Ever since I read ‘Seven deadly colours’ I have been fascinated by colour presentation of the multitude of fauna that exists. Often, the colour of an animal is not actually a pigment, but a sophisticated means of tricking the viewers brain into registering something very different to reality, a means of disguise. Then there are species with elaborate structural colours (one of the 7 colour … Continue reading The deception of colour.
A World in One. As a tourist destination, South Africa is renowned for a variety of attractions. With a diversity of landscapes, it contains a multitude of biodiversity hotspots with it’s floral and avian wealth drawing naturalists, birders and outdoor enthusiasts from around the globe. For decades the country’s wildlife has been the backbone of tourism with an abundance of national parks and private reserves … Continue reading Hiking Holidays in South Africa
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
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
The Heart of the Garden Route. From the N2, Sedgefield’s initial impression is of a small roadside town which imparts the impression of a single traffic light, an avenue of plain trees and a fence of horses. A town, as I have often been told by guests, which masks the beauty beyond the main road. A hint of the active lifestyle that the town offers … Continue reading The Mosaic life of Sedgefield.
