cvF_lCCccZdiwzj6PRZLxJGrilv9oS0a4RSlqYGEb16-IV1dlvo/s320/DSCN2511.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575056408430132594" border="0" /></a>"Pretend you are a litle seed, in the ground...waiting to germinate...<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioltjZGa1zG4vATFNgWs3YN61W8u22guln0jBSW_Ix_Qgeub8DBAMbG93OHSuvF202Z8MtX_F8wKc8tca8jf7mCO0JBT8hJBgnW9fpUNRyrnBW8XBiK3NPINo3DB4VcHHLpaxNM-d_4Tk/s1600/DSCN2513.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioltjZGa1zG4vATFNgWs3YN61W8u22guln0jBSW_Ix_Qgeub8DBAMbG93OHSuvF202Z8MtX_F8wKc8tca8jf7mCO0JBT8hJBgnW9fpUNRyrnBW8XBiK3NPINo3DB4VcHHLpaxNM-d_4Tk/s320/DSCN2513.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575056409040553746" border="0" /></a>Then the rain comes, and you come alive, growing up to the light...!"<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3QG6YygTvhdMsS41dpGwZraZVcgA_zAcqtszNRx591pK8I-CtTKDsIT1VP_tHQOYtOhbwjudTdY7H9Pn6AVznkQNS2ZQLSyZH6I0G8WWjLuGB8GXZCNsatOd7Lte7WGPLY65lR35LuIw/s1600/DSCF9710.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3QG6YygTvhdMsS41dpGwZraZVcgA_zAcqtszNRx591pK8I-CtTKDsIT1VP_tHQOYtOhbwjudTdY7H9Pn6AVznkQNS2ZQLSyZH6I0G8WWjLuGB8GXZCNsatOd7Lte7WGPLY65lR35LuIw/s320/DSCF9710.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575055025042610722" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Grinding ochre - like the Khoikhoi used to:<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeWCPdylZq72veYVcSd4eXoFKose4luTkZN2_ShgLu4LYA3nvdDYYee0XT_VQ20d3j9G3eC1IE9AfatFvde6u4aI-TZIDgsWdpU_KY28qkz1oPm0MU_scj0wLEwDyeirrn7WFOWjoPO8Q/s1600/DSCN2519.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeWCPdylZq72veYVcSd4eXoFKose4luTkZN2_ShgLu4LYA3nvdDYYee0XT_VQ20d3j9G3eC1IE9AfatFvde6u4aI-TZIDgsWdpU_KY28qkz1oPm0MU_scj0wLEwDyeirrn7WFOWjoPO8Q/s320/DSCN2519.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575056416510656498" border="0" /></a><br />Wendy writes: <span style="font-style: italic;">The cobra/rinkhals is definitely the most popular animal and the security guy has a really hard time keeping them from standing on the plants because they all want to crowd around the snake. I am getting better at crowd control</span>.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I was shocked to see a child writing that spiders eat plants!!!! This garden is really important for these city kids to learn the basics</span>.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Go for it Wendy - good work!<br /></div></div>Marijkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07067433608013964750noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522946210309072814.post-45592075354045679642011-02-15T10:27:00.000-08:002011-02-16T02:26:44.083-08:00A weekend awayThis weekend we go to the land where these pics were taken.<br />Almost exactly a year ago.<br />Can't wait.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix6fUrxoWgpkCpO_ExHkuCASSwHTJYSYtb11tlXdaLukFJC0ZPv41eBXYNxKUksuZLsYFP5YqMutIzPTQiFbU5ktcnjJG0peoe_fIB9xaKD4MeeYM742PNOqn7g0HZs_GHIATtCbxET2E/s1600/DSCN4599.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix6fUrxoWgpkCpO_ExHkuCASSwHTJYSYtb11tlXdaLukFJC0ZPv41eBXYNxKUksuZLsYFP5YqMutIzPTQiFbU5ktcnjJG0peoe_fIB9xaKD4MeeYM742PNOqn7g0HZs_GHIATtCbxET2E/s320/DSCN4599.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573987393815672962" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRfY2KgQoU1lFh3IfOYNPqIqX2vVxptBpNUPr0QF3Uf2P23LX5btBYAl0hB0LAd3sYQ8ANVKBDVxd6ANuQGavR9UgBF79BluMiJbQdGwYFqMIQdGLHDvjw4Bp_xS2YeLC-C7KOXzAsNuk/s1600/DSCN4595.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRfY2KgQoU1lFh3IfOYNPqIqX2vVxptBpNUPr0QF3Uf2P23LX5btBYAl0hB0LAd3sYQ8ANVKBDVxd6ANuQGavR9UgBF79BluMiJbQdGwYFqMIQdGLHDvjw4Bp_xS2YeLC-C7KOXzAsNuk/s320/DSCN4595.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573987366839702194" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMdK1UnEBi6j6cUp25isacDy4sjbHom1YaJUAw2SI6EEBlojvd1kldnLXM_jT23cioic27D1EuaQK2Z7gr6nJeU0kazAfoDjR-FdMUJgxbpUOD9Ag9Lo_JfhSl80khYJAMVqIc1qUoJk/s1600/DSCN4571.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMdK1UnEBi6j6cUp25isacDy4sjbHom1YaJUAw2SI6EEBlojvd1kldnLXM_jT23cioic27D1EuaQK2Z7gr6nJeU0kazAfoDjR-FdMUJgxbpUOD9Ag9Lo_JfhSl80khYJAMVqIc1qUoJk/s320/DSCN4571.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573987360473921426" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2HZJ0xb7G2AtsnS-FHuTAM74TtgTcKpppNEHUV_fzeBZ8KcWF1fPvlI_MsRNTAkcPiYUu9r97S0XKv0H3QWZa8ks3cDm5Pl8iVTnr-hvp1X9nzNFMfNy2AfQXKIsQp9G8hbknPYD5X4/s1600/DSCN4569.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2HZJ0xb7G2AtsnS-FHuTAM74TtgTcKpppNEHUV_fzeBZ8KcWF1fPvlI_MsRNTAkcPiYUu9r97S0XKv0H3QWZa8ks3cDm5Pl8iVTnr-hvp1X9nzNFMfNy2AfQXKIsQp9G8hbknPYD5X4/s320/DSCN4569.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573987347910273522" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGq9Zrt7XsfWSA5MX6atU9uWCyG5yjx2mj-0gUfY55_f4jRRdidvH8BBMPH4-qgqncy9bn7V5s34HDlhxQGHO9wQqCaYpCK3QbITB0FX3qCn1Ts_XGeO_V2Y8P2OVud_qq41cjbpEFGyk/s1600/DSCN4598.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGq9Zrt7XsfWSA5MX6atU9uWCyG5yjx2mj-0gUfY55_f4jRRdidvH8BBMPH4-qgqncy9bn7V5s34HDlhxQGHO9wQqCaYpCK3QbITB0FX3qCn1Ts_XGeO_V2Y8P2OVud_qq41cjbpEFGyk/s320/DSCN4598.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573987381582316882" border="0" /></a>Marijkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07067433608013964750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522946210309072814.post-30979775491069742282011-02-14T11:17:00.000-08:002011-02-14T11:57:26.382-08:00In the gardenMy garden is blessed with many chameleons - probably due to the absence of cats and pesticides. I am absolutely fascinated by these creatures - when I see one, I just <span style="font-style: italic;">have </span>to take a pic.