Arquivos de periódicos de janeiro 2019

15 de janeiro de 2019

Here we go again

Here we go again
Outramps CREW Diaries
Tuesday
15th January 2019

Here is the Album - 15th January 2019
For captions or info click on i on the top right-hand side. A good way to go - the Slideshow is found at the top of the page on the rt hand side by clicking on the 3 dots. Featured this week – Out of Africa, Outramps celebrate, Spioenkop contd, HAT and Blesberg, Jan says (Robinson Pass), Montagu Pass North and Montagu Rail

For names and captions of the photos used on this version of the Reportback - see the Album.

"Ring out the false, ring in the true."
Alfred Lord Tennyson
The year ahead shows promise for South Africa, as more and more moves are made to right the wrongs of the past. It is up to all of us to put our shoulders to the wheel in whatever way we can. Let our daily dealings with our fellow-citizens build towards a better future together, so that we can once again be truly called the Rainbow Nation.

The Outramps CREW Group will continue their work of finding, monitoring and cataloguing the Rare and Endangered plants in the Southern Cape and elsewhere. Fossicking in the Lowlands, exploring the middle slopes and scaling the highest mountains in search of new and threatened plants will be our mission for 2019. We will also endeavour to introduce our wonderful flora to young people from all sections of society and imbue them with passion and enthusiasm for our unique floral heritage. We are looking forward to a very exciting year.

Here we go again!

The Outramps Celebrate
It was party-time with a vengeance in early December. We were celebrating a successful Outramps year, a 2018 full of wonderful hikes with WAGS and my 80th birthday with all-comers. Some of my highlights were
• a magnificent Icecream cake with candles
• a cake shaped like Waboomsberg
• 2 beautiful bouquets of flowers
• 8 spectacular btls of wine - 1 for every decade
• And a very elegant hiking shirt (far too elegant for hikes)
I had a simply wonderful birthday with my very good friends.
So thank you, thank you, thank you!

tanniedi

Spioenkop contd
We were thin on the ground in early December, as the demands of the festive season were already apparent. Jen and I arrived at Spioenkop in the Ruigtevlei plantations to complete our post-burn monitoring of the area for 2018. The only unexplored section was the north-western corner of the property.

After showing Jen the Dioscorea burchellii (Vulnerable) near the big Bluegums where we park, we turned north. There was much excitement generated by some plants on a west-facing bank. We saw the stunning little Convolvulus sagittatus for the first time (I think) and there was a strange little Berkheya, which was new to us. Even iNat hasn't been able to come up with an id. In the same section Hilliardiella sp. was growing vigorously. I think this is an Eastern Cape import and we've only seen it at Cloetes Pass before now.

We saved the best for last. On our way back to the vehicle, a single Aspalathus bowieana (Endangered) was in full flower. There wasn't another plant in sight Altogether a rewarding and very pleasant day. Thank you Heine for allowing us to access the Ruigtevlei plantations.

tanniedi

Jan says
"The Robinson Pass is full of Orchids. Well worth a visit!"
When Jan Vlok talks the Outramps listen. Over the years, he has been our mentor and our hero and has given us innumerable id's and lots of pointers to interesting destinations.

We were not disappointed. There were fields of white, lime-green and bright yellow Orchids. Lanaria lanata was striking in white. Wachendorfia paniculata was ubiquitous and its pale yellow flowers were in startling contrast to the magenta of the profusely flowering Corymbium glabrum and africanum. In the drainage lines Wachendorfia thyrsiflora joined Moraea ramosissima in a magnificent display of yellow and gold. Vivid blue Aristea africana and the tall Aristea bakeri added cool tones to the brilliant colours of the landscape. There was also a stunning golden grass covering sections of the south-facing slopes. The resprouting Mimetes cucullatus was in full flower and proved irresistible to the photographers in the Group.

A little lower down on the southern side of the Pass, we stopped again. This time a massed display of the stunning Cyrtanthus elatus (George Lily) was the star attraction. Growing in amongst this gorgeous Amaryllis was a pale lilac version of Watsonia knysnana.

What a day! Baie dankie Jan
Tanniedi

Some of the Orchids seen
Disa bivalvata
Disa racemosa
Disa cylindrica
Disa reticulata
Satyrium acuminatum
Pterygodium acutifolium

Pterygodium nigrescens

Blesberg
On Tuesday 4th December a party of Evie, Peter, Werner, Kyle and Dave headed out to Blesberg in the far eastern reaches of the Swartberg, a mountain that Outramps haven't visited for many years. We stayed at the Haggas Farm and spent the first evening talking to the friendly farmer (Piper) about the mountain roads and paths.

On the 5th we drove up to about 1800m and then bushwhacked up the ridge to the peak at 2100m. We actually could have driven all the way up, as there is a service road to a radar station on the peak which is maintained by the farmer - but that would have been boring........

The mountain burned about 18 months ago and the fynbos is coming back nicely, despite the dry conditions. Several areas along the ridge were spared by the fire so we got to see some spectacular fynbos including:
Protea montana (VU)
Leucadendron dregei (EN)
Agathosma zwartbergense (VU)
Agathosma venusta (range extension - previously Uniondale eastwards)
Phylica meyeri
Phylica tortuosa
Phylica alba
Cyclopia alopecuroides (EN)
Erica lignosa (Rare)
Gladiolus longicollis

Dave Underwood aka Onderbos

The Inconvenient Plants
Montagu Pass north
Some plants inconveniently insist on flowering in December and early January. This period co-incides with our closed season, when we take a break to concentrate on Christmas, family, visitors and New Year. But just the thought that Disa schlechteriana might be flowering was enough to tempt us on a sortie to the northern side of Montagu Pass on the Day of Reconciliation.

But we had no luck. Disa hians was the only Orchid to brave the heat and scorched earth and even it was cheating in a little patch that had escaped the fire. The regeneration after the October 2018 fires is progressing. But the generally dry conditions are not helping. The northern slopes of the Outeniquas are distressingly dry. Soft soaking rain is our wish for the New Year. One can dream............

Graderia scabra and Hypoxis villosa were bright spots of colour in the sepia landscape. Watsonia angusta was scarlet around the river bank. A minute little Apocynaceae was growing prolifically on the higher reaches and turned out to be Aspidoglossum heterophyllum (Thank you iNat) . We have previously only seen this plant at Doringrivier East immediately post-fire, but never managed an id.

Montagu Rail
Another beauty that flowers at this time of the year is Geissorhiza outeniquensis (Near Threatened). Visiting it involves a 8km thereandback along the railway line on the southern side of the Montagu Pass. It was a scorching hot day on Friday and there were frequent stops to stand under the little mini-waterfalls that were tumbling down the mountain after good rains earlier in the week. The walk through the tunnels was a relaxed affair, as the Power Van is not using the route, because about 10% of the sleepers have been burnt in the recent fires. We are really hoping that this line will be repaired, so that tourists can once again enjoy the stunning views that are on offer.

We were anxiously hoping that the Geiss would not be over and we were not disappointed. There were about 30 plants flowering. It looks as if the rest are not going to flower this year, as there were no more buds around and none of them were over. They are being threatened by a vigorous Agapanthus invasion, which is taking over the whole slope above the railway line. Erica stylaris (Vulnerable) was present, but probably flowered in November.

The black slopes were covered with the pioneering Pteridium aquilinum and Blechnum tabulare was lime-green against the blackened soil. The large stand of Leucadendron conicum (Near Threatened) has been wiped out by the fire. Hopefully, we'll soon see the emergence of the first seedlings.

It was great to be out in the field again, but the simmering heat was a timely reminder that we'll have to look for "cool" destinations for the next two months.

tanniedi

On Friday, we will be walking in the Groeneweide Forests. We are keen to assess the damage caused by the recent fires. We will also be monitoring some of the endangered and threatened Forest species. Next week we will report on this and the very successful start-up meeting that was organised to give our new year a hupstoot. A wonderful surprise added lustre to the day, when Lize von Staden unexpectedly joined us for lunch. But hang on a second, I am getting ahead of myself.

We are looking forward to an exciting 2019
Hamba Kahle
Groete en dankie

Di Turner
Outramps CREW Group
Southern Cape

All id’s subject to confirmation by Doc Annelise and Jan Vlok, Steven Molteno, Dr Tony Rebelo, Nick Helme, Prof Charlie Stirton, Dr Robert Archer, Dr Robert McKenzie, Dr Ted Oliver, Dr Christopher Whitehouse, Adriaan Grobler, Prix Burgoyne, Dr Kenneth Oberlander, Dr Pieter Winter, Dr David Gwynne-Evans, Malthinus and Mattmatt on iNat. Thank you all for your ongoing help and support.

