tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42970951181373288382024-02-19T16:16:37.757+02:00My life in Tarltonš The ramblings of a nature lover living on her little piece of African soil ā an 8.5ha smallholding in Tarlton, Gauteng, South Africa.Maree Clarksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16274329795088706720noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297095118137328838.post-74282363711546797992020-08-09T09:00:00.002+02:002021-07-28T10:55:36.198+02:00The beauty of Tarlton<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgleZ82x6q_CaiWNEzTqWwWDsht8MM-SNVbgIBZhWZLSQJvz86hQ-nCK4I9_tnHNXy9lXedAG9DC6qBb8MsmdwARas1PE6UTJwpEfXUtkBB0r1bXTq5sFMTlW-CmVlalaUGcCLcgcpUfg/s1600/GrasslandsOfTarlton.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="377" data-original-width="1600" height="94" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgleZ82x6q_CaiWNEzTqWwWDsht8MM-SNVbgIBZhWZLSQJvz86hQ-nCK4I9_tnHNXy9lXedAG9DC6qBb8MsmdwARas1PE6UTJwpEfXUtkBB0r1bXTq5sFMTlW-CmVlalaUGcCLcgcpUfg/w400-h94/GrasslandsOfTarlton.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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One of the (many) things I miss since moving to the coast over 2 years ago, is the sight of the beautiful sweeping grasslands of Tarlton. There is nothing more beautiful than seeing fields of grass swaying in the wind at sunset, as if to the tune of some pied piper calling them to follow him. <br />
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Statement - there is no grass in KwaZulu Natal! Fact - no, really, there are no tall grasses in Natal! Even the lawn grass can not really lay claim to being grass. Being used to the thick, lush greenness of Kikuyu lawns in Gauteng, the coastal garden lawns are a pitiful sight to behold. (Sorry I do not have a pic of a coastal garden lawn, lawns are few and far between).<br />
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<br />Maree Clarksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16274329795088706720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297095118137328838.post-39291696201400314002019-02-22T04:10:00.002+02:002021-07-28T10:55:47.860+02:00Kiep's first egg!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtiRHmaeuPTJeQGhIhMRG5QMS9IcWjqYezWCpFwBWGZdvyWSbm26HzDpUbIusP5yzsTUE_D09pNXNJqR1shGXOPD1g-M6chivIlqLuBnKO53NpmwIo1h2XetG3hsDSQEDJaQZZK0ASuA/s1600/Screenshot+2019-02-02+at+11.08.10.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="411" data-original-width="549" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtiRHmaeuPTJeQGhIhMRG5QMS9IcWjqYezWCpFwBWGZdvyWSbm26HzDpUbIusP5yzsTUE_D09pNXNJqR1shGXOPD1g-M6chivIlqLuBnKO53NpmwIo1h2XetG3hsDSQEDJaQZZK0ASuA/w400-h299/Screenshot+2019-02-02+at+11.08.10.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Kiep, my little pet hen, comes from Bantam stock, though clearly mixed
with a variety of other chicken breeds, and she actually looks like a
miniature Leghorn.<br /><br />Here she is in her nest box in my studio
(Tarlton, Gauteng, South Africa), laying her very first egg! Scratching
around in her nest box, trying to settle in, all her featherās erect and
a glassy-eyed expression until the egg finally appeared! Kiep was
reared in my studio, straight out of the egg, and to this day, 9 years
later, she still wanders into my studio too spend some time with me.<br /><br />Bantam
chickens have been domesticated for centuries. In fact, they are one of
the oldest known domestic animals. Marco Polo wrote about banties in
his journal. While all bantams are chickens, not all chickens are
banties.<br /><br />All bantams are smaller than regular chickens and they
share some unique personality traits. I personally think they have more
personality than chickens do, are more able to care for themselves, and
find more of their own food. They seem to keep the grasshopper
population down better than other types of poultry! I havenāt seen a bug
in my garden for ages since introducing chickens to my garden (Tarlton,
Gauteng, South Africa) again early this year.<br /><br />Healthy bantams
are curious. They will check out anything that seems unusual and loudly
announce the arrival of visitors. I do not keep them locked in the pen,
they roam as much as possible (a chickenās raison de etre!) and have
access to fresh, green grass, insects, and whatever else they find in
addition to the feed I give them.<br />
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Camera : Kodak EasyShare C195<br />
Taken in my previous garden, Tarlton, Gauteng, South Africa. </span>Maree Clarksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16274329795088706720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297095118137328838.post-12393322779860764332019-02-17T04:50:00.002+02:002021-07-28T10:56:00.042+02:00Chi-Chi in the Leopard lilies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl26TKkoXyODdbn7O3findikmq-Qcdf82FaD1Eq72FCl05S9TNLQkhEXPt8-7502uthcL9BTQDFMMMcPpXAzu3-JvOTcYojr1WXvAlaFhktxTpPRlEsj-vjwlPvFbCFnZhyuCsKp-li0Y/s1600/Screenshot+2019-02-02+at+10.49.01.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="552" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl26TKkoXyODdbn7O3findikmq-Qcdf82FaD1Eq72FCl05S9TNLQkhEXPt8-7502uthcL9BTQDFMMMcPpXAzu3-JvOTcYojr1WXvAlaFhktxTpPRlEsj-vjwlPvFbCFnZhyuCsKp-li0Y/w400-h265/Screenshot+2019-02-02+at+10.49.01.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Weāve been having extremely hot weather and even my chooks have been
gasping in the heat. My chickens have no problem with winter, but every
summer you can find them listless in the shade, trying to cool off.
