Eastern Cape

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Valley Thicket

South Africa boasts seven biomes or plant kingdoms and Port Elizabeth is fortunate that five of the seven occurs within the Nelson Mandela Bay metro boundary.  One of the biomes which is found largely in the Eastern Cape is the Valley Thicket Biome, previously called Valley Bushveld.  The biome is found mostly in river valleys and is characterised by dense evergreen shrub vegetation.  Closer to the coast the thicket is most dense with thorny shrubs and an undergrowth of creepers and succulent…

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21/10/2013
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Patensie Plaasbasaar – the epitome of church bazaars

Most people have been to their local church or school bazaar where the old tannies man tables with vetkoek, curry and rice and pancakes and kids run around while their parents buy food and chat to their neighbours who they never get to see due to the 6 foot wall separating their homes.  Last weekend I got to go to the Patensie Plaasbasaar, the NG Kerk Gamtoosvallei-Oos annual bazaar and I have to be honest here.  It was the mother…

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18/10/2013
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Acacia Karroo Sunset

The Karoo is big sky country so when the sun sets its something to behold.  In the foreground of this sunset is the branch of an Acacia Karroo (Sweet Thorn tree)

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11/10/2013
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Lalibela Game Reserve – a photo essay

There are some truly awesome game reserves around Port Elizabeth ranging from the epic Addo Elephant National Park to excellent private game reserves with top class lodges.  Playing right in that space is Lalibela Game Reserve between Port Elizabeth and Grahamstown.  Lalibela is home to the Big 5 as well as other predators like cheetah, hyena, jackal & lynx on 7500 hectares with visitors staying in one of three excellent lodges.  I spent a night with the Damselfly in late…

5 Comments
09/10/2013
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Enjoying scenic views

Visitors to South Africa are treated to the most beautiful views as they travel through our country.  Coastal views, views of the land from the sea, looming mountain views, views from mountains, scenic drives, hilly landscapes, flat landscapes, cityscapes, river gorges, animals on the plains and so I can go on and on and on ..... South Africa truly is a country of beauty.  This view of the Swartkops River on the Flamingo Trail outside Port Elizabeth is no different. 

4 Comments
03/10/2013
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Waterhole interaction

A couple of young bulls interacting at the Hapoor Waterhole in the Addo Elephant National Park just like a couple of young men would at their local watering hole

5 Comments
01/10/2013
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Close encounters of the ellie kind

I always say that Addo is probably the best place in the world to watch wild African elephants in their natural environment and to get fairly up close sightings.  Its not because these elephants are tame, not by a long shot.  Over the years they have just gotten used to vehicles and as long as you don't intrude on their space and they don't feel threatened,  the chances are often good that they would walk right by your vehicle.  I…

6 Comments
26/09/2013
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Lion leftovers

You don't kick a lion kill out from behind every bush and very few people have had the opportunity to see the actual kill take place.  What you do get though are the remains of those kills.  Bones picked clean and bleached white by the sun.

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17/09/2013
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Mock charge

On a recent visit to Kuzuko Lodge in the greater Addo Elephant National Park we had some amazing sightings.  The afternoon game drive started with a close up sighting of their two male lions before we encountered a herd of elephants in a valley close to the lodge.  The matriarch put up a spectacular mock charge what with flapping ears, stamping of feet and the shaking of a poor little bush.  Unfortunately I didn't have me camera at the ready and missed…

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10/09/2013
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Egyptian goose on Kings Beach lake

Have you even noticed that you will always find Egyptian Geese where ever there is water.  Lakes, dams, rivers, ponds and even on the off chance a backyard pool.  When the Boardwalk development opened in Port Elizabeth some years ago it wasn't long before a pair moved in and they have been there ever since, hatching their chicks every year.  The same has happened at the new Kings Beach development with a pair moving in very soon after completion.  I…

3 Comments
02/09/2013