Outramps Places on iNaturalist – You can browse through the observations or refer to the checklist which is in alphabetical order eg. Animals, birds etc.
Cola Conservancy - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/cola-conservancy
Dune Molerat Trail - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/dune-molerat-trails
Featherbed Nature Reserve - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/featherbed-nature-reserve
Gamkaberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/gamkaberg
Gerickes Punt - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/gerickes-punt#/places/gerickes-punt
Gouriqua - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/gouriqua-private-nature-reserve
Gouritzmond - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/the-gouritsmond-commonage
Heaven in the Langkloof - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/heaven-in-the-langkloof
Herolds Bay - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-herolds-bay
Kammanassie - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-kammanassie-reserve
Klein Swartberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/klein-swartberg
Knysna - Westford Bridge https://www.inaturalist.org/places/westford-bridge-estate-knysna
Kouga Mountains Kliphuis - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-kouga-mountains
Kranshoek - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-kranshoek-
Langeberg Grootvadersbosch - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/grootvadersbosch-nature-reserve
Masons Rust - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/masons-rust-32-ptn-4-gezwinds-kraal-41-ptn-0
Mons Ruber and surrounds - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/mons-ruber-and-surrounds
Mossel Bay Aalwyndal - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/aalwyndal
Mossel Bay Diosma Reserve - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/diosma-reserve
Mossel Bay - :https://www.inaturalist.org/places/hartenbos-heuwels

Mossel Bay - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/erf-14072
Mossel Bay - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/erf-19201
Mossel Bay St Blaize Trail - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/st-blaize-trail
Natures Valley - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/nature-s-valley-south-cape-south-africa
Outeniquas Bobbejaanberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-bobbejanberg-in-the-outeniquas
Outeniquas Camferskloof - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-camferskloof
Outeniquas Doringrivier East - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-doringrivier-east-in-the-outeniquas
Outeniquas East - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-eastern-outeniquas-from-bergplaas-to-gouna
Outeniquas Eseljagt - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/ezeljagt-eseljagt-and-surrounds
Outeniquas Eseljagtpoort - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/ezeljagts-poort-72-ptn-0-eseljagt-poort
Outeniquas Flanagans Rock - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/flanagans-rock-rsa
Outeniquas Lange Berg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/lange-berg-112
Outeniquas Montagu Pass North - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-montagu-pass-north
Outeniquas Paardekop - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/paardekop-13
Outeniquas Paardepoort East - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-paardepoort-east
Outeniquas Paardepoort West - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-paardepoort-west
Outeniquas Southern Traverse - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-outeniqua-southern-traverse
Robberg Corridor - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/robberg-coastal-corridor-krans-hoek-432-ptn-5
Robberg Corridor - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/robberg-coastal-corridor-e8267c6b-9263-4a87-a721-a24619be6dc8
Rooiberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-rooiberg-reserve
Spioenkop - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/ruigtevlei-plantations
Strawberry Hill - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/strawberry-hill-7-passes-road-wilderness-south-africa
Swartberg Spitskop - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-spitskop-to-meiringspoort-swartberg
Swartberg Waboomsberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/waboomsberg-in-the-swartberg
Uitzicht Portion 39 - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/uitzigt-216-portion-39
Uitzicht - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/uitzigt-216-ptn-65
Western Head - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/walker-s-point-215-portion-1-buffalo-bay
Western Head – https://www.inaturalist.org/places/walker-s-point-215-portion-2-buffalo-bay
Western Head - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/walker-s-point-215-portion-3-buffalo-bay
Western Head - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/western-head-knysna
White Heather - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/white-heather
Wilderness Brown Hooded Kingfisher Trail – https://www.inaturalist.org/places/brown-hooded-kingfisher-trail
Wilderness Kingfisher Trail - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/kingfisher-trails
Witteberg Kromme Rivier - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/kromme-rivier-72-ptn-0-willowmore

Outramps CREW Stellenbosch HAT node
Jonkershoek created by Vynbos - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/jonkershoek-cv
Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/mont-rochelle-nature-reserve
Papegaaiberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/papegaaiberg

Outramps Projects on iNaturalist
Lianes and Creepers in the Southern Cape and Little Karoo - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/lianes-and-creepers-of-the-southern-cape-and-little-karoo

Veg Types of South Africa - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/vegetation-types-of-south-africa

Abbreviations Glossary

MCSA – Mountain Club of South Africa
MSB - Millenium Seed Bank based at Kew in the UK
WIP – Work in Progress
HAT – High Altitude Team
LOT – Lowland Team
SIM – Somewhere in the Middle Team
WAGS – Wednesday Adventure Group
VB – Vlok Boekie “Plants of the Klein Karoo” and our Plant Bible
ITRTOL – Another thread “In The Rich Tapestry Of Life”(It describes a challenging situation, usually to do with the Buchu Bus)
ITFOT – In the fullness of time
WOESS – Fair Weather Hiker
FMC and JW – too vulgar to translate, but the equivalent is “Strike me Dead” - An expression of surprise and delight on finding a new “Rare”
Kambro – same as above
Fossick – A meter per minute, scratching around looking for rares
SIDB – Skrop in die Bos – Another name for a field trip, this one coined by Prix
BAFFING – Running round like a blue-arsed fly
SYT – Sweet Young Thing - Anyone under the age of 40
TOMB – Get a move on
Mayhem - Needless or willful damage or violence
SESKRYNG – “Sit en staan kry niks gedaan” ,with thanks to Brian
SOS – Skelms on Scramblers
FW – Idiot
BOB – Another name for the Buchu Bus when she’s misbehaving.
CRAFT – A symptom of Old Age
DDD - Metalasia tricolor (Damned Diabolical Daisy)
VP – Vrekplek – Retirement Village
Qàq – Self-explanatory Inuit word describing some of our local problems
Mr Fab – Our Fabaceae specialist, Brian Du Preez – originally Boy 1
Muisvoel -The Mathematician – Peter Thompson
Boy 2 – Kyle Underwood who works on Orchids and is still at school
Sharkie – Finn Rautenbach – Our latest SYT is a surfer in his spare time and is now the Curator of the Garden Route Botanical Garden
Sicko – Someone who suffers from Car Sickness. With 4 in the Group, allocating seating in the Buchu Bus is tricky
VAG – Virgin Active Garage, which is our meeting place when we head north
MATMUE – Meet At The Mall Under E - Meeting place when we head West
WG – Waves Garage in Wilderness East. - Meeting place when we’re going east.
VU- Vulnerable
DDT – Data Deficient and Taxonomically ?
NT – Near Threatened
EN – Endangered
CR – Critically Endangered
PE – Presumed extinct
LC – Least Concern
TBC – To be Confirmed
TLC – Tender loving care
JMS – An expression of absolute disdain
FOMO – Fear of Missing Out
Milk – the fruit of the vine
Condensed Milk – Scotland’s finest export
Full Cream Milk or Fat Milk – Any product of Humulus lupulus eg. Milk Stout
Milk of the Gods – Rooibos and Brandy
Milk Shake - Sparkling Wine
NS – Species of conservation concern new to the Outramps
PS -Priority Species allocated to the Outramps by our CREW Cape Co-ordinator , Ismail Ebrahim
iNatFD – iNaturalist for Dummies as compiled by Sally
Mizzle – Mist and drizzle combined. A regular feature of George in the ”good old days”.
FE – Fire Ephemeral – only appears immediately or after a couple of years after fire
Squirrel – aka President Ramaphosa
WOG – Wrath of God – eg. incurred when you put a young Pine tree on iNat as Leucadendron album
Skedonk - A banger - old, battered motor car more than 30 years old
Hoedown - redneck gathering, usually involves shouting catchy phrases like "yee-haw" and "the south will rise again"
VHF - Vat Hom Fluffie - our nickname for furry or woolly plants
SA - Stay Attractive is Google's translation of "Mooi Bly"
OTL - Out To Lunch is used to describe the Buchu Bus when she's taking a break after she's behaved badly
Our mailing address is:
di@strawberryhill.co.za

Posted on 15 de janeiro de 2019, 02:46 PM by outramps-tanniedi outramps-tanniedi | 0 comentários | Deixar um comentário

22 de janeiro de 2019

Every Dog has his Day

Every Dog has its Day
Outramps CREW Diaries
Tuesday
22nd January 2019


Start-up meeting
There was a good turnout for the meeting at Strawberry Hill that signals the beginning of our CREW year for 2019. There was a lot of enthusiastic input, which promises to contribute to an exciting and productive year. In 2019, we are putting more emphasis on Over-Nighters so that we can accommodate new places that are further away. There is also going to be a huge amount of post-burn monitoring to be done after the 2018 October fires.

We have made a small change to the structure of the Outramps. Leading this active group is very onerous and we have decided to appoint a Chairman on an annual basis. This gives plenty of room for new ideas. I have taken it on for 2019, but there will be someone different in charge for 2020. Sally handled it well for 2018.

