Karoo Hues

AFTER THE FIRE

Yesterday was the first time I ventured up the pass after the fire. It was quite amazing to see the expanse of black veld. It was also very interesting to see how quickly the new growth has started coming through in places, and the little patches that the fire missed where a lonely flower would be in full bloom.

I was told that a big fire like this occurs every twenty-five years or so, and it is something required by nature. jI have since been told that 25 000 ha burnt. I have made numerous phone calls and sent emails trying to verify that, but without any success, so I stand to be corrected.

Early on in the drive, four Klipspringers crossed the road, and later on up the pass there were another five. They have a sharp call and at first I thought it was a bird of prey, but then watched the one calling and her stomach gave a huge heave to get the noise out. On the way home via Meiringspoort, right on the road, were yet another two, so a total of eleven in one day was pretty rewarding.

So well camouflaged.

Big eyes and a cute wet nose.

The burn.

Through the foliage you can see the burn line and how green the mountain is beyond it after a rain.

How the landscape changes.

Protea pods bust open to release the seeds.

Baron.

To get the close up of the seed being released, the best I could do was get it with a branch in the way without falling over the edge and into the valley below (and without disturbing nature and breaking off the branch which is illegal),