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| Rosy faced Lovebird |
Today we had a full day around our lodge at Erongo before a nature drive through to a San rock art site; Paula’s Cave [named after the white woman who found it].
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| Red billed Francolin |
We started with a bird walk through the near grounds; ultimately aiming for the ridges in search of an uncommon species; Hartlaub’s Francolin. The Red billed Spurfowl were far more common and conspicuous and a variety of parties, including chicks were seen. Hartlaub’s though proved non existant….
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| Chestnut Weaver - sadly not yet in breeding plumage |
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| Cinnamon breasted bunting |
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| Pale winged Starling |
Other species were encountered though through the bush; Yellow bellied Eromomela, White tailed Shrike and Violet eared Waxbill most stunning.
The balance of the day was spent eating, lazing, dropping into the pool and viewing the excellent bird bath / drip watering point near the dinning room. Herer a steady stream of birds plus Namibian Rock Agamas and the occasional Dassie Rat were seen.
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| Dassie Rat |
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| male Green winged Pitilia |
The nature drive did not present many mammals however it did present a few new bird species including a brief view of Common Buttonquail.
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| nature drive |
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| Dikdik |
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| Termite mound |
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| View from near the mouth of Paula's Cave |
The Cave art, painted by the San people or Bushmen was excellent. Finely drawn animals such as Kudu and Giraffe plus clear representations of the San themselves had been decorating these walls for at least 2000 years. I thought that they were excellent. The cave was also host to a Rock Kestrel nest and, more than likely a Barn Owl, that rumour had it, roosted deeper in the Cave. We decided not to disturb it having already flushed the Rock Kestrel.
Paula Cave is 1 of 6 sites of rock paintings found in the 'Klippdachs (rock rabbit) Mountains near Omaruru. It is situated on the Okapekaha Farm in the Omaruru district in the Erongo Region and the cave itself is approximately 3km south from the road between Omaruru and Usakos. The cave was proclaimed a national monument of 1st March 1951, only 1 year after a recommendation by the German archaeologist Dr. ER Scherz.
Unfortunately, the quality of the paintings have been either weathered away over the years, due mainly to the lighting of fires inside the cave. The renowned paleontologist Breuil was the first to describe in detail some 'large, red-haired humans with relatively long bodies, several animals amongst them elephant and rhinoceros. A further group of red-haired people appear, apparently under attack from a larger group of black men with arrows.'
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| The lesson begins... |
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| San hunting figures |
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| Pregnant Woman |
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| Larger perspective |
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| Kudu doe |
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| San people |
Art appreciation was followed by a sundowner that had been thoughtfully provided by the lodge.
Another excellent day!
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| BIRD OF THE DAY! Red crested Korhaan |
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| BIRD OF THE DAY! |
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