Here are the portfolios
Nicky – Generalist, iNat, Site sheets, MCSA, Knysna/Plett co-ordinator
Gail – Research and Geraniaceae, LOT
Di – Chairman, Proteaceae, Reportback, Communications, Site sheets, Transport, iNat, MCSA, SIM
Bill – Mountain trip organiser, maps and routes, MCSA
Rusell – Orchidaceae, Specimen collection, Seed Collection, LOT
Jenny – Ericaceae, Cliffortias, iNat, Site sheets, Bookings, SIM, George Co-ordinator
Marge – Iridaceae, iNat, Treasurer
Prix – Specimen collection and Mesembs,
Brian –Fabaceae, Site sheets, iNat, Stellies node
Sally – Bugs, iNat, Site sheets, MSB Project, Proofreader
Dave – Phylicas, Rutaceae, Muraltias, iNat, Site sheets, HAT
Kyle – Orchidaceae, HAT
Peter – Generalist, Computer Helpline, iNat, Site Sheets, HAT, Stellies node
Mike – Forest Species, iNat, Species Lists, Permits
Evie – HAT, MCSA, iNat, High Altitude Plants
Sandra – Mossel Bay co-ordinator, iNat, Site sheets, Funding, Proofreader
Ann – Restios, Alien eradication
Pam – Data Base

The meeting took just over an hour and was followed by a very sumptuous lunch and a HUGE BONUS! Lize von Staden who manages the Red List was in the area working with Dr Mandy Lombard on her doctoral thesis. We were delighted to see Lize and catch up with her. She has been a very good friend to the Outramps CREW Group and the work she does for the Threatened Plants Programme is invaluable. Thanks for making the time to join us, Lize.

Gerickes Punt
On Wednesday 9th January, Gerickes Punt and beyond was the hike chosen to start 2019 for WAGS. There was some debate on the likely conditions. A few days earlier, there had been dire warnings about a powerful swell that was caused by a strong low-pressure cell to the south of the country. Storm surges, massive swells and rip currents were likely to cause very dangerous conditions on our south-facing shores.

When we got to the Point, the water was still quite high and we had to do a tricky (for ancients on crutches) rock pitch to avoid getting soused. On our return, the water had dropped low enough for us hurtle round the rocks in a gap between sets.

Most of the Group breakfasted on the summit of the Sphinx, whilst Jen and I chose to walk around the shelf which surrounds it. The rock formation here is bizarre and unusual. There were plenty of rock pools with starfish and other interesting inhabitants.

There were also plenty of rowdy African Black Oystercatchers (Haematopus moquini) protecting their nests. The Kelp Gulls strutted their stuff or wheeled above us with plaintive cries, against the backdrop of the yellow cliffs and their green curtains of Drosanthemum candens. Bassia diffusa was thriving in the inter-tidal zone on the rocky shores.

Gerickes Punt is one of our most beautiful and fascinating beach walks, with rocky shores and interesting cliffs to explore. It is a great favourite with both locals and tourists in the Southern Cape.

tanniedi

Drakensberg
One of my favorite places on earth is the Drakensberg, so it was with delight that I joined my family for Christmas in the Garden Castle Area near Underberg.

It was green and lush due to good summer rainfall. We climbed a steep hill to 2000m and did a few walks next to the rivers, where I found Protea dracomontana,a low growing shrublet to about 1 m. Higher up the mountain, I found Protea subvestita which is a single-stem tree to 3m with pink shuttlecock flowers. There were various grassland species, a few of which I have put in the album.

As a complete contrast, for New year we went to a farm called Zingela on the Tugela River near Weenen. This was dry valley bushveld. On arrival, we were stunned by a profusion of Vachellia tortillis in full flower. What a sight! A few days later there was a flush of Vachellia karroo. Boscia albitrunca dominated the landscape.The vegetation was completely different, but beautiful. Here, for the first time I saw Sansevieria in flower and was surprised to see that this "old Mother-in-law's tongue" has a beautiful flower.

What diversity we have in just a few hour's travel.

Jenny

Every Dog has its Day
Tierkop with WAGS
The heading does not refer to the Turner dogs in the lead picture, but to Bobartia aphylla, a striking Irid with bright yellow flowers. The slopes to the south, east and west were covered with yellow Bobartias thriving in the post-burn landscape, without any serious competition. It was a truly magnificent sight.

When the slopes are covered with Fynbos, one is not really aware of the steepness of the slopes on the eastern side of Tierkop. Without cover, they plunge almost vertically down to the Kaaimans River Valley far below. The track is very narrow and slopes steeply, making it difficult to negotiate. It would be great if there was some work done on it. If not, would Cape Nature give me permission to take a couple of guys up and we will do the job in a day. Please let me know.

We were delighted to find 3 very small Disa racemosa in a seep along the track. There was the odd flowering Watsonia fourcadei, but they are coming up in their thousands. There is going to be a stunning, massed flowering display in the future. The Proteaceae seedlings are already about 5cm high. There is a very large stand of the King Fern, (Todea barbara) just below the Tierkop cave and Blechnum tabulare is lime-green and all over the place in the drainage lines

It was a wonderful day out on the black, lime-green and yellow slopes, which are the prelude to the return of the Fynbos.

tanniedi

Tierkop Hut via Krantzberg to the Saddle
As I came around the corner on the little footpath - gosh- it was so good to see the Tierkop Hut still standing and even surrounded with its original green grass. I guess this was a structure saved by the Fire Fighters during the late October burns in 2018.

Hiking higher up towards the top ridge/saddle – yes, the greatest parts are burnt- but a surprising large number of little unburnt islands flourish in-between. In an old patch of Berzelia intermedia and Erica viridiflora – chirp- chirp – as the Orange Breasted Sunbirds fought for the few flowers in sight. Along the path numerous Psoralea sp are busy resprouting, while Podalyria buxifolia is already in flower. At my feet there were numerous tiny Psoralea flowers, one of the trailing Psoralea sp. A few tracts of Erica seriphiifolia, Erica demissa and Villarsia capensis along the path – the Ericas seem to be old plants? Generally, in the burnt fields there were conspicuous flowers of Bobartia aphylla and Tritoniopsis caffra and ferns of all varieties. Blechnum tabulare was stunning in its new lime- green growth.

I noticed the clump of Leucospermum glabrum (EN) at higher altitude that were burnt along the outer edge only, with flowers in bud also destroyed. Will the flowers resprout?? The high altitude Mimetes pauciflorus (VU) fields on the east of the path were last seen in Dec 2017 when i-Nat “Fossilplants “ visited. They are looking very sad and very burnt.

Opposite on the western slope there was evidence of a severe, hot fire. All the vegetation, even the tree trunks of the Leucadendrons and Proteas etc were burnt. No new green yet! This was an area covered in Kystervaring (Gleichenia polypodioides) for years. The Fynbos gradually became entirely overgrown by this fern (previously reported in Dec 2107 and Dec 2016). No doubt there was extreme heat – and now – what comes next? With this amount of devastation, will it be only the Kystervaring that readily appears? I will return – "to have a look see”!

Evie

On Friday, we are heading for the Swartberg Pass and the jeep track that leads east to Bothashoek. We are also hoping to have a look at the track that goes north from the jeep track to the bottom of the Pass just above Prince Albert.. We haven't been there for absolute ages and the forecast promises a relatively cool day. We are going for the gap.
Hamba Kahle
Groete en dankie

Di Turner
Outramps CREW Group
Southern Cape

All id’s subject to confirmation by Doc Annelise and Jan Vlok, Steven Molteno, Dr Tony Rebelo, Nick Helme, Prof Charlie Stirton, Dr Robert Archer, Dr Robert McKenzie, Dr Ted Oliver, Dr Christopher Whitehouse, Adriaan Grobler, Prix Burgoyne, Dr Kenneth Oberlander, Dr Pieter Winter, Dr David Gwynne-Evans, Malthinus and Mattmatt on iNat. Thank you all for your ongoing help and support.

Outramps Places on iNaturalist – You can browse through the observations or refer to the checklist which is in alphabetical order eg. Animals, birds etc.
Cola Conservancy - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/cola-conservancy
Dune Molerat Trail - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/dune-molerat-trails
Featherbed Nature Reserve - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/featherbed-nature-reserve
Gamkaberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/gamkaberg
Gerickes Punt - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/gerickes-punt#/places/gerickes-punt
Gouriqua - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/gouriqua-private-nature-reserve
Gouritzmond - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/the-gouritsmond-commonage
Heaven in the Langkloof - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/heaven-in-the-langkloof
Herolds Bay - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-herolds-bay
Kammanassie - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-kammanassie-reserve
Klein Swartberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/klein-swartberg
Knysna - Westford Bridge https://www.inaturalist.org/places/westford-bridge-estate-knysna
Kouga Mountains Kliphuis - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-kouga-mountains
Kranshoek - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-kranshoek-
Langeberg Grootvadersbosch - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/grootvadersbosch-nature-reserve
Masons Rust - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/masons-rust-32-ptn-4-gezwinds-kraal-41-ptn-0
Mons Ruber and surrounds - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/mons-ruber-and-surrounds
Mossel Bay Aalwyndal - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/aalwyndal
Mossel Bay Diosma Reserve - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/diosma-reserve
Mossel Bay - :https://www.inaturalist.org/places/hartenbos-heuwels

