One of my favorite routes took me over a small hill and coming down on the other side, there was a wonderful outlook which was so pretty.
Laying curled up in the dry leaves at the bottom of a tree was this red bug. It looks like a juvenile Cotton Stainer to me. (Family
Pyrrhocoridae) They look a lot like stinkbugs and are medium sized 5-20mm. I see its wings are just starting to develop.
On the opposite side of the outlook is this wonderful little man-made dam.
The owners of the property have built this lovely BBQ and entertainment area to one side of it. How I would LOVE to be able to stay there!! I was told that not so long ago, they used it for a wedding and I could not imagine a more beautiful spot.
Quiet reflections.....
The trees with the white on them in the first picture are Knob-thorns (Acacia nigrescens) and are one of the first to show signs of spring in the air. These white spikes are their flowers and grow up to 10cm (4”) in length.
As they get older, the spikes begin to disintegrate and you can see the tiny seeds ready to float off in the wind.
These trees are very large and have the most awful thorns on them!! Needless to say, I am very careful when I am in the bush!! LOL!! They are regarded as an indication of good ranching country being fire and drought resistant.
The bark is very flaky with the sapwood yellow and the heartwood dark brown. I have seen the most wonderful things made out of these trees and the combination of colors is fantastic. The wood is close-grained and not easy to work with though.
Laying curled up in the dry leaves at the bottom of a tree was this red bug. It looks like a juvenile Cotton Stainer to me. (Family Pyrrhocoridae) They look a lot like stinkbugs and are medium sized 5-20mm. I see its wings are just starting to develop.
The owners of the property have built this lovely BBQ and entertainment area to one side of it. How I would LOVE to be able to stay there!! I was told that not so long ago, they used it for a wedding and I could not imagine a more beautiful spot.
Quiet reflections.....
The trees with the white on them in the first picture are Knob-thorns (Acacia nigrescens) and are one of the first to show signs of spring in the air. These white spikes are their flowers and grow up to 10cm (4”) in length.
As they get older, the spikes begin to disintegrate and you can see the tiny seeds ready to float off in the wind.
These trees are very large and have the most awful thorns on them!! Needless to say, I am very careful when I am in the bush!! LOL!! They are regarded as an indication of good ranching country being fire and drought resistant.
The bark is very flaky with the sapwood yellow and the heartwood dark brown. I have seen the most wonderful things made out of these trees and the combination of colors is fantastic. The wood is close-grained and not easy to work with though.
Ahhhhhhh memories of the bush, I imagined that I was there for a bit reading this post. Memories of thorn trees too, something I had almost forgotten about. Great pictures and post. Diane
ReplyDeleteThis looks like an idealistic place to move into. Except maybe for the thorny bushes. So glad you're having a great vacation.
ReplyDeleteA small pond at the end of the trail. Looks perfect to me. And oh those orchids. Just unbelievable.
ReplyDeleteThose sceneries and colours are so Africa! Wish I was walking there too... :-)
ReplyDeleteAnother good day Joan. I'm assuming you slept out in the bush? Scarey?
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering what visited that dam?
B.
Is there any place better than this Diane? These scenes are so typical Africa.
ReplyDeleteIt was great being there Gaelyn. Just what I needed after the hectic year so far. I am seriously contemplating moving there.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ray. A nice place to sit and have a sanwich and something to drink after the hike.
ReplyDeleteYou are right Jose. I know you enjoyed Africa so it is time you came over again. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Becky. Yes I did stay there for the two weeks and what a fantastic time it was for me. You should have seen the stars!! WOW!!
ReplyDeleteMost of the game on the farm is different kinds of buck, warthogs, hippo etc although in the river below the house I stayed in I heard lions, hyena and saw tracks of leopard.
Now that spot looks like s tunning one. Now imagine sitting under there with the fire going and a glass of wine (or whatever) in hand, watching something come down to the water for a drink. Bliss.
ReplyDeleteBliss and then some Jonker!! Can you just imagine having all those stars above and the night sounds around you? Definitely MY kind of life. :)
ReplyDeleteSeriously! That would be an awesome place to live. Much better than the city you're in now. And much your style. Good luck with this.
ReplyDeleteI think I could use a quiet place like that to reflect as I feel scattered and stressed....
ReplyDeleteSeriously!! I am making plans towards it and just hope the work out. The place is not going to be empty till about the end of next year though. Thanks Gaelyn.
ReplyDeleteIt does something to my sould Michelle that no other place does. When I am in the bush, the rest of the world and all its problems does not exist.
ReplyDelete