For the identification of insects and other fauna and flora of South Africa.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Kruger National Park - The other side - Part 9

Before it was established as a game reserve, this was the main route to Delagoa Bay in neighbouring Mozambique as it was the nearest port for importing and exporting supplies from the area where I live.
The book "Jock of the Bushveld" was written by Sir Percy Fitzpatrick in 1905, for his young children, and tell the story of his dog "Jock" and their adventures in South Africa some 20 years before. Jock - a bull-terrier - was born in the present day Kruger National Park near the Pretorius Kop Camp. He was the runt of the litter and the young Fitzpatrick saved him from certain death by adopting him as a pup.

Percy Fitzpatrick became a transport rider - carting supplies for the goldfields at Pilgrim's Rest and Barberton from Delagoa Bay (now Maputo) in Lourenco Marques (now Mozambique). Jock grew up to be a faithful and obedient companion, as well as a champion fighter and hunter. Jock accompanied Fitzpatrick on his journeys through the KNP, as well as through the towns of Sabie, Graskop, Pilgrim's Rest, Barberton and Lydenburg.

In 1983 the Lowveld Digger's and Transport Rider's Society erected these bronze plagues on rocks wherever Jock's original route crossed the present day roads.
Another interesting moth.
A Wooly Bee Fly. They are small, less than 1/2 inch in body length.
A bee fly about 1 inch in length.
Smoky Orange Tip Butterfly

This is called a BFL. LOL!! Here I am cheating on a public forum....I do not know what it is called but I named it a Big Fat Lizard!! Look at those long back toes!!
A beautiful lizard sunning itself on the road.

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