August Winds Of Change

Supermoon High Alert

Cold Benuela and warm Agulhas Current surrounding the subcontinent of southern Africa has encountered a very strange winter. Western side of the country wet and cold Eastern half dry, hot not quite the winter I was hoping for, we had a couple of cooler day when snow arrived inland, not enough for more than a jersey for a day or two.

Month with the Supermoon brought high tides, even higher swells many warnings about damaging winds and waves. August starts to alert one to Spring arrival, new leaves fired up in red through early morning sunlight, early plants start bursting through the ground to flower, many birds arrive once again busying themselves for imminent arrival of longer, warmer days.

That is what conditions are currently weather wise, we still walk enjoying casual wear throughout the year here in Durban region. Waiting patiently for some rains to arrive spring clean the air and plants once again dusty.

Lets go for a walk and soak in some of what is happening outdoors in humid subtropical climate where we enjoy moderate frost-free winters.

Arriving at the park for weekly jaunt with Woody very first bird to greet is the African hoopoe busy on the ground, actually there were two, being a relatively busy Sunday afternoon walk they did not hang around for long.

Cute looking cow grazing the fields with herdsman egging them to move along after all this is the time of day to start heading back home over the hills. I simply loved their huge floppy ears!"

Yellow pops out of small bushes along the Amanzimtoti river to cheer you along the way, stunning displays during the dry season.

One will never not stop to look up and marvel the broad-leaf coral tree, all the leaves fall to give a grand display in fiery orange tipping toward bright red.

The Loerie leered at me through the dense undergrowth, first their were two but I was not quick enough to capture them together in the dappled lighting.

Coastal Coral tree with much smaller leaf another plant that enchants, inviting nectar loving birds and insects to visit in their slightly leaning toward a terracotta blooms.

Smiling face within the bark of the tree above, this I found to be a friendly welcome to the park. Do you see it?

What appears to be a of the Cisticola family a first sighting for me, still have to verify but sure I'm on the right trail as I could not see the back of the bird distinctly, upturned tail a dead give away.

Brown-hooded kingfisher many more kingfishers around this area in variety shapes, colours and size.

Little wild free canaries in our shrubs and trees alongside the river today, with berries and grasses in season, no surprise to see them appearing.

This brings me to the end of the pleasant outing seeing more birds down along the paths, cattle becoming regulars crossing around the outer edges of the sports fields.

Keep walking and join in with the Wednesday Walk.

Photography all taken with handy pocket camera Cannon SX730 HS, words all my own!

Thought for Today: "If the sun said it had power over the moon then let it come and shine at night." - African Proverbs