West Coast National Park Wildflowers

Good morning dear friends.


On Wednesday it was a great Spring Day so I took to the road to have a look at Spring's bountiful show. It was a little cloudy but the sun was looking promising so I decided to take a trip up the West Coast to the West Coast National Park.  I took the R27 and headed in the direction of Veldrift for about an hour's drive.

to the...

Entrance Fee to the park was R40-00 per person, children R30-00 ( in flower season)unless you were the proud owner of a Wild Card. For more info on the Wild Card please go to http://www.wildcard.co.za

On entering the park this little fella greeted me....

Note the little free wheeling passenger on the right hand back!

I decided to visit the Visitor's information Centre and restaurant first to find out the best places for my flower visit in the park. It is at Geelbek and about 10 km into the park.

The Geelbek Restaurant is also situated here as well as a small curio shop. I found the restaurant to be rather expensive in the way of breakfast but did indulge in coffee. It turned out to be a very pleasant spot.

My coffee companion....took a seat!

It was time to...

The quiet waters of Langebaan Lagoon provides a safe haven for thousands of sea birds. Just a few hundred meters from the Information Centre is a parking space  for the walk to the bird hide.

You can obtain a bird check list as well as a shedule of the tides to optimise your bird viewing from the information centre.

The boardwalk to the hide in the distance . Many West Coast birds can be seen here and many endemic birds as well.

Geelbek bird hide is best about 4.5 hours after high tide in Table Bay.

The Salt Marshes can be very rewarding at high tide when large numbers of waders congregate to roost.

Well, folks onto flowers...which is why I was here today. I will be back for the birding as a whole day is needed for that and anyway I need to practise taking shots of birds. As you can see its n pretty hit and run event for me at the moment!!

 

At the information Centre they advised me to take drive to Postberg where the best flower viewing was happening.

But, as usual, I got waylayed. Well it was still early and I had plenty of sun left for flower viewing so naturally a name like Preekstoel (preaching chair ~ direct translation) seduced my Noddy Car into stopping.

Look at the prestine facilities!! A braai (Barbie/BBQ) with a view like that!

There is also a gorgeous beach below and a new information spot to discover the myriad of natural wonders in the park.

On the drive to Postberg.

 

It was a Wednesday morning and I did not expect the hoardes of people!

You are allowed to get out your car here at the beach where there are also bathroom facilities. Again everything was pristine!

Folks were digging into their picnic baskets and dipping into the water. A great place for a picnic.

The beach is spectacular...

Look at their garden....

A naturally decorated nursery for the babes....

A colourful spectacle!

Ahhh and he has the meat on the fire and is a happy man, I'm sure!

Photographs can not do justice to this spectacle that Mother Nature gives us here each year. I do hope you will get out there and enjoy the brief but brilliant gift of nature ...

There were loads of tortoises...take care when driving please as they cross the road frequently.

 

I had a wonderful day but it was getting late and I had to head home. There are various hiking trails in the park. Both short hikes or day hikes as well as  The Strandveld Trail which is a two day hike. There is a Cycling Route as well.

Other activities includes kayaking, kiteboarding and of course Whale watching . The Southern Right can be viewed at Tsaarsbank from August to November.

Accomodation ranges from the Nirvana Houseboat, self catering cottages and Chalets.

To book accomodation please contact Sanparks.

It was time for me to leave before I had to bed down with the ostriches....

Thanks for stopping by and visiting with me.

I will be linking to Our World Tuesday here. Join us for a view of our wonderful world as presented by some very talented bloggers.
also

Outdoor Wednesday at Southern Daydreamer here

Please regale me with a comment in the comment box below.

Happy Living and get out there in the sunshine and enjoy the flowers.

Veronica

All images are my own.

Joining Mary for Mosaic Monday Here