Arquivos de periódicos de julho 2019

09 de julho de 2019

You are my Sunshine

You are my Sunshine
Outramps CREW Diaries
Tuesday
9th July 2019

The Cape Floral Kingdom is the smallest of the six Floral Kingdoms in the world, and the only one contained in its entirety within a single country. It is characterised by its high richness in plant species (8700 species) and its high endemicity (68% of plant species are confined to the Cape Floral Kingdom). The Cape Floral Kingdom thus compares with some of the richest floras worldwide, surpassing many tropical forest regions in its floral diversity.

A loss of Fynbos biome area of between 51% and 65% is projected by 2050 (depending on the climate scenario used), and roughly 10% of the endemic Proteaceae have ranges restricted to the area lost. Species range projections suggest that a third could suffer complete range dislocation by 2050, and only 5% could retain more than two thirds of their range. Projected changes to individual species ranges could be sufficient to detect climate change impacts within ten years. Midgley et al, 2002.


ALBUM Tuesday 9th July 2019
For captions or info click on i on the top right-hand side. A good way to go - the Slideshow is found at the top of the page on the rt hand side by clicking on the 3 dots. Featured today – Witteberg in the Du Toit's Kloof Mts, WESSA visits Endlovana, Gourikwa, Rock Art and plants at Jonkersberg, Goukamma and the Tonnelbos Circular.
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For names and captions of the photos used on this version of the Reportback - see the Album.

For earlier versions of the Outramps CREW Diaries

https://us17.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=be2accf3de565e1297257f79e&id=8113ba68c6

Gourikwa
A phone call from Charl Wade of the SC Fire Protection Association alerted us to the fact that most of the Rooikrans around the site of Lobostemon belliformis had been cleared. We have been trying to achieve this for umpteen years without success. The new owners of Gourikwa are very conservation-minded and financed the operation, whilst Charl organised it, after seeing one of our presentations.

He counted 78 plants, which is an increase from about 52 counted a couple of years ago. Lobostemon belliformis is Critically Endangered, so it is vital that it be given the best chance of survival. So thank you to Gourikwa and Charl for taking it on.

The veld was looking gorgeous and it made a very welcome change from post-burn monitoring, which is becoming a little tedious. The Lobostemon was in early flower and should be at its best sometime in early August. Erica versicolor was blooming in all its shades. Leucospermum praecox (Vulnerable) was in bud with only a few "voor op die wa" flowers. Of Erica baueri subsp. gouriquae (Critically Endangered) there was no sign, but it is early on in the year for that and we hope to see it sometime in September. Cullumia carlinoides (Near Threatened) was magnificent in bright yellow with the odd Bobartia robusta adding to the sunshine colours. We simply revelled in the spectacular coastal fynbos that is teeming with rares.

So thank you Helena. We hope to return very soon.

tanniedi

Witteberg in the Du Toit's Kloof Mts
Werner and I had the idea for a quick getaway to the Kromrivier hut, with MO and Ian keen to join. We spent the Friday night in front of the fire (planning a trip to Matroosberg and possibly Keeromsberg for later in the year), with a lazy start to the day on Saturday.

The plan was to summit Witteberg via the Kromrivier Dome, which went smoothly for the most part. A couple of highlights of the trip include Brunia monogyna (awaiting confirmation) found by Werner, Erica glauca var. elegans and great stands of Protea magnifica and Protea amplexicaulis. It was interesting to see that just about every Protea amplexicaulis flowerhead had been ripped off the plant by baboons. Tony comments, "They collect them for nectar and for insects - especially borers in the base (for which you must pick to see if they are present), and I sometimes think, just for fun".

To end it all off, we came across entries from Di and Bill in the hut's visitor book — even when you're far away in the Cape, the Outramps are never too far away!

Peter

Jonkersberg
We haven't been back to Jonkersberg for ages, but we managed to get there last Friday to do some post-burn monitoring. At this stage of the year, there is very little in flower, but we did manage to have a reasonable haul of rares, including Erica unicolor subsp. mutica (Endangered), Serruria fasciflora (Near Threatened) and Leucadendron conicum (Near Threatened), which was profuse in an unburnt patch. There are also lots of young conicum plants emerging in the burnt areas. Nicky and Ann took a different route and managed to find Acmadenia tetragona (Near Threatened) further east.

Undoubtedly the "star of the show" was Erica curviflora, which was magnificent in a large seep above the jeep track. The gorgeous orange colour was very eye-catching and captured the undivided attention of the photograpers in the party.

Meanwhile, Hugo and Bill, who had joined us for the day, went up to the road above the Perdeberg River to check on some rock art after the fires. Hugo's report appears later in the Diaries.

