The Great Backyard Bird Count 2025: A Celebration of Birds, Nature, and Community Every February, nature lovers and bird enthusiasts from around the world come together for a truly special event - the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC). This year, from February 14 - 17, its time to step outside, obs

International Zebra Day: A Stripe Above the Rest January 31st marks an important occasion in the world of wildlife conservation: International Zebra Day. This special day not only honors one of Africa’s most iconic creatures but also serves as a reminder of the critical need to protect these uniqu

The Fascinating World of Long-Legged Sac Spiders If you’ve ever encountered a Long-Legged Sac Spider, you may have noticed their distinctive pale bodies and gangly legs. These fascinating creatures, part of the Cheiracanthium genus, often lurk in the corners of our homes or on the edges of vegetat

Exploring the African Black Beetle: A Grassland Ploughman Let me introduce you to the African Black Beetle (Heteronychus arator), a remarkable species from the family (Scarabaeidae) and the rhinoceros beetle subfamily (Dynastinae). Known for its striking appearance and significant role in grasslan

Exploring the Wonders of Plantains: Nature’s Versatile Perennial When it comes to humble yet remarkable plants, Plantains, genus Plantago, stand out for their resilience, versatility, and historical significance. Found across the globe in over 200 species, these perennial weeds are not just surviv

A Plant with a Storied Past Solanum nigrum, commonly known as European Black Nightshade or Blackberry Nightshade, is a plant steeped in history and intrigue. Native to Eurasia and later introduced to the Americas, Australasia, and South Africa, this versatile species has been a companion to humani

A Bloom That Dazzles Through Myths and Gardens Alike Steeped in mythology, celebrated for its beauty, and occasionally mistaken in identity, the Amaryllis is a beloved flowering bulb native to the Cape region of South Africa. Known for its elegant blooms and rich symbolism, this plant has captured

Celebrating World Elephant Day: A Call to Action for Conservation August 12th marks a significant date in the conservation calendar: World Elephant Day. This global initiative, launched in 2012, aims to raise awareness about the challenges faced by both Asian and African Elephants. Despite their

A Birder's Paradise in Potchefstroom Potchefstroom, located in the southeastern corner of the Northwest Province, is uniquely positioned at the intersection of several major habitat regions. This convergence creates a rich diversity of bird life. During the five-year South African Bird Atlas Proje

Exploring the Haworthia As an avid plant enthusiast and nature guide, I'm thrilled to take you on a journey into the captivating world of Haworthia. These charming dwarf leaf succulents are a treasure trove for succulent collectors, boasting an incredible variety of compact rosettes that come in d

The Fascinating World of Polistes Paper Wasps Nature is full of intricate stories, and one of the most captivating is that of the Polistes marginalis paper wasps. These industrious insects are found across diverse landscapes, from the arid expanses of Saudi Arabia to the lush greenery of Ethiopia

The Fascinating African Twig Mantis: A Master of Camouflage In the world of insects, few creatures are as skilled at blending into their surroundings as the African Twig Mantis (Popa spurca). Native to parts of Africa, particularly the southern regions, the Twig Mantis has earned its name for its

Fascinating Creatures with a Unique Survival Strategy When we think of beetles, Darkling Beetles may not be the first to come to mind, but these ground-dwelling insects are certainly worth knowing about. Known for their impressive survival strategies and their fascinating life cycle, Darkling Beet

Do you find yourself marvelling at the mysteries of the natural world? Are you curious about the behaviour of birds, insects, mammals, and even the smallest life forms that coexist with us? If so, our Wildlife Enthusiast Group is the perfect place for you! This vibrant community is a hub for passion

The White Parasol Mushroom If you’re a fungi enthusiast or simply love nature’s curiosities, the White Parasol Mushroom, Macrolepiota zeyheri, might captivate you. Found in grassy pastures after a good rain, this mushroom is both visually striking and surrounded by fascinating lore. Join me as we

