Sj visit 2017    West Coast National Park. Day three.

Sunday July 16

Cj enjoying the glimpses of wildlife found all around but frustrated that he can name so few species. [Now at home, using on-line links for birds: Wikipedia good habitat and species description and Warwick Tarboton excellent photographs.]

While most of West Coast National Park consisted of fynbos, scrubby, small leaved plants that grow in patches, the main feature was Langebaan Lagoon, so we spent the morning driving around it. Stopped at a beautiful little beach on the east shore of the lagoon and appreciated the tranquility of the area before heading to a beach on the ocean side. What a difference between the two. With nothing for thousands of miles to break the wind the waves were slamming against the shore. While you never could have swum at that beach, the raw power of the surf was wonderful to watch. Unfortunately it was also really chilly.

Ostrich [Wi] and Ostrich [WT] unusually a side view.

a more usual view of an Ostrich [Wi] and Ostrich [WT].

Rather pleased to be able to detect this Spotted thick knee [Wi] and Spotted thick knee [WT] it was so well camoflaged in the fynbos.

Spotted thick knee [Wi] and Spotted thick knee [WT]

No-one dared ask what other things one can do on braai facilities.

Down to the beach at Preekstoel the link shows how different it is in summer.

Slender billed gull [Wi].

th found me a flamingo [Wi] and flamingo [WT]flamingo feather.

There was a flock of them just across the next bay.

The beach on the ocean side.