Showing posts with label bush camp. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bush camp. Show all posts

Thursday, 22 April 2021

Colourful Birds of the eMalangeni Forest

Here are some the most colourful of the birds to be found in the eMalangeni Forest and forest margins that we will endeavor to show you when you book to be taken on an eco-excursion through the Forest and explore the surrounds.

Black-collared Barbet Lybius	torquatus

I had no option other that to place this photo of a  Black-collared Barbet Lybius torquatus first because it is the bird that I have on my Ecoman company logo.

The White-eared Barbet  leucotis is more often seen than heard as it chatters away like a parrot up in the trees.

The White-eared Barbet  leucotis is more often seen than heard as it chatters away like a parrot up in the trees.  

The Little Bee-eater pusillus can be found most days at eMalangeni on the forest margins hawking insects

The Little Bee-eater Merops pusillus can be found most days at eMalangeni on the forest margins hawking insects in particular dragon flies often near to the nesting site.

The Gorgeous Bush-shrike  Telophorus quadricolor is another of the forest birds that are more often heard than seen

The Gorgeous Bush-shrike  Telophorus quadricolor is another of the forest birds that are more often heard than seen but if one has some patience these birds will appear as if by magic out of the undergrowth.

Burchell's Coucal Centropus burchellii

The Burchell's Coucal Centropus burchellii may not be as colourful as some of the other forest birds  at eMalangeni but it is a character in its own right that can be heard calling the rain in the early spring. 

Diderick Cuckoo Chrysococcyx caprius that lays her eggs in the nest of in particular the Spectacled and Dark Backed Weavers in the emalangeni Forest

It would not be summer without the distinctive call of the Diderick Cuckoo Chrysococcyx caprius that lays her eggs in the nest of in particular the Spectacled and Dark Backed Weavers in the emalangeni Forest.

Cuckoo	Red-chested	Cuculus	solitarius

The Red-chested Cuckoo Cuculus solitarius is another well known South African bird that is heard far more than it is seen.

The African Finfoot Podica senegalensis is a shy and seldom seen water bird that can be seen in the eMalangeni Swamp Forest.

The African Finfoot Podica senegalensis is a shy and seldom seen water bird that can be seen in the eMalangeni Swamp Forest.

Crested Guineafowl Guttera edouardi lives in the forest but tends to nest on the forest margins in very well hidden nests.

Crested Guineafowl Guttera edouardi lives in the forest but tends to nest on the forest margins in very well hidden nests.


The White-crested Helmet-shrike Prionops plumatus conspicuously moved that the forest in noisy family parties.

Crowned Hornbill Tockus alboterminatus can not be overlooked when they are around because they move around in large noisy groups. they are one of the main agents of dispersion of the seed of the Kosi Bay cycad Encephalartos ferox

The Crowned Hornbill Tockus alboterminatus can not be overlooked when they are around because they move around in large noisy groups. they are one of the main agents of dispersion of the seed of the Kosi Bay cycad Encephalartos ferox very often dropping them under the Water berry trees Syzygium cordatum where they roost after eating them.

The Trumpeter Hornbill Bycanistes bucinator also moves around in large noisy groups and also is a major distributer of the seed of the Kosi Bay cycad at eMalangeni.

The Trumpeter Hornbill Bycanistes bucinator also moves around in large noisy groups and also is a major distributer of the seed of the Kosi Bay cycad at eMalangeni.

The African Jacana Actophilornis africanus can be found where ever there is floating vegetation in the river streams that flow through the eMalangeni swamp forest and on the edges of Lake Amanzimnyama

The African Jacana Actophilornis africanus can be found where ever there is floating vegetation in the river streams that flow through the eMalangeni swamp forest and on the edges of Lake Amanzimnyama

The Half-collared Kingfisher Alcedo semitorquata can be found along the Amanzimnyama river and the streams that flow through the eMalangeni swamp or peat forest is it is scientifically referred to.

The Half-collared Kingfisher Alcedo semitorquata can be found along the Amanzimnyama river and the streams that flow through the eMalangeni swamp or peat forest is it is scientifically referred to.

The Fiery-necked Nightjar Caprimulgus pectoralis can be found sleeping in the leaf litter on the eMalangeni forest floor for those who have good eyesight and an measure of luck.

The Fiery-necked Nightjar Caprimulgus pectoralis can be found sleeping in the leaf litter on the eMalangeni forest floor for those who have good eyesight and an measure of luck.