On our return to the offices, I was delighted to see Marius from Cape Pine again. It's been a while. His news is that they are leaving Jonkersberg soon. We won't miss the Pines, but we will miss Marius and his warm welcome. He has always been very happy to allow us in to monitor the plants. It would seem that DEFF will be taking over this magnificent piece of land. Let's hope that they are responsible and proactive custodians of the bowl that is enclosed by Engelseberg (2nd highest in the Outeniquas) and Jonkersberg, which comes 3rd. It is home to some spectacular Fynbos and some lovely patches of afrotemperate forest.

tanniedi

Rock Art at Jonkersberg
The summit ridge, which links Engelseberg to Skurweberg, divides the rocky north-facing catchments of the Doringrivier Reserve from the much wetter greener basin of the Grootrivier (which becomes the Grootbrak).

While the area on the northern slopes of the Outeniquas is rich in rock art, I only have two records in the upper Grootrivier catchment. Both of these are in the valley of the Perdebergrivier and are north-facing.

The upper site contains about 30 paintings, all in red ochre. The paintings have faded over the years and there is water damage, but they appear to have been protected from the fire by two or three large blocks of rock.

The second site is an overhang, protected from the worst of the blaze by natural vegetation. The vegetation was itself burnt, but is resprouting. Damage to the paintings includes fading, water and some exfoliation, but is not recent. Many of the paintings are too faded to be easily identifiable, but there is one panel of reasonably clear animals. On the right is a creature which may have a long raised tail – a vervet monkey perhaps?

Hugo

Out and About in the Southern Cape
Goukamma
Last week was characterised by domestic chores and prospective purchasers looking at Strawberry Hill. This meant that we missed out on doing St Blaize with WAGS on Wednesday, which was grumpy-making. By Sunday we were champing at the bit and decided on a quick paddle on the Island Lake and a visit to Goukamma.

The good news is that it's open for hiking again. Well, let's put it this way, "There wasn't a No Entry sign in sight". This is good news for the local hiking groups, as it's a great favourite.

The conditions for walking were perfect. A light southeasterly cooled us down and hazy conditions added a new perspective to the magnificent views. We took a slightly shorter route with lots of ups and down over the dunes earning it the nickname of "Mini-Rollercoaster". We know Goukamma like the back of our hand. We've been hiking it about 4x per year since 1970. En route, we met a group of 4 hikers from the Plett Panters who were checking to see if they could include it on their programme. We were all really thrilled to find it open. Thank you CapeNature. We are looking forward to the Spring profusion with great anticipation.

Endlovana with Wessa and Nicky

This lovely property is in Brenton-on Sea and is probably the most catalogued piece of ground in the Southern Cape. Nicky lives nearby and has made it her business to know every plant that grows there and post pics of them on iNat. Recently she hosted WESSA on a Walkie-Talkie to marvel at the lovely plants and give some information about them. It was a huge success.

Tonnelbos Circular
Geriatrics should exercise caution when choosing hiking destinations. Going up to Tonnelbos is steep, but a lovely and relatively easy walk. Going further through the Fern Forest and then on to the contour path that eventually leads to Tierkop was foolhardy, considering the state of the path and our age. We have been asking CapeNature to fix it for years. The track needs levelling out to prevent the almost inevitable slide on to the steep slopes below the path. The vegetation is relatively clear, but the going was extremely difficult for two tottering 80 year olds.

By the time we reached the ridge that allowed a bailout on to the higher road, there wasn't much of a debate. It was still a long way home for us, with a fairly lengthy and tedious walk along the railway line making it into a 7 3/4 hour day.

The Tonnelbos Circular is one of the most beautiful tracks in the Southern Cape. It deserves a higher level of maintenance.

tanniedi

Field Trips
SIM - On Friday we will be visiting Kai Tiqua on the coast west of Ballots Bay. This trip has been organised by Jo-Anne King, who is the youthful Chair of the Garden Route Branch of Bot.Soc. SA
Hamba Kahle
Groete en dankie
Di Turner
Outramps CREW Group
SIM tripsSouthern Cape
South Africa

All id’s subject to confirmation by Doc AnneLise and Jan Vlok, Steven Molteno, Dr Tony Rebelo, Nick Helme, Prof Charlie Stirton, Dr Robert Archer, Dr Robert McKenzie, Dr Ted Oliver, Dr Christopher Whitehouse, Adriaan Grobler, Prix Burgoyne, Dr Kenneth Oberlander, Dr Pieter Winter, Dr David Gwynne-Evans, Malthinus and Mattmatt on iNat. Thank you all for your ongoing help and support.

