Nature Moments

PICTURE 1:

We recently spotted this mysterious caterpillar!

Identified so far as a member of the Erebidae family (sub-family Arctiinae), which includes tiger, lichen, and wasp moths, but we’re still working on a full ID.

Do you know what it is?

PICTURE 2:

A solitary bee pauses on Gladiolus priorii, captured during a site visit where we’re clearing invasive species in the conservancy.

PICTURE 3-5:

Meet the striking Gladiolus maculatus, also known as the ‘bruin Afrikaner,’ photographed in its dewy glory by Mario Morales, our visiting PhD candidate from the University of Arizona, during a recent bioblitz.

It’s the start of bulb flowering season, a time of year that always fills our team with joy!

And if you look closely this time of year, you’ll also see the delicate detail of restios in the morning light… and, if you’re lucky, one of the breathtaking rainbows that follow the rain.

From all of us at Grootbos Foundation, we wish you a warm and cosy weekend filled with wonder.