Mossel Bay - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/erf-14072
Mossel Bay - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/erf-19201
Mossel Bay St Blaize Trail - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/st-blaize-trail
Natures Valley - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/nature-s-valley-south-cape-south-africa
Outeniquas Bobbejaanberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-bobbejanberg-in-the-outeniquas
Outeniquas Camferskloof - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-camferskloof
Outeniquas - Cradock and George Peak Trail - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/cradock-peak-trail
Outeniquas Doringrivier East - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-doringrivier-east-in-the-outeniquas
Outeniquas East - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-eastern-outeniquas-from-bergplaas-to-gouna
Outeniquas Eseljagt - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/ezeljagt-eseljagt-and-surrounds
Outeniquas Eseljagtpoort - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/ezeljagts-poort-72-ptn-0-eseljagt-poort
Outeniquas Flanagans Rock - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/flanagans-rock-rsa
Outeniquas Lange Berg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/lange-berg-112
Outeniquas Montagu Pass North - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-montagu-pass-north
Outeniquas Paardekop - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/paardekop-13
Outeniquas Paardepoort East - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-paardepoort-east
Outeniquas Paardepoort West - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-paardepoort-wes
Outeniquas Pizza Ridge - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-pizza-ridge
Outeniquas Southern Traverse - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-outeniqua-southern-traverse
Robberg Corridor - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/robberg-coastal-corridor-krans-hoek-432-ptn-5
Robberg Corridor - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/robberg-coastal-corridor-e8267c6b-9263-4a87-a721-a24619be6dc8
Rooiberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-rooiberg-reserve
Spioenkop - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/ruigtevlei-plantations
Strawberry Hill - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/strawberry-hill-7-passes-road-wilderness-south-africa
Swartberg Spitskop - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-spitskop-to-meiringspoort-swartberg
Swartberg Waboomsberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/waboomsberg-in-the-swartberg
Uitzicht Portion 39 - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/uitzigt-216-portion-39
Uitzicht - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/uitzigt-216-ptn-65
Western Head - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/walker-s-point-215-portion-1-buffalo-bay
Western Head – https://www.inaturalist.org/places/walker-s-point-215-portion-2-buffalo-bay
Western Head - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/walker-s-point-215-portion-3-buffalo-bay
Western Head - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/western-head-knysna
White Heather - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/white-heather
Wilderness Brown Hooded Kingfisher Trail – https://www.inaturalist.org/places/brown-hooded-kingfisher-trail
Wilderness Kingfisher Trail - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/kingfisher-trails
Witteberg Kromme Rivier - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/kromme-rivier-72-ptn-0-willowmore

Outramps CREW Stellenbosch HAT node
Jonkershoek created by Vynbos - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/jonkershoek-cv
Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/mont-rochelle-nature-reserve
Papegaaiberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/papegaaiberg

Outramps Projects on iNaturalist
Ericas of the Southern Cape - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/ericas-of-the-southern-cape
Fungi of the Southern Cape - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/fungi-of-the-southern-cape
Lianes and Creepers in the Southern Cape and Little Karoo - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/lianes-and-creepers-of-the-southern-cape-and-little-karoo

Veg Types of South Africa - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/vegetation-types-of-south-africa

Abbreviations Glossary

MCSA – Mountain Club of South Africa
MSB - Millenium Seed Bank based at Kew in the UK
WIP – Work in Progress
HAT – High Altitude Team
LOT – Lowland Team
SIM – Somewhere in the Middle Team
WAGS – Wednesday Adventure Group
VB – Vlok Boekie “Plants of the Klein Karoo” and our Plant Bible
ITRTOL – Another thread “In The Rich Tapestry Of Life”(It describes a challenging situation, usually to do with the Buchu Bus)
ITFOT – In the fullness of time
WOESS – Fair Weather Hiker
FMC and JW – too vulgar to translate, but the equivalent is “Strike me Dead” - An expression of surprise and delight on finding a new “Rare”
Kambro – same as above
Fossick – A meter per minute, scratching around looking for rares
SIDB – Skrop in die Bos – Another name for a field trip, this one coined by Prix
BAFFING – Running round like a blue-arsed fly
SYT – Sweet Young Thing - Anyone under the age of 40
TOMB – Get a move on
Mayhem - Needless or willful damage or violence
SESKRYNG – “Sit en staan kry niks gedaan” ,with thanks to Brian
SOS – Skelms on Scramblers
FW – Idiot
BOB – Another name for the Buchu Bus when she’s misbehaving.
CRAFT – A symptom of Old Age
DDD - Metalasia tricolor (Damned Diabolical Daisy)
VP – Vrekplek – Retirement Village
Qàq – Self-explanatory Inuit word describing some of our local problems
Mr Fab – Our Fabaceae specialist, Brian Du Preez – originally Boy 1
Muisvoel -The Mathematician – Peter Thompson
Boy 2 – Kyle Underwood who works on Orchids and is still at school
Sharkie – Finn Rautenbach – Our latest SYT is a surfer in his spare time and is now the Curator of the Garden Route Botanical Garden
Sicko – Someone who suffers from Car Sickness. With 4 in the Group, allocating seating in the Buchu Bus is tricky
VAG – Virgin Active Garage, which is our meeting place when we head north
MATMUE – Meet At The Mall Under E - Meeting place when we head West
WG – Waves Garage in Wilderness East. - Meeting place when we’re going east.
VU- Vulnerable
DDT – Data Deficient and Taxonomically ?
NT – Near Threatened
EN – Endangered
CR – Critically Endangered
PE – Presumed extinct
LC – Least Concern
TBC – To be Confirmed
TLC – Tender loving care
JMS – An expression of absolute disdain
FOMO – Fear of Missing Out
Milk – the fruit of the vine
Condensed Milk – Scotland’s finest export
Full Cream Milk or Fat Milk – Any product of Humulus lupulus eg. Milk Stout
Milk of the Gods – Rooibos and Brandy
Milk Shake - Sparkling Wine
NS – Species of conservation concern new to the Outramps
PS -Priority Species allocated to the Outramps by our CREW Cape Co-ordinator , Ismail Ebrahim
iNatFD – iNaturalist for Dummies as compiled by Sally
Mizzle – Mist and drizzle combined. A regular feature of George in the ”good old days”.
FE – Fire Ephemeral – only appears immediately or after a couple of years after fire
Squirrel – aka President Ramaphosa
WOG – Wrath of God – eg. incurred when you put a young Pine tree on iNat as Leucadendron album
Skedonk - A banger - old, battered motor car more than 30 years old
Hoedown - redneck gathering, usually involves shouting catchy phrases like "yee-haw" and "the south will rise again"
VHF - Vat Hom Fluffie - our nickname for furry or woolly plants
SA - Stay Attractive is Google's translation of "Mooi Bly"
OTL - Out To Lunch is used to describe the Buchu Bus when she's taking a break after she's behaved badly

Posted on 22 de janeiro de 2019, 05:51 AM by outramps-tanniedi outramps-tanniedi | 5 comentários | Deixar um comentário

Every Dog has his Day

Every Dog has its Day
Outramps CREW Diaries
Tuesday
22nd January 2019

Here is the Album - 22nd January 2019
For captions or info click on i on the top right-hand side. A good way to go - the Slideshow is found at the top of the page on the rt hand side by clicking on the 3 dots. Featured this week – Start-up Meeting 2019, Gerickes Punt, Tierkop with WAGS, Tierkop Hut via Krantzberg to the saddle east of Cradock Peak and the Drakensberg.

For names and captions of the photos used on this version of the Reportback - see the Album.

Start-up meeting
There was a good turnout for the meeting at Strawberry Hill that signals the beginning of our CREW year for 2019. There was a lot of enthusiastic input, which promises to contribute to an exciting and productive year. In 2019, we are putting more emphasis on Over-Nighters so that we can accommodate new places that are further away. There is also going to be a huge amount of post-burn monitoring to be done after the 2018 October fires.

We have made a small change to the structure of the Outramps. Leading this active group is very onerous and we have decided to appoint a Chairman on an annual basis. This gives plenty of room for new ideas. I have taken it on for 2019, but there will be someone different in charge for 2020. Sally handled it well for 2018.

Here are the portfolios
Nicky – Generalist, iNat, Site sheets, MCSA, Knysna/Plett co-ordinator
Gail – Research and Geraniaceae, LOT
Di – Chairman, Proteaceae, Reportback, Communications, Site sheets, Transport, iNat, MCSA, SIM
Bill – Mountain trip organiser, maps and routes, MCSA
Rusell – Orchidaceae, Specimen collection, Seed Collection, LOT
Jenny – Ericaceae, Cliffortias, iNat, Site sheets, Bookings, SIM, George Co-ordinator
Marge – Iridaceae, iNat, Treasurer
Prix – Specimen collection and Mesembs,
Brian –Fabaceae, Site sheets, iNat, Stellies node
Sally – Bugs, iNat, Site sheets, MSB Project, Proofreader
Dave – Phylicas, Rutaceae, Muraltias, iNat, Site sheets, HAT
Kyle – Orchidaceae, HAT
Peter – Generalist, Computer Helpline, iNat, Site Sheets, HAT, Stellies node
Mike – Forest Species, iNat, Species Lists, Permits
Evie – HAT, MCSA, iNat, High Altitude Plants
Sandra – Mossel Bay co-ordinator, iNat, Site sheets, Funding, Proofreader
Ann – Restios, Alien eradication
Pam – Data Base

The meeting took just over an hour and was followed by a very sumptuous lunch and a HUGE BONUS! Lize von Staden who manages the Red List was in the area working with Dr Mandy Lombard on her doctoral thesis. We were delighted to see Lize and catch up with her. She has been a very good friend to the Outramps CREW Group and the work she does for the Threatened Plants Programme is invaluable. Thanks for making the time to join us, Lize.

