False summer

The adiabatic downdrafts (posh words for a berg wind) yesterday brought a windless, unseasonally hot day to Cape Town, causing us to shed as much clothing as possible and head out to the beaches and other open spaces to take advantage of the moment before another cold front arrives. We went off to Kirstenbosch again, determined to get maximum value for money having joined the Botanical Society. There were times, as I toiled up the verdant lawns, that I amazed myself. Walking up steep paths, carrying a bag full of binoculars, books and water bottles on a scorching day in pursuit of birds and other wildlife, and to see what new flowers were blooming since the week before.
We found the Spotted Eagle Owl high up on the left-hand side of the gardens, doing some serious stretching, and were lucky enough to capture this shot which shows owls in a whole new light - huge wingspan and lanky legs usually tucked into a neat little owl shape.

  I find the rare and endangered species of greatest interest, and bewail the fact that Man's idea of progress is to destroy habitats and cover them with concrete. Interestingly, some of the species are most threatened by hikers who trample plants - this is something I have experienced first-hand, as not everyone who goes out into the mountains is interested in what lies at their feet! The Marsh Rose is battling for survival due to excessive flower picking, and the mimetes stokoeii is down to a handful of specimens. The history of this mimetes makes for fascinating reading in the book, TP Stokoe, the man, the myths, the flowers by Peter Slingsby and Amida Johns.

 A very pleasant morning was marred by the sight of an Egyptian Goose standing in the road at the entrance to Kirstenbosch, gazing helplessly at its mate which had just been knocked down by a motorist.  Such a sad moment.