I’ve joined a tiny bird group to monitor the presence of birds where the Liesbeek River meets the Black River. Once a week we go out to this spot on the Black River in the morning and spend 5 minutes noting every species we can see and their numbers. Yesterday was a two kingfisher day with a trio of Pied Kingfishers fussing just on the right edge of the Liesbeek mouth and a Malachite Kingfisher I didn’t see (I was taking notes and, when I thought I saw it later, was asked if I wasn’t looking at a Morning Glory flower - I was 😂). Despite being an urban river system, it’s bursting with wildlife.
The buildings under Devil’s Peak belong to Groote Schuur Hospital - where the first human heart Transplant was done, led by SA’s wizard surgeon, Chris Barnard. My Dad worked there from ‘84 and still does occasional teaching. It also always reminds me of the brilliant scientist, Bongani Mayosi who I was lucky enough to know slightly and who should still be going to his office in the old Victorian building.