Outramps Places on iNaturalist – You can browse through the observations or refer to the checklist which is in alphabetical order eg. Animals, birds etc.
Area covered by Southern Cape Herbarium - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/southern-cape-aoi
Cola Conservancy - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/cola-conservancy
Dune Molerat Trail - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/dune-molerat-trails
Featherbed Nature Reserve - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/featherbed-nature-reserve
Gamkaberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/gamkaberg
Gerickes Punt - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/gerickes-punt#/places/gerickes-punt
Gouriqua - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/gouriqua-private-nature-reserve
Gouritzmond - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/the-gouritsmond-commonage
Heaven in the Langkloof - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/heaven-in-the-langkloof
Herolds Bay - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-herolds-bay
Kammanassie - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-kammanassie-reserve
Klein Swartberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/klein-swartberg
Knysna - Westford Bridge https://www.inaturalist.org/places/westford-bridge-estate-knysna
Kouga Mountains Kliphuis - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-kouga-mountains
Kranshoek - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-kranshoek-
Langeberg Grootvadersbosch - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/grootvadersbosch-nature-reserve
Masons Rust - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/masons-rust-32-ptn-4-gezwinds-kraal-41-ptn-0
Mons Ruber and surrounds - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/mons-ruber-and-surrounds
Mossel Bay Aalwyndal - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/aalwyndal
Mossel Bay Diosma Reserve - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/diosma-reserve
Mossel Bay - :https://www.inaturalist.org/places/hartenbos-heuwels

Mossel Bay - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/erf-14072
Mossel Bay - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/erf-19201
Mossel Bay St Blaize Trail - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/st-blaize-trail
Natures Valley - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/nature-s-valley-south-cape-south-africa
Outeniquas Bobbejaanberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-bobbejanberg-in-the-outeniquas
Outeniquas Camferskloof - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-camferskloof
Outeniquas, Collinshoek and the Big Tree - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outenoquas-collinshoek-and-the-big-tree
Outeniquas - Cradock and George Peak Trail - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/cradock-peak-trail
Outeniquas Doringrivier East - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-doringrivier-east-in-the-outeniquas
Outeniquas East - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-eastern-outeniquas-from-bergplaas-to-gouna
Outeniquas Eseljagt - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/ezeljagt-eseljagt-and-surrounds
Outeniquas Eseljagtpoort - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/ezeljagts-poort-72-ptn-0-eseljagt-poort
Outeniquas Flanagans Rock - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/flanagans-rock-rsa
Outeniquas Jonkersberg Bowl - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-jonkersberg-in-the-outeniquas
Outeniquas Langeberg https://www.inaturalist.org/places/lange-berg-112
Outeniquas Montagu Pass North - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-montagu-pass-north
Outeniquas Paardekop - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/paardekop-13
Outeniquas Paardepoort East - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-paardepoort-east
Outeniquas Paardepoort West - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-paardepoort-wes
Outeniquas Pizza Ridge - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-pizza-ridge
Outeniquas Southern Traverse - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-outeniqua-southern-traverse
Robberg Corridor - : https://www.inaturalist.org/places/robberg-coastal-corridor-roodefontein-440-ptn-42
Robberg Corridor - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/robberg-coastal-corridor-krans-hoek-432-ptn-5
Robberg Corridor - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/robberg-coastal-corridor-e8267c6b-9263-4a87-a721-a24619be6dc8
Rooiberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-rooiberg-reserve
Spioenkop - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/ruigtevlei-plantations
Strawberry Hill - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/strawberry-hill-7-passes-road-wilderness-south-africa
Swartberg Bloupunt - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-bloupunt-swartberg
Swartberg Spitskop - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-spitskop-to-meiringspoort-swartberg
Swartberg, Swartberg Pass to Bothashoek high and low - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/swartberg-pass-to-bothashoek-jeep-track-and-crag-route
Swartberg Waboomsberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/waboomsberg-in-the-swartberg
Uitzicht Portion 39 - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/uitzigt-216-portion-39
Uitzicht - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/uitzigt-216-ptn-65
Western Head - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/walker-s-point-215-portion-1-buffalo-bay
Western Head – https://www.inaturalist.org/places/walker-s-point-215-portion-2-buffalo-bay
Western Head - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/walker-s-point-215-portion-3-buffalo-bay
Western Head - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/western-head-knysna
White Heather - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/white-heather
Wilderness Brown Hooded Kingfisher Trail – https://www.inaturalist.org/places/brown-hooded-kingfisher-trail
Wilderness Kingfisher Trail - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/kingfisher-trails
Witteberg Kromme Rivier - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/kromme-rivier-72-ptn-0-willowmore

Outramps CREW Stellenbosch HAT node
Jonkershoek created by Vynbos - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/jonkershoek-cv
Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/mont-rochelle-nature-reserve
Papegaaiberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/papegaaiberg

Outramps Projects on iNaturalist
Ericas of the Southern Cape - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/ericas-of-the-southern-cape
Fungi of the Southern Cape - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/fungi-of-the-southern-cape
Geranicaceae of the Southern Cape - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/geraniaceae-of-the-southern-cape-of-south-africa
Lianes and Creepers in the Southern Cape and Little Karoo - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/lianes-and-creepers-of-the-southern-cape-and-little-karoo
Veg Types of South Africa (Tony Rebelo)- https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/vegetation-types-of-south-africa