Gerickes Punt
On Wednesday 9th January, Gerickes Punt and beyond was the hike chosen to start 2019 for WAGS. There was some debate on the likely conditions. A few days earlier, there had been dire warnings about a powerful swell that was caused by a strong low-pressure cell to the south of the country. Storm surges, massive swells and rip currents were likely to cause very dangerous conditions on our south-facing shores.

When we got to the Point, the water was still quite high and we had to do a tricky (for ancients on crutches) rock pitch to avoid getting soused. On our return, the water had dropped low enough for us hurtle round the rocks in a gap between sets.

Most of the Group breakfasted on the summit of the Sphinx, whilst Jen and I chose to walk around the shelf which surrounds it. The rock formation here is bizarre and unusual. There were plenty of rock pools with starfish and other interesting inhabitants.

There were also plenty of rowdy African Black Oystercatchers (Haematopus moquini) protecting their nests. The Kelp Gulls strutted their stuff or wheeled above us with plaintive cries, against the backdrop of the yellow cliffs and their green curtains of Drosanthemum candens. Bassia diffusa was thriving in the inter-tidal zone on the rocky shores.

Gerickes Punt is one of our most beautiful and fascinating beach walks, with rocky shores and interesting cliffs to explore. It is a great favourite with both locals and tourists in the Southern Cape.

tanniedi

Drakensberg
One of my favorite places on earth is the Drakensberg, so it was with delight that I joined my family for Christmas in the Garden Castle Area near Underberg.

It was green and lush due to good summer rainfall. We climbed a steep hill to 2000m and did a few walks next to the rivers, where I found Protea dracomontana,a low growing shrublet to about 1 m. Higher up the mountain, I found Protea subvestita which is a single-stem tree to 3m with pink shuttlecock flowers. There were various grassland species, a few of which I have put in the album.

As a complete contrast, for New year we went to a farm called Zingela on the Tugela River near Weenen. This was dry valley bushveld. On arrival, we were stunned by a profusion of Vachellia tortillis in full flower. What a sight! A few days later there was a flush of Vachellia karroo. Boscia albitrunca dominated the landscape.The vegetation was completely different, but beautiful. Here, for the first time I saw Sansevieria in flower and was surprised to see that this "old Mother-in-law's tongue" has a beautiful flower.

What diversity we have in just a few hour's travel.

Jenny

Every Dog has its Day
Tierkop with WAGS
The heading does not refer to the Turner dogs in the lead picture, but to Bobartia aphylla, a striking Irid with bright yellow flowers. The slopes to the south, east and west were covered with yellow Bobartias thriving in the post-burn landscape, without any serious competition. It was a truly magnificent sight.

When the slopes are covered with Fynbos, one is not really aware of the steepness of the slopes on the eastern side of Tierkop. Without cover, they plunge almost vertically down to the Kaaimans River Valley far below. The track is very narrow and slopes steeply, making it difficult to negotiate. It would be great if there was some work done on it. If not, would Cape Nature give me permission to take a couple of guys up and we will do the job in a day. Please let me know.

We were delighted to find 3 very small Disa racemosa in a seep along the track. There was the odd flowering Watsonia fourcadei, but they are coming up in their thousands. There is going to be a stunning, massed flowering display in the future. The Proteaceae seedlings are already about 5cm high. There is a very large stand of the King Fern, (Todea barbara) just below the Tierkop cave and Blechnum tabulare is lime-green and all over the place in the drainage lines

It was a wonderful day out on the black, lime-green and yellow slopes, which are the prelude to the return of the Fynbos.

tanniedi

Tierkop Hut via Krantzberg to the Saddle
As I came around the corner on the little footpath - gosh- it was so good to see the Tierkop Hut still standing and even surrounded with its original green grass. I guess this was a structure saved by the Fire Fighters during the late October burns in 2018.

Hiking higher up towards the top ridge/saddle – yes, the greatest parts are burnt- but a surprising large number of little unburnt islands flourish in-between. In an old patch of Berzelia intermedia and Erica viridiflora – chirp- chirp – as the Orange Breasted Sunbirds fought for the few flowers in sight. Along the path numerous Psoralea sp are busy resprouting, while Podalyria buxifolia is already in flower. At my feet there were numerous tiny Psoralea flowers, one of the trailing Psoralea sp. A few tracts of Erica seriphiifolia, Erica demissa and Villarsia capensis along the path – the Ericas seem to be old plants? Generally, in the burnt fields there were conspicuous flowers of Bobartia aphylla and Tritoniopsis caffra and ferns of all varieties. Blechnum tabulare was stunning in its new lime- green growth.

I noticed the clump of Leucospermum glabrum (EN) at higher altitude that were burnt along the outer edge only, with flowers in bud also destroyed. Will the flowers resprout?? The high altitude Mimetes pauciflorus (VU) fields on the east of the path were last seen in Dec 2017 when i-Nat “Fossilplants “ visited. They are looking very sad and very burnt.

Opposite on the western slope there was evidence of a severe, hot fire. All the vegetation, even the tree trunks of the Leucadendrons and Proteas etc were burnt. No new green yet! This was an area covered in Kystervaring (Gleichenia polypodioides) for years. The Fynbos gradually became entirely overgrown by this fern (previously reported in Dec 2107 and Dec 2016). No doubt there was extreme heat – and now – what comes next? With this amount of devastation, will it be only the Kystervaring that readily appears? I will return – "to have a look see”!

Evie

On Friday, we are heading for the Swartberg Pass and the jeep track that leads east to Bothashoek. We are also hoping to have a look at the track that goes north from the jeep track to the bottom of the Pass just above Prince Albert.. We haven't been there for absolute ages and the forecast promises a relatively cool day. We are going for the gap.
Hamba Kahle
Groete en dankie

Di Turner
Outramps CREW Group
Southern Cape

All id’s subject to confirmation by Doc Annelise and Jan Vlok, Steven Molteno, Dr Tony Rebelo, Nick Helme, Prof Charlie Stirton, Dr Robert Archer, Dr Robert McKenzie, Dr Ted Oliver, Dr Christopher Whitehouse, Adriaan Grobler, Prix Burgoyne, Dr Kenneth Oberlander, Dr Pieter Winter, Dr David Gwynne-Evans, Malthinus and Mattmatt on iNat. Thank you all for your ongoing help and support.

Outramps Places on iNaturalist – You can browse through the observations or refer to the checklist which is in alphabetical order eg. Animals, birds etc.
Cola Conservancy - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/cola-conservancy
Dune Molerat Trail - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/dune-molerat-trails
Featherbed Nature Reserve - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/featherbed-nature-reserve
Gamkaberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/gamkaberg
Gerickes Punt - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/gerickes-punt#/places/gerickes-punt
Gouriqua - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/gouriqua-private-nature-reserve
Gouritzmond - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/the-gouritsmond-commonage
Heaven in the Langkloof - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/heaven-in-the-langkloof
Herolds Bay - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-herolds-bay
Kammanassie - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-kammanassie-reserve
Klein Swartberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/klein-swartberg
Knysna - Westford Bridge https://www.inaturalist.org/places/westford-bridge-estate-knysna
Kouga Mountains Kliphuis - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-kouga-mountains
Kranshoek - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-kranshoek-
Langeberg Grootvadersbosch - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/grootvadersbosch-nature-reserve
Masons Rust - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/masons-rust-32-ptn-4-gezwinds-kraal-41-ptn-0
Mons Ruber and surrounds - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/mons-ruber-and-surrounds
Mossel Bay Aalwyndal - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/aalwyndal
Mossel Bay Diosma Reserve - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/diosma-reserve
Mossel Bay - :https://www.inaturalist.org/places/hartenbos-heuwels

