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November 1, 2021

Life Wonderings of a Nature Lover: October 2021 Sitamani Country Diary

Many days in October were cloudy, with light rain, a total of 93,5mm. When there were sunny days you could almost see the plants growing. Generally the daytime temperatures were much warmer, the highest recorded on the 14^th, 31 Celsius and the lowest night time temperature 5 Celsius on the 3^rd October.

Sunday 3

One of my favourite flowers was nodding in the breeze, however by the time the rain had cleared I couldn’t find one to photograph, so my watercolour painting from last year

Tuesday 5

This is the last photo I managed to take of the Common Fiscal sitting on the nest before they abandoned it. I’m not sure of the reason, but perhaps the eggs were stolen.

Wednesday 6

Every year I wait for the *Gladiolus longicauda* to flower! As they are night flowering I have to take a photo early in the morning before they close for the day. They are pollinated by Hawk moths. There has been a prolific blooming this year, nodding pale heads in the evening and early mornings.

A patch of mulch became food for this delicate mould.

Although the light was poor, it is the first time I’ve been able to capture these delightful tiny, busy Swee Waxbills.

Saturday 9

cheerful notes sing out
Piet-my-vrou home for summer
warmer days ahead

A very interesting spotted winged fly settled on the table

Sunday 10

Later a Cape Turtle Dove sunned on a rock in the evening.

Monday 11

Tuesday 12

A few days of sunshine had flowers popping up in multitudes over our hillside.

An *Anemone fanninii* with insect foragers

Wednesday 20

an apricot moon
slips behind mauve silhouette
hills in early light

An absolute delight, where fire had cleansed, for the first time I spotted a Pygmy Sand Apple, amongst the dolerite rocks. The scent of the tiny flowers is heavenly!

There has been a reclassification; Bridsonia chamaedendrum var. *chamaedendrum* (=*Pygmaeothamnus chamaedendrum* var. chamaedendrum) Pygmy Sand Apple

Thursday 21

Friday 22

Cool blue sunset

Wednesday 27

Red-collared Widowbirds, the males still changing into their breeding colours, are pairing off.

Another walk over the hillside revealed a host of newly flowering plants

*Eulophia hians* var. *hians*, the only orchid seen this month

Cherry Spot caterpillar, *Diaphone eumela*

some younger ones that have reduced a *Scilla* to a network of veins…

One very happy little insect on a pollen collecting trip amongst a field of florets!

*Sisyranthus trichostomus*, Hairy Grass Flower

*Sisyranthus trichostomus*, Hairy Grass Flower, a magnet for insects including this tiny wasp

Thursday 28

October 5, 2021

Life Wonderings of a Nature Lover: September 2021 Sitamani Country Diary

Very varied weather this September, snow on the Drakensberg on the 7^th, our lowest temperature 5C and lowest ‘high’ temperature 7C recorded on the same day. On two days 18^th and 19^th our highest daytime temperature 28C was recorded. Many misty damp days, with a total rainfall of 79mm for the month.

Wednesday 8

A snowy Drakensberg revealed in the morning

Regular flights into the Halleria lucida near the living room window by a Common Fiscal revealed a nest taking shape, using soft Helichrysum stems for the frame work. It is well concealed in the foliage, so difficult to take good photos, but will be exciting to observe.

Friday 10

Further diligent work has place on the Common Fiscal nest.

Monday 13

We’d been away so the verandah birdbath had dried out, a large flock of Cape White-eyes quickly came to enjoy the water once we filled it.

Wednesday 15

The Common Fiscal nest looks as if it is nearing completion.

Friday 17

A walk on a sunshine morning was a joy of Spring flowers and new growth appearing.

This gorgeous Mooi River Opal, *Chrysoritis lycegenes,* flitted over warm stones.

Tuesday 21

On the evening of Full Moon there was a sea of clouds to the east, but a lovely sunset to the west.

Wednesday 22

Marked the day of our Spring Equinox, now the days will gradually lengthen and warm.

Monday 27

In a patch of watery sunshine a Four-striped Grass Mouse basked, keeping a careful watch for predators.

Tuesday 28

A misty morning walk to see if some of the usual September flowers were flowering. Orchids haven’t enjoyed the July fire, extreme cold of August and now very damp September.

A stunning display of *Tulbaghia leucantha* between the dolerite rocks

*Cyrtanthus tuckii,* Green-tipped Fire Lily

Common Fiscal is now sitting on the nest, hopefully in time there will be young ones! (Please excuse the poor photo.)