Flowers of the High Drakensberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/flowers-of-the-high-kzn-drakensberg

Abbreviations Glossary

MCSA – Mountain Club of South Africa
MSB - Millenium Seed Bank based at Kew in the UK
WIP – Work in Progress
HAT – High Altitude Team
LOT – Lowland Team
SIM – Somewhere in the Middle Team
WAGS – Wednesday Adventure Group
VB – Vlok Boekie “Plants of the Klein Karoo” and our Plant Bible
ITRTOL – Another thread “In The Rich Tapestry Of Life”(It describes a challenging situation, usually to do with the Buchu Bus)
ITFOT – In the fullness of time
WOESS – Fair Weather Hiker
FMC and JW – too vulgar to translate, but the equivalent is “Strike me Dead” - An expression of surprise and delight on finding a new “Rare”
Kambro – same as above
Fossick – A meter per minute, scratching around looking for rares
SIDB – Skrop in die Bos – Another name for a field trip, this one coined by Prix
BAFFING – Running round like a blue-arsed fly
SYT – Sweet Young Thing - Anyone under the age of 40
TOMB – Get a move on
Mayhem - Needless or willful damage or violence
SESKRYNG – “Sit en staan kry niks gedaan” ,with thanks to Brian
SOS – Skelms on Scramblers
FW – Idiot
BOB – Another name for the Buchu Bus when she’s misbehaving.
CRAFT – A symptom of Old Age
DDD - Metalasia tricolor (Damned Diabolical Daisy)
VP – Vrekplek – Retirement Village
Qàq – Self-explanatory Inuit word describing some of our local problems
Mr Fab – Our Fabaceae specialist, Brian Du Preez – originally Boy 1
Muisvoel -The Mathematician – Peter Thompson
Boy 2 – Kyle Underwood who works on Orchids and is still at school
Sharkie – Finn Rautenbach – Our latest SYT is a surfer in his spare time and is now the Curator of the Garden Route Botanical Garden
Sicko – Someone who suffers from Car Sickness. With 4 in the Group, allocating seating in the Buchu Bus is tricky
VAG – Virgin Active Garage, which is our meeting place when we head north
MATMUE – Meet At The Mall Under E - Meeting place when we head West
WG – Waves Garage in Wilderness East. - Meeting place when we’re going east.
VU- Vulnerable
DDT – Data Deficient and Taxonomically ?
NT – Near Threatened
EN – Endangered
CR – Critically Endangered
PE – Presumed extinct
LC – Least Concern
TBC – To be Confirmed
TLC – Tender loving care
JMS – An expression of absolute disdain
FOMO – Fear of Missing Out
Milk – the fruit of the vine
Condensed Milk – Scotland’s finest export
Full Cream Milk or Fat Milk – Any product of Humulus lupulus eg. Milk Stout
Milk of the Gods – Rooibos and Brandy
Milk Shake - Sparkling Wine
NS – Species of conservation concern new to the Outramps
PS -Priority Species allocated to the Outramps by our CREW Cape Co-ordinator , Ismail Ebrahim
iNatFD – iNaturalist for Dummies as compiled by Sally
Mizzle – Mist and drizzle combined. A regular feature of George in the ”good old days”.
FE – Fire Ephemeral – only appears immediately or after a couple of years after fire
Squirrel – aka President Ramaphosa
WOG – Wrath of God – eg. incurred when you put a young Pine tree on iNat as Leucadendron album
Skedonk - A banger - old, battered motor car more than 30 years old
Hoedown - redneck gathering, usually involves shouting catchy phrases like "yee-haw" and "the south will rise again"
VHF - Vat Hom Fluffie - our nickname for furry or woolly plants
SA - Stay Attractive is Google's translation of "Mooi Bly"
OTL - Out To Lunch is used to describe the Buchu Bus when she's taking a break after she's behaved badly
DFKIAA - A very funny video in Afrikaans is doing the rounds. It refers to the current power outages.

Posted on 09 de julho de 2019, 05:56 AM by outramps-tanniedi outramps-tanniedi | 0 comentários | Deixar um comentário

23 de julho de 2019

The Keeper of the Gate - aka Amelia

The Keeper of the Gate
aka Amelia
Outramps CREW Diaries
Tuesday
23rd July 2019

From "Our Burning Planet"
"A coal subsidy is like giving a fellowship to a graduate student who wants to pursue a thesis on ‘Strategies for Stimulating Donut Consumption Among Diabetics’.”

Bill McKibben

ALBUM Tuesday 23rd July 2019
For captions or info click on i on the top right-hand side. A good way to go - the slideshow is found at the top of the page on the rt hand side by clicking on the 3 dots. Featured today – Robinson Pass, Dune Molerat with Rupert, Goukamma with WAGS, Pass to Pass to Losberg via Montagu Pass and North Station.

