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

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Vacation Time - Day 4 Part 1

Update: Brilliant Adrian from The Bug Whisperer has commented that they are the eggs of the Lacewing and he is quite right. Thank you. You are a star!!

To see what it looks like, click here or here.

Being only an hours drive away from Kruger National Park, there is no way I could resist going there for a day, so I left early in order to get there when the gates opened. The sunrise with its soft colors was unbelievable.
This is a birders paradise but usually as you get near, they fly a little way from the road so one needs a better lens than what I have. This one however decided I was no threat and stayed just where he was. It is a Burchell’s Coucal, a rather large bird, twice the size of a large pigeon at least. Its claim to fame is the sound it makes which is like liquid gurgling out of a bottle and the belief is that when you hear it, it means it is gong to rain so we call it the Rain Bird. It eats frogs, insects and small reptiles amongst other things.
I have found that one of the best areas to look for insects in the early morning is on the walls of buildings where they perch for the night and so I headed to the nearest. This was a most unusual find and although I can see it is the eggs of something, I do not know what it belongs to. This whole thing is maybe ½ an inch in diameter and this picture is exactly as it is from out of the wall. It is not hanging down as I would expect but sticking straight out. I looked to see if something which laid them might be lurking around but the closest was the spider below and I know it does not belong to it as I have seen their nests and eggs.

PLEASE SOMEBODY TELL ME WHAT IT BELONGS TO!! This is one time I would have loved to have gone back on a regular basis to see what hatches out or brought it home, but there is no way I could have detached each strand and done that. So here I sit, clueless again!! It is SO frustrating!!
A “Flattie”, about the size of a quarter waiting for something edible to come along.
Another unusual one. A Clear-wing moth. They all have such spectacular colors. This one was guarding a clutch of eggs.
Namaqualand Daisies. These are one of the nicest flowers to have in a garden. They are long-stemmed and come in a rainbow of colors and easy to propagate too. In the picture is its seedball which you scatter and lightly cover with soil. Alternatively, the roots can be divided into more plants.
When finding flowers like this, it is a good idea to always look inside them as very often small katydids like this will be hiding there.

20 comments:

Firefly the Travel Guy said...

We have a pair of Burchell’s Coucal that live somewhere around our place. I often hear them call in the mornings in the palm tree in front of the house. What a stunning sound. One year I didn't hear or see them and thought that something must have caught them, but the next year they were back.

Diane said...

We used to have a caravan parked North of Pretoria for our weekend get aways and there were a always a couple of Burchell’s Coucal there. I loved listening to them.
Those eggs are very weird, I hope someone comes up with some answers for you. Diane

Jo said...

Oh wow, Joan;) I love the coucals. We had Senegal coucals in our garden in Guinea, West Africa. A very similar looking bird, but not quite the same sound as Burchells. I grew up with the latter in the Natal Midlands. This is my last visit from North Africa (sadly!) I will be online in SA again in about two days' time and hope to be blogging by then. Blessings and hugs Jo

Unknown said...

How truly fascinating! I love that moth with the clear wings. It looks like it shouldn't be able to fly! And the rain bird is beautiful too. Hope you are enjoying your vacation! :o)

Unknown said...

I wouldn't resist going to the Krugger either! :-) The bird is beautiful and the moth wings are amazing. All shots are great.

Anonymous said...

Hi Joan,

Those eggs-on-stalks are typical of the type laid by lacewings (family Chrysopidae of the order Neuroptera). Hopefully that gives you a clue in tracing the origins!

Andrea said...

I am happy to read the last comment.
I was trying to understand what kind of eggs I was looking in your picture.
I really love the last one!

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

I wonder what happened Jonker? I am pleased they are back though.

Gaelyn said...

I love it, and you too! So you go to Kruger and head quickly to buildings for bug shots. All Great of course.

Those egg sacks are the wildest. Hope you find out more about them.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

I love hearing them Diane and I think clever Adrian has just given me the answer I was looking for. :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

I have seen pictures of them Jo and they are very similar i looks but of course I have never heard one.

I look forward to you being back and I am sure your family here does too.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Those wings are fascinating Krista.

I have been back from vacation for a week already. Unfortunately!! :) Ready to go on one again. :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

I am sure you would have too Jose. :) It was like going home again. I sure do miss the place.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Adrian you are a STAR!! Thank you so much my friend, I check it out an you are right!!

Please visit more often and help me out more. :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Andrea. I am so pleased Adrian helped me out on this one. It is wonderful to come across with such helpful info!! It is the first time I have seen it but now I will recognize it when I find some again.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

LOL!! Put that way it sounds kind of daft doesn't it Gaelyn? LOL!! But yes, that was exactly what I did. LOL!!

I see Adrian has come up with the anser for me. I am so happy he did.

Becky said...

What a handsome bird. I'd love to hear it.I think on Africam you can hear birds. I'll have to check it out.
The moth wings look like they have holes in them. Quite unique.
B.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

It is actuall one you hear quite often on those tapes Becky. During the winter one almost never hears them.

We have many secies of moth which have those see-through patches on their wings, all of them have very beautiful colors.

Rambling Woods said...

I can almost hear how refreshed you are after your vacation...I am happy for you Joan....hugs...Michelle

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

It was wonderful Michelle and I really did need this break.