The Black-headed Oriole Oriolus larvatus that announces its presence with a load and distinctive call while sitting high up in the forest trees at eMalangeni,

The Black-headed Oriole Oriolus larvatus that announces its presence with a load and distinctive call while sitting high up in the forest trees at eMalangeni.

African Wood-owl Strix woodfordii are to be found in the eMalangeni Swamp Forest

African Wood-owl Strix woodfordii are to be found in the eMalangeni Swamp Forest

The fruit eating African Green-pigeon Treron calvus will be found in groups where ever wild fig trees are fruiting in the forest.

The fruit eating African Green-pigeon Treron calvus will be found in groups where ever wild fig trees are fruiting in the forest.

The Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola will usually be found near to water hawking insects on the wing

The Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola will usually be found near to water hawking insects on the wing.

The Red-capped Robin-chat Cossypha natalensis is a familiar and common garden bird in many gardens which is mostly still know as the Natal Robin

The Red-capped Robin-chat Cossypha natalensis is a familiar and common garden bird in many gardens which is mostly still know as the Natal Robin.

eMalangeni is home to this magnificent insect eating Broad-billed Roller Eurystomus glaucurus

eMalangeni is home to this magnificent insect eating Broad-billed Roller Eurystomus glaucurus

No forest along the KwaZulu-Natal coast would be complete without this colourful little Collared Sunbird Hedydipna collaris

No forest along the KwaZulu-Natal coast would be complete without this colourful little Collared Sunbird Hedydipna collaris.

The Olive Sunbird Cyanomitra olivacea is often found in the deep shade of the forest hawking insects or drinking nectar from the forest Strelitzia, Strelitzia nicholai.

The Olive Sunbird Cyanomitra olivacea is often found in the deep shade of the forest hawking insects or drinking nectar from the forest Strelitzia, Strelitzia nicholai.

African Purple Swamphen Porphyrio madagascariensis a beautiful but very aggressive bird that skulks in rank reeds and waterside vegetation.

African Purple Swamphen Porphyrio madagascariensis a beautiful but very aggressive bird that skulks in rank reeds and waterside vegetation.

The Red-fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus pusillus is a fruit and insect member of the barbet tribe found living in the eMalangeni swamp forest.

The Red-fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus pusillus is a fruit and insect member of the barbet tribe found living in the eMalangeni swamp forest.

Tinkerbird	Yellow-rumped	Pogoniulus	bilineatus

The Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird Pogoniulus bilineatus is very similar in habits to the red-fronted tinkerbird.

The spectacularly beautiful insect eating Narina Trogon Apaloderma narina is one of the gems of our indigenous swamp forest at eMalangeni.

The spectacularly beautiful insect eating Narina Trogon Apaloderma narina is one of the gems of our indigenous swamp forest at eMalangeni.

Livingstone's Turaco  Tauraco livingstonii is another of the rare gems to be found in the eMalangeni swamp forest

Livingstone's Turaco  Tauraco livingstonii is another of the rare gems to be found in the eMalangeni swamp forest.

The Purple-crested Turaco Gallirex porphyreolophus has become a  common and tame garden bird in urban gardens along the KwaZulu-Natal coast.

The Purple-crested Turaco Gallirex porphyreolophus has become a common and tame garden bird in urban gardens along the KwaZulu-Natal coast.


 No collection of bird photographs of birds of the eMalangeni swamp forest would be complete without the icon bird of the forest the Palm-nut Vulture Gypohierax angiogenesis also known as the vulturine fish eagle being presented. this large bird of prey is most unusual as it has a particular relationship to the Kosi Bay Palm Raphia australis the oil rich fruits of which represent a large portion of its diet

I thank a very long time friend Mark Tittley the senior youth pastor of Encounter Youth the youth ministry of Every Nation Rosebank in Johannesburg, South Africa for all of the excellent photographs he has allowed me to use for this posting without them it would not have been possible at this moment in time.

Guided excursions

Please join us on one of our many guided excursions conducted in Zulu, English or German into the eMalangeni Forest, Kosi Bay area, Tembe Elephant Park the home of the world largest elephants and other surrounding natural areas.


Please visit one of my websites for my contact details.