Unfortunately chickens donāt bath in water (they have sand baths)
otherwise that would be a quick solution to cooling off! But they do
find shady spots for a bath in the cool sand leaving my garden looking
like a volcanic eruption has taken place!<br /><br /><b>Here Chi-Chi, the youngest of my pet hens, takes a break amongst the Leopard Lilies and ferns.</b><br />
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Camera : Canon EOS 550D<br />Taken in my garden (Tarlton, Gauteng, South Africa) </span>Maree Clarksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16274329795088706720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297095118137328838.post-48428138391653407822019-02-12T04:46:00.002+02:002021-07-28T10:56:16.031+02:00My garden is turning into a jungle!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgub6WFzU3mZqwginAWBd_7qiZyJefWmZ4KAcUuaDSU2ajMqGLFV1wvWIz0PqcvPeurP4wEHQG4dmBlTiOCSS0PLLb7wPhxAiybdaa9-yC5hUtSiEafWItTqUBvMIZ1_Tmv02ZAr6cBUGQ/s1600/Screenshot+2019-02-02+at+10.45.04.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="551" data-original-width="411" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgub6WFzU3mZqwginAWBd_7qiZyJefWmZ4KAcUuaDSU2ajMqGLFV1wvWIz0PqcvPeurP4wEHQG4dmBlTiOCSS0PLLb7wPhxAiybdaa9-yC5hUtSiEafWItTqUBvMIZ1_Tmv02ZAr6cBUGQ/s640/Screenshot+2019-02-02+at+10.45.04.png" width="476" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Dedicated to all garden-lovers!</strong><br /><br />A path in my
garden slowly getting taken over by all the plants after the good rains
we had this last summer (winter here now in South Africa) and if I donāt
do something about it, Iāll soon be crawling around in a jungle!<br />
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Taken in my previous garden in Tarlton, Gauteng, South Africa<br />Camera : Canon EOS 550D</span><br />
Maree Clarksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16274329795088706720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297095118137328838.post-53724613946394553622019-02-07T04:43:00.002+02:002021-07-28T10:56:30.841+02:00Early-morning along the garden path<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0FvcWLJLRIEedVuMxfL2ZwxJHqJDok8cZj8k4HF33U2csH6ecsh_Wjdfryg8aJ7XvCnOJfg-vdnA5x15K_b_gmQ3iaudrSzRC8Prp8aKgWd9qLEM1vVHREp-73Oe-TBvNvrfzhwQqaE/s1600/Screenshot+2019-02-02+at+10.41.42.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="365" data-original-width="548" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0FvcWLJLRIEedVuMxfL2ZwxJHqJDok8cZj8k4HF33U2csH6ecsh_Wjdfryg8aJ7XvCnOJfg-vdnA5x15K_b_gmQ3iaudrSzRC8Prp8aKgWd9qLEM1vVHREp-73Oe-TBvNvrfzhwQqaE/w400-h266/Screenshot+2019-02-02+at+10.41.42.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>There is nothing more exhilarating than checking up on your
garden plants just as the sun is rising. Everything is smiling in
anticipation of another glorious day!</strong><br />
<strong> </strong>
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And two Aloe ferox eagerly await their turn in the sunshine!<br />
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Taken in my previous garden in Tarlton, Gauteng, South Africa<br />Camera : Canon EOS 550D</span>Maree Clarksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16274329795088706720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297095118137328838.post-84512427923978607122019-02-02T10:40:00.001+02:002021-07-28T10:55:22.879+02:00Memories of Tarlton - Gettin' caught in the rain!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7-_K5Tf5zTdXsbe7j0XNp1QgjJU2ioXllTYZDD9HyYMX4gLr8ngKzOdVKOgpe7-8x5GMHpf4zUedcXsBFxDlbNDe7vIErH36EzasMfnunayJwpYdCfKKFbFqNYb2YrmNDW0pYIhklSBY/s1600/Screenshot+2019-02-02+at+10.36.23.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="365" data-original-width="551" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7-_K5Tf5zTdXsbe7j0XNp1QgjJU2ioXllTYZDD9HyYMX4gLr8ngKzOdVKOgpe7-8x5GMHpf4zUedcXsBFxDlbNDe7vIErH36EzasMfnunayJwpYdCfKKFbFqNYb2YrmNDW0pYIhklSBY/w400-h264/Screenshot+2019-02-02+at+10.36.23.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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After months of drought, few experiences can match the sound and smell
of falling rain ā unless it is the exhilaration of being caught in it
while working in the garden!<br />
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Camera : Canon EOS 550D<br />
Tarlton, Gauteng, South Africa</span>Maree Clarksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16274329795088706720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297095118137328838.post-34690683639756016762018-09-30T06:05:00.002+02:002021-07-28T10:57:10.286+02:00Saying goodbye<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiACSAsMgHkHCKI9TQiy_oRUbz32UsdxTGNqCjEWS6Pv18JP-MTwmT0eNhfTFgwbzez3jkOs-ISp1dv3SMFjOPJp49apEuEvOsWYyqAcl52PJqK7bNFT_3GYKlt91yBvhDNUe_lXgFzHeM/s1600/HouseNewRoofPaint-a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiACSAsMgHkHCKI9TQiy_oRUbz32UsdxTGNqCjEWS6Pv18JP-MTwmT0eNhfTFgwbzez3jkOs-ISp1dv3SMFjOPJp49apEuEvOsWYyqAcl52PJqK7bNFT_3GYKlt91yBvhDNUe_lXgFzHeM/w400-h300/HouseNewRoofPaint-a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Well, we've sold our smallholding, so this blog was a very brief sojourn! We're moving down to the North Coast, Kwa Zulu Natal (South Africa) and hopefully our new life there will be as exciting, ordinary, meaningful and wonderful as our 42 years in Tarlton (Gauteng, South Africa) has been.<br />
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It's hard, difficult and heart-breaking to say goodbye to a life-time of gardening, chooks, running our business, sketching and painting the area and joys and sorrows, but life has a way of taking one in different directions and enjoying the journey is what it is all about, right?<br />
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I will be documenting the move and happenings here till the last moment and maybe throw in a few Tarlton articles in between. It will be adieu, but not forgotten...</span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>Maree Clarksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16274329795088706720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297095118137328838.post-80913864876970263902017-08-31T05:14:00.001+02:002021-07-28T10:57:34.263+02:00Guineas are winged wonders<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbmG7ddQGbKF2Wf4cdsn9sCBo0rnMdYek1LdkIW_50eGlTVdMIT9Ity8-vPZxLbtlJ0f6sMnTqF0c8x_nj_OZdznefW1gH8u660KhPAzeRxhgKEwAfaCs7IZmbHT2myFj1zrnDAgZJ58/s1600/GuineasAreWingedWonders23.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="640" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbmG7ddQGbKF2Wf4cdsn9sCBo0rnMdYek1LdkIW_50eGlTVdMIT9Ity8-vPZxLbtlJ0f6sMnTqF0c8x_nj_OZdznefW1gH8u660KhPAzeRxhgKEwAfaCs7IZmbHT2myFj1zrnDAgZJ58/w400-h270/GuineasAreWingedWonders23.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
W&N watercolour on Bockingford 300gsm - unframed 12" x 8"- original for sale <a href="https://artandcreativitysalesblog.blogspot.co.za/search?q=guinea+fowl" target="_blank">here.</a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
After years of not seeing any guinea fowl around our property (Tarlton,
Gauteng, South Africa), I was lucky enough to have a visit from them a
couple of days ago and I was totally thrilled! Taking some photographs also gave me a chance to do some quick sketches.<br />
<br />
a guinea fowl<br />
molting polka dot feathersā<br />
I see<br />
handmade earrings</span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>Maree Clarksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16274329795088706720noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297095118137328838.post-28271253558949939632017-08-29T07:54:00.002+02:002021-07-28T10:45:42.311+02:00Introducing the Cradle of Humankind<center><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Situated in the heart of Tarlton, The Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site region in South Africa is approximately 90 minutes' drive from the Johannesburg city centre and offers visitors the opportunity to learn about stones and bones, wine and dine in tranquil surroundings, try out a range of adrenalin-pumping activities, have a beautiful wedding, discover a range of wonderful wildlife and experience culture and craft.
The Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site is one of eight in the country. It's the world's richest hominin site, home to around 40% of the world's human ancestor fossils.
The area is also home to a diversity of birds, animals and plants, some of which are rare or endangered.</span></span></center>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GMJlbbk04-4a3zEuwfVItl7EW4Mou1-t9o5T0xPAuKWHlEa3QatetPTI6qPgDY-ejQouM4sXqaT35zA2sMmyoADDV8iPRxCosQaoYf6bDdC4X_zbk-AAqZmFalgIifgzpcrFg-1fcTE/s1600/20882902_10155595246001419_9200747980427989435_n.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="561" data-original-width="749" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GMJlbbk04-4a3zEuwfVItl7EW4Mou1-t9o5T0xPAuKWHlEa3QatetPTI6qPgDY-ejQouM4sXqaT35zA2sMmyoADDV8iPRxCosQaoYf6bDdC4X_zbk-AAqZmFalgIifgzpcrFg-1fcTE/s640/20882902_10155595246001419_9200747980427989435_n.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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The striking Tumulus building, which houses the Maropeng visitor centre, greets you as you arrive for your journey to discover Maropeng.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMPVfb1vymEla6ykp_yPB5QKEBA4ZZpCm2xJDZGVKD4OKSIImo_N1_VM24jH_Cpy1NRf3ujShu1sXTHLZn3bcuzZzHHSomhbsmsDE31n_q3fFa5KepZPl6aQ8iJ6xk7FnB4vQb8oSN2rk/s1600/WhatItMeanstoBeHumanMaropeng1a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMPVfb1vymEla6ykp_yPB5QKEBA4ZZpCm2xJDZGVKD4OKSIImo_N1_VM24jH_Cpy1NRf3ujShu1sXTHLZn3bcuzZzHHSomhbsmsDE31n_q3fFa5KepZPl6aQ8iJ6xk7FnB4vQb8oSN2rk/s640/WhatItMeanstoBeHumanMaropeng1a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">
In one of the passages inside Maropeng<br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHtR9Ascps5QgrQavc4HW08tzbR4ik1pxPyUHFI5OA8m364TieLkmdOacrlPqhUbETwrJLXmNtfIz4t3jwub3j3Je1MXCJdV18thf01yzbiuHelGtzYvCyhiYD7mgBmtYRjdgEEtBtys/s1600/7.Maropeng.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHtR9Ascps5QgrQavc4HW08tzbR4ik1pxPyUHFI5OA8m364TieLkmdOacrlPqhUbETwrJLXmNtfIz4t3jwub3j3Je1MXCJdV18thf01yzbiuHelGtzYvCyhiYD7mgBmtYRjdgEEtBtys/s640/7.Maropeng.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">
In one of the passages inside Maropeng<br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeeLL2XL_KkrMwpRd3s99hM_QRPba7Px6A-a5rYYfLIJzAfKekIHQDuZ6PanFyOxw-eXf5BC8mMfKuDas-4ZikCM5hODxAXgm3Ydh7buJS9m9lXGEvB8Ymqonm3udHjMgYZFsBtWbIbEU/s1600/Maropeng6690915.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="604" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeeLL2XL_KkrMwpRd3s99hM_QRPba7Px6A-a5rYYfLIJzAfKekIHQDuZ6PanFyOxw-eXf5BC8mMfKuDas-4ZikCM5hODxAXgm3Ydh7buJS9m9lXGEvB8Ymqonm3udHjMgYZFsBtWbIbEU/s640/Maropeng6690915.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">
Outside in the gardens</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlqQzKcgf_PmOqXc5d4v8EzV0wpsq5s8Yu41G787leTgslcks6i8-EZR4X80NUCeniNlYnDjb5-tRrz59XgnggYpKV7pwmwuVS7BWenvfnolhRQqr539CIqd_qFjnjxS5uzHWQLNscfnY/s1600/MaropengEntrance561.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="362" data-original-width="604" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlqQzKcgf_PmOqXc5d4v8EzV0wpsq5s8Yu41G787leTgslcks6i8-EZR4X80NUCeniNlYnDjb5-tRrz59XgnggYpKV7pwmwuVS7BWenvfnolhRQqr539CIqd_qFjnjxS5uzHWQLNscfnY/s640/MaropengEntrance561.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">
The impressive entrance to Maropeng</span><br />
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One of the passages inside Maropeng</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWc_YiTcJA1K8UI86F8c6QmIMtCz7ndEisujqVQdJfcKSYp0fqyz2sVj9ewFPERblULDKj36FTrv2bkdst7EHVDRbyocP2YZnObtwn5Z9o7JyJ8QWnuufyIu8i-m2JsRUEcNdG_WMwPgc/s1600/20915635_10159235523210290_1496591010332617693_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWc_YiTcJA1K8UI86F8c6QmIMtCz7ndEisujqVQdJfcKSYp0fqyz2sVj9ewFPERblULDKj36FTrv2bkdst7EHVDRbyocP2YZnObtwn5Z9o7JyJ8QWnuufyIu8i-m2JsRUEcNdG_WMwPgc/s640/20915635_10159235523210290_1496591010332617693_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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The largest collection of human hominid fossils are on show right
now, but not for long - go meet Naledi and learn about the awesome
cavers Rick Hunter and Steven Tucker who discovered the fossils, the
incredible all female anthropologist/archaeologist team who retrieved
them, and (my favourite) Professor Lee Berger who led the team <span class="_5mfr _47e3"><img alt="" class="img" height="16" role="presentation" src="https://www.facebook.com/images/emoji.php/v9/f2/1/16/1f60d.png" width="16" /><span class="_7oe">š</span></span> also, their latest addition of an Experience Lab is awesome. Kids got things lucky these days.<br /></span>
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Maropeng is not just a showcase for old bones and history. You can also take an awesome boat ride through the "depths of the earth", traversing ice tunnels and erupting volcanic chambers. Be sure to hang onto your hat for this exciting trip!</span><br />
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The drive to Maropeng offers beautiful vistas. Discover the Cradle of Humankind and the Sterkfontein Caves all in one day.</span><br />
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<br />Maree Clarksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16274329795088706720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297095118137328838.post-51133501029253252672017-04-16T04:30:00.001+02:002021-07-28T10:59:27.686+02:00The appeal of Tarlton lies in its serenity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Gauteng might be the smallest province in the country, but it is home to an enormous variety of attractions, activities and towns that are well worth the visit. These include the epicentre, Johannesburg, as well as the historically and politically relevant Pretoria. One of the much smaller towns of this province is Tarlton. While little and secluded, Tarlton is the perfect base from which to see a host of exciting South African sights, thanks to its convenient locale.<br />
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The incredible Sterkfontein Caves are situated in Tarlton, and are famous around the world for the fossils to which they have been home for millions of years. In fact, this entire area has been dubbed the Cradle of Humankind by many scientists, and is believed to have a history that dates back to between 20 and 30 million years.<br /></span>
