For interesting information on flowers, trees and plants please click on this link: http://natureswow2.blogspot.com/

For the identification of insects and other fauna and flora of South Africa: please click on the following links:
Insects and related species: Antlions - Ants - Bees - Beetles - Bugs - Butterflies, Moths and Caterpillars - Centipedes and Millipedes - Cockroaches - Crickets - Dragonflies and Damselflies - Grasshoppers and Katydids - Mantis - Stick Insects - Ticks and Mites - Wasps - Woodlice
Plants, Trees, Flowers: (Note: Unless plants fall into a specific species such as Cacti, they have been classified by their flower colour to make them easier to find) Bonsai - Cacti, Succulents, Aloes, Euplorbia - Ferns and Cycads - Flowers - Fungi, Lichen and Moss - Grass - Trees
Animals, Birds, Reptiles etc.: Animals, Birds, Fish and Crabs - Frogs - Lizards - Scorpions - Snails and Slugs - Snakes - Spiders - Tortoise, Turtles and Terrapins - Whipscorpions
Other photography: Aeroplanes - Cars and Bikes - Travel - Sunrise - Water drops/falls - Sudwala and Sterkfontein Caves etc.
Videos: YouTube

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Butterfly Valley, Ramsgate

I spent the best part of amazing day at Butterfly Valley situated on Fascadale Road in Ramsgate. What a wonderful place with hosts Dave and Cheryl giving me a tour around and allowing me to take pictures.
 All the butterflies are indigenous and fly freely in a very large domed enclosure with places to sit and relax and just enjoy the sights and tranquillity.. The tour includes going to the breeding centre where many types of pupa and larvae are on display.
 Butterfly Valley offers a unique opportunity to view the life cycle of the butterflies as most of them have been bred on the farm. By attending the informative presentation, one has a better appreciation for the fragile world of these colourful creatures.
Butterflies sense the protection of the flight dome and will generally not fly away from you as they would in the wild. This allows for really close encounters and offers the opportunity for that elusive close-up photography.
 There is a lovely River Walk outside the dome and one can see and appreciate nature at its best with sightings of more butterflies, flowers and vegetation.
 After all this, a stop at the tea garden is a must with a chance to visit the lovely craft shop afterwards.
If you are in the area or even passing nearby, it is well worth taking the time to stop by and spend some time at Butterfly Valley.
 For information on how to get there and their contact details, please visit their website www.butterflyfarm.co.za or email them on butterflyvalley@ymail.com