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Watsonia

One of the 52 species of Watsonia (Bugle Lily) that we find in southern Africa.  The Watsonia is a type of iris native to South Africa. The genus is named after Sir William Watson, an 18th century British botanist.  They are perennial herbs growing from corms and producing erect spikes of showy flowers, and are adapted to a Mediterranean-type climate.Firefly's note: Thanks for the help Geoff.  I have changed the info. Shows my lack of knowledge as far as flowers go.

3 Comments
25/11/2010
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Addo elephant

One of my favorite parts of being a tourist guide used to be sitting in Addo Elephant National Park and watching the elephants do whatever... Coming down to the water, eating, walking along, standing around, ripping a bush apart, little ones playing, big ones stamping out there authority, whatever... At one stage I used to go to Addo up to 5 or 6 times a week and I never got tired of seeing these huge animals. Pity I didn't have…

6 Comments
24/11/2010
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Observatory Museum

Every now and then I find a couple of photos on the archives that I haven't posted and today is no different.  The Observatory museum in Grahamstown is a fascinating place and contains the only Victorian Camera Obscura in the Southern Hemisphere.  The building was bought by Henry Galpin in 1859 and extensive changes were made to it, including the addition of the camera obscura.  Galpin operated his watchmaker and jeweller's shop from the building and usually used to camera…

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24/11/2010
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Museum parking

The South End Museum has struggled with parking space at the museum since they opened.  They recently secured funding to have a parking area developed on the corner between the museum and the busy Beach Road / Walmer Boulevard intersection.  The centre piece of the parking area is a granite "soccer ball" which was one of the legacy projects that was part of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

3 Comments
23/11/2010
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Flamingoes

Greater Flamingoes (Phoenicopterus roseus) on the saltpans at Swartkops near the old Swartkops Power Station and the Marina Saltworks. 

5 Comments
22/11/2010
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Fig Tree roots

In and around St Georges Park there are several old Wild Fig Trees that has bees been around for more than 100 years.  This specific one in the park has a spectacular root system. I, for one, am glad that it doesn't stand next to my house.

4 Comments
21/11/2010
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Manganese ore dumps

One of the major eyesores and talking points along the Port Elizabeth beachfront is the Manganese ore terminal between Kings Beach and the Port Elizabeth Harbour.  Not just does it look ugly, but the dust of the ore gets blown over the Humewood area when the wind blows from the north east.  There are hopes that the ore terminal along with the tank farm next to it will be moved to the Coega Industrial Port.  The manganese gets mined in…

4 Comments
20/11/2010
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Sunny day on Kings Beach

A sunny day on Kings BeachAfter the kind of weather we have had this week there can be no doubt anymore that summer has slipped in the door and shoo'd winter away.  Another one of the signs is that when I slip down to the beachfront during lunch time the beaches aren't all empty anymore. 

7 Comments
19/11/2010