Searching for Flame Lilies

The sun emerged from behind the clouds on Christmas Day, and we decided to go looking for Flame Lilies in the Forest Reserve, just behind where we live. Usually around this time of year (we can never seem to agree on exactly when...) the stunning red/orange lilies flower wildly and randomly in the bush, and we love to go on a lily hunt, to photograph and just enjoy/celebrate them!

The Flame Lily, otherwise known as Gloriosa superba  is quite meaningful to anybody who grew up over the border in Zim (or the then Rhodesia) as it was/is the national flower. I seem to think it is still a protected plant over there, but would have to check my facts on that one... The botanical name is apt, as it's an outrageously hued, delicate and exquisite flower - both glorious and superb!

We packed cooler box and snacks, Southern African style, and set off in our eccentric red 4x4 truck, "Blink Stefaans". It soon became clear that our motivational goal of "an ice cold beer to the first one to spot a flame lily" was going to cause a very thirsty trip for us, as not a single lily was to be seen, after much searching!  

Tiennie and his eccentric truck!

Despite the lily-less-ness, we immersed ourselves in the beauty of the natural teak forest, with the purple teak blossoms studding the dense greenery, and tiny white and pink wildflowers peeping out of the grassy verges. 

The beautiful purple blossoms on the Zambezi Teak trees.

Shy waterbuck hid themselves behind the trees, in the more open areas, and the constant sound of bird calls was underscored by the heavy droning of gigantic black dung beetles in full flight.  A dung beetle in full flight is a sight to behold, and to be dodged at all costs! Sometimes they remind me of the golden snitches in Harry Potter's quidditch matches...

We lazily took another random turn in the bush track, and suddenly - I saw it! A tiny, fleeting, distinctive red/orange flash in the undergrowth... Yell of triumph, urgent reversing back down the track, and voila - One lonesome, semi unfurled Flame Lily bud!    

Obviously we were a bit early so will be revisiting the forest reserve after new year to seek the unfurled lilies.  This is how the track looks at this abundant time of year. It is such a unbelievable contrast to the dry season - do watch this space for more updates on flowers and bush tracks!