Braving a Bushpig

The Bushpig (Potamochoerus larvatus) is a strong, stocky pig with powerful forequarters. Unlike 'farm' pigs, the tails are straight, and they do not hold them erect when they run like warthogs do. Their upper tusks are barely visible, but the lower tusks are razor sharp and grow to 7cm in length and so they are considered to be very dangerous when surprised in the bush or wounded during hunting. An adult boar measures up to a meter at the shoulder and can weigh from 50 to 150 kilograms. They have a reputation as being very vicious – so now think about how I felt this morning when I went to check the leopard cage and found a roaring Bushpig inside!

As I was on my bicycle and alone, I headed home for reinforcements. If I was to be torn apart by a wild pig, I wanted it to be documented. This time we made sure the camera settings were all good so we didn't miss the moment (see the story about catching the Clawless Otter). Approaching the cage, the Bushpig charged around like a mad thing, shaking the cage as it charged into the iron bars. Usually I open the cage from the side for things like Aardvark or bokkies, but today I thought it would be safest to undertake this procedure perched safely on the top of the cage. Luckily, on opening the door, the Bushpig simply ran away up the mountain.

Face-off with the Bushpig

Releasing the Bushpig from on top of the cage

FREEDOM!

The action was documented by Chris Lee from the safety of our Hilux bakkie.

Floral fantasy-land at Fynbosvlei

Anniversary time and so time to do something special. What better than a log cabin with a fireplace on a hill overlooking a long lake that flows into the sea. If you find nature orgasmic, then Fynbosvlei is your Casanova – a 40ha stretch of coastal fynbos on the Swartvlei (the largest of the Wilderness lake system).

The beautiful log cabin overlooks a bank of indigenous flowers towards the lake. We timed our visit to coincide with some winter hang-over weather – grey, mist and rain – more excuse to stay indoors of course! So light was not great for wildlife photography – the flash had to work overtime in order to document some of the spectacular array of flowers on show, all accessible through a winding series of trails.

On our last day we also had a break in the weather which allowed me to paddle out onto the Swartvlei on a courtesy canoe to admire the area from a different point of view. 

Hmmm... lunch

I was pleased this came out - since it was cloudy, I was in the forest under-story, and shooting against the light.

The pier at Fynbosvlei

Pied Kingfisher flies low over the water

Red-necked spurfowl sneaking away from the cabin

All in all – highly recommended – for more information visit http://www.gardenroute.co.za/sedge/fynbosvlei/

On Wednesday we headed home via George to do chores. Back to life. We just got through the Outeniqua pass before further rock slides shut it down completely. On Potjiesberg pass we came across a troop of baboons playing in the road. We did not give this fellow his toy:

Can't argue with the apricot

The apricot tree is the first in our orchard to decide that it is time to come out of winter hibernation. This seems to have been met with approval by the resident weavers and some stray Southern Double-collared Sunbirds. Actually, I never knew these blossoms had enough nectar to make them attractive to birds - unless they were just smelling the blossoms? I had to take break from chopping wood to catch some of the action:

Proof it wasn't just some coincidental perching!

Baviaans - in and out

On Tuesday Anja, Elena and I headed into the kloof to attend a meeting put on by Willowmore tourism on how to make Baviaanskloof a destination (as opposed to just a drive through route). Water is still up on the western section – the eastern section through the reserve has only just been reopened for 4x4s. The kloof is looking beautiful with Aloes and other flowers along the way.

Euphorbia mauritanica (Melkbos)

We arrived a bit late because there were lots of beautiful birds to distract us along the way.

Bokmakierie

Cape Batis (female) - actually this was one of only three birds in my mist nets on Monday

Ooooh who's that handsome fellow in the water? this Hamerkop seems to be saying

A relaxed Jackal Buzzard on its perch

No trip into the kloof is complete without a Black Eagle sighting!

One other tourism company, one guide from the Sewefontein community, the reserve manager, and the hosts of the meeting (Pieter and Magriet Kruger from Zandvlakte) and ourselves were the only attendees. Apparently most other kloof residents are busy with their farming now that there have been all these good rains. The meeting was chaired by the mayor of Willowmore, with special guest speaker Trudi Malan from Jeffrey's Bay.

We learnt that we are already a tourist destination. However, Pieter and Boetie Terblanche pointed out they had many cancellations due to the road through the reserve being closed and maybe we need to print bumper stickers saying 'Baviaanskloof – more than a road', although I'd say it should be 'Baviaanskloof – Accessible Adventure'. We should also be working harder to attract tourists other than the 4x4 community. Not that we (Blue Hill Escape) get many of those anyway!

Either way, lunch at Zandvlakte was lovely, and it was a good excuse for a drive through the kloof.

Has Spring Sprung?

Probably not (to answer my self-imposed question), since last night the thermometer hit -3 degrees.

Perfect frosty morning for a walk! Since I'd noticed quite a few things in flower recently, thought I better head out and document some of them. Fynbos contains many entertaining subjects for macro photography.

Frosty leaves

I'm not a plantologist, so some names of things below might be wrong (if you really want to learn latin plant names best buy Plants of the Klein Karoo).

Agathosma recurvifolia - a local kind of buchu

Bloukop

a member of the Compositae family

A pink Erica

A white Erica

Eriocephalus (Kapokbos)

Felicia

Lessertia microphylla (formerly known as Sutherlandia – Kankerbos)

Leucadendron

Leucospermum royenifolium

Muraltia (but could be totally wrong)

 

Naartjieskloofberg with Protea neriifolia in the foreground

Othonna cyclindrica close macro shot

Othonna parviflora Bobbejaankool 

 

Struthiola argentea