April Skies

You cannot imagine a bluer blue than the sky above our mountains today. April brings crisp sunny mornings. Our dogs, horses and cats wake early to move out. Bask, soaking in sunshine warmth like sponges.

April Skies Chimanimani.

Whilst we miss the cheerful  morning song of Paradise Flycatchers one can  instead stand quiet in the dead of night,  staring upwards into stars so bright while the nightjar calls “Good Lord deliver us” over and over.  And then later to be enveloped by a gentle, accelerating call “hoo hoo huwoo” of the Blue-spotted Wood-Dove as the sun heats the day. Ah, April skies.

We found many critturs in the last few months and our dogs failed to catch several quicker creatures on their walks. Here are some of the ones we found and I am sorry to say that one of their chases was a success. This kill made me think about the bold struggle for survival of the few wild things whose spaces we now inhabit.

Meller's mongoose, victim of my walk.

Insects are no doubt similarly ailing but we do see a good variety.

Banded Emperor Moth. Cynabria hyperbius.

I am not sure about the Solifuge – those fangs look like he/she could easily subdue a mouse….

Do not mess with me.

The larvae of many moths and butterlies seem to feed on Brachystegia.

Unknown Caterpillar

Continuously surprising…

Yellow Spotted Tree Frog. Leptopelis flavomaculatus. Chirinda Forest.

This entry was posted in Activities, Birding, Eastern Highlands, Hiking, Things to do in Chimanimani. Bookmark the permalink.

One Response to April Skies

  1. Bryony Angell says:

    I read about your bed and breakfast in Peter Godwin’s book “When the Crocodile eats the sun.” I am so thankful to the internet to see what your charming accomodations and surroundings look like, and to see that you are open for business!

    Thank you for the website and blogposts! I am enjoying reading through.

    yours
    Ms Bryony Angell
    Seattle, WA USA

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