<br /><br />I'm not the best chameleon spotter: I usually see them just as I'm about to prune or chop something down! - in this case agapanthus. Needless to say I put my secateurs away, and grabbed my camera instead.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilXKpSwWc4Jw-BoRja6emX7fCznWRgj5XzqWFUaVMPu6ZfqHJweCPNuq6MeD_4MrW41RoG6iU_XlicKH0D9BU2vPXgBHPG7Yw8az8zWD9HJpErVfgvWaTb0Swu2s4ghHYQeqWzHi0sDoI/s1600/DSCN1093.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilXKpSwWc4Jw-BoRja6emX7fCznWRgj5XzqWFUaVMPu6ZfqHJweCPNuq6MeD_4MrW41RoG6iU_XlicKH0D9BU2vPXgBHPG7Yw8az8zWD9HJpErVfgvWaTb0Swu2s4ghHYQeqWzHi0sDoI/s400/DSCN1093.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573628205710282178" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjw5dg8R_hyphenhyphenn8HR1UhnRg6vI06AAdhIYMo4rBffCSHeI36imtgPv-KyJx4FPLBf7eSUc4zjGQ76FBEN-tWE8fwyGpHPMVJORPKns_0GCabi8Aetkio7B8nYXtgeIMaytAFF1L2VcnmTA/s1600/DSCN1096.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjw5dg8R_hyphenhyphenn8HR1UhnRg6vI06AAdhIYMo4rBffCSHeI36imtgPv-KyJx4FPLBf7eSUc4zjGQ76FBEN-tWE8fwyGpHPMVJORPKns_0GCabi8Aetkio7B8nYXtgeIMaytAFF1L2VcnmTA/s400/DSCN1096.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573628209542068370" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjPTEuWskW78Dir-KS0JLRb4mOwx49pbtJx_XC3GjW-X5ddeTma1XGH1ELIg3o6ti9ziyH8YOBRCex0lrT-zrGVvinsp5M5SW-j_7Av1dpUPIrfau7kWeN2qyUJSHdMsoWi_jKtYxavo/s1600/DSCN1093.JPG"><br /></a><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Cape Dwarf chameleon gives birth to live young and I do sometimes see a bunch of litte ones all on one bush. Technically they are <span style="font-style: italic;">ovoviviparous </span>- i.e. they produce eggs but retain them inside the female body until hatching occurs. According to Vincent Wagner (The Life of the Chameleon, 1983):<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Each baby is extruded separately, the process taking 5 to 20 seconds, in a fairly tight-fitting membranous bag, with its tail wrapped around itself...The parent prefers to be on a horizontal or sloping, fairly thick branch, so that the bag is deposited on it. With a few convulsive wriggles the young chameleon immediately breaks the bag and climbs out... At 2 to 5 min intervals the female produces the rest of the family, and then unconcernedly walks off, and forgets all about them. The baby has a body 12mm long and a tail 18mm long.</span><br /><br />Now that is something to look out for!<br /><br />The number of young produced varies, but is often around a dozen. There appears to be no fixed season for birth, and there may be more than one litter per year.<br /><br />The Common Chameleon (found in the northern parts of SA) lays her eggs in soil - usually about 4 times as many as the Dwarf Chameleon. They are laid in March and take 10 months to mature.<br /><br />Fascinating - these different reproductive strategies.<br /></div>Marijkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07067433608013964750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522946210309072814.post-20055548580164335352011-02-11T04:23:00.001-08:002011-02-13T11:34:52.613-08:00A walk up Cecilia RidgeA few weeks ago I felt like a long view and some solitude, so I parked at Cecilia Forest and headed up Cecilia Ridge. It's an easy way up the montain with lovely views over the City.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFzqvM3zahwg5wH1dIbK1WCCikobjGGd2K4OKeKUUckkNTygy__8WQbdrozapXDtpp2MiKF8ovyV2snU3h2vAn0SlEc3wXPbrgQpQ9LH7xTl51l2cEBuZHHTNpxToln2CbxsGK5dkeg8/s1600/ridge+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFzqvM3zahwg5wH1dIbK1WCCikobjGGd2K4OKeKUUckkNTygy__8WQbdrozapXDtpp2MiKF8ovyV2snU3h2vAn0SlEc3wXPbrgQpQ9LH7xTl51l2cEBuZHHTNpxToln2CbxsGK5dkeg8/s400/ridge+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572407849302627426" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLoUm0nR71VI5-PXlITuDsA0o9ArUGgRRZWdc1IjJt2bqfGbhumtRldR-udCH1PeqLOwughDs61fXwmCAZIR09zvfuZCQTofhdiyj4eHEADDiR4T_wW3bNS_GsD0kSWkr624wfp3vnuEo/s1600/DSCN0862.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLoUm0nR71VI5-PXlITuDsA0o9ArUGgRRZWdc1IjJt2bqfGbhumtRldR-udCH1PeqLOwughDs61fXwmCAZIR09zvfuZCQTofhdiyj4eHEADDiR4T_wW3bNS_GsD0kSWkr624wfp3vnuEo/s400/DSCN0862.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572407849149418434" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-v9Q0SGYJhdnd5-n-7LncKPwtUCx6vePsG6_9j85s8HtjUETY_XWaQDBcjnnCUD50ATEF0VJKGqg45EOa8uqPQxXOaOVDUdOwyA_E7TVtPJNtQwibuMaPUkVAE5Z-DnB4wk8KtB6zUh8/s1600/crassula+coccinea.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-v9Q0SGYJhdnd5-n-7LncKPwtUCx6vePsG6_9j85s8HtjUETY_XWaQDBcjnnCUD50ATEF0VJKGqg45EOa8uqPQxXOaOVDUdOwyA_E7TVtPJNtQwibuMaPUkVAE5Z-DnB4wk8KtB6zUh8/s400/crassula+coccinea.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572407847861434914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Crassula coccinea</span> - Klipblom<span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaU44viDDRpP1HdwpUF7pt6MMRs3IB_Q5X51npertwQ_z9DP3imgftSIaRJ6bGQv8PnnnhQtn7A4vBE2JYCjJGDeV0F6Q8l9HFpqbDbXXMxiAqDKTZ9h1aerSPMP5S7rRzw6O88Soc3h4/s1600/DSCN0864.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaU44viDDRpP1HdwpUF7pt6MMRs3IB_Q5X51npertwQ_z9DP3imgftSIaRJ6bGQv8PnnnhQtn7A4vBE2JYCjJGDeV0F6Q8l9HFpqbDbXXMxiAqDKTZ9h1aerSPMP5S7rRzw6O88Soc3h4/s400/DSCN0864.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572407853451144866" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Protea speciosa </span>- since I saw it at Silvermine for the first time, I'm seeing it everywhere. Funny that. The white hairs on the leaf margins seem distinctive.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-b36p3TXc4auJG1c1BOc2D4RgxF_JJbxmnXwJpXk5wUlz_CKIrLqLlUS1NYebKJt7cEpDxhyuFGPZYnuT8y7OZ9Y4XRE4xPFpwTN0DkjV1b7YuPxsV5MJdImPdJDLzZksN8K1dycPBzA/s1600/DSCN0874.