After we had a few rain storms we headed out to the small salt pans just to the west of us. The small pans hold water for a while, which attracts flocks of flamingos, which is such a stunning sight.
Not that we found our favorite spot, we call “Flamingo Bay’, we did find plenty of water, flamingos and some lovely new pans that we haven’t seen before.
We eventually gave up looking for “Flamingo Bay” and stopped at a stunning little pan in the middle of nowhere. A small flock of flamingos were feeding in the shallows. What a perfect place to have breakfast.
This time of the year it is amazing to see how the bush just transforms from looking almost dead and barren to green lush and full of wild flowers. Sue loves taking pictures of the flowers so below are a collection of her photo’s.
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- Dichrostachys cinerea (Sickle Bush)
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- Tribulus cistoides (Puncture vine)
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- Dalbergia armata (Throny rope)
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- Hermbstaedtia fleckii (Cat’s tail flow)
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- Grewia hexamita (Giant Raisin)
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- Tribulus cistoides (Puncture vine)
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- Convolvulus arvensis (Bind weed)
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- Priva africana (Moldenke)
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- Sesame triphyllum (Wild sesame) burn root, mix with vaseline good for snake bites
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- Sesamothamnus lugardii (Transvaal Sesame Bush )
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- Urisinia sericea (The lace-leaf ursinia)
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- Merremia aegyptia, (Hairy merremia)
Pete & Sue in Botswana 
Greetings to you all – Lovely flower pictures Sue. Isn’t nature amazing – such beauty and so delicate in that harsh environment. Pete do those pans come and go with the rains? If so where do the Flamingos go when they are dry?
Hi Suki
The pans are always there – but they do dry out. When they do the flamingos will move to more permanent water, which could be Lake Xau (Boteti), or much further. They are attracted to the pans, because the minerals and food they find there. They also like the fact there are very few people in the area.
They also nest on the pans. Nesting areas are virtually impossible to get to, even on foot. Even hyenas don’t venture into such areas, until they start drying out. Guess that’s why they nest where they do.
Pete
Thanks for that info.
Hey Pete, when will you next be in KZN. Would love to hook up with you for a beer. All the best for 2014. Drew Meikle
It would be great – but its a long way from here, will let you know.
Not sure how you posted your last comment – can’t find it anywhere.
My number is 00267 748 395 28
Life doesn’t get much tougher! Love Sue’s flowers Luv bx