August Winds

Stirring Up Change

Out for a walk in the park at Amanzimtoti Civic Centre and Library most enjoyable late afternoon after sudden change in weather, warming up a lot quicker than anticipated, most definitely hope this is not a sign of a hot summer approaching.

Many trees shed their leaves at this time of the year going into Spring making space for the new to follow, clump of trees where Woody obviously loves to explore after a few dozen most probably visited from early morning marking their spot on every tree available.

Carpet of leaves below, always upsetting to see this was spotlessly clean a week ago with visitors arriving leaving trash once again between the leaves.

Local News Big drive happening between the communities called "Tidy Towns" groups assemble going around cleaning to assist municipalities, currently running in most towns along our coast with promising results. If not you, who? Under the current ruling party little is being fixed or repaired. Ongoing problem has been 2020 floods, 2021 strike action burning and looting, 2022 even worse flooding, roads have more potholes than tar, sewerage breaking regularly, electricity black outs daily on occasion more than once a day. Should you wish to be motivated into positive thought a link to listen to Dr Imtiaz Sooliman Gift of the Givers Agri EC Congress 2023

Now back to the walk, which we do enjoy, two trees stand side by side one laden with fresh leaves the other only bearing flowers yet to sprout leaves, talk about individuals....

Egyptian goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca) is an African member of the duck, goose, and swan family. A shelduck sub-family Tadorninae. More an ornamental bird not farmed for food, they populate most places with water throughout the land.

Cuddly cute these little ones go ahead confidently being taught by parents, these are second largest water fowl in South Africa and not good to eat, thank goodness or we wouldn't have so many.

Further along the river we amble noticing the Kigelia africana, or as we know the Sausage Tree with a poisonous fruit that grows Sub-Saharan Africa.

Flowers are stunning in blood-red to maroon hanging in long panicles from the tree which has traditional medicinal uses.

Swinging back to the river is this Cormorant or African darter? Research revealed being on the coastline they often nest together with herons and egrets, difference between the two is the darter has a straight bill, while the Cormorant a hooked bill, these are Cormorant out in the late afternoon sun.

Returning to the car Woody by now shooting blanks still has to go on the large rocks!

With the Aloe Flowers all drying out we leave once again with a wish to you and yours to stay safe and take a walk it is extremely healthy for body and mind.

Have a fun day wherever you are in the world, appreciate nature and everything she offers you. All photography taken on Canon Powershot SX730 HS my own as is the content created.

Joining in #wednesdaywalk with host @tattodjay in collaboration with #makemesmile hosted by @elizacheng,

Thought for Today: "When roots are deep, there is no need to fear the wind." - African Proverb