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-b36p3TXc4auJG1c1BOc2D4RgxF_JJbxmnXwJpXk5wUlz_CKIrLqLlUS1NYebKJt7cEpDxhyuFGPZYnuT8y7OZ9Y4XRE4xPFpwTN0DkjV1b7YuPxsV5MJdImPdJDLzZksN8K1dycPBzA/s400/DSCN0874.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572410185152467426" border="0" /></a><br />And then I made a short detour to the De Villiers dam, which is looking rather surreal in its half-empty state. Ghostly white sandstone rocks.<br /><br />The water is a beautiful tea colour, on account of the phenols and tannins found in fynbos. These chemicals leach out of decomposing plant matter in seeps and streams, giving the water its characteristic brown colour. Having grown up in the Cape, I will always associate pristine mountain streams with brown water.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZST7jfv9Vxmx81BXEMcSZJ9dVjoUHjij2jqSL9_eQAEiJWQVWLVpKGEuQ6VQ5-ljG5JhZRbGYIn0elfQ9gS3wu_uLKh9zcw8iSrFzwsXQoldqM_GpT_OBX6ZE1a_7F0HRf3Cw9WgScx0/s1600/DSCN0879.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZST7jfv9Vxmx81BXEMcSZJ9dVjoUHjij2jqSL9_eQAEiJWQVWLVpKGEuQ6VQ5-ljG5JhZRbGYIn0elfQ9gS3wu_uLKh9zcw8iSrFzwsXQoldqM_GpT_OBX6ZE1a_7F0HRf3Cw9WgScx0/s400/DSCN0879.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572410182532423442" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUl-_r7nc6TCOLGz1gvDJ6Flt5exAnYkM4qLOCosf4RFATJKTYvxDeQ6ZubO-Po8RrRTVWZKIP7lB06y7Ps6bidstY64c7CpWR6ZtsH4JRfZU_zK0czUZ89ImF7axgN7BTsqOfjI5Yhas/s1600/DSCN0884.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUl-_r7nc6TCOLGz1gvDJ6Flt5exAnYkM4qLOCosf4RFATJKTYvxDeQ6ZubO-Po8RrRTVWZKIP7lB06y7Ps6bidstY64c7CpWR6ZtsH4JRfZU_zK0czUZ89ImF7axgN7BTsqOfjI5Yhas/s400/DSCN0884.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572410179796160194" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Then Mickey and I headed down the mountain, on the jeep track.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFE8qozxsqgxPdWTEof-Ub7VEwqe161QpkiRKbhMMhiMNIDAGrQRsh59G24JkbxCvUCC4eo73_nm8uH6x5WBWL2NR-LdC7zFu3I0LvkeAKP7N7-Z0RsAVTuS6_oa2oL-yfbUVpG3YI910/s1600/DSCN0895.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFE8qozxsqgxPdWTEof-Ub7VEwqe161QpkiRKbhMMhiMNIDAGrQRsh59G24JkbxCvUCC4eo73_nm8uH6x5WBWL2NR-LdC7zFu3I0LvkeAKP7N7-Z0RsAVTuS6_oa2oL-yfbUVpG3YI910/s400/DSCN0895.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572409223920564978" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIkhcJreTdJt_H9rfCVx3x9hbl2ufQI0ZOXGC_0TqjlD5DjVM8weocUNVVSBU16saz4aSi64l_6EEhOyTNuHv2LUJSLpfpQCqkb3VVdcvcselSpR-ePbFPcngTzt19CjpYlTG_HsBTuuU/s1600/DSCN0897.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIkhcJreTdJt_H9rfCVx3x9hbl2ufQI0ZOXGC_0TqjlD5DjVM8weocUNVVSBU16saz4aSi64l_6EEhOyTNuHv2LUJSLpfpQCqkb3VVdcvcselSpR-ePbFPcngTzt19CjpYlTG_HsBTuuU/s400/DSCN0897.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572409219102947650" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQ6hjRaq5UOW5dUApVEiCyzWTUU_5UvMCbSpyXoVGfU3prl1zYp4a2SA80ayK5fyMsboks-nV511nH7rnVivFZoWXXu55xxTINzfMhmcgHDFZC_-igfvTL7D8KKRiBKXCOcX04P6WPFE/s1600/DSCN0899.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQ6hjRaq5UOW5dUApVEiCyzWTUU_5UvMCbSpyXoVGfU3prl1zYp4a2SA80ayK5fyMsboks-nV511nH7rnVivFZoWXXu55xxTINzfMhmcgHDFZC_-igfvTL7D8KKRiBKXCOcX04P6WPFE/s400/DSCN0899.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572409215217476898" border="0" /></a><br />These miserable Knysna Yellowwood trees were planted decades ago - presumably by foresters. <span style="font-style: italic;">Podocarpus falcatus </span>is not local to our area and is locally invasive in the lower forest, growing like hairs on a dog's back. They are displacing local forest species, including our local yellowwood, <span style="font-style: italic;">Podocarpus latifolius</span>.<br /><br />I find it extremely irritating and embarrassing that Table Mountain National Park does nothing about their removal, not to mention the thousands of other invasive aliens - and this is supposed to be a World Heritage Site!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoMYCF4OK-rg5GFK58aG6hw0baibkabRKb861fytfCgaYajb0e8d477pceBuejVhRmc8MdyOnkMmBNuHl8iXuEbycG_6SHsDl7iHcD-zTEZP96SMcIJa3_5ZwFRJqTXG3uWCJQptsk5kI/s1600/DSCN0904.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoMYCF4OK-rg5GFK58aG6hw0baibkabRKb861fytfCgaYajb0e8d477pceBuejVhRmc8MdyOnkMmBNuHl8iXuEbycG_6SHsDl7iHcD-zTEZP96SMcIJa3_5ZwFRJqTXG3uWCJQptsk5kI/s400/DSCN0904.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572409206109947346" border="0" /></a><br />I like pine forests because they are incredibly silent - the needles absorb any sound underfoot and they are almost devoid of wildlife, except for the odd bird of prey. All the forests on Table Mnt are being systematically felled - soon there will be none left.<br /><br />I am a great biodiversity fan and support the removal of aliens (including pines) on high mountain slopes. But to remove every single tree and bit of shade on the urban edge, in areas which are highly transformed and have little conservation value anyway - in the name of CONSERVATION - is ridiculous.<br /><br />There has been a huge public outcry in Cape Town about the wholesale removal of these forests in recreational areas - to absolutely no avail. The managers at Table Mnt NP reign supreme. Unfortunately this kind of hard-core fanaticism does not win support for Cape biodiversity - on the contrary, it alienates people.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8IRT-nP_5pkKjKFWYHUDzcpEyOGB4rwsg10HIt-7c7BPxkczTh-t8a-SVgjQ4IYPcDb0qIK2Pe4tejHBxWFCPXDrZH8PB8tFWI9zIzoNMum-bMwVJauyEJR5qWkX10WTTObikRoR6g90/s1600/DSCN0905.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8IRT-nP_5pkKjKFWYHUDzcpEyOGB4rwsg10HIt-7c7BPxkczTh-t8a-SVgjQ4IYPcDb0qIK2Pe4tejHBxWFCPXDrZH8PB8tFWI9zIzoNMum-bMwVJauyEJR5qWkX10WTTObikRoR6g90/s400/DSCN0905.