2 Swainson’s Spurfowl:
6 South African Ground Squirrels. When they run their tails appear thin but at rest, and not in a shadow, the tail fluffs out and becomes a parasol against the strong sun:
2 White Browed Sparrow Weavers. Not eating but in the tree complaining bitterly at all the traffic:
On Tuesday night we had a 20 minute hailstorm around 9 p.m. that broke through four of our windows (all of which I replaced today); smashed a wing mirror and all the plastic shields off our bakkie; made the bonnet (hood) look like a lunar landscape and drilled holes in various parts. Lynn’s garden is ruined – all squash, tomato and mealies riddled. Today Willie sent over five of his workers and they spent four hours cleaning up the fallen tree branches and foliage; re-setting our iron roof; and clearing the terrain so we can put the bakkie in the old barn. There was an owl in there this afternoon and I think it’s waiting for a target below.
It’s amazing that on Wednesday morning with the sun shining brightly there was still a two-inch thick carpet of ice pellets – actually more like small discuses (disci?) on the east side of the house. Some were still there at the end of another 90 degree day; shadow works really well here, but if your tail can go over your back, you’re back on Boogie Street.
Meade