Mossel Bay - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/erf-14072
Mossel Bay - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/erf-19201
Mossel Bay St Blaize Trail - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/st-blaize-trail
Natures Valley - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/nature-s-valley-south-cape-south-africa
Outeniquas Bobbejaanberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-bobbejanberg-in-the-outeniquas
Outeniquas Camferskloof - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-camferskloof
Outeniquas - Cradock and George Peak Trail - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/cradock-peak-trail
Outeniquas Doringrivier East - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-doringrivier-east-in-the-outeniquas
Outeniquas East - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-eastern-outeniquas-from-bergplaas-to-gouna
Outeniquas Eseljagt - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/ezeljagt-eseljagt-and-surrounds
Outeniquas Eseljagtpoort - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/ezeljagts-poort-72-ptn-0-eseljagt-poort
Outeniquas Flanagans Rock - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/flanagans-rock-rsa
Outeniquas Lange Berg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/lange-berg-112
Outeniquas Montagu Pass North - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-montagu-pass-north
Outeniquas Paardekop - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/paardekop-13
Outeniquas Paardepoort East - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-paardepoort-east
Outeniquas Paardepoort West - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-paardepoort-wes
Outeniquas Pizza Ridge - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-pizza-ridge
Outeniquas Southern Traverse - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-outeniqua-southern-traverse
Robberg Corridor - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/robberg-coastal-corridor-krans-hoek-432-ptn-5
Robberg Corridor - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/robberg-coastal-corridor-e8267c6b-9263-4a87-a721-a24619be6dc8
Rooiberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-rooiberg-reserve
Spioenkop - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/ruigtevlei-plantations
Strawberry Hill - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/strawberry-hill-7-passes-road-wilderness-south-africa
Swartberg Spitskop - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-spitskop-to-meiringspoort-swartberg
Swartberg Waboomsberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/waboomsberg-in-the-swartberg
Uitzicht Portion 39 - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/uitzigt-216-portion-39
Uitzicht - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/uitzigt-216-ptn-65
Western Head - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/walker-s-point-215-portion-1-buffalo-bay
Western Head – https://www.inaturalist.org/places/walker-s-point-215-portion-2-buffalo-bay
Western Head - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/walker-s-point-215-portion-3-buffalo-bay
Western Head - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/western-head-knysna
White Heather - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/white-heather
Wilderness Brown Hooded Kingfisher Trail – https://www.inaturalist.org/places/brown-hooded-kingfisher-trail
Wilderness Kingfisher Trail - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/kingfisher-trails
Witteberg Kromme Rivier - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/kromme-rivier-72-ptn-0-willowmore

Outramps CREW Stellenbosch HAT node
Jonkershoek created by Vynbos - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/jonkershoek-cv
Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/mont-rochelle-nature-reserve
Papegaaiberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/papegaaiberg

Outramps Projects on iNaturalist
Ericas of the Southern Cape - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/ericas-of-the-southern-cape
Fungi of the Southern Cape - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/fungi-of-the-southern-cape
Lianes and Creepers in the Southern Cape and Little Karoo - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/lianes-and-creepers-of-the-southern-cape-and-little-karoo

Veg Types of South Africa - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/vegetation-types-of-south-africa

Abbreviations Glossary

MCSA – Mountain Club of South Africa
MSB - Millenium Seed Bank based at Kew in the UK
WIP – Work in Progress
HAT – High Altitude Team
LOT – Lowland Team
SIM – Somewhere in the Middle Team
WAGS – Wednesday Adventure Group
VB – Vlok Boekie “Plants of the Klein Karoo” and our Plant Bible
ITRTOL – Another thread “In The Rich Tapestry Of Life”(It describes a challenging situation, usually to do with the Buchu Bus)
ITFOT – In the fullness of time
WOESS – Fair Weather Hiker
FMC and JW – too vulgar to translate, but the equivalent is “Strike me Dead” - An expression of surprise and delight on finding a new “Rare”
Kambro – same as above
Fossick – A meter per minute, scratching around looking for rares
SIDB – Skrop in die Bos – Another name for a field trip, this one coined by Prix
BAFFING – Running round like a blue-arsed fly
SYT – Sweet Young Thing - Anyone under the age of 40
TOMB – Get a move on
Mayhem - Needless or willful damage or violence
SESKRYNG – “Sit en staan kry niks gedaan” ,with thanks to Brian
SOS – Skelms on Scramblers
FW – Idiot
BOB – Another name for the Buchu Bus when she’s misbehaving.
CRAFT – A symptom of Old Age
DDD - Metalasia tricolor (Damned Diabolical Daisy)
VP – Vrekplek – Retirement Village
Qàq – Self-explanatory Inuit word describing some of our local problems
Mr Fab – Our Fabaceae specialist, Brian Du Preez – originally Boy 1
Muisvoel -The Mathematician – Peter Thompson
Boy 2 – Kyle Underwood who works on Orchids and is still at school
Sharkie – Finn Rautenbach – Our latest SYT is a surfer in his spare time and is now the Curator of the Garden Route Botanical Garden
Sicko – Someone who suffers from Car Sickness. With 4 in the Group, allocating seating in the Buchu Bus is tricky
VAG – Virgin Active Garage, which is our meeting place when we head north
MATMUE – Meet At The Mall Under E - Meeting place when we head West
WG – Waves Garage in Wilderness East. - Meeting place when we’re going east.
VU- Vulnerable
DDT – Data Deficient and Taxonomically ?
NT – Near Threatened
EN – Endangered
CR – Critically Endangered
PE – Presumed extinct
LC – Least Concern
TBC – To be Confirmed
TLC – Tender loving care
JMS – An expression of absolute disdain
FOMO – Fear of Missing Out
Milk – the fruit of the vine
Condensed Milk – Scotland’s finest export
Full Cream Milk or Fat Milk – Any product of Humulus lupulus eg. Milk Stout
Milk of the Gods – Rooibos and Brandy
Milk Shake - Sparkling Wine
NS – Species of conservation concern new to the Outramps
PS -Priority Species allocated to the Outramps by our CREW Cape Co-ordinator , Ismail Ebrahim
iNatFD – iNaturalist for Dummies as compiled by Sally
Mizzle – Mist and drizzle combined. A regular feature of George in the ”good old days”.
FE – Fire Ephemeral – only appears immediately or after a couple of years after fire
Squirrel – aka President Ramaphosa
WOG – Wrath of God – eg. incurred when you put a young Pine tree on iNat as Leucadendron album
Skedonk - A banger - old, battered motor car more than 30 years old
Hoedown - redneck gathering, usually involves shouting catchy phrases like "yee-haw" and "the south will rise again"
VHF - Vat Hom Fluffie - our nickname for furry or woolly plants
SA - Stay Attractive is Google's translation of "Mooi Bly"
OTL - Out To Lunch is used to describe the Buchu Bus when she's taking a break after she's behaved badly

Posted on 22 de janeiro de 2019, 08:46 AM by outramps-tanniedi outramps-tanniedi | 0 comentários | Deixar um comentário

29 de janeiro de 2019

Those Pale Green Pants

Those Pale Green Pants
Outramps CREW Diaries
Tuesday
29th January 2019

Pale Green Pants
29th January 2019
Those Pale Green Pants……..…….with nobody inside them. A fleeting thought.

We walk through the hops vines to the ridge which lies behind the obligatory post field trip pizza stop at Waboomskraal. Each hops plant is led up in a V to meters above us. They look just like Dr Seuss’s ‘Pale Green Pants with Nobody Inside Them’ – but upside down.

The ridge is the west-facing part of Camferskloof. Spikier than sea urchins with its ever increasing pine and hakea cover - in the whole wide world it is only Di who would choose to explore that ridge. We see it with every to and fro drive through the valley. It is rocky, steepish and now it has burnt too.

We see: Lobelia linearis, Pelargonium tricolor, gradations between P ternatum & fruticosum and higher up the same in P scabrum/ribifolium, one Leucadendron cuneiforme, two Protea nitida, Psoralea diturnerae spread across most of the site, Aspalathus sceptrum–aureum, Aspalathus rubens and Machairophyllum albidum. Wedged in rocks are quite a bit of Euclea polyandra and Searsia rosmarinifolia, also Adromischus maculatus, a bulbine-aloe lookalike Curio sp. with unusual, unnatural looking new leaf growth and a very cute small, tufted Crassula. Erica cerinthoides caters for Jenny, as do plenty of the attractive Cliffortia crenata with its round leaves. Gentle tones of Tritoniopsis antholyza are scattered all over.

The newly named species nova, Hermannia denudiata, features here and there. Some plants are leggy, but higher up a little group is severely cropped into mats. A hungry bokkie? There is a leggy white Selago. As we enter the pine fringe there is virtually no plant cover below the partially burnt trees. Rocks, pine needles, some Carpobrotus, more pine needles. "It is Pinus pinaster", says Mike. This is not a plantation, just rampant encroachment of Pines and Hakea! It is all a bit bleak. The splash and sprawl of yellow over a faraway rocky perch on the steep eastern slope distracts and looks promising. The recce involves slithering, hanging onto charred trunks and rock scrambles – those I enjoy thoroughly - but it is only a sickly yellow Teedia lucida. Di spots a miserable looking Protea lorifolia amongst unburnt Hakea sericea as I return in one piece.

Pines and Hakea reign, at the cost of Fynbos. A co-operative intervention is urgently needed here. An unknown white daisy stops us – Senecio perhaps? Jan says, "Senecio umbellatus - a fire weed". Exit Jen (remarkably clean) and I (astonishingly filthy), backtrack to retrieve my hiking stick at the first Hermannia denudiata reunion. Di and Mike carry on and explore to the west. Her report follows.

