21 December 2020
It pays to be out early in South Africa’s wild places, and the Wilderness section of the Garden Route National Park is no exception. Even when the sky is still heavy with rain and the sun nowhere to be seen.
After breakfast we felt like exploring a little further afield, and so headed to the Woodville indigenous forest a few kilometers away from Ebb-and-Flow. We explored the wet forest, marveled at the enormous Outeniqua Yellowwood that rules over it and kept a lookout for birds and other creatures trying to hide from us, until we could stand the pestering mosquitoes no more!
From Woodville we extended our joy ride to Rondevlei and the Swartvlei beach, and then had a quick look around the holiday town of Sedgefield, of which I have many happy childhood memories, before heading back to camp.
Just being outside at Wilderness was such balm for the soul. You don’t always have to be out chasing the “hairy and scary” animals for which Africa is famous to enjoy yourself in our wild places…
More frog hunting before bed-time resulted in these photographs of Raucous Toads:
If you’d like to read more about the Wilderness section of the Garden Route National Park, please have a look at this special feature about it that we published a while ago.
DeWetsWild 
I loved all these photos – and I agree with Anne, extra special to see the nesting flycatcher. Well spotted!
Thank you, Carol!
Die blomme en die voels is pragtig! Verlang sommer na my grootword plek!
Ek glo nie enigiemand sal jou dit kwalik neem nie, Aletta.
Amongst all those beautiful things you spotted a Paradise Flycatcher in its nest! WHAT a find – I feel rather envious of you 🙂 🙂
We were very pleased with ourselves for noticing it too! 😀
Quite exotic plants and flowers, and great looking birds. It must be like a large garden. Thanks, D. 🙂
Indeed, H.J. There’s a reason we call this pocket of our country the “Garden Route”! Thanks for coming along.
Flowers and birds (mostly). Just right for today. I recognized some of the flowers and birds as those I’ve seen around here or elsewhere. That Hoopoe however is quite something.
janet
Thanks, Janet! Hoopoes are endearing birds that we all love to see. And I agree about the flowers and birds – small things matter!
You do have the best adventures!
Don’t we, Lois? We are blessed.
That unidentified flower (5th pic) is called the ertjieblom by the locals here in the Stilbay area (Polygala family). A recent publication, which I’ve found very useful is: Layman’s Guide to the Common Trees of Hessequa by Naomi v Schalkwyk. Most pics are by Patrick Duddy.
Thanks very much for the id and the tip on the book, Bonnita!
Beautiful birds and flowers! Very enjoyable. Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it, Hien. Thank you.