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572409205766154354" border="0" /></a><br />So better enjoy the forests while they last!<br /></div>Marijkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07067433608013964750noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522946210309072814.post-69470734143225218482011-02-05T09:43:00.001-08:002011-02-06T22:35:25.460-08:00Orange Kloof WalkI am very lucky to have a friend who has a research permit for Orange Kloof which means we can walk there without an guide. Saturday morning we set off, up Constantia Corner which offers lovely views over Hout Bay and Orange Kloof (on the right of the pic).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYFiLHThzmpADr_WpjgKK38-Iz26QmSoIK-CQJjicoP2jGS7fopE4-iT03e6fAMiF0Y_Gb_lAQBPKj777XrCTiW9Bn-zgBQsSmz7uYwEqfifTqDRB_eldEu15ANZIW83S1_UJiDbgw8Sw/s1600/houtbay.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYFiLHThzmpADr_WpjgKK38-Iz26QmSoIK-CQJjicoP2jGS7fopE4-iT03e6fAMiF0Y_Gb_lAQBPKj777XrCTiW9Bn-zgBQsSmz7uYwEqfifTqDRB_eldEu15ANZIW83S1_UJiDbgw8Sw/s400/houtbay.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570516619573028418" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMzzIYg7veu5NnhFweg1ipMJ8rXJHQP1_n8go0Cjjs5ZJ63sd07GxMoEplocX8qByN6ottpg39-jLvgDB-IhJ_S_2JxFLghAi9sT0JnZqGsHA7l7xfcQdb3BzNERyqCraipEyZUb9x60w/s1600/path.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMzzIYg7veu5NnhFweg1ipMJ8rXJHQP1_n8go0Cjjs5ZJ63sd07GxMoEplocX8qByN6ottpg39-jLvgDB-IhJ_S_2JxFLghAi9sT0JnZqGsHA7l7xfcQdb3BzNERyqCraipEyZUb9x60w/s400/path.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570515680672979394" border="0" /></a><br />I've been up Constantia Corner many times, and we did the same walk a year ago, so the plant populations en route are familiar to me - it felt like I was checking up on old friends.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNeCDEL7J6uiALfvON5-mVyAYbHVBnqjBUMe8rSSs7H-1IW9ZUMMHosQF-XCXA2ECCtLTEbVncYU8NxitwA1wcmvbAE8O-ZCc7hIXZFTolq_MJu7ADA6edolW7wG6tjbPLHH_plzmrO_M/s1600/DSCN1080.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNeCDEL7J6uiALfvON5-mVyAYbHVBnqjBUMe8rSSs7H-1IW9ZUMMHosQF-XCXA2ECCtLTEbVncYU8NxitwA1wcmvbAE8O-ZCc7hIXZFTolq_MJu7ADA6edolW7wG6tjbPLHH_plzmrO_M/s400/DSCN1080.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570264020620332610" border="0" /></a><br />My favourite part is right on top of the mountain, with grassy-restiod fynbos and those sculptural sandstone rocks - and no sign of the City or human habitation. We had coffee and croissants at the rock shelter.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBYg3wuQQe3sx2G0DS0eDl1l5uAuYp7Gxa5Xt7QfTkSwfid5XUMTJEB_TYPpna7TQa8SfHwk5jqaePRwUhwNyp3ep9anhh8O56w1yOVQlbFctDm5Oj9St6iZYSYh1sXlUPrRn0WrYKLJ8/s1600/DSCN1084.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBYg3wuQQe3sx2G0DS0eDl1l5uAuYp7Gxa5Xt7QfTkSwfid5XUMTJEB_TYPpna7TQa8SfHwk5jqaePRwUhwNyp3ep9anhh8O56w1yOVQlbFctDm5Oj9St6iZYSYh1sXlUPrRn0WrYKLJ8/s400/DSCN1084.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570264024002970850" border="0" /></a><br />Then past Camel Rock and the Overseer's hut (now some kind of Hoerikwagga lodge, complete with surburban latte fence) and over the Hely Hutchinson dam wall...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4d3GKB0I6YVGyyeTO-p9AgVhTwL6Xx3Lk65EVv3FalVO1XqPqFhLCnisUZMyi5fx6id8kBAFNHMouB1LNYzHraa_uNf64W_SBlW5st43ijKMHOj_Gbvb3sXWvVaBqrrLgFGmkUM-Qqe4/s1600/dam+wall.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4d3GKB0I6YVGyyeTO-p9AgVhTwL6Xx3Lk65EVv3FalVO1XqPqFhLCnisUZMyi5fx6id8kBAFNHMouB1LNYzHraa_uNf64W_SBlW5st43ijKMHOj_Gbvb3sXWvVaBqrrLgFGmkUM-Qqe4/s400/dam+wall.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570514557288856258" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJFj_NbdUSTWlliU1DWUyjQ3Q7BQVVRDmVhRdolMFRBzoPUh9n8bk-7iqkVhw2bfVCzW-I_hiD2dKXnD3dDlpyhW2atLct0hRFQmlfZzwPKuR9uoQX0Xn3UzbV4a1Z9hiOZE63MsCfrDQ/s1600/water.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJFj_NbdUSTWlliU1DWUyjQ3Q7BQVVRDmVhRdolMFRBzoPUh9n8bk-7iqkVhw2bfVCzW-I_hiD2dKXnD3dDlpyhW2atLct0hRFQmlfZzwPKuR9uoQX0Xn3UzbV4a1Z9hiOZE63MsCfrDQ/s400/water.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570515680748984130" border="0" /></a><br />Finally we dropped down into Disa Gorge into the resticted Orange Kloof. The wall is made of the local grey sandstone which has been beautifully hewn into massive rectangular blocks. I admit I have a penchant for bold feats of engineering like bridges, dams and stone aqueducts in wild landscapes. They have a scale and sculptural quality which appeals to my senses.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIXoGVgyyALFxr4ZNRElBP1mjh6lSN8TG_IHq7pKZhNKQ4iKbQCXDy8KhNjDEN2-0dqxIEbs9T5tHe1d5WvtY8GSnRFTaQsgkqzS5NC3e-S7_LRFeczKYrf9h_u3WOk_-tzLlgulDS5lA/s1600/dam+wall2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIXoGVgyyALFxr4ZNRElBP1mjh6lSN8TG_IHq7pKZhNKQ4iKbQCXDy8KhNjDEN2-0dqxIEbs9T5tHe1d5WvtY8GSnRFTaQsgkqzS5NC3e-S7_LRFeczKYrf9h_u3WOk_-tzLlgulDS5lA/s400/dam+wall2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570514551738850866" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI0vQvq2xJS950T2Zf5_AC7tKtm8Q0T5_wKI6T3P1s6Df05fGFoZFVGT_NjkVzx3dd9BC-eOOVirqSnC4EvlSAmmFnvUmA2AD3TvvP0LIPC3AFUYDLHJFoz_ePw6U6fd48ImV5HJiMmE0/s1600/dam+wall3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI0vQvq2xJS950T2Zf5_AC7tKtm8Q0T5_wKI6T3P1s6Df05fGFoZFVGT_NjkVzx3dd9BC-eOOVirqSnC4EvlSAmmFnvUmA2AD3TvvP0LIPC3AFUYDLHJFoz_ePw6U6fd48ImV5HJiMmE0/s400/dam+wall3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570518728493386082" border="0" /></a>Not the same dam wall, but another one close by, showing the quality of the stone work (March, 2010).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8CSHQd7Xem7mvOXFCoE4KntydtoE2ubWpgUH5M2GJQvS643nR8_2mCAliEVO9HfnZXdC5_f-e7HVKaOggs-TMl_Q1DTNxzrdXI80qbWAsB2hzFaZgMWeYr-icfBwKIDXHd-IGGBu2tKc/s1600/kloof.