Whilst wrapping up my report the smoke plume of the Hartenbos Heuwels fire trails across the bay. It dampens thoughts of our fun CREW day and trips up a potential quirky end to this report. So here goes. No, I am not afraid of Those Pale Green Pants with Nobody Inside Them, but right now I do wonder: Is this Angry Earth saying ‘Wie nie hoor - nie moet voel"

Sandra

PS
Mike and I took a slither down a steep slope more to the north, so that we could cover more ground. Huge burnt skeletons of Hakea sericea are all over this degraded piece of veld. Very depressing, as there are lots of seedlings coming up. But our find of the day was right near the bottom. A prostrate Otholobium ( a couple of plants) is managing to grow in among all the degradation.I will need to consult someone on the id. It could be O. heterosepalum (Rare), which occurs in Camferskloof, but it could also be something different.

We are hoping that it will be something exciting to make that steep degraded scramble worthwhile..

tanniedi

Sputnik to Camferskloof Nek
HAT Evie’s Report on Camferskloof Nek and Peak “Ten67”.
Recently Evie , Tony and Rosie hiked from Sputnik (on the Outeniqua Pass) up to Camferskloof Nek. An interesting short upward hike through Fynbos. I previously hiked here last October – shortly before the month end fires – very interesting to note the changes.

On this southern slope various burn areas alternate with unburnt ground, mainly amongst the rocky outcrops where the fire effect is minimal. Here the old Fynbos continues as before - such as Leucadendron uliginosum; Berzelia intermedia, Erica discolor ssp. hebecalyx, Erica lanata, Agathosma mundtii. However, in an open area I was sad to notice that the pretty clump of Leucadendron conicum (NT) was completely black. Around their feet new plants of Mairia crenata make the most of the open ground. Higher up in the Pine forest – the burning was not nearly as intense as I would have expected. Old clumps of Mimetes cucullatus remain in good shape, while some are resprouting; small leaves are resprouting on Protea cynaroides; as well as numerous sprouting Psoralea plants. The Lobelia dichroma (DDT) seen on my previous visit seemed absent?? – Lobelia neglecta may have taken the gap.

As we crossed over the saddle- and onto the northern side – a very burnt and grey vista down into the valley, while on the peak – pockets of old Fynbos remain. It was interesting to notice numerous new rock features and overhangs - these were probably previously hidden by the dense vegetation. Oldenburgia paradoxa – very sad – but signs of new life from within; while the pretty clumps of Leucospermum cuneiforme seen last October - have a long way to go before they reveal their pincushion wonders.

Evie

Slanghoek - An impossibly Perfect Day
Chris (Vynbos on iNat) joined Werner and myself for a long day in the Slanghoek mountains, with a total of 26km walked and 1400m of climbing. Parking near Eerste Tol in Bainskloof, we set off for Slanghoek Peak (1697m) by following a path along the Witterivier. This path ended shortly after reaching the MCSA property (Springstygbeugel) from which it was a steep scramble up to Slanghoek Peak.

For all the effort to get to the peak, we were rewarded with a stunning display of Disa uniflora and Gladiolus cardinalis in just about every waterfall and seep on the mountain. However, the most magnificent display was on the cliffs of "A Private Universe", which features a sheer rock-face that is hundreds of metres high.

After all the excitement and climbing, we relaxed in the huge rock pools of Bainskloof, which concluded an impossibly perfect day! I'm still in the process of sorting through the plant photos, but all the observations for the trip can be found with the iNat tag 2019-01-20 Slanghoek Peak.

Peter -Stellies Node

Strawberry Hill Fern Trail
Last Saturday, it was the annual scramble/swim down the Kaaimans Gorge from Strawberry Hill organised by Cheryl Devine of the Mountain Club (South Cape section). The rivers were running strongly and it was a cloudy, cool day. By the time the group got back to Strawberry Hill, some of them were blue with cold. Numerous cups of hot coffee soon returned them to a more normal colour.

A smaller party came with me to do the Fern Trail. When we reached the first crossing, the water was high enough to reach mid-thigh. Weather conditions were not conducive to enjoying a very damp walk, so we decided to do various loops on the trail that avoided crossing the Silver River.

We all came together afterwards for a very pleasant Bring and Braai. And the bonus - I might have successfully recruited 2 new members from Plett. When they know the ropes, we are hoping that they'll start a Plett node and do some work in the much neglected east.

tanniedi

Monkey Business
Monkeying Around - Lost & Found in the Langkloof
In December 2014 Fred and I went to visit my school friend in the Langkloof. She lives there with her four-legged and two-legged rescued friends, which include tortoises, cats, dogs, horses, cows, owls, storks, herons and a troop of baboons.

During that visit we walked down a kloof to botanise. We had to clamber up a steep slope to get to the base of a cliff to view some interesting-looking plants. We then made our way to the top of the well-vegetated cliff. On reaching the top, I realized that somewhere along the steep cliff slope, my camera had dropped out of its pouch. As the sun was setting, none of us were prepared to go down again to look for it. My friend commented that her baboons would find it and would bring it back. We chuckled.

The next time we visited, a few months later, we decided to use the GPS track we had made and do the hike again, just on the off-chance that we might find the camera, but no luck.

Last weekend, (18 – 20 January 2019) we paid another visit to the Langkloof. On our arrival, I was presented with a very dilapidated camera. About three weeks ago my friend had been feeding her owl (which is done at night), when she saw something shining on the path in the owl enclosure. She soon realized it was a camera and wondered how her baboons had got hold of hers: they are very attracted to anything shiny. She then realized that it was the one I had dropped in the kloof four years previously. One of the baboons must have been playing with it when it visited the owl and accidentally dropped it into the enclosure. It had obviously been an object of great interest to the baboons. The camera is covered with bite marks, and everything that can be removed has been removed. The battery compartment has rusted closed: it has rained and snowed in the four years it has been missing! My friend managed to prise open the compartment containing the memory card, as she really wanted to see what was on it. All 72 pictures were still there! I have put some of them into the album.

My friend thinks it is likely that the camera had been a treasure for the baboons for a long time and that they might have carried it over a considerable distance. She imagines that the member of the troop that dropped it irretrievably into the enclosure would have been severely reprimanded. It is fun to speculate. It is just a pity they didn’t take any selfies…

Maybe another troop of baboons is looking after the camera I dropped in Perdepoort on one of the Outramps trips to monitor Mimetes chrysanthus? Maybe one day the pictures on that one will also make it onto iNat?

Nicky

Groeneweide
October 27th 2018 was the start of the George fires. On Wednesday, I walked Groeneweide to see how far the fire had penetrated into the afro-temperate forest to the north of Strawberry Hill. It was an amazing sight. The aliens (mainly Eucalypts) that fringe the forest at the top are burnt to a cinder. The Keurbooms, which were busy pioneering have also been incinerated, although a thicket of seedlings is already in evidence. Only a few of the forest trees have been burnt on the outer edge. The rest are fine. It is comforting to know that this patch of forest is protecting the properties that lie further south.

Unexpectedly, the state of the Silver River banks was a bit alarming. The trees that lined them are well and truly burnt, although a few are showing signs of new leaves. I had always planned to bail out to the rivers below, if a fire swept through the area. Strawberry HIll shares a boundary with Groeneweide. I am definitely having second thoughts about that, after seeing the upper reaches of the Silver River.

The prevailing landscape is green with Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum ssp. capense), which is becoming a rather boring sight over large sections of the lower slopes above George. This fern provides protection for the emerging Fynbos, so I suppose we shouldn't moan. The only spot of colour around was the bright yellow Bobartia aphylla and the brilliant scarlet Tritoniopsis caffra.

SANparks, the upper part of the trail close to the burnt Eucalypts is in urgent need of attention. There are lots of windfalls and clambering over, crawling under and skirting the obstacles became somewhat trying after a while. This trail carries significant walking traffic and needs to be kept in good order. The lower sections are looking good.

tanniedi

Stop Press:

Kyle and I were walking on the unburnt section of the Blesberg Ridge during the December outing. He called me over to look at a strange orchid - almost over but not quite. We thought it might be Disa obtusa ssp picta but weren't sure. It now turns out to be Disa linderiana - a very rare orchid indeed. Only two previous records on GBIF (Di and Nicky on Swartberg Pass in 2015 and Bytebier in the southern Cedarberg in 2006). Sterkte Kyle.....!
Dave aka Onderbos

Great Brak River has a vibrant community and a small but active Conservancy. Clean ups, bat boxes, tubes for the scourge of fishing line (which is recycled into weed eater string) and as you’ll see on the Album an Alien plant hack, are some of their initiatives. Join them for the Wolwedans trail on Sat 9th February and follow this great team on Facebook.

Sandra

Field Trips
Currently there is significant rain forecast for the whole coastal plain on Friday. I was toying with the idea of the St Blaize Trail for SIM, but will have to put it on the back burners for the moment. The temperatures in Oudtshoorn on Friday are going to be high, so we will probably go for something in between. There is an interesting ridge which goes up from Waboomskraal towards Doringrivier. It could produce some surprises. However, with the weather forecast changing on an hourly basis, we will have to make our final decision closer to the time.