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Springbok at the Krugersdorp Game Reserve </span></div>
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Giraffe at the Krugersdorp Game Reserve</span></div>
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The appeal of Tarlton lies in its serenity and the sense of calm that infuses every part of the visitorsā experiences here. Popular activities in the region include rock climbing, hiking and walking, visiting flower farms, the Tarlton International Raceway where hot rods and muscle cars are a huge attraction, taking a microlite flight and visiting the Krugersdorp Game Reserve. There are also several top class Guest Houses in Tarlton, offering first-class accommodation close to all amenities. Some of the nearby towns are Muldersdrift, Hartebeeshoek, Skeerpoort, Krugersdorp, Magaliesburg, Randfontein and Roodepoort.<br />
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The Tarlton summers are usually rather warm, but afternoons are cooled down with frequent, welcome thunder showers. Winter days are cool and the evenings quite cold.The area is also known for it's good water as it is situated on Dolomitic Aquifiers, a very strong source of high quality underground water and plots and smallholdings are highly sought after in this area.<br /></span>
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<br />Maree Clarksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16274329795088706720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297095118137328838.post-67278387179487803242017-04-09T10:55:00.002+02:002021-07-28T11:03:37.807+02:00Autumn on the farm<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The baler standing at the ready to collect all the cut grass</span></div>
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Autumn is the time when we start preparing our smallholding for winter ā cut the fire breaks, bale the grass and a general clean-up before the veld fires (wild fires) strike (without fail every year, no matter what precautions we take!), but it at least minimises the impact when the grass is short.</span><br />
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Cutting and baling the grass is no mean feat. First of all, all the equipment is very expensive. We do have our own tractor and grass cutter, but none of the necessary equipment like rakes and balers to complete the job after cutting. We are tractor repair people, not farmers, so we long ago decided to leave the job to the professionals.</span><br />
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I've stood and watched many a time as various people have taken on the job of cutting and baling our 8.5ha smallholding and I can tell you, by now I can see the difference between a "professional" and somebody (like us!) that just takes a tractor, cuts the grass and attempts to bale it. Over the years we have been extremely lucky in finding a neighbour that is utterly "professional" and eloquent at the job of cutting and baling, leaving our smallholding looking smart and neat and ready for the winter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">The process of collecting the grass in the baler..</span></div>
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baling it up, dropping it ...</span></div>
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and moving on to the next lot of grass</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Bales ready for collection by the tractor and trailer</span></div>
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Since the cutting and baling was finished, we've had quite a bit of rain again and the yellow fields are now bright and green again. Looks like the same procedure is going to take place again before mid-winter!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
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<br />Maree Clarksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16274329795088706720noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297095118137328838.post-87008439649361584302017-04-02T05:37:00.000+02:002017-04-02T05:37:39.238+02:00Early morning mist<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Camera : Canon EOS 550D -- 6.15am <br />
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It is purported that thick, early morning mist heralds a
beautiful day ahead. Yesterday it certainly turned out to be true, beautiful
blue skies and not a cloud in sight.<br />
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Wikipedia says <b>mist</b> is a phenomenon caused by small droplets of water suspended in air. Physically, it is an example of a dispersion. It is most commonly seen where warm, moist air meets sudden cooling. It can also occur as part of natural weather, when humid air cools rapidly, for example when the air comes into contact with surfaces that are much cooler than the air.<br />
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The only difference between mist and fog is visibility. The phenomenon is called fog if the visibility is one kilometre (1,100 yards) or less. Yesterday morning the visibility was about 50m, so technically I suppose this is fog!<br />
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Maree Clarksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16274329795088706720noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297095118137328838.post-54120850064750783782017-02-26T12:18:00.001+02:002017-02-26T12:18:17.935+02:00Succulent heaven!<div style="text-align: center;">
Succulents - my passion!</div>
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<br />Maree Clarksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16274329795088706720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297095118137328838.post-80502641113879685132017-01-18T04:14:00.000+02:002017-02-26T12:07:23.208+02:00I come out at dusk<div class="description_content" data-bind="fancyboxWidget">
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Camera : Canon EOS 550D<br />
Taken in my garden (Tarlton, Gauteng, South Africa)<br />
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I sit and drink tea in the mornings, and come out at dusk to listen as the world tucks itself in for the nightā¦<br />
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Winding down for the day, birds in the peach tree in my garden. Dusk is when Nature is most at rest with herself.