September 5, 2021

Life Wonderings of a Nature Lover: August 2021 Sitamani Country Diary

Two snowfalls on the Drakensberg during August, and the first time in many years it fell and settled here at Sitamani.

August has been generally mild, although two cold fronts passed over, one between the 12-15 August and then 27-29 August. Sadly I wasn’t here for the second one, so haven’t been able to record the very cold temperatures experienced that burst some water pipes in the early hours of the morning on the 29 August.

Total Rainfall, including the snowfall, 42,5mm

Wednesday 4

This is the best photograph I managed to take of an African Hoopoe foraging on the hillside

Saturday 7

misty morning sensual greeting

damp ash sharp blue-grey metal tang

warm brown coffee aroma

Monday 9

Stunning glow of colour in the predawn sky

Tuesday 10

The juvenile Grey Duiker having a midday snack in the garden

Wednesday 11

silver crescent hangs
suspended beneath a star
in days after glow

*Hirpicium armeriodes*, Mountain Gerbera

Bright splashes of colour in the greening slopes

*Halleria lucida*, Tree Fuchsia, fruit amongst the flowers

New season growth of Bracken, *Pteridium aquilinum*

A bee laden with pollen on a Gazania krebsiana

Flowers on *Leucosidea sericea*, Ouhout that escaped the fire

Friday 13

light drip and drizzle
filled the rain tanks overnight
blessings of winter chill

Sunday 15

Clouds finally lifted enough to reveal a watery sun and winter snow

This Vlei Rat, *Otomys* *irroratus*, has taken up residence in our compost bin, a constant source of food when the surrounding grassland has been burnt off, hopefully she will relocate once the new season growth returns!

Thursday 26

Friday 27

New leaves appearing including *Gerbera ambigua*

Sunday 29

While I was away Philip awoke to a winter wonderland, these are his photos! Thank you for allowing me to share them Philip.

August 1, 2021

Life Wonderings of a Nature Lover: July 2021 Sitamani Country Diary

In this July we have experienced fire and ice. Two cold fronts swept through with cold temperatures, but only 0,5mm of rain for the whole month, very dry conditions. On the 12 July looting and arson were widespread in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng provinces of South Africa. Our property was engulfed in flames in the early evening, fortunately our home and outbuildings were saved and the resilience of nature is already being seen in new grass emerging, despite the dry conditions.

The maximum temperature 23 C on 8 July

The minimum temperature -2 C on 23 July

Rainfall 0.5mm

Sunday 4

Glowing mist rolled in during the early evening

Tuesday 6

brown leaves run like
small animals over the grass
before the chill wind

Wednesday 7

a lone golden leaf
tapping a mournful rhythm
releases to fall

In the evening this elegantly beautiful wasp settled near my bedside lamp, a parasitoid wasp, Ichneumondia, Netelia sp. (Tryphoninae)

Sunday 11

A fleeting, magical encounter with this delightful male Common Duiker, just before dawn.

Monday 12

By evening our property was engulfed in fire set by arsonists in the adjacent Mondi pine plantation. Fortunately, with the assistance of local farmers, our home and outbuildings were spared, apart from the outdoor ‘longdrop’ toilet. These are photos Philip took while we were containing the fire.

Tuesday 13

These photographs were taken during the very smokey day following the fire.

A small section on the rocky hillside escaped the flames, one bright *Aloe maculata* and an opportunistic Common Fiscal surveying the burnt landscape for a snack.

Wednesday 14

There is always light even in the darkest of times,
It shines with hope.
One breath at a time,
One day at a time.

Friday 16

The fire had swept through the indigenous Ouhout, Leucosidea sericea and Buddleja salvifolia shrubbery behind our house.

Monday 19

Ending with a cerise sun setting through the smoke laden atmosphere

Wednesday 21

A beautiful pair of Cape Glossy Starlings foraging in the ashes in the late afternoon

Followed by a spectacular sunset in the west

Thursday 22

bare bones of landscape
exposed by cathartic fire
waits rain revival

Friday 23

Winter Moon in Pink and Cyan, almost full, rising in the east in the evening

Saturday 24

A brilliant sun-kissed full moon setting in the early morning

Monday 26

A mother and juvenile Common Duiker foraged around the house in unburnt areas at sunrise.

