A few Seasonal Observations

Autumn was hijacked for a couple of weeks by the return of the rainy weather and cloud cover, and last Sunday afternoon still featured moody skies, and storms.

During an evening sundowner at a local lodge,  I photographed this palm tree in the fast flowing, flooded river below the deck. Dramatic rain storms are visible over the horizon in Namibia.

The Namibians have now changed their clocks back ready for Winter, therefore listening  to Namibian radio on the way to work is no fun anymore... the ridiculous morning show that always brings a smile during the big six minute commute is now on far too late -  will meet them again in Summer time!

On Monday I wanted to take an updated photo of the 'new' route to work down the hill, and there we found a police roadblock interfering with the view. In any case, one can see the blue of the river spread all over the floodplain, which was not there before the seasonal floods began, see earlier pic here. I notice one new lamp post is already leaning over at an angle!

At the office, Marula fruits carpet the ground in the neighbouring yard - which happens to be right outside the window at my desk.

Having the window open to the great outdoors, the wind wafts in the aroma of crushed marulas, and during the day I'm interrupted by the snuffling and crunching sounds of the warthogs feasting on the fruit. I took this photo through the fence.

The baboons don't need to crunch, as they are skilled marula peelers, eating only the flesh, and leaving the rest.  Herewith the baboon leftovers, deposited on the doorstep! Actual baboons are too elusive for my camera.

If I were a domestic goddess, I would probably be joining in and collecting fruit like mad, to create the great South African classic - Marula Jelly.

The surviving young warthogs are looking fit, fat and healthy. Here is one of the families crossing the road. I have even seen them popping up unexpectedly out of the culvert/drain in the bottom left of the photo - private warthog subway!

In our garden we are observing the evolution of our very first ever bunch of bananas. My talented, green fingered mother planted the small grove of banana trees about 7 years ago, and they've never done much up till now. I was surprised to discover this fabulous bunch during a completely aimless and non expectant banana audit a few weeks back!

I do hope now that the baboons don't come over the fence and raid them. For now they are mainly using the track next to our fence as a transit route.

News at home is that we have acquired a new cat who was in need of a home.  Having two resident cats  who are less than thrilled with their new brother, it's not the easiest transition. A lot of cat psychology is going on, and despite reading up on everything the internet has to say on the topic, fur is still flying, and, typically, the felines don't seem to be behaving as predicted!

To end off with, here is different version of a floating island, rushing along in the floods. Amazing to think that if it doesn't wash up on the shore at some point, it will end up plunging over the edge of the Victoria Falls...

Today was forecast to be sunny and clear, and as expected, without our cloud cover, it was a chilly morning, dipping below 20 degrees C on the way to work this morning. Autumn is back, and early weekend greetings to all!