Thursday, Nov 23—Romansrivier

Spent most of the remainder of this week working in the office, adding as many nonherbarium specimen pictures as possible to the ID guides I have worked on these past weeks. I had already completed the Riverlands project and given that to Annelise. But Thursday was a field trip day. Not a bad way to spend Thanksgiving.

To make matters more interesting in these discussions is the fact that the landowner is talking about turning over some of the land to some of his workers. That would be something very favorably viewed by the government. Anything that provides access and opportunity for the ‘previously disadvantaged’ would work in favor of the landowner. But it would also complicate the discussions over what should be conserved. In the meantime, the landowner may yet do something that degrades a bit more of the veld. Not an easy situation to sort through, and as at home the process is very slow.

From the bad section Caitlin and I made our way to the good veld and Ismail met us there. I had been here before with Caitlin, Wendy, Lara, and Albert. It was interesting to see what was blooming this time. Though a little drier there were still a number of things flowering—Ixia, Micranthus, Lobelia, Lobostemon, Aristea, Corymbium, a wonderfully wooly Erica, Pelargonium, Lapeirousia, and even a Gethyllis. Gethyllis is one of those geophytes that typically bloom after their leaves dry. Here it is. Ismail pointed it out to me as I had overlooked it.


But the find of this stop for me was the minifield of Utricularia flowers. The flowering stems were no more than 15 cm tall. They were in a section of the veld that had been wet on our previous visit but now was just moist below the surface. Neat!

Here are two big insects I encountered. The grasshopper sitting on the Bobartia fruit is just striking because of its color and pattern. But the cone-headed mantid is the real stunner. It just disappears into its environment, and it made sure I was always in its view.



On the way back to Cape Town I treated Ismail and me to milkshakes and Caitlin to a Fanta from Wimpy, a fast food outlet. This would be my Thanksgiving celebration. And give thanks I did. These past weeks have been filled with so much, and being in the field with Caitlin and Ismail has been so rewarding how could I be anything but thankful. I couldn’t have asked for better folks to be with, to learn from, and to befriend.

Though I didn’t know it at the time this last photo was quite prophetic. I took it of Ismail and Caitlin as we left the veld for the day. As it turns out this would be the last time I would be in the field with either of them, and fortunately it was with both. As I write this they are in the field in an area around Caledon. I had planned on going with them and this would have been my last trip. But that was not possible and so my trip with them to Romansrivier would be my last field outing. And a great outing it was!

Thanks, Ismail! Thanks, Caitlin!

May your days in the veld continue to be rewarding and enjoyable!