For names and captions of the photos used on this version of the Reportback - see the Album.

For earlier versions of the Outramps CREW Diaries

https://us17.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=be2accf3de565e1297257f79e&id=8113ba68c6

Dune Molerat
This little reserve was looking gorgeous early on Friday morning. After light rain the night before, the sand was damp and all the plants were boasting raindrops on the tips of flowers and leaves. After so much drought, it was a sight to behold. We were pleased to find Gnidia chrysophylla (Near Threatened) in a new location on the Reserve and to see Lebeckia gracilis (Endangered) thriving on the Swartvlei lookout track.

Rupert Koopman, his wife Flo and their enchanting young daughter Amelia were visiting Strawberry Hill for an extended weekend. Rupert is the CapeNature botanist and a very old friend. Also joining us for the day was Brian du Preez (The Boy or Mr Fab), who was in the Southern Cape collecting Indigofera material for his Ph.D revison of the Genus. In order to accommodate all comers, the Outramps did a quick loop from the start of the trail, returning via the concrete road. We met the Koopmans at the offices and then did a loop to the Swartvlei lookout. Amelia enjoyed the walk thoroughly and kept up easily. On the way back we passed a couple of Protea susannae. The leaf of this Protea stinks of sulphur. When we gave a piece to Amelia to smell, she said very firmly, "No. Not nice!". Protea susannae (Near Threatened) doesn't naturally occur in this Reserve. The plants were introduced somewhere around the 1970's.

At the Rondevlei offices, we met Jonathan Britton, who was off to a community meeting to discuss the recent spraying of Glyphosate at the Ruigtevlei plantations. We would be interested to hear the outcome of that.

After a very pleasant walk we all joined LOT for lunch at a restaurant at Myoli Beach, suggested by Sandra. It was an inspired choice, as there was a small playground on the neighbouring dune. Amelia loved it and it wasn't long before she had appointed herself as "The Keeper of the Gate" between the restaurant and the dune. Her charm and organisational abilities are going to take her a very long way. Altogether, it was a lovely day out with good friends in our beloved Fynbos.

tanniedi

Dune Molerat from Flo's perspective
A two-hour meander through the Dune Molerat Trail in the Wilderness National Park last Friday was really a lovely opportunity to show my little three-year old the many floristic wonders of the Eden district - a place I hadn't visited since before three fires ravaged large parts of the area. On the walk, we saw a number of Protea susannae and lots of Ericas.

Walking along the 5 km route of the trail, I was filled with awe as I chatted to experienced hikers and plant experts, Di, Jenny, Brian and Jo, who stopped every so often to point out an endangered plant or simply to help the toddler catch up. I was especially charmed by the story of a Harry Potter-themed dress-up party, while taking gulps of water, as we took in the magnificent view at one of the trail's lookout points.

I am personally quite fond of old, dilapidated buildings, probably because I like to muse about the story behind it. This trail did not fail in that respect either. As we rounded the corner and I saw an old home hidden between four large trees, I wondered what used to happen on the other side of those (now broken) bay windows.

A long while after the trail had ended, I was emptying out the sand from the inside of my shoes. I wondered out loud why I kept falling into all those little holes on our little adventure. "Must be where the name of the trail comes from," my husband smiled knowingly.

Florence de Vries

Robinson Pass
LOT at Robinson Pass - 4 July 2019
Along the way we met Pam who handed over Indigofera specimens from Slakplaas to Brian. He is recording this genus for his doctoral studies and wanted to collect Oxalis ioeides (DDD) for Kenneth Oberlander at the start of the Kouma Trial at the top of Robinson Pass. Brian and Rusell found the tiny plants quickly and Brian collected a live specimen for the Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden. He also noted two Indigofera species. The post-fire vegetation cover is still sparse and little was in flower, though Dilatris ixioides, Lobelia neglecta, Penaea acutifolia and Podalyria burchellii looked just lovely. Lower down, entire slopes were covered in the olive and grey-green of a low-growing, spreading plant. According to Brian it is Aspalathus digitifolia (VU) - a ‘lifer’ for him.

A couple of years ago I noticed Acmadenia gracilis (VU) at a road verge pull-over soon after the summit. It is an awkward place to stop on the pass given road bends, baboons and traffic and I have never dared suggest a recce here before! This time we were lucky – no baboons or traffic - and were rewarded by over 30 plants in a small area, both on the road verge and the other side of the fence. Here a cascade of broken up tar spilt down the slope. Together with the usual array of road verge threats, the valley to the east towards Doringrivier is overrun by Hakea, Wattle and Pines, a reminder that it is not a very secure spot for redlisted plants. Erica glomiflora and E. quadrangularis, senescent Protea neriifolia and P. eximia, Leucadendron uliginosum subsp. uliginosum and Pelargonium grossularioides were some of the other roadside companions.

