Swinging into spring at the Botanical Gardens

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With the spring season now in glorious swing here in South Africa we headed to the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden again for a jolly day out in nature this past Sunday. The recently fledged Verreaux’s Eagle chick and its parents were the stars of the show, as always, and yet again we were amazed at the variety of wildlife finding a home here in suburban Johannesburg. The gardens are hugely popular with the citizens of South Africa’s biggest city, and not without reason, as we hope these photos will convince.

Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden
Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden’s Witpoortjie Falls
Witpoortjie Falls in the Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden
Joubert’s artistic impression of the Witpoortjie Falls
Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden
Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden
Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden
Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden
Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden
Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden
Verreaux’s Eagles
Verreaux’s Eagle
Verreaux’s Eagle
Amethyst Sunbird female
Southern Masked Weaver
Southern Boubou
Slender Mongoose
Red-Bishop female
African Paradise Flycatcher (male)
Green Milkweed Locust
Koppie Foam Grasshopper
Garden Commodore (dry season colouration)
Garden Acraea
Unidentified Dragonfly
Laughing Dove
Jameson’s Firefinch
Black-chested Snake Eagle above the Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden
Egyptian Goose
Cape Weaver
Cape Robin Chat
Cape Glossy Starling
Brown-hooded Kingfisher
Black-collared Barbet
Red-collared Widowbird in transitional plumage
Hadeda

Have a look here for all our posts on the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden if you’d like to learn more about this fantastic place.

Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens is located on the outskirts of Johannesburg on the borders of Krugersdorp and Roodepoort

35 thoughts on “Swinging into spring at the Botanical Gardens”

  3. aj vosse's avataraj vosse

    Ek het ‘n vermoede ek het as jong man dikwils daar verby gery… en nooit kon droom daar’s so baie mooi daar nie! Tot arende… en skoenlappers!! 😉
    NS – Ek stem saam met Abrie – en voeg by die die onderig en “entertainment” wat julle verskaf!

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  4. Abrie Joubert's avatarAbrie Joubert

    Dries jy het nou maar net ‘n gawe om diere op te spoor en sinvolle dinge oer hulle te se en ‘n ambassadeur vir Suid Afrika te wees (ook in die kommentate -veral in die kommentare)

    Reply ↓

  6. Pingback: Green Milkweed Locust | de Wets Wild

  7. photobyjohnbo's avatarphotobyjohnbo

    I love visits to botanical gardens… been to several… apart from butterflies and a few geese or ducks, I’ve never seen the variety of wildlife you feature here. Great post!

    Reply ↓
    1. DeWetsWild's avatarde Wets Wild Post author

      Thanks, John. Most of our botanical gardens really should be considered more “nature reserve” than “garden”, for the planted and curated portions are usually far smaller than the areas of natural vegetation the gardens encompass. And of course these natural habitats is what harbours most of the widlife.

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  8. Joanne Sisco's avatarJoanne Sisco

    These gardens get 2 thumbs up from me just because of the great waterfall – always a grand feature in my opinion. However the little masked weaver steals the show. A real cutie. I like the way he seems to be posing, looking right into the camera 🙂

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  11. John's avatarJohn

    Amazing mix of photos!😊 You are heading at a nice and beautiful season,😊 when we in Sweden are heading to winter!😁 Winter is not my favorite season…

    Reply ↓
    1. DeWetsWild's avatarde Wets Wild Post author

      Walter Sisulu Botanical gardens really is a special spot – if ever you find yourself in Johannesburg with a few hours to spend, this is the place to do it!

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