Namibia: Desert Life

Deserts amaze me.  They always have.  I am always astounded by how much life they sustain.  It's all around you -- if you take the time to look and listen.
On my trip through the Namib desert with Max and Judy, we saw baboons, ostriches, oryx, springbok, mountain zebras, jackals, and guinea fowl. 

At the sand dunes, we saw Tok Tokkie beetles, named for the sound they make.  They have extra long legs that keep their bellies from the hot sand, and allow them to do a headstand to catch and channel morning dew, that then trickles down their bodies into their mouths.

We also saw signs of human life, past and present.

We saw 2,000-4,000 year old San cave paintings at Bushman's Paradise, Spitzkopp Mountains, and we visited the small settlement of Solitaire, where they serve the best apple strudel, this side of Germany.

Our Namibia tour guide, Ronny, and our guide at the Bushman's Paradise were both from the Damara tribe in the area, and spoke a wonderful language of clicks.

Tok Tokkie beetle.

Graceful oryx.

Cactus flower.

 

This is a poisonous cactus !

Quiver Tree (Aloe Dichotoma)

Our guide explains the significance of this rhino painting.  The horn is pointing to a water source.

Can you see the stripes of the zebra ?

There are people in this one, moving west.

Driving through the Spitkzkopp Mountains.

We have time for a little hike.

Welcome to Solitaire, home to a service station, lodge, and yummy baking !

Solitaire is named after this lone tree.

Annual and monthly rainfall, Solitaire, Namibia.  It looks like 2011 was a good year (relatively speaking) !