Brian was using his iNat App to record plants and I sheepishly confessed that I have been unable to upload the geo-localities to my observations during my iNat App attempts. Needless to say, three seconds later I knew how to collaborate with my technology a wee bit better! Thanks Brian

North Station
It is about 12 years, since the Outramps did their first CREW survey of the farm near the top of the Montagu Pass on the northern side that abounds CapeNature land. The farm is called North Station and was the "Old Hotel" in bygone years.. The Black Wattle-covered property has been transformed. Most of the wattle has been removed at huge cost to Dave McIntosh, who owns North Station. People like him deserve a medal for taking on the gargantuan task of restoring the Fynbos. The old house too is in the process of being returned to its former glory and the thick stone walls were again in evidence, after unsightly paint and tiles had been stripped. It has been a labour of love.

We received a warm welcome from Dave and the dogs who came with us some of the way, as we followed the watercourse and then started up an enticing ridge with a couple of irresistible kopjes. I pointed to what looked like the top and said, "That's where we want to go". Looking at the crutches, Dave said, "That's a long way. You'll never make it". But the crutches are deceptive and of course we did.

The rock slabs on the kopjes looked like the perfect habitat for Lobelia dichroma (Data Deficient) and indeed, there they were, cohabiting with the perennial favourite, Oldenburgia paradoxa, which was forming big green cushions in the rock crevices. Ann was busy finding and id'ing various Restios, which were thriving in the competition-free environment. Leucospermum cuneiforme was busy resprouting and as with Pass to Pass, the Proteaceae regeneration was huge. We think they'll turn out to be Leucadendron uliginosum subsp. uliginosum, Protea aurea and Protea neriifolia. Post-burn, walking across the veld was relatively easy, although the wind at the summit nearly blew us over, as it cranked up to chilly, gale-force intensity.

Black and filthy, after close encounters with the many blackened Proteaceae skeletons along the way, we reached the farmhouse to be regaled with cups of hot coffee and some of Dave's tales of the travails and joys encountered along the way to realising a dream. Thank you Dave. We are hoping to come back in the Spring.

tanniedi

Out and About in the Southern Cape
Goukamma
Bill and I went to Goukamma only a few weeks ago, but when it was the proposed WAGS hike for Wednesday, I was delighted to return. This time we descended the steep south-facing slope and then found a new route through the valley, which eventually joined up with the Rollercoaster. Bill has nicknamed our route the "Whippersnapper" and it is a very attractive hike. We were amazed at what a difference two weeks can make to the vegetation.

Gladiolus rogersiii is now in flower and Salvia africana-lutea will be at its best in a couple of weeks. Pelargonium betulinum boasted flashes of bright pink and Selago burchellii (Vulnerable) was all over the place. There was significantly more in flower on this second occasion. What a privilege it is to be back at Goukamma, which is one of my favourite places on earth. Thank you CapeNature.

Pass to Pass - from an eastern perspective
Just by way of a change, Bill, Ann and I decided to hike a section of Pass to Pass from the top of the Montagu Pass to Losberg and back. The main WAGS Group are training for the Tsitsikamma Trail later in the year and did the whole hike from Outeniqua Pass to Montagu and back.

We had a pre-dawn start with a magnificent sunrise as our reward. The trail is very steep up and down and was testing for the Crutcherati, but very much enjoyed. Pink was the dominant colour of the day, with the odd flash of yellow from Ursinia paleacea, Bobartia aphylla and Osteospermum polygaloides. The pinks were small Erica seriphiifolia, Pelargonium cordifolium, Indigofera filifolia, Podalyria burchellii and buxifolia and the minute, undescribed Indigofera sp. 19. On the Losberg track there are lots of Hypocalyptus oxalidifolius springing up. They will be magnificent in a couple of weeks. The Proteaceae regeneration is massive, with Leucadendron conicum (Near Threatened) leading the charge.

The views were breathtaking and we had a wonderful day. We are so privileged to live where we do and to have the good health to enjoy it.

tanniedi

Field Trips
SIM - On Friday we are hoping to visit Eseljacht in the Langkloof again to continue our survey through all the seasons. Hopefully they've had some of the recent weekend rain, so that the plants get a "hupstoot" towards recovery after the long years of drought.
Hamba Kahle
Groete en dankie

Di Turner
Outramps CREW Group
SIM tripsSouthern Cape
South Africa

All id’s subject to confirmation by Doc AnneLise and Jan Vlok, Steven Molteno, Dr Tony Rebelo, Nick Helme, Prof Charlie Stirton, Dr Robert Archer, Dr Robert McKenzie, Dr Ted Oliver, Dr Christopher Whitehouse, Adriaan Grobler, Prix Burgoyne, Dr Kenneth Oberlander, Dr Pieter Winter, Dr David Gwynne-Evans, Malthinus and Mattmatt on iNat. Thank you all for your ongoing help and support.

