Enter Buffalo Thorn on Google and a list of safari lodges pop up, poets write about it and I even have a friend that has a buffalo thorn twig tattooed over her ribs. So what is the big deal with this tree? It is clearly just one of those trees that make you think of…
Die son sak stadig dansend oor die horison soos ‘n rooi bal straaltjies word vasgevang in klein reënbogies onder elke spilpunt Kiewiete pik elke insek wat opspring voor die wiele Skape stap stadig verby in die rigting van hul kraal Ver kan ‘n trekker gesien word soos dit op die grondpad aankruie Beeste loop asof…
The time for new beginnings is now. Welcome to the valley of sheep, lucerne, cattle and… Bat-eared foxes. Less rocky outcrops, less mountains and more grassy plains and more agricultural farming, but still the country. We moved to a farm where the main focus is sheep farming and lucerne under irrigation. There is also cattle…
‘Every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end.’ The move to this farm has been one of the hardest moves I have ever made in my life. It was just difficult. I have loved the Lowveld since I can remember and in 2012 we moved from the warm, sunny, beautiful Lowveld with its rivers,…
To celebrate World Environment day – Connect with Nature, I made a short list of easy things you can do to be a more responsible citizen. Get a water-bottle – Take your own water from home, so you never need to buy plastic bottled water. Take your own shopping bags, build up a collection of…
When we just moved to the Free State, I had a hard time adapting and I especially missed some of my favourite birds. I have soon gotten over that, because the area we are living in is so rich in bird life. I have in the meantime been able to add a couple of new species to…
I found this pretty hare quietly sitting under a shrub. They usually dart of in a direction, but I didn’t switch of my vehicle wihen I saw it. Instead, I left it running and quietly got out sneaked around the vehicle to take the picture. I like how it came out, so I thought to…
I went on a quick game drive this afternoon, looking for some birds. Lately I have been trying to get my bird knowledge to a better level. What a blessing to be able to improve it right here at home. I would like to share a few of the things I saw on drive. Enjoy.
If you haven’t read the previous post, please read it to start the story of Crocuta. https://countrylivingsa.wordpress.com/2014/10/09/raising-a-spotted-hyena-part-1/ So, here I was with an estimated 6 day old Spotted Hyena baby. It was pitch black with tiny ears that were close to its head. Spotted Hyena babies are born with this eyes open, but they can only start seeing properly…
I don’t really know where to start with this story about an animal that is now closest to my heart. Spotted Hyenas are interesting animals. Their whoops and calls during the night are a big part of the African experience. I am quite scared of them. Especially in natural areas with no fences to keep them out. Although careful at first, they…
