Colour changing Crab Spider

Masters of Ambush. Crab Spiders are the epitome of ambush predators. They hide in flowers and wait for pollinators to alight for a meal and conduct their essential services. Then with a slender thread of silk anchoring themselves to the flower, they launch on the busy insect, bite into their thorax and inject a concoction of toxins to both immobilize and predigest their prey. Changing … Continue reading Colour changing Crab Spider

Wildlife in my Garden

In Search Of Little Things of Significance. As we enter our second week of isolation, our routine has established to include two daily walks around our property. Not only an opportunity to get some exercise and let the dogs romp around, it has become a quest to find new and interesting wildlife. Hidden between the various stands of vegetation, there is an incredible world of … Continue reading Wildlife in my Garden

Overcoming ecological ignorance while travelling.

Recently I read a social media post where the account holder slated one of the trails in the Garden Route. Her complaint is that, just because a trail is established doesn’t make it worthwhile walking and that, for her, it was a boring trail. The trail she was slating was one of the Elephant Trail loops at Diepvalle. I was amazed. All three of the … Continue reading Overcoming ecological ignorance while travelling.

Garden Route Day Walks – Tierkop Trail to George Dam

The Garden Route is often perceived as being synonymous with forest and coastal thicket, but once you move up the slopes of the Outeniqua Mountains you emerge into the vivid landscape of the Fynbos with it’s diversity of floral display. From the coastal towns of Wilderness and Sedgefield the northern skyline is broken by the towering Craddock, George and Tierkop peaks. While Tierkop is not … Continue reading Garden Route Day Walks – Tierkop Trail to George Dam

Garden Route Day Walks – Hiking to George Dam via Tierkop.

The Garden Route is often perceived as being synonymous with forest and coastal thicket, but once you move up the slopes of the Outeniqua Mountains you emerge into the vivid landscape of the Fynbos with it’s diversity of floral display. From the coastal towns of Wilderness and Sedgefield the northern skyline is broken by the towering Craddock, George and Tierkop peaks. While Tierkop is not … Continue reading Garden Route Day Walks – Hiking to George Dam via Tierkop.