Outramps Places on iNaturalist – You can browse through the observations or refer to the checklist which is in alphabetical order eg. Animals, birds etc.
Area covered by Southern Cape Herbarium - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/southern-cape-aoi
Cola Conservancy - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/cola-conservancy
Dune Molerat Trail - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/dune-molerat-trails
Featherbed Nature Reserve - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/featherbed-nature-reserve
Gamkaberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/gamkaberg
Gerickes Punt - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/gerickes-punt#/places/gerickes-punt
Gouriqua - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/gouriqua-private-nature-reserve
Gouritzmond - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/the-gouritsmond-commonage
Heaven in the Langkloof - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/heaven-in-the-langkloof
Herolds Bay - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-herolds-bay
Kammanassie - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-kammanassie-reserve
Klein Swartberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/klein-swartberg
Knysna - Westford Bridge https://www.inaturalist.org/places/westford-bridge-estate-knysna
Kouga Mountains Kliphuis - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-kouga-mountains
Kranshoek - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-kranshoek-
Langeberg Grootvadersbosch - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/grootvadersbosch-nature-reserve
Masons Rust - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/masons-rust-32-ptn-4-gezwinds-kraal-41-ptn-0
Mons Ruber and surrounds - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/mons-ruber-and-surrounds
Mossel Bay Aalwyndal - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/aalwyndal
Mossel Bay Diosma Reserve - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/diosma-reserve
Mossel Bay - :https://www.inaturalist.org/places/hartenbos-heuwels

Mossel Bay - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/erf-14072
Mossel Bay - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/erf-19201
Mossel Bay St Blaize Trail - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/st-blaize-trail
Natures Valley - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/nature-s-valley-south-cape-south-africa
Outeniquas Bobbejaanberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-bobbejanberg-in-the-outeniquas
Outeniquas Camferskloof - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-camferskloof
Outeniquas, Collinshoek and the Big Tree - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outenoquas-collinshoek-and-the-big-tree
Outeniquas - Cradock and George Peak Trail - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/cradock-peak-trail
Outeniquas Doringrivier East - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-doringrivier-east-in-the-outeniquas
Outeniquas East - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-eastern-outeniquas-from-bergplaas-to-gouna
Outeniquas Eseljagt - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/ezeljagt-eseljagt-and-surrounds
Outeniquas Eseljagtpoort - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/ezeljagts-poort-72-ptn-0-eseljagt-poort
Outeniquas Flanagans Rock - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/flanagans-rock-rsa
Outeniquas Jonkersberg Bowl - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-jonkersberg-in-the-outeniquas
Outeniquas Langeberg https://www.inaturalist.org/places/lange-berg-112
Outeniquas Montagu Pass North - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-montagu-pass-north
Outeniquas North Station -https://www.inaturalist.org/places/north-station-on-the-montagu-pass
Outeniquas Paardekop - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/paardekop-13
Outeniquas Paardepoort East - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-paardepoort-east
Outeniquas Paardepoort West - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-paardepoort-wes
Outeniquas Pizza Ridge - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-pizza-ridge
Outeniquas Southern Traverse - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-outeniqua-southern-traverse
Robberg Corridor - : https://www.inaturalist.org/places/robberg-coastal-corridor-roodefontein-440-ptn-42
Robberg Corridor - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/robberg-coastal-corridor-krans-hoek-432-ptn-5
Robberg Corridor - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/robberg-coastal-corridor-e8267c6b-9263-4a87-a721-a24619be6dc8
Rooiberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-rooiberg-reserve
Spioenkop - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/ruigtevlei-plantations
Strawberry Hill - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/strawberry-hill-7-passes-road-wilderness-south-africa
Swartberg Bloupunt - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-bloupunt-swartberg
Swartberg Spitskop - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-spitskop-to-meiringspoort-swartberg
Swartberg, Swartberg Pass to Bothashoek high and low - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/swartberg-pass-to-bothashoek-jeep-track-and-crag-route
Swartberg Waboomsberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/waboomsberg-in-the-swartberg
Uitzicht Portion 39 - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/uitzigt-216-portion-39
Uitzicht - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/uitzigt-216-ptn-65
Western Head - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/walker-s-point-215-portion-1-buffalo-bay
Western Head – https://www.inaturalist.org/places/walker-s-point-215-portion-2-buffalo-bay
Western Head - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/walker-s-point-215-portion-3-buffalo-bay
Western Head - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/western-head-knysna
White Heather - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/white-heather
Wilderness Brown Hooded Kingfisher Trail – https://www.inaturalist.org/places/brown-hooded-kingfisher-trail
Wilderness Kingfisher Trail - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/kingfisher-trails
Witteberg Kromme Rivier - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/kromme-rivier-72-ptn-0-willowmore

