green Archives - Page 38 of 84

Fairytale

The Garden of Eden, is an enchanting wet forest, near Knysna on the Garden Route. This is one of the lushest and beautiful parts of the Knysna forest and definitely a must-see when visiting this gorgeous region. This part of the Garden Route is characterized by fairy-tale forests, serene lakes, breathtaking golden beaches and marvellous rivers – making this the perfect place for a variety of outdoor activities. The Garden of Eden is situated in the middle of all it all, so take this opportunity to a break from your action-packed holiday to experience a bit of paradise. The entrance to the Garden of Eden is well marked from the road, so just follow the signs from Knysna and you will easily locate it. A small entrance fee is required at the entrance. This is used towards the conservation of the area and to regulate the thousands of visitors that flock to this natural heaven every year. The “garden” is only open during certain hours and this is dependent on seasonal factors, so be sure to check with the local tourism office before setting off. There are various walking trails in the “garden”, so it is up to you whether you just want to take a leisurely short stroll or spend a few hours exploring the garden’s surroundings. The various information boards are very helpful in identifying the various plant, bird and small animal life in the “garden”. There are also some wooden paths to make the walk easier, making this is the perfect activity for elderly visitors and families with small children. Except for the entrance gate and the walking trails, this “garden” is virtually untouched so you can imagine how it used to be like when wild animals lived there. So come experience this little bit of paradise in the heart of the Garden Route.

4 December 2018Nature, Picture of the day, Travel

Backdrop

The Umhlanga Coast is a magnificent stretch of the South African shoreline. It shows off the splendour and wonder of this country in a tranquil display that remains extremely powerful. This is part of KwaZulu-Natal and is very close to the city centre of Durban, which is the province’s main city and one of South Africa’s major metropolises. However, the Umhlanga Coast whisks you away from the bustle of city living and to the peaceful prettiness of the Indian Ocean as it lazily dances onto the sand. The Umhlanga Coast is characterised by long stretches of sandy beaches that promise stunning backdrops against which to swim, surf or sunbathe. The Indian Ocean has particularly warm waters, averaging 24 to 26 degrees during the summer. There are a number of beaches along the Umhlanga Coast, spread through the areas of Umhlanga itself, La Lucia, Mount Edgecombe and Umdloti.

29 November 2018Landscape, Picture of the day, Travel

Proud

One explanation for why females favour long tails in male long-tailed widowbirds is that the expanded tail enlarges the lateral surface area of the male by 2–3 times, making him much more visible from far distances over open grassland. However, this is most likely not the whole explanation, especially considering that prior to mating, females spend a great deal of time comparing males and, thus, do not rely on sighting them from a distance. As of this time, the exact function of epaulette in male long-tailed widowbirds is unknown. However, its use does resemble that of the red-winged blackbird, being displayed during courtship and threat displays. Thus, the two most conspicuous ornaments of the male birds in the two species may be favoured by different forms of sexual selection: the tail of the long-tailed widowbird by female choice and the brightly coloured epaulettes of the long-tailed widowbird and red-winged blackbird by male contest competition.

27 November 2018Picture of the day, Wildlife