Fun with Fynbos at the Okkie Jooste Cultural Centre

Science is all about observing pheromone in the natural world, and as a biologist I enjoy learning about new environments and experience different things. At the Okkie Jooste Camp at the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve i got to learn about the Stellenbosch Maintain environment and also participated in numerous fun group activities. 

 

The most amazing experiences was to see the magnificent views while we were on the few hikes. It felt truly amazing to be surrounded by all this beautiful nature. From our cabins I count hear the sound of the river flowing and when we went on our night walk we could hear the various diverse frog calls and during the day we cold hear the different bird sounds.

 

Just a small distance away from were our cabins were, we had the privilege to see this spectacular flower in full bloom, our national flower Protea cynaroides, commonly known as the King Protea. Our group also had a small encounter with a puff adder and luckily no one got hurt. This was quit scary and exciting at the same time. With the little time we had at the came I learned a whole lot and had a really fun experience. I would without a doubt recommend the this Reserve to many others.

Find Captivating Beauty in the Cape Point Nature Reserve

Cape Point is the one point with a million views. This is the type of perfection I experienced in the Cape Point Nature Reserve. From breath taking views to magnificent indigenous species, the Cape Point Nature Reserve is home to many impeccable and diverse features.  

We started off our tour at the Cape of Good Hope Scenic Walk. What more is there to say, the name says it al. Scenic, which means striking or beautiful is an understatement when describing that breath taking environment. 

Figure 1: The view of the Cape of Good Hope Scenic Walk

Mountains so immaculate, each rock, cliff and grain of grass groomed to perfection by the spectacular phenomenon that is nature. When in the presence of such beauty, I got lost in the flawlessness. 

Figure 2: The view of the beach on The Cape of Good Hope.



Figure 3: The Cape of Good Hope Beach and the view of the magnificent waves.
 
I stood on the shore and saw the water stretching as far as the eye can see. Like the Chameleon, the water that changed color with the light of the sky from a bright blue to a dark grey. Ripples and waves that continuously flow towards the shore and ultimately break into foam. And through using my senses I could smell the saltwater fragrance fill the air and hear the melody of the ocean, surging repeatedly.  
 

Figure 4: That is me on top of the cliff at the end of the Cape of Good Hope Scenic Walk.

After concurring my fears and I finally made it to the top of the mountain. I could not imagine a better feeling of complete and utter freedom, an emotion that most people would experience. Nature has this unique way to connect the mind, spirit and soul and I was true privileged to experience this first hand.

  

Figure 5: The Black Girdled Lizard absorbing sunlight.

Figure 6: This is the Black Lizard in its natural habitat.

 

The Cape Point Nature Reserve is home to spectacular Fauna and Flora. I had the privilege to see Cordylus Niger, commonly known as the Black Girdled Lizard. They are a medium-sized lizard restricted to Table Mountain on the Cape Peninsula and a second isolated population is known to life near Langebaan. Black girdled lizards inhabit rocky outcrops on Table Mountain and they are not likely to be seen alone. They are spiky, flat and pitch black in color and their color helps these unique creatures to absorb sufficient heat for the sun. And I thought they were just lazy buggers.

 
 

 

Figure 7: The Protea on the information center flower wall.

 
I got to see plants such as Asteraceae and Ericaceae. The Proteaceae form part of the Fynbos family. Proteas are represented by many species and are prominent in the Western Cape area. The Cape Floristic Region is home to one of the world’s most riches floras in the world. Fynbos Ericaceae includes more species of Erica than all the other regions combined.

 

 Figure 8: The view of the lighthouse as we walk up the walkway.

 

Figure9: The amazing view of the beach from the lighthouse partway.

Mountains will never meet, but oceans to. And at the Cape Point light house is a exact place were this happens. Were the Atlantic Ocean meets the Indian Ocean. To conclude our field trip we went to the old Cape Point Lighthouse. The old Cape point Lighthouse was put to rest when the Portuguese liner, the Lusitania,crashed under its guidence to many pieces on the ocean floor. Standing on the highest section of the peak, the original lighthouse stands 87 meters above the new lighthouse. Standing next to this magificent tower feels like being on to of the world and would advice everyone to go on this trip, because such spectacular beauty should be experienced at least once in a persons life. 

 

Figure 10: The beautiful view of the actual mountain end known as Cape Point. 

Practical skills developed on the Cape Flats Nature Reserve Race

The nature reserve race was rather insightful. I learned a lot of many useful aspects about what to do and what to look for when inside a nature reserve. This made me value our precious biodiversity even more. I felt connected with nature on a much greater level and the enchanting beauty of my surroundings captured my attention fully. Working in a group to solve problems and search for organisms helped my social ability to be more patient with people. The calm essence of the area where we found ourselves also helped tranquilize stress levels and create equilibrium between my emotional state and my surroundings. I also learned to be more mindful and aware of my surroundings because we had to hunt for small specimens in a large area.  The excitement of not knowing what to expect was accelerating. Being intertwine with nature and all its elements was a magnificent feeling. Listing to the different bird species was an amazing part that captured my attention the most and helped me to develop better listing skills. I felt inner peace and was at ease with the world. The experience to explore the reserve on scientific level was truly spectacular.