Maree Clarksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16274329795088706720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297095118137328838.post-10585193415764161092017-01-08T03:30:00.000+02:002017-01-08T03:30:24.351+02:00Farm talk - Surrounded by Karee's<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>The front entrance of my home, densely framed by two species of Kareeās ā Karee <i>viminalis</i> (White Karee) and Karee <i>lancea</i> (black Karee) and various indigenous grasses and aloes.</b></div>
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Iāve had a couple of requests to āshareā a bit more about where I live on my little piece of African soil, so I decided to do a short series of my home in Tarlton, South Africa, situated on an 8.5ha smallholding. This is purely for fun! I would just like to mention that, when landscaping my garden about 12 years ago, I took inspiration from Africa, and nature in particular, choosing to plant only indigenous trees, shrubs, grasses and flowers, with the result that I have a rather wild garden with not much colour, as indigenous flowers and shrubs tend to be less spectacular than most exotic plants, which just donāt do well in our climate at all, with very hot and sometimes dry summers and winters that can dish out the coldest of frosts.<br />
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I am not ostentatious by nature and prefer the simple and natural things in life. Hope you enjoy and find this series interesting! I know I just LOVE to see other peopleās living spaces, be it small or large, simple or ornate, in suburbia or the country, in a basement or a sky-scraper, inland or at the coast. <br />
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A garden ornament hanging from a Karee Viminalis (White Karee), and Jacko sitting at the front door </div>
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An old (and now rusty!) paraffin lamp provides some light at night. On the corner of the pathway is a clump of Restio (Cape Reed grass) and right at the back is planted some Zebra Grass (Miscanthus). Grown in India, Australia and Madagascar, South Africa and other warmer countries in Europe. </div>
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The Zebra Grass gets these beautiful white plumes at the onset of winter before dying down. </div>
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One of the many bird baths in my garden. An old log is being cleaned up by some termites (Iāve been chasing them all over the garden by pouring Diesel down their holes and this is the latest spot theyāve surfaced!) </div>
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My vantage point on the patio from where I survey the birds and my garden. A concrete-relief gecko adorns the patio wall. </div>
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Rhamnus prinoides (Dogwood or Shiny Leaf) front right of the pic ā (Afrikaans) : blinkblaar, hondepishout) ā a tall, conspicuous evergreen shrub, or small tree ā a root decoction has been used to treat pneumonia, and the leaves used as a liniment for sprains. Parts of the plant are also reputed to have protective powers against lightning and evil spirits. Itās a rather scrambly plant and seems to be taking over this section of the garden. Planted it in the wrong spot ...</div>
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My Acacia karroo (Soetdoring) in the foreground ā I just LOVE this Acaciaās beautiful thorns and little yellow pom-pom flowers. It also provides shelter and safe nesting spots for the Red Bishop and Masked Weaver (but not for the Lone Ranger! lol!)<br />
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A large metal Gecko adorns the wall of the garages</div>
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The chicken coop next to the garages where Artemis and the girls spend their nights. During the day they terrorise my garden!</div>
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The lawned driveway leading to the garages</div>
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The fenced area of my wildlife pond where Torti, my Leopard Tortoise, lives</div>
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A vintage metal plant stand on my patio housing some of my succulents</div>
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<span style="color: white;">. </span>Maree Clarksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16274329795088706720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297095118137328838.post-2788622111360816042017-01-06T06:06:00.001+02:002017-01-06T06:12:41.409+02:00An early morning storm<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Every morning at 5.15am the sun rises over the bluegum bush at the back of our property, bathing the whole smallholding in golden sunlight.<br />
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This morning it was a bit late because of heavy, black cloud cover, but at 5.30am the miracle happened!<br />
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Twenty minutes later we had a quick shower and out came the sun again!<br />
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All Solly's chooks surfaced from their hiding places (they're up-and-about before 5am every morning, but the crowing starts at about 3.30am!) and here they're enjoying some mixed fowl food I put out for them.<br />
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<br />Maree Clarksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16274329795088706720noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297095118137328838.post-90799737954576819352017-01-04T09:57:00.001+02:002017-01-04T10:28:07.284+02:00For the love of English Ivy<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #009900; font-weight: bold;">The rugged trees are mingling </span></div>
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<span style="color: #009900; font-weight: bold;">Their flowery sprays in love; </span></div>
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<span style="color: #009900; font-weight: bold;">The ivy climbs the laurel </span></div>
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<span style="color: #009900; font-weight: bold;">To clasp the boughs above. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Author: William Cullen Bryant</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QmV_kRlD7q8/SwPkB9hzYnI/AAAAAAAAHSk/GLtSeOI0lp4/s1600/1.Ivy.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405414700122071666" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QmV_kRlD7q8/SwPkB9hzYnI/AAAAAAAAHSk/GLtSeOI0lp4/s640/1.Ivy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-style: italic;">Hedera helix 'Hibernica', common ivy</span></div>
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I've always loved having Ivy in my garden, there's nothing like Hedera helix to quickly fill an empty spot or cover a fallen-down tree. I had a couple of patches of English Ivy in my previous garden (just 1.6km from where I live now) and, as this species is very invasive and if not kept in check, can take over the whole garden, I do not have any in my current garden.<br />
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Hedera helix Ivy climbing up a wall with no support except its own suckers</div>
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I had a gorgeous hedera helix climbing up my wall between my two kitchen windows and which was home to a pair of Wagtails. Opposite this was a dead tree totally covered in ivy and which was home to a pair of Robins. The close proximity of these two nests caused endless war between the Robins and the Wagtails, with the robins always coming out tops as the Wagtails are timid and shy birds. I used to hear the noise and screeching as the Robins terrorised the Wagtails from the kitchen, and rushing out to break up the raucous.<br />
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The dead tree covered in the ivy eventually toppled under the weight, leaving the Robins homeless, after which they, thankfully, moved to another part of the garden, leaving the Wagtails in peace.<br />
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A snippet of Ivy I planted in a pot</div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms"; font-weight: bold;">FOLKLORE AND FACTS</span><br />
It is said that Ivy is the goddess who carries life through the winter. Holly was her god. Ivy was in high esteem among the ancients and its leaves formed the poet's crown. It was dedicated to the Roman god Bacchus, the God of Intoxication who is often depicted wearing a wreath of ivy and grapevines. He is also depicted holding a chalice and carrying a wand which was entwined with ivy and vine leaves. Wearing a wreath of ivy leaves around the brow is supposed to prevent intoxication.<br />
