Keep Your Eyes Open

There are two types of hikers. The first tries to get from point A to point B at breakneck speed while the other takes time to smell the roses. Don't get me wrong. There is nothing wrong with either. I however prefer to take my time to absorb all the wonders around me. After awhile you start noticing fauna and flora that could be easily missed with your head down trying to reach a beacon as quickly as possible.

Keep your eyes open and each hike will reveal something new and fascinating. Two of my recent hikes demonstrate this perfectly. This is the story of the tortoise and the orchid.

While doing Elsie's Peak via Glencairn on 16 October 2005 my wife came across this tortoise. At first glance it just resembled another rock in the path. I was fascinated and eagerly began taking pictures. On returning home I immediately tried to identify it. The closest I could get was the Parrot-beaked Cape Tortoise, Homopus areolatus. I was not 100% sure as the shell did not quite match.

I decided to email this photograph to Dr Ernst Baard, Manager: Scientific Services and tortoise expert at Cape Nature Conservation. In his reply he states: "Your identification of this specimen is correct. The tortoise in the photograph is a very old female from the looks of it and judging by the condition of the shell. She has probably been roaming this area for at least 20 to 30 years".

Homopus areolatus has a number of common names including the Parrot-beaked Cape Tortoise and the Common Padloper. In the scientific name the genus 'Homopus' originates from the Greek for 'same-footed'. This tortoise has four claws on each of its four feet, unlike most tortoises, which have five claws on the front feet and four on the hind feet. In the common name 'Parrot-beaked' relates to the upper jaw. This terminates in the shape resembling the beak of a parrot. The Afrikaans name 'Padloper' (road-walker) describes how this tortoise is often seen trudging the roads in its ever diminishing habitat.

The Noordhoek Peak circuit on 23 October 2005 revealed this stunning orchid beside the gravel road. I needed to identify it so I emailed this photograph to Dr Hubert Kurzweil, Specialist Scientist and orchid expert from the Compton Herbarium at the South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch. His reply stated: "This is Satyrium carneum, our largest Satyrium species".

There are two main types of orchids i.e.: terrestrial (ground) orchids and epiphytic (tree) orchids. Satyrium carneum is a terrestrial orchid and is endemic in the Western Cape.

The name 'Satyrium' is derived from the two horned mythical satyr and refers to the two-lipped flowers. 'Carneum' refers to the pink colour of its flowers. They are pollinated by the Lesser Double-collared, Orange-breasted and Malachite Sunbirds.

What an adventure in discovery! So keep your eyes open and you will also uncover many wonders that are often easily missed.