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

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

SA Diversity Tour (24-26/03/2014) Day 68-70 Augrabies National Park

This park is situated in the northern region, close to the border of Namibia. The camp is on the plateau high above the falls themselves with reception, restaurant and shop in the main building with wonderful viewing platforms over the falls.
 
Seeing the 56m waterfall in full flood was an exceptional experience. No wonder the Khoi people called it ‘Aukoerebis’, or place of Great Noise.
This is part of the Orange River and the gorge through which it flows is 18kn in length.
 The landscape is very rocky and arid but if you love walking/hiking, there are three wonderful trails to take, each a different length. Then again, as there are no animals in the park which can harm you, strike out on your own just don’t get lost!
The region seems barren except for the eye catching sentinels which are Quiver Trees
but on closer inspection, there is a whole host of wonderful flowering plants and shrub with thousands of beautiful butterflies and insects.
At the Falls themselves, you find the Augrabies Flat Lizard which is endemic there.
On a drive, many animals are to be seen such as Klipspringer, Hyrax, Giraffe, Tortoise and a host of buck species.
 Some of the highlights along the way are: Moon Rock, Swart Rante, Echo Corner, Oranjekom and Ararat viewpoints.
Along the way, you are sure to see various species of lizards which all survive in this harsh climate.
Vegetation may be scarce but you are sure to see many species of Euphorbia’s and the Shepherd’s Tree which has many uses and medicinal properties.