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Ivy has been regarded as the emblem of fidelity and Greek priests would present a wreath of ivy to newly married persons. Women carried ivy to aid fertility and bring good luck. They also carried it to ensure fidelity and from this came the custom of brides carrying ivy.<br />
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The custom of decorating houses and churches with ivy at Christmas is sometimes seen as the Christian Church adopting pagan associations.<br />
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A sketch of the Ivy shortly after I planted it.<br />
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<span style="color: #339999; font-family: "verdana"; font-weight: bold;">Common names</span><br />
Common English Ivy<br />
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<span style="color: #339999; font-family: "verdana"; font-weight: bold;">Botanical name</span><br />
Hedera helix<br />
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<span style="color: #339999; font-family: "verdana"; font-weight: bold;">Poisonous parts</span><br />
Leaves<br />
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<span style="color: #339999; font-family: "verdana"; font-weight: bold;">Poisonous component</span><br />
didehydrofalcarinol, falcarinol, hederasaponins<br />
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This vine is grown both as an indoor and outdoor ornamental and it has caused poisoning in cattle, dogs, sheep, and humans. Symptoms of ingestion are difficulty in breathing, convulsions, vomiting, paralysis and coma.<br />
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Some Ivy in my previous garden</div>
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Dermatitis is rare but can be severe with weeping blisters which respond slowly to treatment. The berries are bitter so it's unlikely children will consume them in large quantities.<br />
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<span style="font-style: italic;">Hedera helix</span> originates from Europe and in it's native habitat it is an important food source for a large number of insects and birds. English ivy is very popular as ornamental plant but this ivy is extremely invasive and is considered noxious in parts of the world where it has escaped into the wild. Ivy can become so dense as to exclude other native species creating ivy "deserts", even becoming so heavy as to topple trees - something which does not occur in its native habitat.<br />
<br />Maree Clarksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16274329795088706720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297095118137328838.post-41622815834942556282017-01-01T03:30:00.000+02:002017-01-01T03:30:02.180+02:00Happy New Year!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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2016 has been a year full of joys, blessings, surprises, heartaches, love, some successes and a few failures, but mostly it has been a year full of gratitude. Gratitude for the good rains we've had, gratitude for the birds in my garden and gratitude that I've managed another year of good health.<br />
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And now I welcome the New Year. May your 2017 be full of new things that have never been, a year full of colours, flowers, laughter and fresh new ideas!<br />
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Maree Clarksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16274329795088706720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297095118137328838.post-53613122338945970432016-12-29T10:40:00.000+02:002016-12-29T10:43:55.246+02:00Mid-summer chores<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdNp2Oa-0WTdYpZDbGN7zkkOpwmbwUIHNZbCddYr0A0-djsfS-4pTLJaG3zu1tZ_dTPaMbMjSw-_lj4CAOdc5VOpXjLIjIZuFdaKM6d-59rVeAOYZrGDtJBuy2rQzBZBDgyVOw9KpwrxA/s1600/BeforeGrassCutting_7460a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdNp2Oa-0WTdYpZDbGN7zkkOpwmbwUIHNZbCddYr0A0-djsfS-4pTLJaG3zu1tZ_dTPaMbMjSw-_lj4CAOdc5VOpXjLIjIZuFdaKM6d-59rVeAOYZrGDtJBuy2rQzBZBDgyVOw9KpwrxA/s640/BeforeGrassCutting_7460a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We've had good rains this summer and the grass has been growing like crazy. We decided to do a preliminary cut now in December as it was long enough for baling. Our smallholding was originally planted <span class="st">many years ago</span> with Smuts finger grass <span class="st">(Digitaria eriantha), a v</span>ery palatable indigenous, tufted grass, which offers good quality summer grazing from middle November. The advantages of Smuts finger are that it is drought tolerant, adaptable to a wide range of climate and soil types, good palatability, is suitable for hay and foggage, has a long life-span and is a strong self-seeder.<br />
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Smutsfinger grass</div>
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The limitations are that it has poor water logging tolerance and does not tolerate bad grazing management.<br />
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Seeing as we don't do any "farming" activities as such, it has been left to its own devices. Now it is worrying that my fields seem to be getting overtaken by two specific weeds. One with (beautiful) little yellow flowers (above), which I'm still trying to identify and the other is the (beautiful) Pom-pom weed <span class="st">(Campuloclinium macrocephalum) from the </span>Asteraceae family (below). Also classified as a perennial herb with fluffy pink flower-heads, the stems are green to purplish, up to 1.3m high, dying back annually to a root
crown. Leaves are light green, scattered along the length of the stem
but clustered at the base to form a rosette, up to 80mm long and 20mm
wide, margins are serrated. The flowers are light purple to pink compact
flower-heads that are situated terminally and it flowers December-March.<br />
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The Pom-pom weed produces fluffy seeds that are wind dispersed and people contribute to
spreading the seeds through carrying them in the mud on their vehicle's
wheels or by picking and discarding the mature flower-heads and thereby
spreading the seeds. It can also regenerate from underground root stalk. I think my weeds appeared when we first had our fields cut by an outside contractor a few years back, probably carrying the weed in on the tractor tyres, because before that the grass showed no sign of weeds.<br />
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<a href="https://www.sanbi.org/information/infobases/invasive-alien-plant-alert/campuloclinium-macrocephalum-pom-pom-weed" target="_blank">Pom-pom weed</a> was probably introduced in South Africa as an ornamental
plant. The earliest record in the Pretoria National Herbarium is of a
specimen collected in Johannesburg in 1962. Currently it is most
prominent in Gauteng. The earliest record of its establishment in the
wild is from Fountains Valley, Pretoria in the early 1960s and Westville
near Durban in 1972. In the 1980's its distribution expanded in the
Pretoria area, and it was also recorded from Hilton in KwaZulu-Natal and
Wolkberg in Limpopo Province. In the 1990's it spread further to Port
St Johns in the Eastern Cape, Rooiberg in Limpopo and Nelspruit in
Mpumalanga. From 2000 to 2003 it exploded in Gauteng and in the Free
Sate the first record was in Kroonstad. During the same period there was
much spread in the Nelspruit, White River and Barberton areas. By 2006
it had spread to the Piet Retief area in south-eastern Mpumalanga and
Swaziland.<br />
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The <b>environmental and economic impact </b>is that it threatens the survival of grasslands and wetlands throughout South
Africa as it can tolerate a wide range of habitats. It transforms the
landscape from green to pink in summer.<br />
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Eradication of this plant is through Herbicides registered for use on pompom weed and the two physical methods including uprooting and burning of the
plant. Seeing as I don't use or tolerate the use of any pesticides on my smallholding and uprooting each and every weed is not gonna happen, I might just have to be satisfied with a pink smallholding in the future!<br />
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The tall yellow weed seems to be spreading very fast</div>
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My chooks just love it when we cut the grass and they will follow the tractor, snatching up all the insects disturbed by the cutting. When the tractor moves to the bottom of the smallholding, away from the road, all the Egrets and Herons also arrive to join in the snacking. <br />
