Estuary Boardwalk And Beach Walk
Eventually back to recent holiday in St Lucia KwaZulu-Natal South Africa, feels like it was long ago, yet only a month has passed.
Travel is a holiday, holidays in this region give you the very best of all worlds, we left off on last post in this region on Sunday, Monday rained and rained all day, decided a visit to Isiphaphalazi Butterfly Dome, on arrival learned from father of young man who started this venture the dome was destroyed in recent storms, I really hope he obtains assistance to get this up and running again since this was an educational project in native butterflies, so we ended up literally indoors all day.
Monday morning bright and early the storms had cleared, no better time to walk the long white sands after rain, making the walking conditions a lot easier especially for #silverbloggers!
Welcome to the Estuary Boardwalk, take heed of sign posts they mean business, you have to walk the plank to spend some quality time on the beach avoiding possible wildlife through thick forested vegetation....
Good warnings signs as you enter, enter at your own risk anything can happen if you go off wandering. On previous visits sighting crocodiles about 8 meters away, monitor lizard sizeable guy about 4 meters with hippo footprints very evident at low section of the boardwalk.
Hey, no warning signs up about walking into swarms of miggies (or midges), who knows what ID tag they carry, small pesky things , shut your mouth hold your breath and dash through.... _(apparently 300 to 400 species of them in southern Africa, with many more worldwide! Perhaps an entourage rendering encouragement on the day.
After boardwalk, another huge board warning you are on your own, not photo with all the family smiling back at you, I haven't got permission!
Above photo with a bit of cropping to show old/new board on same spot, left 2021 right original 2013. Changes noted..., you can decide to swim, at your own peril. Fishing from the beach is permitted with a license purchased in town.
We have have turned right onto the beach....
First eye/lens captured Yellow Beach Daisy (Osteospermum moniliferum) sitting cheerfully in the sand smiling up at me.
It's a long walk to the waters edge, winding through smaller dunes Beach Pumpkin (Arctotheca populifolia) with three Grey-headed gulls (Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus), another welcoming committee to say hello!
Let's take a closer look at those Beach pumpkins which are on the shores all they way down our coast.
The gulls are everywhere, with fishermen one can comfortably assume, gulls are hoping for some hand out during the day, perhaps if cheeky enough, may just help themselves too.
Boats have already been launched, we missed that! Mist still rising off the Indian ocean in the distance looking toward Cape Vidal further north up the coast.
Swinging around capturing the vegetated dunes in Africa showcased background in this snap, this is view back down coast toward Durban.
A non-breeding Grey headed Gull (Larus cirrocephalus) sitting quietly observing (non-breeding head colour white with grey smudge behind eyes, adult bird full grey).
Framed on driftwood looking down the beach toward Maphelane dune southern most section of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Standing guard at approximately 183 meters over the estuary, is the highest vegetated dune.
One can walk the beach to get to Maphelane (approximately 3 kms on beach) then ascend the dune for great spectacular views of ocean and river mouth. Driving from St Lucia, you would require a day trip by road, takes about an hour and a half to reach Maphelane, a 4 wheel drive is recommended.
Life is a Beach
Beach life is abundant, (left/right to top/bottom) swaying grasses on the dunes possibly dropseed (Sporbolus virginicus), reeds (possible Phragmites australis) aplenty in the estuary (actually too many), tussock type grasses possible (Juncus kraussii), rugged looking fynbos type plant revealing hard underside possible Syncarpha species!
Plants either washed up by the sea and grew, or flowed down river side, to give an idea of diversity on the beach... Ever changing life on the move with conditions.
The beautiful Carpobrotus plants flowering on our coastline. I think I can safely say this is the [Natal sour fig](Natal sour fig) (Carpobrotus dimidiatus) a tough trailing plant requiring little attention in any soil, we use this on a steep bank which gives delightful flowers all year round.
Goats foot or morning glory (Ipomoea pes-caprae subsp. Brasiliensis), you can pick the name (perhaps SilverGoat will find this appealing...), currently no pretty purple trumpet flowers.
Beach bean pods (Canavelia rosea) roaming minstrels on the high seas, seeds will be distributed by ocean currents when high tides sweeps up the shoreline.
Back under the canopy of the forest on the boardwalk some fungi on an old log, off the beaten track so not identified.
Looking into the thicket one can appreciate the wildlife that lives in here among the many varieties of plant life in a KwaZulu-Natal Dune Forest always a thrilling experience.
Pardette, yes with owner Petrus walked the beach we did not see them perhaps they arrived a little earlier, here is the video of what they enjoyed on the day with more information. Perhaps subscribe and enjoy some of Petrus daily sunrise and sunset walks in changing seasons.
Links added for those interested in learning more about the plant or region, many plants do carry medicinal benefits which are mentioned in full content in link provided.
All photography my own using Canon Powershot SX730 HS camera - 6th July 2021. Any queries or requests please drop a comment below or make contact with me, have a wonderful day! Photography without tripod, go with the flow wherever life takes you. NB: Amateur photographer in nature, keep smiling!
Thought for Today: "Listen to the voice of nature, For it holds treasures for you." - Native American Huron Proverb
Communities to Enjoy On Hive: #lifestylelounge 