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8CSHQd7Xem7mvOXFCoE4KntydtoE2ubWpgUH5M2GJQvS643nR8_2mCAliEVO9HfnZXdC5_f-e7HVKaOggs-TMl_Q1DTNxzrdXI80qbWAsB2hzFaZgMWeYr-icfBwKIDXHd-IGGBu2tKc/s400/kloof.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570520796030349346" border="0" /></a><br />The path drops into a forested kloof, and for a little while the vegetation is lush and the extra moisture is tangible. Here is Marie, on our walk a year ago.<br /><br />This time Mike and I stopped for a few flowering disas, but my eye was irresistably drawn to the pretty new foliage of <span style="font-style: italic;">Blechnum</span>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWcDUvBq6kUJER8X4cLZ5n9nysn16mY2S_roFH0Xs4AbHz7ZgQmtGsmXGkIxhLPtGys8716_vPHffjiyrHkeuB-QnDUNeYUko5b2c4x_YnTK-MfupntwgH927m-FRjeqcuePiLjPJlpJk/s1600/DSCN1085.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWcDUvBq6kUJER8X4cLZ5n9nysn16mY2S_roFH0Xs4AbHz7ZgQmtGsmXGkIxhLPtGys8716_vPHffjiyrHkeuB-QnDUNeYUko5b2c4x_YnTK-MfupntwgH927m-FRjeqcuePiLjPJlpJk/s400/DSCN1085.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570264030617228098" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMN3zbMuP_mVwogj3YhG_Rq-muL30v4UIz0e7zR2eNZVH0iw_P3NAUc_73oRlQ4sDbRuq1iYAcnca7zYOM34YbtalusmaNeeaduFec0SJc3hcKuu92cikvECyKnsV7HVLWpcOP6HzSqTE/s1600/DSCN1089.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMN3zbMuP_mVwogj3YhG_Rq-muL30v4UIz0e7zR2eNZVH0iw_P3NAUc_73oRlQ4sDbRuq1iYAcnca7zYOM34YbtalusmaNeeaduFec0SJc3hcKuu92cikvECyKnsV7HVLWpcOP6HzSqTE/s400/DSCN1089.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570264046217372514" border="0" /></a>Red Disa, <span style="font-style: italic;">Disa uniflora</span><br /></div><br />Why do we always take pictures of the perfect flower? Here is the one next door: it think it's pollinia were eaten - noshed by a hungry beetle rather than removed by its delicate pollinator, the Mountain Pride butterfly.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBg_y1kN8PRt8pHYHyaNRYdG9vVli_0yT5IrHn-AKNKr5vHupuFiyE03YcT1Sx5Ui-db6sT-sWa0VmCXoVy00fJ8xVgM-1suMW6KphO012lR6axZdkS0jI3qqJylZOsACUyJJItzoIFQc/s1600/DSCN1087.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBg_y1kN8PRt8pHYHyaNRYdG9vVli_0yT5IrHn-AKNKr5vHupuFiyE03YcT1Sx5Ui-db6sT-sWa0VmCXoVy00fJ8xVgM-1suMW6KphO012lR6axZdkS0jI3qqJylZOsACUyJJItzoIFQc/s400/DSCN1087.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570264042066630722" border="0" /></a><br />Along the way Mike kept a count of Mountain Pride butterflies - he had eight sightings in all. <span style="font-style: italic;">Meneris tulbaghia </span>is the sole pollinator of a guild of orange and red flowered fynbos species which flower between November and March. The butterfly is unusual in that it one of few insects that can see red in the visible spectrum - and is therefore the sole insect pollinator of these red-flowered plant species. I have seen it swoop down on a red backpack or hiker's socks, and even a red Opel Kadett!<br /><br />Along our path and on the butterfly's menu, so to speak, were: <span style="font-style: italic;">Crassula coccinea, </span>Red Disa (<span style="font-style: italic;">Disa uniflora) </span>and <span style="font-style: italic;">Tritoniopsis triticea.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtk9m8XwHp31gasT2I3SMICxp_mNvEKRhO4jBqwg_8htUdwS1SdQlJEb5L0LIciTpuQLT-6pVXgvL8gb2mRwTB6BANtXsx4qqlXF6VPKIuxmr_I2StqdLcz6NdwPj9G71QI-iZpoaUG8/s1600/crassula+coccinea.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 386px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtk9m8XwHp31gasT2I3SMICxp_mNvEKRhO4jBqwg_8htUdwS1SdQlJEb5L0LIciTpuQLT-6pVXgvL8gb2mRwTB6BANtXsx4qqlXF6VPKIuxmr_I2StqdLcz6NdwPj9G71QI-iZpoaUG8/s400/crassula+coccinea.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570514545483767794" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Crassula coccinea</span>, Klipblom<br /><br /></div>Although we didn't see the Cluster Disa (<span style="font-style: italic;">Disa ferruginea), </span><span>this species </span>is also visited by the Mountain Pride Butterfly. It is interesting that the disa doesn't offer a nectar reward and mimics <span style="font-style: italic;">Tritoniopsis, </span>a nectar-producing irid. When the butterfly visits the Cluster disa, and sticks its proboscis down the floral tube in search of nectar, there's nada! nothing there - but the disa deposits its sack of pollen (pollinia) on the butterfly. It's trickery and deceit in action.<br /><br />Further along the way there is a nice stand of<span style="font-style: italic;"> Leucadendron strobilinum</span> - another endemic to Table Mountain. Fynbos is characterised by its high degree of endemism, so this is not unusual - in fact I can be a bit blase about it. But actually it <span style="font-style: italic;">is </span>remarkable that this species is found <span style="font-style: italic;">only </span>on this mountain and nowhere else in the world. Thank god it is fairly well-protected in the Table Mountain NP (if they finally get round to urgent alien clearing and erosion control in the Park).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoA4LVe3pWDiJQ4AG2FT3qBU57VULG-piTRleCN521jWQjK8J5RCYoyCeCDSdZjvbRf9IhnJBZwSK0bsSkbQaOAtIoFYL4_80T9N3T4TW3wVrbyCrTHmB9MPI-ph1QzFsGZ-UZEJG2OyY/s1600/Ld+strobilinum.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoA4LVe3pWDiJQ4AG2FT3qBU57VULG-piTRleCN521jWQjK8J5RCYoyCeCDSdZjvbRf9IhnJBZwSK0bsSkbQaOAtIoFYL4_80T9N3T4TW3wVrbyCrTHmB9MPI-ph1QzFsGZ-UZEJG2OyY/s400/Ld+strobilinum.