Pondoland C.R.E.W. Blog: Oribi Gorge

It was a small group that joined on Thursday but its members present were devoted and those who couldn't were with us in spirit as we drove up to Oribi Gorge. We had decided to shelter in the forest as the sun can be relentless and tiring and the grass lands more suitable when the cooler months to trot in and one finds oneself less melty. One looks at one’s wardrobe at the beginning of the day in the balmy humidity of February were one can hardly sleep and less is more. Remember the hat and sun-block regardless of the weather!

We sat in a circular stoned kraaled area covered in fallen dead leaves and drank our coffee catching up and then began our day first admiring the cycads that were in the camp. Ancient giants that have seen history which I hope will see more.

Dorothy wanted to make her way to the Mziki trail. Simon, Gail and Tracy were to set out first exploring the Baboon’s trail to meet up with her at a later stage but we weren’t having any of it and insisted she stayed with the group as our memories of our last trip to this area was a little distressing in having lost each other and with no signal it can be a little stressful when looking for the remainder of the party. Reluctantly she came at first and then was so glad that she did as she had in fact not done the trail through the forest and only in the grasslands. Inspecting what grew along the trail was enough without having to go further but we did. It was Thursday...

Simon’s enthusiasm for all green “takkies” can be quite overwhelming and one finds one’s step quickly hastened if there’s a tree one isn’t too sure of as it’s going to involve a lot a homework and the turning the leaf over this way and that way if discovered. It's all good as he leaves nothing not identified and in doing so, we learn more.

Tracy was hounded by ticks. They thought her delectable and attached themselves to her legs enjoying the ride. She was not charmed. Gail was rather chuffed that they hadn't discovered her but then she did wear long pants.

One can really find oneself doing very short distances only because there is so much to see and that’s because this group is always questioning, looking at things in-depth and doing things with passion.

With grumbly tummies we sought dense shade were there was a breeze and placed our bottoms on the earth were a stream ebbed and flowed. Birds called in the midday heat and butterflies skipped from one flowering plant to another. All was good.

Dorothy showed us five trees that we had seen during the day where when snapping the leaves in two threads are found, these were Maytenus cordata, Maytenus abbottii, Robsonodendron eculieforme, Maytenus acuminata and Salacia gerrardii.

The scent of the Loxostylis alata and Heteropyxis natalensis was intoxicating and when crouching down to see if the Schizoglossum bidens had a honey scent the orifices opened up to breathe the delicacy of the scent.

We saw Stenoglottis fimbriata growing on the rocks. How beautiful it’s colour and how high the flower stood. One is very grateful to wear a “spy-eye” around one’s neck even though carrying a camera with a strap, a hat with a string attached so it doesn't blow off one's head and a magnifying glass one can find oneself strangled and tied up as if in a spiders web.

When looking at a Sisyranthus one’s elderly eyes don’t always pick up the miniscule details and we saw the Sisyranthus vigatus had indeed had hairs on its petals and golden hairs could be found on the Drypetes gerrardii helping in it's identification. It's a very useful tool to have.

Tracy pointed out to Gail the glands found on the Croton sylvaticus. Small little Shrek's ears she thought. Simon wasn’t taking up Gail’s offer to taste the Cryptocarya wyliei fruit’s and so she happily chomped them up. Not all of them, but some.

We looked at the new growth coming from the Besama swinnyi and Tracy did a little diddy of "Bersama in pyjama's." The leaves were so soft and comforting to feel. One had to pry oneself away and stop stroking the crown of the head of this small tree growing as if it were a child.

By the time we finally got back we looked at the time in the car as we had not carried cell-phones or worn watches and it was late, the sun was setting and we got home at five. How wonderful to have enjoyed a day fully.

We had missed our absent friends who normally join us and wish them speedy recoveries and good health hoping that they would soon be with us again as one.

Bauhinia galpinii

Calodendrum capense seed pod

Encephalartos villosus cones

Encephalartos natalensis

Leucas lavandulifolia

Maytenus cordata

Maytenus cordata flower

Maytenus cordata

Maytenus cordata - with threads in the leaves

Indigofera micrantha

Endostemon obtusifolius

Cryptocarya wyliei fruit

Cryptocarya wyliei

Combretum krausii

Combretum kraussii trunk

Crocosmia aurea

Elaecodendron croceum

Elaeodendron croceum - Forest Safron

Chaetacme aristata

Hypercanthus amoenus

Drypetes arguta

Yoga tree-man doing a head stand sinking into the earth.

Drypetes arguta

Crytocarya myrtifolia (blue behind leaves)

Crytocarya myrtifolia

Crytocarya woodii

Oricia bachmannii

Cassipourea malosana

Strychnos henningsii

Mimusops obovata

Olea capensis subsp. macrocarpa

Memecylon bachmanii

Drypetes gerrardii

Drypetes gerrardii (with golden hairs)

Petopentia natalensis

Sansevieria hyacinthoides

Rhipsalis baccifera

Thunbergia dregeana

View from Oribi Gorge hutted camps

Sida cordifolia

Tracy with the magnificent Aloe candalabrum

Cissampelos torulosa

Tephrosia bachmannii

Roella glomerata (Eastern bells)

Roella glomerata leaves

Abrus laevigatus

Abrus laevigatus with seed pod.

Rhoicissus tridentata

Rhoicissus tridentata in flower

Sisyranthus virgatus

Gladiolus ecklonii

Tritonia distichia

Tracy and Dorothy admiring the Aloe linearifolia

Aloe linearifolia

Cassinopis tinifolia

Peddiea africana

Through the first section of the forest and up. Upwards and onwards.

Bersama swimmyi.

"Bersama in pyjama's" as we say it. What glorious soft leaves that one has to pry one's hand away from as one just wants to linger longer to feel them.