LOT will be visiting Eseljagt West on Friday 1st Feb. 2019 .
Hamba Kahle
Groete en dankie

Di Turner
Outramps CREW Group
Southern Cape

All id’s subject to confirmation by Doc Annelise and Jan Vlok, Steven Molteno, Dr Tony Rebelo, Nick Helme, Prof Charlie Stirton, Dr Robert Archer, Dr Robert McKenzie, Dr Ted Oliver, Dr Christopher Whitehouse, Adriaan Grobler, Prix Burgoyne, Dr Kenneth Oberlander, Dr Pieter Winter, Dr David Gwynne-Evans, Malthinus and Mattmatt on iNat. Thank you all for your ongoing help and support.

Outramps Places on iNaturalist – You can browse through the observations or refer to the checklist which is in alphabetical order eg. Animals, birds etc.
Area covered by Southern Cape Herbarium - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/southern-cape-aoi
Cola Conservancy - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/cola-conservancy
Dune Molerat Trail - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/dune-molerat-trails
Featherbed Nature Reserve - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/featherbed-nature-reserve
Gamkaberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/gamkaberg
Gerickes Punt - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/gerickes-punt#/places/gerickes-punt
Gouriqua - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/gouriqua-private-nature-reserve
Gouritzmond - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/the-gouritsmond-commonage
Heaven in the Langkloof - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/heaven-in-the-langkloof
Herolds Bay - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-herolds-bay
Kammanassie - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-kammanassie-reserve
Klein Swartberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/klein-swartberg
Knysna - Westford Bridge https://www.inaturalist.org/places/westford-bridge-estate-knysna
Kouga Mountains Kliphuis - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-kouga-mountains
Kranshoek - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-kranshoek-
Langeberg Grootvadersbosch - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/grootvadersbosch-nature-reserve
Masons Rust - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/masons-rust-32-ptn-4-gezwinds-kraal-41-ptn-0
Mons Ruber and surrounds - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/mons-ruber-and-surrounds
Mossel Bay Aalwyndal - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/aalwyndal
Mossel Bay Diosma Reserve - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/diosma-reserve
Mossel Bay - :https://www.inaturalist.org/places/hartenbos-heuwels

Mossel Bay - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/erf-14072
Mossel Bay - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/erf-19201
Mossel Bay St Blaize Trail - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/st-blaize-trail
Natures Valley - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/nature-s-valley-south-cape-south-africa
Outeniquas Bobbejaanberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-bobbejanberg-in-the-outeniquas
Outeniquas Camferskloof - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-camferskloof
Outeniquas - Cradock and George Peak Trail - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/cradock-peak-trail
Outeniquas Doringrivier East - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-doringrivier-east-in-the-outeniquas
Outeniquas East - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-eastern-outeniquas-from-bergplaas-to-gouna
Outeniquas Eseljagt - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/ezeljagt-eseljagt-and-surrounds
Outeniquas Eseljagtpoort - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/ezeljagts-poort-72-ptn-0-eseljagt-poort
Outeniquas Flanagans Rock - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/flanagans-rock-rsa
Outeniquas Lange Berg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/lange-berg-112
Outeniquas Montagu Pass North - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-montagu-pass-north
Outeniquas Paardekop - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/paardekop-13
Outeniquas Paardepoort East - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-paardepoort-east
Outeniquas Paardepoort West - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-paardepoort-wes
Outeniquas Pizza Ridge - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-pizza-ridge
Outeniquas Southern Traverse - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-outeniqua-southern-traverse
Robberg Corridor - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/robberg-coastal-corridor-krans-hoek-432-ptn-5
Robberg Corridor - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/robberg-coastal-corridor-e8267c6b-9263-4a87-a721-a24619be6dc8
Rooiberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-rooiberg-reserve
Spioenkop - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/ruigtevlei-plantations
Strawberry Hill - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/strawberry-hill-7-passes-road-wilderness-south-africa
Swartberg Spitskop - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-spitskop-to-meiringspoort-swartberg
Swartberg Waboomsberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/waboomsberg-in-the-swartberg
Uitzicht Portion 39 - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/uitzigt-216-portion-39
Uitzicht - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/uitzigt-216-ptn-65
Western Head - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/walker-s-point-215-portion-1-buffalo-bay
Western Head – https://www.inaturalist.org/places/walker-s-point-215-portion-2-buffalo-bay
Western Head - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/walker-s-point-215-portion-3-buffalo-bay
Western Head - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/western-head-knysna
White Heather - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/white-heather
Wilderness Brown Hooded Kingfisher Trail – https://www.inaturalist.org/places/brown-hooded-kingfisher-trail
Wilderness Kingfisher Trail - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/kingfisher-trails
Witteberg Kromme Rivier - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/kromme-rivier-72-ptn-0-willowmore

Outramps CREW Stellenbosch HAT node
Jonkershoek created by Vynbos - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/jonkershoek-cv
Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/mont-rochelle-nature-reserve
Papegaaiberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/papegaaiberg

Outramps Projects on iNaturalist
Ericas of the Southern Cape - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/ericas-of-the-southern-cape
Fungi of the Southern Cape - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/fungi-of-the-southern-cape
Lianes and Creepers in the Southern Cape and Little Karoo - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/lianes-and-creepers-of-the-southern-cape-and-little-karoo
Veg Types of South Africa - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/vegetation-types-of-south-africa

Flowers of the High Drakensberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/flowers-of-the-high-kzn-drakensberg

Abbreviations Glossary

MCSA – Mountain Club of South Africa
MSB - Millenium Seed Bank based at Kew in the UK
WIP – Work in Progress
HAT – High Altitude Team
LOT – Lowland Team
SIM – Somewhere in the Middle Team
WAGS – Wednesday Adventure Group
VB – Vlok Boekie “Plants of the Klein Karoo” and our Plant Bible
ITRTOL – Another thread “In The Rich Tapestry Of Life”(It describes a challenging situation, usually to do with the Buchu Bus)
ITFOT – In the fullness of time
WOESS – Fair Weather Hiker
FMC and JW – too vulgar to translate, but the equivalent is “Strike me Dead” - An expression of surprise and delight on finding a new “Rare”
Kambro – same as above
Fossick – A meter per minute, scratching around looking for rares
SIDB – Skrop in die Bos – Another name for a field trip, this one coined by Prix
BAFFING – Running round like a blue-arsed fly
SYT – Sweet Young Thing - Anyone under the age of 40
TOMB – Get a move on
Mayhem - Needless or willful damage or violence
SESKRYNG – “Sit en staan kry niks gedaan” ,with thanks to Brian
SOS – Skelms on Scramblers
FW – Idiot
BOB – Another name for the Buchu Bus when she’s misbehaving.
CRAFT – A symptom of Old Age
DDD - Metalasia tricolor (Damned Diabolical Daisy)
VP – Vrekplek – Retirement Village
Qàq – Self-explanatory Inuit word describing some of our local problems
Mr Fab – Our Fabaceae specialist, Brian Du Preez – originally Boy 1
Muisvoel -The Mathematician – Peter Thompson
Boy 2 – Kyle Underwood who works on Orchids and is still at school
Sharkie – Finn Rautenbach – Our latest SYT is a surfer in his spare time and is now the Curator of the Garden Route Botanical Garden
Sicko – Someone who suffers from Car Sickness. With 4 in the Group, allocating seating in the Buchu Bus is tricky
VAG – Virgin Active Garage, which is our meeting place when we head north
MATMUE – Meet At The Mall Under E - Meeting place when we head West
WG – Waves Garage in Wilderness East. - Meeting place when we’re going east.
VU- Vulnerable
DDT – Data Deficient and Taxonomically ?
NT – Near Threatened
EN – Endangered
CR – Critically Endangered
PE – Presumed extinct
LC – Least Concern
TBC – To be Confirmed
TLC – Tender loving care
JMS – An expression of absolute disdain
FOMO – Fear of Missing Out
Milk – the fruit of the vine
Condensed Milk – Scotland’s finest export
Full Cream Milk or Fat Milk – Any product of Humulus lupulus eg. Milk Stout
Milk of the Gods – Rooibos and Brandy
Milk Shake - Sparkling Wine
NS – Species of conservation concern new to the Outramps
PS -Priority Species allocated to the Outramps by our CREW Cape Co-ordinator , Ismail Ebrahim
iNatFD – iNaturalist for Dummies as compiled by Sally
Mizzle – Mist and drizzle combined. A regular feature of George in the ”good old days”.
FE – Fire Ephemeral – only appears immediately or after a couple of years after fire
Squirrel – aka President Ramaphosa
WOG – Wrath of God – eg. incurred when you put a young Pine tree on iNat as Leucadendron album
Skedonk - A banger - old, battered motor car more than 30 years old
Hoedown - redneck gathering, usually involves shouting catchy phrases like "yee-haw" and "the south will rise again"
VHF - Vat Hom Fluffie - our nickname for furry or woolly plants
SA - Stay Attractive is Google's translation of "Mooi Bly"
OTL - Out To Lunch is used to describe the Buchu Bus when she's taking a break after she's behaved badly

Posted on 29 de janeiro de 2019, 05:48 AM by outramps-tanniedi outramps-tanniedi | 0 comentários | Deixar um comentário