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570514560985596130" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaFwsJxNN7tkyxasuWYTnHf1SfzsqeGw4NFKzCZ2fECVW6dv-Cgmua-lMaP9igTdY5RSUHCP37mmhG5V0mqJ_qaWr7zNC5rHsngSCvGxjiWR6QOTFJN-DsffavzIer2H2Z_Q27enDZK9Y/s1600/Ld+strobilinum2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaFwsJxNN7tkyxasuWYTnHf1SfzsqeGw4NFKzCZ2fECVW6dv-Cgmua-lMaP9igTdY5RSUHCP37mmhG5V0mqJ_qaWr7zNC5rHsngSCvGxjiWR6QOTFJN-DsffavzIer2H2Z_Q27enDZK9Y/s400/Ld+strobilinum2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570514561730910034" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Leucadendron strobilinum</span> is easy to recognise by the fringe of silky white haris on the leaf margins.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GRAd8vjy_hAQiHmx0IPecLmJlHNAD8I369m1yu35O-ch3qYJYvi0H3ttsT71FnUfoMam_JGZs_i2uGo92WG3u93uuahpHuroDKO6O50ypx5SfAnaj_EUN559bsVFAlIu8Nt36nIgjmM/s1600/lizard.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GRAd8vjy_hAQiHmx0IPecLmJlHNAD8I369m1yu35O-ch3qYJYvi0H3ttsT71FnUfoMam_JGZs_i2uGo92WG3u93uuahpHuroDKO6O50ypx5SfAnaj_EUN559bsVFAlIu8Nt36nIgjmM/s400/lizard.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570515676076919922" border="0" /></a>Along the way we came across this chap - no idea what he's called. Methinks I need to acquire a reptile book...Marijkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07067433608013964750noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522946210309072814.post-9619436189150679582011-02-05T07:58:00.001-08:002011-02-05T08:47:19.429-08:00Summer in the gardenHappy summer days in my garden, despite the heat and unusual humidity. The plants thriving under these conditions and blooming now are those which have their origin in the summer rainfall region of our country.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBVxzwhu1KH5ttytreM6KgTe6JCh_igt66gQIHIl-4A1QSnNbYlTa93CeyuCj-sPPdhUr6ZcbcbUFH6ICTQY74MGTQ0ppMSY3alnOmm0ghOzwtjYNLzfbs4PMzTwu-UfNRtQ3PDMqSeig/s1600/selma+bock.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBVxzwhu1KH5ttytreM6KgTe6JCh_igt66gQIHIl-4A1QSnNbYlTa93CeyuCj-sPPdhUr6ZcbcbUFH6ICTQY74MGTQ0ppMSY3alnOmm0ghOzwtjYNLzfbs4PMzTwu-UfNRtQ3PDMqSeig/s400/selma+bock.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570238786222746098" border="0" /></a>Agapanthus 'Selma Bock' - a pretty hybrid with white flowers, blushed with violet.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj619OjZQeFF3vJi0Yt5riAaeGwSREzDqC6OIC3njnjv7CcBpBkL9mD9QYXoGjtBfODaCdCgNMrCdSzjBp_kg1N-sko09oFjaieNY-j2-_WoZWuwRTrp9hj_lf1nqkW-QC4ghl1DZAJwyE/s1600/corner+garden.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj619OjZQeFF3vJi0Yt5riAaeGwSREzDqC6OIC3njnjv7CcBpBkL9mD9QYXoGjtBfODaCdCgNMrCdSzjBp_kg1N-sko09oFjaieNY-j2-_WoZWuwRTrp9hj_lf1nqkW-QC4ghl1DZAJwyE/s400/corner+garden.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570236940891436002" border="0" /></a><br />Among the stepping stones I come across a lovely surprise: I noticed <span style="font-style: italic;">Boophane distacha</span>, the Bushman Poison Bulb, making its first bud. It's that small pink dot on the righthand side of the pic.<br /><br />Boophane - known as Gifbol in Afrikaans - contains extremely toxic alkaloids which can be fatal when engested. Notwithstanding it is used medicinally: the dry outer scales are used as a dressing after circumcision and weak decoctions of the bulb scales are used as an enema to treat various complaints, or as a sedative. Higher doses lead to hallucinations and even higher doses can be fatal. <span style="font-style: italic;">Boophane disticha</span> was used by the Khoisan to get into a trance state, and it is one of only two plant species depicted in rock paintings. The fan of pleated leaves is very distinctive - even on the painting.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioMW8ooMTKDiOBm3nJqRrbqFBJN-yfPXIWEv6cFb9AaKFXwmDM8C2WCbO80va0p_-iamiDwZQXeOgj1BZuGA_4PSCpjIklMQ6w3TQu_FJt4YNtmcOTd5z7X26kyd1uCunDL8aT-2UM7qo/s1600/Boophane.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioMW8ooMTKDiOBm3nJqRrbqFBJN-yfPXIWEv6cFb9AaKFXwmDM8C2WCbO80va0p_-iamiDwZQXeOgj1BZuGA_4PSCpjIklMQ6w3TQu_FJt4YNtmcOTd5z7X26kyd1uCunDL8aT-2UM7qo/s400/Boophane.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570236938166474194" border="0" /></a><br />Around the corner, under the oaks, the shade garden is looking lush and green.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhogJS-PIM6Ngb1ozbbCQqJOcJNqEy0mptz1q8yqNLnRfWdRhzKsBh1RqjM_CkggmQE6bihUQ4b5RGhfzb0UPUwfw6tIeGF1Eh5_x3hT4OtVAQ_whAVdB_zeOFgHEPioRPdGsm3S-092fI/s1600/white+path.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhogJS-PIM6Ngb1ozbbCQqJOcJNqEy0mptz1q8yqNLnRfWdRhzKsBh1RqjM_CkggmQE6bihUQ4b5RGhfzb0UPUwfw6tIeGF1Eh5_x3hT4OtVAQ_whAVdB_zeOFgHEPioRPdGsm3S-092fI/s400/white+path.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570239668682117634" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4RDehGxVMDeMzTv5zdXu_6_nNkHU-zyxD6dtQtWaVuMBWFDvBHfg5jD03GCKrZWqvjtMUYlOWAFKHLgPzUrmHE3V9VLntsxNI7pqbOWabLsPI4egnRVIezdozYSBcFQW2NtEU9Xg_Kk/s1600/white+path2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4RDehGxVMDeMzTv5zdXu_6_nNkHU-zyxD6dtQtWaVuMBWFDvBHfg5jD03GCKrZWqvjtMUYlOWAFKHLgPzUrmHE3V9VLntsxNI7pqbOWabLsPI4egnRVIezdozYSBcFQW2NtEU9Xg_Kk/s400/white+path2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570238788853391890" border="0" /></a><br />This part of the garden was planned as a White Garden, and indeed there are white flowered species such as <span style="font-style: italic;">Pavetta, Rothmannia</span>, Japanese Anemone and white azaleas - but there are as many blue and mauve exceptions. Guess I'm not very good at sticking to rules!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthLaXZIHPs91CoUilXjWeG0rlL-hajCGxOmT2j9Yrg9OvqKZr7f4PVBQWAO5LXt_jnczyh7iRMGLxQnD-AAbS_1Gitm_NyNvTe5b5iHRX0fAmfjGjE5Y9N47P1XDNpjiqiZMJnAGd-fE/s1600/DSCN0943.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthLaXZIHPs91CoUilXjWeG0rlL-hajCGxOmT2j9Yrg9OvqKZr7f4PVBQWAO5LXt_jnczyh7iRMGLxQnD-AAbS_1Gitm_NyNvTe5b5iHRX0fAmfjGjE5Y9N47P1XDNpjiqiZMJnAGd-fE/s400/DSCN0943.