Outramps CREW Stellenbosch HAT node
Jonkershoek created by Vynbos - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/jonkershoek-cv
Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/mont-rochelle-nature-reserve
Papegaaiberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/papegaaiberg

Outramps Projects on iNaturalist
Ericas of the Southern Cape - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/ericas-of-the-southern-cape
Fungi of the Southern Cape - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/fungi-of-the-southern-cape
Geranicaceae of the Southern Cape - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/geraniaceae-of-the-southern-cape-of-south-africa
Lianes and Creepers in the Southern Cape and Little Karoo - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/lianes-and-creepers-of-the-southern-cape-and-little-karoo
Veg Types of South Africa (Tony Rebelo)- https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/vegetation-types-of-south-africa

Flowers of the High Drakensberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/flowers-of-the-high-kzn-drakensberg

Abbreviations Glossary

MCSA – Mountain Club of South Africa
MSB - Millenium Seed Bank based at Kew in the UK
WIP – Work in Progress
HAT – High Altitude Team
LOT – Lowland Team
SIM – Somewhere in the Middle Team
WAGS – Wednesday Adventure Group
VB – Vlok Boekie “Plants of the Klein Karoo” and our Plant Bible
ITRTOL – Another thread “In The Rich Tapestry Of Life”(It describes a challenging situation, usually to do with the Buchu Bus)
ITFOT – In the fullness of time
WOESS – Fair Weather Hiker
FMC and JW – too vulgar to translate, but the equivalent is “Strike me Dead” - An expression of surprise and delight on finding a new “Rare”
Kambro – same as above
Fossick – A meter per minute, scratching around looking for rares
SIDB – Skrop in die Bos – Another name for a field trip, this one coined by Prix
BAFFING – Running round like a blue-arsed fly
SYT – Sweet Young Thing - Anyone under the age of 40
TOMB – Get a move on
Mayhem - Needless or willful damage or violence
SESKRYNG – “Sit en staan kry niks gedaan” ,with thanks to Brian
SOS – Skelms on Scramblers
FW – Idiot
BOB – Another name for the Buchu Bus when she’s misbehaving.
CRAFT – A symptom of Old Age
DDD - Metalasia tricolor (Damned Diabolical Daisy)
VP – Vrekplek – Retirement Village
Qàq – Self-explanatory Inuit word describing some of our local problems
Mr Fab – Our Fabaceae specialist, Brian Du Preez – originally Boy 1
Muisvoel -The Mathematician – Peter Thompson
Boy 2 – Kyle Underwood who works on Orchids and is still at school
Sharkie – Finn Rautenbach – Our latest SYT is a surfer in his spare time and is now the Curator of the Garden Route Botanical Garden
Sicko – Someone who suffers from Car Sickness. With 4 in the Group, allocating seating in the Buchu Bus is tricky
VAG – Virgin Active Garage, which is our meeting place when we head north
MATMUE – Meet At The Mall Under E - Meeting place when we head West
WG – Waves Garage in Wilderness East. - Meeting place when we’re going east.
VU- Vulnerable
DDT – Data Deficient and Taxonomically ?
NT – Near Threatened
EN – Endangered
CR – Critically Endangered
PE – Presumed extinct
LC – Least Concern
TBC – To be Confirmed
TLC – Tender loving care
JMS – An expression of absolute disdain
FOMO – Fear of Missing Out
Milk – the fruit of the vine
Condensed Milk – Scotland’s finest export
Full Cream Milk or Fat Milk – Any product of Humulus lupulus eg. Milk Stout
Milk of the Gods – Rooibos and Brandy
Milk Shake - Sparkling Wine
NS – Species of conservation concern new to the Outramps
PS -Priority Species allocated to the Outramps by our CREW Cape Co-ordinator , Ismail Ebrahim
iNatFD – iNaturalist for Dummies as compiled by Sally
Mizzle – Mist and drizzle combined. A regular feature of George in the ”good old days”.
FE – Fire Ephemeral – only appears immediately or after a couple of years after fire
Squirrel – aka President Ramaphosa
WOG – Wrath of God – eg. incurred when you put a young Pine tree on iNat as Leucadendron album
Skedonk - A banger - old, battered motor car more than 30 years old
Hoedown - redneck gathering, usually involves shouting catchy phrases like "yee-haw" and "the south will rise again"
VHF - Vat Hom Fluffie - our nickname for furry or woolly plants
SA - Stay Attractive is Google's translation of "Mooi Bly"
OTL - Out To Lunch is used to describe the Buchu Bus when she's taking a break after she's behaved badly
DFKIAA - A very funny video in Afrikaans is doing the rounds. It refers to the recent power outages.
Our mailing address is:
di@strawberryhill.co.za

Posted on 23 de julho de 2019, 06:35 AM by outramps-tanniedi outramps-tanniedi | 0 comentários | Deixar um comentário