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.

Karoo Kameos #2 - ...things bright and beautiful

I will definitely have to find out more about butterflies - I think this is one of the Monarch species.

It struck me as strange that they are still around with winter just around the corner. But then we have been have lovely warm and sunny days and many flowers are still blooming, as they do all year round in the Eastern cape, so why should the butterflies also not hang around to enjoy them.

The plumbgos an be seen every where as they are now in full bloom and make a beautiful display in many gardens, in the bush and along the roads.

The gazanias are never disappointing. They may be very non-descript until the sun comes out and you are rewarded with a beatiful display of colour.

Butterflies are free

This butterfly was very obliging, by hanging around long enough for me to get a picture. Their usual tendency is to fly away just as I am about the release the shutter. This was taken alongside the road just outside Alicedale.