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570238775261886754" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPphzVQZ98cWl_DCXfbC8LAPx93bd3Af_ynQ1XCOjTgwZI-qJNxErkFwILNuEafwhI7VGgo-on6Q4WitTZoEkeSjdPQdhnPXX5yXaxBlttLQnwlQTA5_7_TIX_1yWECfXWXxjIKIMsOs/s1600/crinum.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPphzVQZ98cWl_DCXfbC8LAPx93bd3Af_ynQ1XCOjTgwZI-qJNxErkFwILNuEafwhI7VGgo-on6Q4WitTZoEkeSjdPQdhnPXX5yXaxBlttLQnwlQTA5_7_TIX_1yWECfXWXxjIKIMsOs/s400/crinum.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570236951487756930" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />Crinum moorei</span> - at this time of the year the leaves are in tatters, but the tall blooms make up for it. The fresh green upright foliage is a real asset in the winter garden.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQt2rZr_WobizIvi93LgCyqcdY0m5O26U4jLsk3jRrMrssQvP53FAaCtif8qXNktx0H3iKjY_bN-93UDwBPF3i4wPCqjlgHj1XS8zVv5l0QLAIK8HL9bXzo1HTfM6l_WkgLZmdSaDQ9Ag/s1600/crinum2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQt2rZr_WobizIvi93LgCyqcdY0m5O26U4jLsk3jRrMrssQvP53FAaCtif8qXNktx0H3iKjY_bN-93UDwBPF3i4wPCqjlgHj1XS8zVv5l0QLAIK8HL9bXzo1HTfM6l_WkgLZmdSaDQ9Ag/s400/crinum2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570236946754108914" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsP84hjTH95OYQ7u4bqCPKp1y8bbzxEdAQOMXtUnuXPmMAc7P9x8j4HSpG4hwb7iZynTMDYM_JmSZys7XSK53vvhc5zlVlp3ADGkYfBCZHMizOYUeqxyO-m0hZeGAsEXDzaJ1Vn_-WIQI/s1600/bathroom+garden.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsP84hjTH95OYQ7u4bqCPKp1y8bbzxEdAQOMXtUnuXPmMAc7P9x8j4HSpG4hwb7iZynTMDYM_JmSZys7XSK53vvhc5zlVlp3ADGkYfBCZHMizOYUeqxyO-m0hZeGAsEXDzaJ1Vn_-WIQI/s400/bathroom+garden.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570236936769944258" border="0" /></a><br />In the bathroom garden, it is the time of <span style="font-style: italic;">Scadoxus multiflorus ssp. katherinae</span>. In the first year that I planted it, there were no flowers, and since then there as been one more flower each year. So in Scadoxus Time I have lived here for 5 years.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintyuldcEIp7iJMZ9XJsdGvQ-4jk_kJWAzCDimEjnLzgTdaKrZVhDRcPNbbJgiSHXmzzVmi6k6FnLoOUcR0OOVs3VgWc1YsFOg81rZJhisFtK94Q_NDEJShXbx4oEvbKOF22J7Kj8DqJU/s1600/scadoxus3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintyuldcEIp7iJMZ9XJsdGvQ-4jk_kJWAzCDimEjnLzgTdaKrZVhDRcPNbbJgiSHXmzzVmi6k6FnLoOUcR0OOVs3VgWc1YsFOg81rZJhisFtK94Q_NDEJShXbx4oEvbKOF22J7Kj8DqJU/s400/scadoxus3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570238781674356866" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVlvixrP0bbJHhk5Kiq_3voFr4cfGJIkZZfDWXLyxHOVveT6XwulxzoR3k_RJ6St8VohZQQJJH7lmNaodtDHUu_f9O_S8eNGsZHOFCN6HQVpX4uCtt-mhmpJoqxcBLRErQCrZc2c4Jcg/s1600/scadoxus2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVlvixrP0bbJHhk5Kiq_3voFr4cfGJIkZZfDWXLyxHOVveT6XwulxzoR3k_RJ6St8VohZQQJJH7lmNaodtDHUu_f9O_S8eNGsZHOFCN6HQVpX4uCtt-mhmpJoqxcBLRErQCrZc2c4Jcg/s400/scadoxus2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570238776502027666" border="0" /></a>Marijkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07067433608013964750noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522946210309072814.post-62303345446015720032011-01-30T11:13:00.001-08:002011-01-30T12:18:50.505-08:00Sunday in the ParkOn Sunday evening I went to the Park and found it abuzz with activity. People relaxing, picnicing, kids playing, and many people strolling through the Biodiversity Garden.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg644bqZDj80t28-5XBiKiinzDAyaDBdIVfp0a_PNNwIF2mLI_P4kehf_6E2aI9i_d8MOHAoej0-caGOAaCzan8Yd4JBHfk7R5oeJAetsr1vUc1weIM7liX64H09QF3HuzfyAbuVI1mStM/s1600/DSCN1047.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg644bqZDj80t28-5XBiKiinzDAyaDBdIVfp0a_PNNwIF2mLI_P4kehf_6E2aI9i_d8MOHAoej0-caGOAaCzan8Yd4JBHfk7R5oeJAetsr1vUc1weIM7liX64H09QF3HuzfyAbuVI1mStM/s400/DSCN1047.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568063741120728498" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJMR2Edil0BI3QOoi4YoVViAxbAtG4DyJJewf_480GuMqezze52KcWwQYJ8cdtchVCp-DRc8vRoGwrrrAGs9STBpLOHpnHw3IrhjiZ8U3NSHAm34659TEYZ7R1Y0CGjV90e_-XgLDMEWQ/s1600/DSCN1043.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJMR2Edil0BI3QOoi4YoVViAxbAtG4DyJJewf_480GuMqezze52KcWwQYJ8cdtchVCp-DRc8vRoGwrrrAGs9STBpLOHpnHw3IrhjiZ8U3NSHAm34659TEYZ7R1Y0CGjV90e_-XgLDMEWQ/s400/DSCN1043.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568063736823948002" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcKeLTRHHFpe7NDb0KPdrOLm4kXp1Be7mfFq_5zVG9pR2AZao-X7GuU_oKPV41HrcXrt_nzAuPPbIApaDPlM3S0aVonzEZMl70vKtNl33paEjhAyPFofrfEFzFF4hp-CIntslCKXQO0Ts/s1600/DSCN1033.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcKeLTRHHFpe7NDb0KPdrOLm4kXp1Be7mfFq_5zVG9pR2AZao-X7GuU_oKPV41HrcXrt_nzAuPPbIApaDPlM3S0aVonzEZMl70vKtNl33paEjhAyPFofrfEFzFF4hp-CIntslCKXQO0Ts/s400/DSCN1033.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568062120643303970" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUz0m6Zhdtw9Xo4rvTvlfi_f9F13F-Kqv0jDDvLjBuwEjdp1ARDfOJW12KwKqZwtVYqzX_P2xIad3Xh-jGJWduXxrrctf7018eDI7EuRy1X8Y4oBzWeTc0Gyr83BW0Ui6_JEhh_oR5t2A/s1600/DSCN1042.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUz0m6Zhdtw9Xo4rvTvlfi_f9F13F-Kqv0jDDvLjBuwEjdp1ARDfOJW12KwKqZwtVYqzX_P2xIad3Xh-jGJWduXxrrctf7018eDI7EuRy1X8Y4oBzWeTc0Gyr83BW0Ui6_JEhh_oR5t2A/s400/DSCN1042.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568063728733809746" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHeV1LmvA7k-6YKWkRSDF7WVpo4-UnyYSoL8k_S6ELgQQR2E6dmqO75hsJpLnaMGbtQtWQZIyr-mXK1MkHvWHj6geTKQF6mVjLgQSG_kd4eCR9yJPc01PZIOhoxxK8wGPmblczdVi-SM/s1600/DSCN1057.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHeV1LmvA7k-6YKWkRSDF7WVpo4-UnyYSoL8k_S6ELgQQR2E6dmqO75hsJpLnaMGbtQtWQZIyr-mXK1MkHvWHj6geTKQF6mVjLgQSG_kd4eCR9yJPc01PZIOhoxxK8wGPmblczdVi-SM/s400/DSCN1057.