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<br />Maree Clarksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16274329795088706720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297095118137328838.post-24301252136775212262016-11-02T04:05:00.000+02:002016-11-02T04:10:50.281+02:00Storm clouds heralding no good<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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An ominous sign ā storm clouds building up over my garden this past week, but from the west, which never heralds any good. Our rain here in Tarlton (Gauteng, South Africa) comes more or less from the south to south-west (from the Randfontein side) and anything else, especially from the west, normally spells trouble, like hail and heavy lightning.<br />
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While I was holding thumbs for rain but not the fury of nature, it didn't help much. Within seconds of the first lightning strike and roll of thunder, the heavens opened up and heavy rain poured down. And within minutes it took a turn for the worst and the hail came. LOTS of it, furiously, pounding the garden mercilessly, leaving destruction in its wake.<br />
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I watched helplessly as the storm got worse and worse, pounding the trees, the plants and wreaking havoc. Luckily my chooks were already in their coop as I had suspected some foul play earlier in the morning and had left them inside.<br />
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Mr. Brown, a stray rooster, was in the aviary (at the back of the pic), hiding in the shelter provided and the sound of the hail on the tin roof must have been deafening, it certainly was in my house, we couldn't even hear one another talking.<br />
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The hailstorm lasted for about 20 minutes, more heavy rain followed and then, suddenly all went quiet. Within seconds the sun was shining, producing the most gorgeous rainbow I have seen for a long time. Isn't nature just wonderful?!<br />
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<br />Maree Clarksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16274329795088706720noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297095118137328838.post-64343003955197288452016-10-06T04:30:00.000+02:002016-10-06T04:30:01.765+02:00Farm talk - The Crowned Plovers have hatched!<div style="text-align: center;">
Crowned plovers - Vanellus coronatus</div>
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After the big to-do of the <b>Crowned Plover stopping my husband's 5-ton truck</b> from destroying her nest, I kept on checking on their nest, from a distance, and Saturday morning at 8.30am I was rewarded by seeing two of the three eggs hatch, hopefully the third will follow soon. Luckily it was warm and sunny and the parents were keeping a close eye on the proceedings.</div>
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Trying to take these pics of them was an ordeal in itself, as I once again was dive-bombed mercilessly and one of them even almost got tangled up in my hair! </div>
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They are so well camouflaged, I almost missed them </div>
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Breeding occurs in the spring months from July to October. The nest is in a shallow depression in the soil with a lining of vegetation and other debris. There are normally 3 eggs, sometimes 2 or 4. Incubation requires 28 to 32 days and is done by both sexes. Immediately after hatching, the young leave the nest while both parents look after them. Egg-laying is timed to precede the rainy season and most incubating is done by the female. The male assists only on hot days, when he either incubates or shades the nest. </div>
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The one on the right is still wet, with some egg shell sticking to its feathers </div>
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Pretending no-one can see it!</div>
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Eyes tightly shut...</div>
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Bare-part colours of males brighten in the breeding season. Different types of display flights lure the female to the defended territory. A female accepting the male and territory will follow the male during his display flight. Mates may be retained for life. </div>
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Still wet from hatching out the egg</div>
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Although generally outnumbered by Blacksmith Lapwings, they are the most widespread and locally the most numerous lapwing species in their area of distribution. Their numbers have increased in the latter part of the 20th-century after benefiting from a range of human activities. They live up to 20 years. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lmZ4U0mAVlc/UmNYm_wZ-FI/AAAAAAAAX50/tInCb25FfS8/s1600/1.CrownedPloverBabies2886a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lmZ4U0mAVlc/UmNYm_wZ-FI/AAAAAAAAX50/tInCb25FfS8/s400/1.CrownedPloverBabies2886a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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After the photographic session, I left them in peace and 3 o'clock that afternoon I returned to find that the two hatchlings had moved about 3 meters away from the nest, hiding close to a clump of grass.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_eDkFeMk3YgMT5T0_GcBCFCRyArOAcwbRfIvZlihldTb8fnsaXekm5ZMLB5uDAhWY-qRfRyDIJm1ZqJUcR1zJLih084PtTwPjUCE0AN_FdqOiEK5rj1HbQYbUG99pEWT8IYtSQpdTwns/s1600/2.CrownedPloverBabies2885a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_eDkFeMk3YgMT5T0_GcBCFCRyArOAcwbRfIvZlihldTb8fnsaXekm5ZMLB5uDAhWY-qRfRyDIJm1ZqJUcR1zJLih084PtTwPjUCE0AN_FdqOiEK5rj1HbQYbUG99pEWT8IYtSQpdTwns/s400/2.CrownedPloverBabies2885a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Their colours are absolutely gorgeous and perfectly suited to their surrounds. They both kept their eyes tightly shut, barely breathing as they tried to blend into the surrounds.</div>
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Those typical long legs are already apparent!</div>
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The third egg seems to have been abandoned. I returned early evening but couldn't find the babies anywhere. The parents were about 100meters further down the plot and I presumed the babies were there with them. I am totally thrilled to have witnessed this happening and now just hope and pray the next door neighbour's dogs keep away from my property!</div>
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Maree Clarksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16274329795088706720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297095118137328838.post-7774672174078479372016-10-01T04:30:00.000+02:002016-10-01T04:30:15.497+02:00Farm talk - The wrath of a Crowned Plover<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">... or, the love of a mother....</span><br />
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<b>Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential.</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV58dS7nFGrtKqLDiFc6mb2yDZY3CM3VJvDCeF9padnDN82tFdDttj0J_kqXexCuTSxll2uThtbR0_dqnlh9bMW8C_HBZdb0Hd7608HKQjwik7HdeCoQnLnCOyoMWgfXIdDgSjkaywylc/s1600/TruckTarltonTractors2864a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV58dS7nFGrtKqLDiFc6mb2yDZY3CM3VJvDCeF9padnDN82tFdDttj0J_kqXexCuTSxll2uThtbR0_dqnlh9bMW8C_HBZdb0Hd7608HKQjwik7HdeCoQnLnCOyoMWgfXIdDgSjkaywylc/s400/TruckTarltonTractors2864a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Yesterday my husband had to pull the truck out of the workshop to deliver a tractor to a customer and as he got a couple of meters from the workshop gate, he was confronted by a very angry Crowned Plover, standing in front of the approaching truck, wings spread and loudly proclaiming her intent on not moving.</div>
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Perplexed, my husband got out of the truck to look what was going on, upon which both parents flew at him in attack mode, swooping and screaming loudly, trying to get him to move. Suspecting that there might be some babies, he called me to see if I could see what all the pa-lava was about.</div>
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As soon as I arrived, I was dive-bombed in the same manner and as I carefully walked around slowly, looking out for any babies, the one parent would flap around in the grass, feigning injury and, as I approached, move on a bit, trying to lure me away from the spot. This is a strategy they use, pretending to be injured and easy prey, so getting a predator to follow them away from the nest. So I knew there definitely was something around there.</div>
