Soutrivier

Once again down through the Grootrivier pass with its magnificent forest. This time we turned into Nature's Valley. At the end of the village there is a cafe, opposite which is the entrance to the beach. There were a number of butterflies in the coastal scrub, being blown about by the wind.

These are the common Dotted Border, and then the Common Meadow White, respectively. One settled on Merle's jacket, presumably for warmth and protection.

We went along the beach, then onto the Blue Rocks. There were two pairs of Oystercatchers here. Feathers jet black, and strikingly red legs, beak and wattles.

Photo: Wiki-commons

One poor individual had lost a leg, presumably a casuality of fishing line. However it seemed to be managing quite well.

At the river mouth we relaxed for a short time, then walked up the gentle incline through the welcome shade of the riverine forest.

There were ferns, lichen, sand at one spot two species of ground orchids. One was the Green Wood Orchid, I didn't know the other rather dainty one.

This was a rather attractive lichen.

As we walked through the wood we heard the call of the Knysna Lourie (Turaco.) and Glenda identified the Knysna Woodpecker, an endemic.

The Knysna Lourie photographed by Glenda in her garden.

At the top of the rise the forest opened up, there was a Rainforest Brown sunning itself in the opening.

Now we had a panoramic view of Natures Valley. From here it was downhill to the village.

Photo Wiki-commons.