The Golden Barrel Cactus: A Remarkable Gem of Desert Landscapes The Golden Barrel Cactus, scientifically known as Kroenleinia grusonii, is a plant enthusiast’s delight. Often called the "golden ball", "mother-in-law’s cushion", or simply "golden barrel", this Cactus stands out with its unique roun

Celebrating African Wild Dog Day: A Call to Action for Conservation As August 26th approaches, those of us deeply connected to the world of wildlife and conservation gear up to celebrate African Wild Dog Day. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about the plight of these extraordinary canids

Celebrate the Majesty of Lions: World Lion Day World Lion Day, celebrated annually on August 10th, is a day dedicated to honoring one of nature's most majestic creatures, the Lion. Founded in 2013 by the passionate conservationists Dereck and Beverly Joubert, this day aims to raise awareness about

Discovering the Mountain Wagtail Among the many avian wonders of sub - Saharan Africa, the Mountain Wagtail (Motacilla clara) stands out for its elegance and distinctive characteristics. Also known as the Long - Tailed Wagtail or Grey - Backed Wagtail, this bird is a delight for bird enthusiasts a

Exploring the Kudu Lily When wandering through the rugged terrains of Southern Africa, one might stumble upon a remarkable plant that captures both the eye and the imagination - the Kudu Lily, known scientifically as Pachypodium saundersii. This fascinating succulent shrub, with its swollen stem a

Celebrating World Ostrich Day: A Flightless Wonder of the African Savanna Every year on February 2nd, animal lovers and wildlife enthusiasts around the world come together to celebrate World Ostrich Day. This day is dedicated to one of the most unique and fascinating birds on the planet - the Ostr

The Lunate Ladybeetle When you think of ladybirds, you might picture the classic red beetle with black spots, happily wandering across the leaves of your garden plants. But did you know that the name “ladybird” has a deeper historical significance? The term “lady” in ladybird or ladybug refers to

A Peculiar Pest of Watermelons and Muskmelons If you've ever been in a garden or farm with watermelons or muskmelons growing, you might have come across a rather large, noticeable insect with striking features: the Stink Bug, scientifically known as Coridius nubilis. While it may look fascinating,

The Marvelous World of Common Purslane: A Guide for Nature Lovers As a plant enthusiast, it’s hard not to marvel at the resilience, versatility, and beauty of Portulaca oleracea, commonly known as Common Purslane. This humble annual succulent has a lot more to offer than meets the eye, from its vi

Mole Crickets: Nature’s Underground Engineers When wandering through fields or gardens, it’s common to spot the elusive Mole Cricket - an underground dweller with a unique set of traits. These fascinating insects belong to the Gryllotalpidae family, within the Orthoptera order, sharing lineage wit

The Lily White Native to South Africa, Agapanthus, also known as the African Lily, is a perennial plant that’s difficult not to admire. These striking plants are famous for their rounded clusters of vibrant flowers, often seen in various shades of blue and white. What makes Agapanthus so appeali

A Tribute to Nature’s Buzzworthy Superstars Every third Saturday in August, a unique day of celebration quietly unfolds, buzzing with life and purpose—World Honey Bee Day. This special occasion isn’t just about indulging in the sweet, golden nectar that honey bees gift us; it’s a day dedicated to

Understanding and Appreciating Our Slithery Friends Every year on July 16th, we celebrate World Snake Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the diverse species of snakes and their crucial role in maintaining ecological balance. Snakes often evoke fear and misunderstanding, but they are f

Exploring the Lavender Plants Lavender, with its enchanting fragrance and versatile uses, is a plant that can enhance any garden style. Whether you’re looking to create a lush, colorful border, a fragrant hedge, or a charming container display, Lavender fits the bill perfectly. Particularly well

Exploring the Chalky Finger Aloe Nestled in the vibrant landscapes of South Africa, Cotyledon orbiculata var. oblonga 'Flavida', commonly known as Chalky Finger Aloe, is a succulent that captures the heart with its unique beauty and resilience. This drought - tolerant gem thrives in harsh conditio