Michael Hickman

18.04.21

Please visit my websites at



as well as my other blogs at

http://luthulienvironment.blogspot.com/ 

http://ecomandurban.blogspot.com/


Sunday, 18 April 2021

Microsorum scolopendria a Magnificent Fern in the eMalangeni Forest

This striking fern Microsorum scolopendria will very soon be noticed on entering into the eMalangeni forest, with its shining lush green leaves it is hard to not notice. In addition Microsorum scolopendria is one of the most  numerous plants on the forest floor often forming extensive patches and occasionally up into the trees.

Microsorum scolopendria is known locally as umlalamvubu commonly called wart fern in English

Microsorum scolopendria is known locally as umlalamvubu commonly called wart fern in English

Distribution

This magnificent forest fern which is a favorite of mine was formerly known as Phymatodes scolopendria, does not only grow in  the eMalangeni Forest it is widespread in the Old World, occurring from Africa and Madagascar to Asia and Australia, as well as throughout Polynesia. 

In Africa umlalamvubu occurs along the east coast of South Africa from as far south as Port St Johns where it occurs mostly in dune forests and dune scrub as well as swamp forest near to the coast. From South Africa its range extends throughout tropical Africa up into West Africa. 

Microsorum scolopendria locally known as umlalamvubu, translated as the plants that hippos sleep on

Microsorum scolopendria locally known as umlalamvubu, translated as the plants that hippos sleep on

Description
Microsorum scolopendria has a strong widely creeping rhizome up to 10 mm in diameter that mostly occurs on the soil surface.

The deeply pinnatifid, leathery fronds, up to 0.9 m long, are widely spaced along the rhizome. The leaf stalk is up to 400 mm long. The leaf blade is divided into narrowly oblong lobes, up to 220 x 30 mm. 
The deeply pinnatifid, leathery fronds of umlalamvubu Microsorum scolopendria

The deeply pinnatifid, leathery fronds of umlalamvubu Microsorum scolopendria

The somewhat sunken sori are round to oval, 2 to 3 mm in diameter and occur in one or two rows on either side of the costa. Adaxially the sori are embossed.

The sunken sori on the underside of the leaf of Microsorum scolopendria

Microsorum scolopendria crawls along the ground to form an extensive ground cover in places, but will also climb up tree trunks at times. 

Ethnobotanical uses
locally umlalamvubu is used by herbalists to treat abscesses for which a paste of ground leaves is mixed with earth from a wasp's nest before being applied. Umlalamvubu is also used to dress wounds where leaf pulp is used as a dressing, as well as to treat insanity, where leaves are ground then mixed with water and the liquid drunk.

Uses Singapore
 
The crushed Fronds of Microsorum scolopendria which contain coumarin a fragrant colorless crystalline solid with a sweet odor resembling the scent of vanilla are used to perfume clothes as well as coconut oil.

Uses in Hawaii

When crushed, the fern issues a scent similar to the fragrant maile plant, Alyxia stellata which is used in making traditional leis. Sometimes, pieces of the fern are interlaced into leis because of their fragrance. Microsorum scolopendria is also one of the plants used for scenting kapa fabric.

When crushed, the leaves of the fern Microsorum scolopendria issues a fragrant scent similar to vanilla

When crushed, the leaves of the fern Microsorum scolopendria issues a fragrant scent similar to vanilla

Cultivation
Microsorum scolopendria is a hardy species that is often used in landscape design in shady areas and for indoor landscapes. Microsorum scolopendria is easy to cultivate and grows in a wide range of habitats. Microsorum scolopendria when grown outdoors it grows best in light shade, but it will also tolerate direct sunlight for part of the day. In older gardens it often establishes on brick or stone walls, or on trees, especially palms. Although it will tolerate short dry spells it is best kept well watered.
Microsorum scolopendria makes and excellent indoor pot plant. 

When grown in hanging baskets  the creeping rhizome droop gracefully down from the basket.

This magnificent fern warrants being planted far more often in landscapes and gardens in the areas in KwaZulu-Natal where it grows.

Guided excursions

Please join us on one of our many guided excursions conducted in Zulu, English or German into the eMalangeni Forest, Kosi Bay area, Tembe Elephant Park the home of the world largest elephants and other surrounding natural areas. Please visit one of my websites for my contact details.

Michael Hickman

18.04.21

Please visit my websites at



as well as my other blogs at

http://luthulienvironment.blogspot.com/ 

http://ecomandurban.blogspot.com/

Gonatopus angustus

Gonatopus angustus is an interesting plant belonging to the plant family Araceae closely related to and often found growing alongside Zamioc...