Bling and dung

Since I am on the subject of dung, here are a few more "citizens" of the bush that find it just to their liking. This just goes to show that very little is left to go to waste in the bush - eventually the dung will break down and return to the soil as essential nutrients - but while it is still lying about, some creature will find a use for it.

At a certain time of the year (January and February) the Park is swarming with Brown-veined White Butterflies when they start their migration from the drier parts of the country to the more moist regions. Though moisture is not a problem for them in Addo, as long as there is fresh elephant dung lying about.

This Cape Glossy Starling, aka Bling Bird, is looking to see what delights it can find in a pile of elephant dung. In case you are wondering about the bling, click here for the origins.

Peace

I took this picture in a particularly desolate and arid part of the Eastern Cape, between Steytlerville and Jansenville some years ago. What struck me was the name on the gate "Vrede" - that is the Afrikaans word for peace.

It got me thinking that peace obviously means different things to different people.

I love the solitude, the beauty and the aridness of the area..........but I am not so sure that it would be my idea of peace. I have also reached that stage in life where I like my creature comforts and would start getting restless after a while.

But there is no denying that someone found peace here.

What is your idea of peace?

Impala fawn

The rugged beauty of the bush at a safari lodge near Graaff Reinet, Eastern Cape.

The area is full of game but coming across this little guy one morning was a real treat. An Impala fawn left at the side of the road by his mother, while she went off to graze. Mommy said stay, so he was not going anywhere. That is part of their survival technique. When they get older a few does will be left in charge of a group of youngsters while the rest of the troop goes out to graze.

Reunited with mommy later on in the morning