Leaf Archives - Page 4 of 20

Frond

Tree ferns are ferns that grow with a trunk elevating the fronds above ground level. Tree ferns are found growing in tropical and subtropical areas, including cool to temperate rainforests. Like all ferns, tree ferns reproduce by means of spores formed on the undersides of the fronds. The fronds of tree ferns are usually very large and multiple-pinnate. Their trunk is actually a vertical and modified rhizome and woody tissue is absent. To add strength, there are deposits of lignin in the cell walls and the lower part of the stem is reinforced with thick, interlocking mats of tiny roots. Tree ferns often fall over in the wild, yet manage to re-root from this new prostrate position and begin new vertical growth. It is not certain the exact number of species of tree ferns there are, but it may be closer to 600-700 species. Many species have become extinct in the last century as forest habitats have come under pressure from human intervention. Info source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree_fern

10 June 2019Nature, Picture of the day

Scarlet

The Southern Red Bishop is a common and widespread resident and local nomad in marshy grassland, savanna and fields, usually associated with water. They favour breeding in reed beds, and sometimes also in crops. They are highly gregarious and sedentary, and feeds, roosts and breed in flocks. Their distribution is from Angola, Uganda and Kenya, south to the whole of Southern Africa; mainly near perennial water and less common in the dry west. Locally common to abundant, the females outnumber males at a ratio of 3 to 2. Longevity is 12 years. Their general habitat is open grassland, marshes and cultivated areas, typically with close access to perennial water. They are gregarious year-round, form large flocks during the non-breeding season, often with other granivores, and roost in reed beds. It regularly drinks water by sipping, then tips the bill to swallow.

19 March 2019Nature, Picture of the day

Fuzzy

The waterbuck is the largest of the kob antelopes. It is known for its trademark white ring around the hindquarters which they use as a ‘follow me’ sign. If one of the group spots a predator and runs, the rest will follow to avoid becoming prey. Only the males have horns which are handsome, long and prominently ringed, sweeping backwards and up. The eyes and nose of the Waterbuck have beautiful white markings and it has a noticeable white collar under the throat line. Waterbuck have a brownish–grey shaggy coat with a lot of hair around their necks. This neck hair is hollow which allows for extra buoyancy when swimming, helping them to keep their heads above water. Waterbuck give off a strong scent that can be smelt even by humans, which is believed to deter certain predators. Waterbuck prefer an open, dry countryside with savanna grassland, bushveld and even hilly areas as long as it is close to water, like rivers or dams. They are often found in reed beds near rivers and also on floodplains. They never live far from permanent water sources.

22 February 2019Picture of the day, Wildlife