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Both parents kept up this behaviour, alternating between dive-bombing us, flapping in the grass and screaming at the top of their voices.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2dE4ZgLrlHemYiRIsqGK8S-AMVSg_fAiJMgRW6lXnSTADn-lIPkBWhMLhrk9nLt2fgKmt7ajjkK9q0S8xBT8Nj7zwQXXvsTann0feYM77Y6fL5-_qE-iNeY7gQ4QAs4a8CrQxAmup_nY/s1600/CrownedPloverEggs2862a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2dE4ZgLrlHemYiRIsqGK8S-AMVSg_fAiJMgRW6lXnSTADn-lIPkBWhMLhrk9nLt2fgKmt7ajjkK9q0S8xBT8Nj7zwQXXvsTann0feYM77Y6fL5-_qE-iNeY7gQ4QAs4a8CrQxAmup_nY/s400/CrownedPloverEggs2862a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>and this is what all the raucous was about!</b></div>
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Eventually, taking my cue from where they were at their most frantic, I found the nest - three beautiful speckled eggs so well camouflaged that it took me ten minutes to find it! The eggs were within meters of the truck's front wheels, my husband has stopped just in time! If it wasn't for this brave little bird stopping a 5-ton truck, the nest might have been destroyed.<br />
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After taking some photographs and enduring a lot more abuse from them, my husband reversed the truck and did a wide berth around the nest. Now that we know where they are, we avoid that area and hopefully will be able to see the birth of these little wonders.<br />
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The Crowned Plover (Vanellus coronatus) occurs across much of sub-Saharan Africa; in southern Africa it is common in Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, northern and south-western South Africa and southern Mozambique. It generally prefers dry, open grassland, sparse woodland, open areas in Karoo scrub and man-made habitats, such as open fields, short pastures, airports, golf courses and roadsides.<br />
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They build their nests totally in the open and only after the grass has been cut on our smallholding. No trees, long grass or any other sort of cover for hundreds of meters around them. It always amazes me that they face the elements this way, with no cover whatsoever, but understandably it gives them a wide range of sight to see any predators approaching.<br />
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They mainly eats termites (which make up approximately 80-90% of its diet), using the typical foraging technique of plovers, running, stopping then searching for prey on the ground. It often forages in groups, sometimes alongside Black-winged lapwings, moving in a regularly spaced line.<br />
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<b><span style="color: white;">.</span></b><span style="color: white;">.</span>Maree Clarksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16274329795088706720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297095118137328838.post-64042122196169647742016-09-27T12:33:00.002+02:002017-09-06T04:47:18.373+02:00Fennel weed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTliTwFoL13nbyLZFZo7ig_yWMpLR9Op1eZKvD19BZteLfuvfN1N8cvPo63IVipp8uPmWi3VBj8Lh9OoLxg9R5NzWRgxWz8Gwv4Ce-hDAPeJdsYJrGHyRCdUSpn2nU2gGyUT-UkA7spTs/s1600/FennelWeed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTliTwFoL13nbyLZFZo7ig_yWMpLR9Op1eZKvD19BZteLfuvfN1N8cvPo63IVipp8uPmWi3VBj8Lh9OoLxg9R5NzWRgxWz8Gwv4Ce-hDAPeJdsYJrGHyRCdUSpn2nU2gGyUT-UkA7spTs/s640/FennelWeed.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Camera : CANON EOS 550DāØ<br />
Taken along the roadside in front of our smallholding (Tarlton, Gauteng, South Africa)<br />
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<b>Foeniculum vulgare</b><br />
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This weed is often seen along our roadsides here in South Africa and is also found in gardens, waterways, wetlands, open woodlands, pastures, grasslands and disturbed sites. It is an upright and perennial plant with branching stems and fern-like leaves, usually growing 1.5-2 m tall, but sometimes reaching up to 3 m in height.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPnZ4Cnf_b0AINnFjTUwBfeoFgBhX1nei6NPD4ER_L78ClW94SB4fUQYhNXhc6RP2fpG7cJIP5wMvoewBuTrDjSeEs0Gh9dEm1hd6NQWbXuzPrHvEXIIMCE2aRie1h_CMMdDTltyw2NME/s1600/FennelWeed1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPnZ4Cnf_b0AINnFjTUwBfeoFgBhX1nei6NPD4ER_L78ClW94SB4fUQYhNXhc6RP2fpG7cJIP5wMvoewBuTrDjSeEs0Gh9dEm1hd6NQWbXuzPrHvEXIIMCE2aRie1h_CMMdDTltyw2NME/s640/FennelWeed1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Even though our smallholding hasn't been ploughed over for many years now (we just cut the existing grass), I did find a few on the property and man, I must tell you, trying to pull it out is impossible! It had to be dug out (luckily there were only three) and it had a huge root system - maybe due to it being cut down to ground level every time we cut our grass. Close-up the plant is very attractive, but as an overall picture, it looks a bit messy.<br />
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Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is a significant and widespread environmental weed. This species can form very dense infestations that crowd out other vegetation. It is able to out-compete small native shrubs and ground-cover plants and is likely to reduce the amount of useful habitat available to native animals. It is of most concern along waterways and in wetlands, but can also affect remnant native vegetation in farming areas. However, it is palatable to livestock and is generally not seen as a major problem in farming areas.<br />
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This species originated in southern Europe, the Azores, the Madeira Islands, the Canary Islands, northern Africa (i.e. Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia) and western Asia.<br />
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<span style="color: #660000;">.</span>Maree Clarksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16274329795088706720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297095118137328838.post-52955649718019458382016-09-21T04:00:00.000+02:002017-08-30T05:17:50.771+02:00Tarlton landscape<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUb8Hlz6XzCPBsi2kljqeg2KhPexh9cafSr0pTRJMgT4bd6fnfY7a5muxBux97ypfGqz0f5nLTXCvC5vFcUeQY1oX9_rMdHFAnV5rUEvs-zNUrN7mvfLVvJ_m4hkvJ2XKTa3o4B5ZQtg0/s1600/TarltonLandscapeAcrylic02a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="462" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUb8Hlz6XzCPBsi2kljqeg2KhPexh9cafSr0pTRJMgT4bd6fnfY7a5muxBux97ypfGqz0f5nLTXCvC5vFcUeQY1oX9_rMdHFAnV5rUEvs-zNUrN7mvfLVvJ_m4hkvJ2XKTa3o4B5ZQtg0/s640/TarltonLandscapeAcrylic02a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Acrylic painting on Giverny 240gsm acrylic paper - 12" x 9" unframed - done on location in Tarlton (Gauteng, South Africa)</div>
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Not
far from us, a friend has a dam on his smallholding. When we visited, it
gave me a chance to try my hand at some Acrylics, no sketching
beforehand.
Maree Clarksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16274329795088706720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297095118137328838.post-27973263512907452982016-09-17T05:01:00.001+02:002016-09-17T05:03:08.016+02:00Saturday thought - Dancing fire angels<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibru9fqPGpE-7xaqQGo4tfKylGd-jucnA4wpS-5oITq0D4NKSd-l4vK7PcDJG6fvhpbzW074M5kDhWEdGYpFZcZa_E_IoXHBA7F-p6VzFrammhgsr6xt4JSWcZ_ahQ3quwl6E9gMUEOLY/s1600/Veldfire5003a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibru9fqPGpE-7xaqQGo4tfKylGd-jucnA4wpS-5oITq0D4NKSd-l4vK7PcDJG6fvhpbzW074M5kDhWEdGYpFZcZa_E_IoXHBA7F-p6VzFrammhgsr6xt4JSWcZ_ahQ3quwl6E9gMUEOLY/s400/Veldfire5003a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Veldfire in Tarlton</div>
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<br /></div>
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Fire in</div>
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her eyes</div>
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and ice</div>
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in her words;</div>
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the dancing fire angel</div>
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chooses</div>
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what you get.</div>
Maree Clarksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16274329795088706720noreply@blogger.com0