Tuesday 27

The Cape Robin-Chat enjoying a few private moments in the verandah bird bath, before the gang of Cape White-Eyes invade the peace!

Wednesday 28

The glory of a winter tree in dawn robes

Friday 30

A walk over the hillside revealed new grass appearing, despite the dry conditions, a gradual renewal

Gossamer soft, this Spotted Eagle-Owl feather adorns a burnt grass stalk

A Fork-Tailed Drongo on the lookout for insect movement below

Amazingly some Ouhout, *Leucosidea sericea* flowers have opened from buds that escaped the heat of the flames

High above the ground *Buddleja salvifolia* have blossomed

a bulbul preens

on bared branches displaying

his “butter-bottom”

July 1, 2021

Life Wonderings of a Nature Lover: June 2021 Sitamani Country Diary

The waning moon floats in a purple sky at dawn

At the beginning of June after a very cold damp spell, 49,5mm of rain fell over the 1^st and 2^nd, the clouds parted briefly to reveal snow clad mountains. After that only 1,5mm of rain was recorded, by the last week in June we were experiencing unseasonably warm conditions, on 29^th the minimum temperature was 16C and the maximum temperatures in the low twenties Celcius. Dry and windy.

The maximum temperature 24 C on 30 June

The minimum temperature 1.5 C 7 June

Rainfall 51mm

The Winter Solstice on 21 June heralds the slow swing back to Summer. The landscape settles into a quiet time.

Tuesday 1

Beautiful lilac cloud effects at sunset were the forerunner of rain

Wednesday 2

The clouds parted to reveal a snowy Southern Drakensberg

Friday 4

Dawn light on Hodgson’s Peaks, the snow still thick on the mountain slopes

Sunday 13

A short wander revealed

A multitude of buds on *Buddleja salvifolia*, later this winter the air will be heavily scented with their perfume

Vibrant yellow leaves in Ouhout, *Leucosidea sericea*

Dry grasses and winter *Watsonia* leaves against cool shadows

Branches of *Halleria lucida* thick with flowers

Many Mole Rat mounds pushed through the lawn

Saturday 19

One of the highlights of June, that I wait for with anticipation is the flowering of

They attract many insects

A Plant bug on *Buddleja dysophylla* (apologies for the poor focus)

Flowering Rosemary also attracts insects like this Hoverfly

Tuesday 29

June 1, 2021

Life Wonderings of a Nature Lover: May 2021 Sitamani Country Diary

May has been very cool and dry, only 4mm of rain fell during the month. The grasses have dried and leaves of the deciduous trees have almost all fallen.

The maximum temperature 22 C on a few days

The minimum temperature 5 C 31 May

Rainfall 4mm only 5% of the precipitation in April

Saturday 1

For a brief time the clouds lifted to reveal a snowy Drakensberg

A gravid female mantis watched me with beady yellow eyes

The male Greater Double-collared Sunbird was busy feeding in the Bottle-brush

Purple-blue Bulwer Mountain under a winter sky

In the evening the Common Duiker grazed near the house

Wednesday 5

A Lunate Ladybird, *Cheilomenes lunata*, Larvae scurried across the verandah step

Saturday 8

Fresh droppings of the Common Duiker left evidence of a visit

Thursday 13

A dried *Agapanthus* seedhead cracked open to reveal seeds

Friday 14

‘Here comes the sun little darling….’ Through Ouhout, *Leucosidea sericea* leaves

Saturday 29

Sunday 30

Common Duiker sunning themselves down near the orchard

Ornamental remains of *Berkheya setifera* flower heads

*Aloe maculata* leaves tinged pink by frost

*Senecio harveianus* one of the few bright colours on the hillside

Spent leaves of *Vernonia natalensis* create silver sculptures

May 1, 2021

Life Wonderings of a Nature Lover: April 2021 Sitamani Country Diary

April has been much drier than the last few months, only 37mm of precipitation by the 28 April. Then the first cold winter weather and rain started on the 29 April. It seemed as if overnight we had changed seasons.

I haven’t been able to wander the hillside as often as I would have liked, but we have had some stunning weather effects and iconic Autumn flowers.

