A walk in the woods

For our final photo walk, Riekie and I (see previous posts here and here) and Rosie (the dog) went for a walk through a nearby forestry plantation. The day had started off pretty dismal – cold and raining – but it cleared around 9 a.m. and we were then able to go out.

A typical forestry road with planted Pine trees

Our walk started at the forestry station. Although the plantations belong to a local forestry company, they have opened up their forestry roads and paths to the public for recreational purposes. People use these for mountain biking, dog walking, hiking (various hiking trails going up into the mountains, start down at the forestry station) etc.

The plantations, as the name implies, are comprised of planted trees which are later harvested. However, there are also areas of indigenous forest* interspersed between the planted compartments and in the riverine areas. These are naturally growing forests of local hardwood species. The nearest we have to a “jungle” in the Southern Cape. On the mountainside above the tree line, we have our naturally occurring Fynbos vegetation (natural shrubland or heathland vegetation occurring in the Western and Southern Cape).

Natural forest area

It was really a beautiful morning out amongst the trees. The recent rain meant everything was cool and fresh, with water still dripping off the vegetation. For the most part we walked in the shade of the trees, but occasionally we came across clearings where the sun shone brightly and it was quite a lot warmer. It was very peaceful, although certainly not quiet. The forest birds and insects and frogs were out in force, providing a chorus of sounds so typical to forests.

Tiny water droplets hanging on the ends of foliage like a million little fairy lights.

Coming out of the shade of the trees into a sunlit clearing.

The circle of life is very evident in the forest. Next to little green seedlings are old, rotten and decaying stumps and foliage.

A log disappearing under the forest undergrowth.

What looks like a piece of burnt timber becomes home to moss, lichen and other organisms.

Although we did not cross any rivers on our walk, water was flowing down the mountainside in little streams.

A massive rock wall creates a little "waterfall" from the water seeping down the slope.

A forest rock pool at the base of the cliff.

 And what would a forest walk be without a spider or two . . . It was very difficult photographing spiders in the forest gloom. Thank you to Riekie for allowing me to use two of her spider photographs.

The spider's web was so beautiful with little droplets showing up the individual threads. (©Riekie Coertze)

A close-up of the spider above. Some kind of Orb web spider, I think. Any ideas? (©Riekie Coertze)

Thank you for visiting us here, Riekie. Your visit was a real tonic – I don’t think I’ve ever laughed as much in one week! I look forward to our next opportunity for a photo walk.

[*See this article by Theo Stehle (a forestry scientist): Indigenous Forests of South Africa]