Buzzed by CMR Blisterbeetles in the Kalahari Desert
A day after visiting the Witsand Nature Preserve Kalahari, in South Africa, Bob and I continued on our journey east from Upington. Next in our sights was Kuruman, which is considered the Oasis of the Kalahari. It was at a roadside stop en route that we were buzzed by CMR Blisterbeetles, the largest insects we’ve ever seen.
From Upington, the road continued to cut through broad flat expanses of red soil littered with stones and rocks that form the growing medium for tall sun-bleached grasses and woody shrubs.
We had seen, over the past days, different varieties of cacti spreading high on the sides of mountains. On this day, near Olifantshoek, we spotted great spreads of a cactus called Nopal Tapon.
Fondly referred to as Dinner Plate Prickly Pear, one such plant was beginning to bloom.
A stop further on to photograph a roadside lemon orchard had us turning our attention instead to some pretty wildflowers.
The shrub bearing the blossoms is called Yellow Bird-of-Paradise Shrub.
Yellow Bird-of-Paradise Shrub is actually native to South America, but it is common in other parts of the world.
As we photographed the ornate blossoms, we were buzzed by some CMR Blisterbeetles, the largest insects we’ve ever seen! At first, we thought they were over-sized bees because of their colouring.
We later learned that the large insects were not bees at all but CMR Blisterbeetles. They were easily 2 inches long in the body and as round as a cigar! Also known as CMR Bean Beetles, these insects leave a nasty rash if you come in contact with them.
CMR Blisterbeetles get their name because their colours mirror those worn by the South African military units, Cape Mounted Riflemen.
In Olifantshoek, our need for lunch supplies had us stopping at the neighbourhood Kalahari Supermarket.
Next to the bustling market, a tidy cart with a team of donkeys was parked. We soon learned that this was a donkey cart taxi. Stationed conveniently by the market, the owner was available for hire by shoppers needing a ride to far off villages.
Donkey cart taxis provide much-needed transport to move groceries and other commodities to the small communities. They bridge the gap for those who don’t own a car or can’t afford to hire a bakkie, a pickup truck to move their goods.
A short while after having a picnic lunch, Bob and I arrive at The Eye of Kuruman, the oasis of the Kalahari. Basically, a large pond of water surrounded by a green grassy area, the astonishing spring issues forth 5.2 million gallons of pure, crystal-clear water per day, every day.
After a quick visit to The Eye, we opted to get our car washed. It was heavily coated in red dust from driving in the desert. The time was well spent!
Frame to Frame – Bob and Jean