The maximum temperature 27C 14 April

The minimum temperature 6,5C 30 April

Rainfall 73,3mm

Thursday 1

No April Fool, but this gem, a Baboon spider, probably Theraphosidae, *Harpactira* species

Monday 5

Responding to the small amount of moisture these Earth Stars, *Astraeus* species appeared in leaf litter

Wednesday 7

The morning view from my window looking west

Thursday 8

Glorious cloud effects in the late afternoon

Monday 12

Wednesday 14

Monday 19

Looking down on the path I spotted caterpillar droppings beneath a Tree Fuchsia, *Halleria lucida*

Looking up amongst the leaves I spotted a Wahlberg’s Emperor Moth caterpillar, *Imbrasia wahlbergi*, then many more

Sadly this one has been parasitized by a wasp, the cocoons clearly evident on the wasted caterpillar

Three juvenile Southern Rock Agamas soaked up the warmth from the wooden slats

Thursday 22

A brief walk revealed some delightful sightings

For me the glowing orange stands of *Leonotis leonurus* are the flagship of Autumn in the KZN Midlands. Vibrant colour splashed amongst the golden grasses and turning leaves, a joyful burst of sunlight before winter hibernation.

Friday 23

A dainty Turreted awl snail, *Euconyma turriformis*, the first time I’ve seen a living one!

Tuesday 27

Friday 30

Wind during the night dislodged a Southern Double-collared Sunbird nest. The carefully smoothed inside, felt-like, hours of patient cobweb gathering to create the cosy interior.

Monkeys and Common Grey Duiker are relishing the acorns from the Pin Oak trees. Black-backed Jackal call almost every evening and twice I’ve heard Spotted Eagle-Owls hooting at dawn.

April 1, 2021

Life Wonderings of a Nature Lover: March 2021 Sitamani Country Diary

This March I’m dedicating this diary to my Dad, Dennis Reginald Field, 1927 11 13 to 2021 03 28. It is a picture diary, if it wasn’t for him, I probably wouldn’t be living here and enjoying the myriad of delights the natural world offer daily. Dad loved nature and this dolerite ridge in particular. Thank you Dad, may your spirit fly free!

The maximum temperature 28C

The minimum temperature 9,5C

Rainfall 111,5mm

March 1, 2021

Life Wonderings of a Nature Lover: February 2021 Sitamani Country Diary

February was a very mild month, often in the past few years it has been hot and dry. The first three weeks were relatively drier and warmer, on Sunday 21 the hottest day of the month was recorded, 27C, several mornings dipped to 10C. On Wednesday 24 storms raged and we had 73mm of rain overnight, and another 20mm on Thursday 25, bringing the total rainfall to 162,5mm for February.

The hillsides are still green, though now there is a touch of gold with the seeding grasses. The exotic Silver Birches in the garden have dropped all their leaves and the Pin Oak avenue has red splashes of colour in the leaves.

Evening skies in February are always beautiful, light lingering until about 7pm, long after sunset.

This month I haven’t been able to spend as much time wandering the hillsides, here are some of the highlights.

Tuesday 2

The two *Pterygodium magnum* orchids reached their full height and flowering, about 1m.

Tucked amongst the flowers a Crab spider, Thomisus species, waited patiently for a meal to arrive.

Wednesday 3

The dawn sky was vibrant between bands of clouds.

Thursday 11

A female Forest King Emperor, *Charaxes xiphares penningtoni*, flew into the house, giving me an opportunity to photograph it.

Wednesday 17

I managed a brief walk before doing some Bramble control work.

Thursday 25

After two days of rain, water drops sparkled on bared branches in early morning sunlight.

Sunday 28

A few times during the month I have seen two female and one male Common Reedbuck, usually in the orchard. Twice I’ve spotted a Black-backed Jackal moving swiftly into the Mondi pine plantation. A delight is the pair of Cape Wagtails that have taken up residence in the garden.

February 27, 2021

Life Wonderings of a Nature Lover: February 19-21 2021 Wildflowers in the Southern Maluti-Drakensberg World Heritage Site

A Southern Secrets Hiking and Backpacking Guided Hike
http://www.southernsecrets.co.za

Playing and fossicking amongst flowers has to be one of my very favourite pastimes, combine that with hiking, spending nights in the Drakensberg, excellent company who also relish these spaces and gems, and you end up with memories of an experience to treasure!

We walked up to Tarn Cave from Bushmans Nek, spent time in the Rock Garden of Sehlabathebe and returned via the Bushmans Nek Pass.

This is a list of those flowers I identified over the three days (88). Not all were photographed and these are the ones I remember seeing.

Orchids were in abundance (18):