NEWSLETTER NUMBER XXX
3 February 2013
Amber Walkers
Impendle Nature Reserve
Impendle - KZN
29 January 2013
The day started a bit overcast – rain promising early in the morning , which put some people off - but a thing to remember is – the weather can always be better somewhere else – and it proved the case here. We arrived at Impendle Nature Reserve in misty conditions, but later it cleared, and we enjoyed a great days walking in this “NEW Place” Great views from the top of the hill, and a lot of flowers for those interested. Being so seldom visited the paths are few and far between, yet full marks to all the walkers, over rough and smooth, up and down and along some steepish slopes – all coped very well. We were very lucky in that we had a flower expert with us, and Dave was delighted when we came across a rather rare flower according to him, see picture 11 ……….Pachycarpus campanulatus (Cluster Bells) - subs sutherlandii (page 260 in Elsa Pooley’s Mountain Flower Book)
On arriving at Impendle Nature Reserve, we drove up to the large workshop shed, sorted ourselves out, and set off on our “wander” . Wander was the word , as the weather dictated in which direction we walked, the area that I had originally recce’d was under mist, so a constant change of route was needed. From the shed, we slowly headed up the hill, and onto a rocky out crop where we stopped for a short breather, and a snack.
Pic - 4 Heading away from the shed
Pic – 5 Colourful grasshopper
Pic – 6 The climb continues
Pic – 7 & 8 Good views to the west
Pic – 9 Looking down into the Inzinga Valley far below
As we left our rest spot, someone spotted an unusual looking brownish bell shaped flower in the grass. Dave was called and was very happy to announce that it was rather a rare flower called Cluster Bells or Pachycarpus campanulatus , so that was quite something.
Pic 10 - Gathering around the “pretty flower” – not much to see unless you turn the Bell upright.
Pic - 11 The beautiful inside of the “bell” of Pachycarpus campanulatus
After some more up-hill rambling we reached the summit of the high point, where we decided too stop for lunch, and see which way the mist would blow – hopefully blow away .
Pic - 12 – 14 Lunch lookout
After lunch we headed down the other side of the hill, and came across a very sheltered low lying area where Reed buck had spent the night. The indentations of their bodies in the long grass was clearly evident.
Pic – 15 - Indentation in grass left by Reed buck sheltering here
Some of the flowers we saw up to this point
Pic - 16 – 19
Pic – 20 - A flower head of a Protea bush before it opened
Pic – 21 – Up close to an open Protea flower
Unexpectedly we came across a grove of natural bush , and in amongst the thick bush were a number of very large Cabbage trees – rather unusual to see such tall specimens , and very nice too.
Pic - 22- Large Cabbage trees
Further down and along, another great sighting – a group of very RED Brunsvigia flowers. I had not seen this colour brunsvigia before.
Pic 23 – 24 - Brunsvigia natalensis - Natal Candelabra
Pic – 25 – A hard to photograph butterfly – breezing amongst the flowers.
Back at the cars, a chance to discuss the afternoons exciting scenery , then a change of footwear, and we headed for home.
Pic - 26 – 27 back at the cars.
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