Eden - Igwalagwala Forest Trail

IgwalaGwala Trail is a little strip of paradise approximately 2,5 kilometers long to amble around in prestine coastal forest, full of life.


Starting out the walk it was relatively open to the bright blue sky above, with flowers showing their colours in the early morning sun light, tangled in their own delight.

Around every corner a new colour to share with smiling little faces on each and every one. This walk is for the old and young.

Entering the deeper undergrowth, enjoying the cool of the shade we amble along to came out of the next opening to yes, more flowers.

Everytime you come out of the deep dense undergrowth a patch of flowers along with butterflies, flies (always flies - cannot miss them) and bees, most too busy to bother with you taking a photo, only one sat long enough for me to share.


Looking up trees are tall and thin as reaching for the sky I believe these are the Ficus burtt-davyi Hutch, a fig species so here is what it looks like from afar and then zoomed in to get a glimpse of the canopy.


Lucky for us we sighted small buck, they were way to shy and fast to capture a pic. Evidence of the hippo coming up to graze at night is found along the paths and you can hear them snorting from the estuary close by.*

Birds were everywhere and here are a few of the beautiful birds we were able to view in the thicket and on the floor. First is a Red-capped robin-chat, and around the next bend a White-browed scrub-robin.
Red-capped robin-chat

White-browed scrub-robin

Worms to cheer you up should you not watch your step

Coming out of the undergrowth and looking up I was delighted to see the Knysna turaco, what a variety of bird life in one place.

Knysna turaco

And pretty flowers once again, never get enough of them.

Then back into the deep dark undergrowth that feels unreal, be careful not to step into spider webs or onto snake who live here as well.

Around the next corner we saw an old tree and marvelled at life rising from an old branch laying on the ground, everything seems in harmony the Ingwalagwala Forest.

One glance up into the canopy and bid farewell to see you again soon, a wonderful place I just had to share the smallest of places with so much to do.

Our final few paces in this special place, here sits another Knysna turaco as if wishing us well along the road.

Knysna turaco

##Igwala Gwala Forest Trail is a place to see every shade of green! Walking along damp forest floor which is a gentle trail taking you through the trees of coastal forest next to the St Lucia Estuary, go quietly through the Eden (as it is also known as).

!steemitworldmap -28.384332 lat 32.408072 Igwalagwala Trail, St Lucia, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa D3SCR

@joanstewart
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