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568065001374762130" border="0" /></a><br />In the Khoikhoi fire hearth area kids were playing with bones, shells and other artefacts - as the display was intended, as if they had read the script!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGT1NTTeazH41mxdQ1HyKzG0GL3r4_jjhoSBGTp5e5CcmIgOqE8Wg_3LqrhjfuaUU6RbLaKOVRaDynWuVNsAq7oY02k-00ZdzDdQ6rgnHDwTNVK_nhQXGBRam7L2ACvZTjxXDtLT4VnQ/s1600/DSCN1059.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGT1NTTeazH41mxdQ1HyKzG0GL3r4_jjhoSBGTp5e5CcmIgOqE8Wg_3LqrhjfuaUU6RbLaKOVRaDynWuVNsAq7oY02k-00ZdzDdQ6rgnHDwTNVK_nhQXGBRam7L2ACvZTjxXDtLT4VnQ/s400/DSCN1059.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568065010295176994" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNI-2drnIPZxvaMu609E77hkgiPHM1pkTXSG8_MZ-zMcXWRGb24yA7RwjyNFuCPZwSpbBDrY9ux5gTVHq9vp4pd_psUqaT2144zfX8RqRDuSodLA1NqbymlOg4wlMB2qY1bEvLhUc1UYk/s1600/DSCN1064.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNI-2drnIPZxvaMu609E77hkgiPHM1pkTXSG8_MZ-zMcXWRGb24yA7RwjyNFuCPZwSpbBDrY9ux5gTVHq9vp4pd_psUqaT2144zfX8RqRDuSodLA1NqbymlOg4wlMB2qY1bEvLhUc1UYk/s400/DSCN1064.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568065016320237058" border="0" /></a><br />I noticed some new bones and porcupine quills in the fire hearth area.<br />It is wonderful to see how members of the public have responded to the invitation:<br />"Are you a strandloper at heart? Please bring bones, feathers, quills, tortoise shell and ostrich shells to help maintain this display."<br />Thank you for helping!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgOGq8kFgY_3glYwLQh8jpgrq0U78mO1v-xHfndrk-iSqp9dl637lyNn5WVFVB_EaToUwEo3doZP9PputjDDxwtwv-vPLd5p2rEu8r__Y9JYbzeoMRvHzvBZpBcWcoglsOUeYtgFm1ebs/s1600/DSCN1040.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgOGq8kFgY_3glYwLQh8jpgrq0U78mO1v-xHfndrk-iSqp9dl637lyNn5WVFVB_EaToUwEo3doZP9PputjDDxwtwv-vPLd5p2rEu8r__Y9JYbzeoMRvHzvBZpBcWcoglsOUeYtgFm1ebs/s400/DSCN1040.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568063718466144530" border="0" /></a><br />At this sign 'If Signal Hill could speak..." I could see the man looking up at Signal hill, and chatting to his partner. On queue - this is interpretation in action. <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9rmvGn0o5rSZ7MCcfShZoqdHWlJH3CYJf5n0vYdwlPi9GrSsPs1vtUoT3c7h5lSicdQEWnqOMaAgpIZQWoPjVg5goYpwi7cYC9iY_F0iYMQJxWBEkzEUq_c1R3VIzPT0jBj-p-h4yTYE/s1600/DSCN1039.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9rmvGn0o5rSZ7MCcfShZoqdHWlJH3CYJf5n0vYdwlPi9GrSsPs1vtUoT3c7h5lSicdQEWnqOMaAgpIZQWoPjVg5goYpwi7cYC9iY_F0iYMQJxWBEkzEUq_c1R3VIzPT0jBj-p-h4yTYE/s400/DSCN1039.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568062131250659810" border="0" /></a><br />Visitors reading text on leaves in the Make a Difference display. And the empty signboards? They will feature case histories of Cape Tonians who are doing great biodiversity work in their communities.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIVM5b3-gjwHpS1nMay8C7lZTeCLxMAJtndgJt17wcJ7ScK6LiHI765LD-7hxYFvvC0pmR4htbUp27unw01MJIsI9YlyIhoU4gvyM-MSduyoCN1pkaHOO0CSs4bHTibATKhdJtzHhVrc/s1600/DSCN1032.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIVM5b3-gjwHpS1nMay8C7lZTeCLxMAJtndgJt17wcJ7ScK6LiHI765LD-7hxYFvvC0pmR4htbUp27unw01MJIsI9YlyIhoU4gvyM-MSduyoCN1pkaHOO0CSs4bHTibATKhdJtzHhVrc/s400/DSCN1032.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568062110480346514" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9rjOI3d1Lt20_Zk8pc8I00Ma_NKH-3mxPsGTtq0YTIDpA_u_9Ir-UZjcP16RnCHMAhf-Fkv1HM12mg-GQxvB3SxqodQbNOGs5j7-M6EJK5_iWaS4DvwyiUc0D3ZvZgwT9Gvr_tXVIsI/s1600/DSCN1031.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9rjOI3d1Lt20_Zk8pc8I00Ma_NKH-3mxPsGTtq0YTIDpA_u_9Ir-UZjcP16RnCHMAhf-Fkv1HM12mg-GQxvB3SxqodQbNOGs5j7-M6EJK5_iWaS4DvwyiUc0D3ZvZgwT9Gvr_tXVIsI/s400/DSCN1031.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568062104464498034" border="0" /></a>That little hand reaching up to the balustrade...too cute.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqHHm9wsi0xHaJb70wqm6hq4zurcHijbxVboYK4soLBKBhnJQdKSACyRkkU2mR8yc-Qgc9lJEqmkzdLgXwLAgCey4cIWHC5vn9aMTyk6Rztlfgl8QPfvM6u9YKk0MfAr9tBNKExbtsBE/s1600/DSCN1029.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqHHm9wsi0xHaJb70wqm6hq4zurcHijbxVboYK4soLBKBhnJQdKSACyRkkU2mR8yc-Qgc9lJEqmkzdLgXwLAgCey4cIWHC5vn9aMTyk6Rztlfgl8QPfvM6u9YKk0MfAr9tBNKExbtsBE/s400/DSCN1029.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568062095152196066" border="0" /></a>The spillway in action: moving water and pebbles....a child's paradise.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiECku22vEqYPFYCEx4BLos_GkjeaAJYj6YA77LS0P_fkJ_kgJ2vmHEsydSS3TV0Nn0W1fYTTra7GRFWZVrfnMr9HkjdHJUrFxPc1vuw-7lxznMCOctAAU-nHp5Iv8W97Iqr7737FH184Y/s1600/DSCN1050.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiECku22vEqYPFYCEx4BLos_GkjeaAJYj6YA77LS0P_fkJ_kgJ2vmHEsydSS3TV0Nn0W1fYTTra7GRFWZVrfnMr9HkjdHJUrFxPc1vuw-7lxznMCOctAAU-nHp5Iv8W97Iqr7737FH184Y/s400/DSCN1050.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568063755111644738" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjMCYJ3iM_2g_qrgeqpxnkAK3T1QcLO-1Rjdaaar4B24u2zKnjOelhq6CFw5uxVLREO0AzaWv6UwCHfyFT1DSX_nUvlR6zJYeaFSkgwgdIheXbmfxX-fTNwdy-PQmQIkqH8TsQ10RyoAo/s1600/DSCN1055.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjMCYJ3iM_2g_qrgeqpxnkAK3T1QcLO-1Rjdaaar4B24u2zKnjOelhq6CFw5uxVLREO0AzaWv6UwCHfyFT1DSX_nUvlR6zJYeaFSkgwgdIheXbmfxX-fTNwdy-PQmQIkqH8TsQ10RyoAo/s400/DSCN1055.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568064994224469122" border="0" /></a>Father and son strolling in the wetland<br /></div>Marijkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07067433608013964750noreply@blogger.com1