Nectar lunch

From Kirstenbosch, the national botanical garden at Africa's southern tip, Leucaspermum reflexum var. lutea (skyrocket pincushion) with female sunbird occupant.

There have been many beautiful clear days in Cape Town (which is typical of winter, in short, bright bursts), but it's time we had more serious rain, after a stormy start to last week when it poured. The local vegetation needs it, the dams and the farmers still need it.

Ghostly, glorious silver trees, Leucadendron argenteum, rare and endangered, and endemic to the Cape peninsula, this hook of land where a large city, flats, wetlands, and a mountain range share space, with more and more of the latter being developed.

"Rare means that it has a small population and a restricted distribution range, which puts it at risk from sudden or unexpected changes. Endangered means that it faces a very high risk of extinction in the wild." (PlantzAfrica)

I'll try to post more regularly, but time is short and there is much to do.

(Remember, if you don't see me here, you can find my daily pictures on Instagram @66squarefeet)