Simon's Town Penguin Festival 2-3 October 2010

Simon's Town Penguin Festival - Save the Date 2 - 3 October 2010

Every year during the Simon's Town Penguin Festival there is a Benefit Auction and Dinner - this is an invitation only event on the 2 October 2010 but SANCCOB needs your help for auction items.

Cape Point Route received a letter from SANCCOB CEO Venessa Strauss with an appeal...

Calling everyone GREAT and small, BIG or thin, FAT and tall, short and square.

You see - this year we really are asking YOU to help Boulders Beach Lodge raise R100 000 to help SANCCOB to save our precious penguins.

SANCCOB (Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds) is a well-loved nonprofit organization that has been saving penguins (including the tuxedoed- tykes that hang out at Boulders) and other vulnerable seabirds for the past 42 years.

African penguins have recently been reclassified as ENDANGERED on the IUCN (International Union of Conservation of Nature) Red Data List. This makes SANCCOB’s attempt to save each and every penguin vital to the survival of the species. SANCCOB’s dedicated staff work 365 days a year to save our oiled, injured and sick seabirds.

You can help SANCCOB to save a true South African icon - the African penguin.

On the evening of 2 October penguin-lovers will yet again gather at a glitterati evening in Simon’s Town to outbid each other at the All Creatures Great and Small auction to support SANCCOB.

Together with the hosts of the 10th annual Simons Town SANCCOB Benefit Auction, Boulders Beach Lodge, SANCCOB is asking you to assist us with this fundraising drive by donating items to be auctioned on the evening.

The driving force behind the festival, Janine Genade, GM Boulders Beach Lodge, has set the target at R100 000…. which translates into a lot of goodwill, a lot of auction and a lot of GREAT items.

This year we are again privileged to have Michelle Garforth-Venter MC the evening. A new and exciting development in 2010 is that her husband Riaan Garforth-Venter (Die Nutsman) will join her up on the stage. The evening is themed ‘All creatures great and small’ to pay tribute to 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity. With canapés and welcome drinks on arrival, the 100 selected guests will be served a 3-course dinner, paired with wines selected to complement each dish. We are confident that the Garforth-Venter team will get them reaching deep into their pockets in support of SANCCOB.

This year we have been blessed with a generous donation of an education tent from Nomadik Tents. Which means that our education festival for children will be bigger and better than it has been for years. More children equals more prizes, so please folks, if you do have gifts the SANParks staff, who is kindly organizing a great week-end of fun-filled activities, can do with your donations.

Kick off this year is on Saturday with the annual African penguin Awareness Day beach release. So why don’t you waddle on down and join us this year and see what the fuss is all about.

We’ve compiled a Wish List to help you, but if it’s not on the wish list and you think we can auction it, (… and the rules haven’t changed from last year, you still can’t donate your mother in-law), then by all means send it along.

It’s our sincere hope that you’ll find it in your heart to help us to reach the R100k milestone.

With your help we know we can do it!

Yours sincerely

Venessa Strauss

SANCCOB CEO

Auction Items:Anything from .....

Restaurant and holiday getaway vouchers
Wine / spirits
Helicopter flips
Wine tastings / courses
Balloon rides
Furniture
Ornaments
Rugs
Paintings
Cell phones
Gadgets
Electronic equipment
CD’s / DVD’s
SPA/beauty treatments
Jewellery
Sports gear
Sushi hampers
….. and anything in between.

Items for our junior festival-goers:

Caps
Jackets
Scarf’s
Socks
Beanies
Jewellery for teenagers
Toys (ages 2 – 10 years)
Voucher (clothing stores)
Games for teenagers (board or computer games)
Arts and Crafts items (paper, cardboard, stationary, face paint, hair spray)
Curio-type items (key rings, gadgets, interesting and fun items)

Photographic competition:
Photographic equipment or vouchers

Please contact Janine at Boulders if you are able to donate an auction item.
Janine Tel: 021 786 1758 Email: boulders@iafrica.com

International Coastal Cleanup Day

Saturday 18th September is International Coastal Cleanup day.

GEESE (Glencairn Education & Environment Support Enthusiasts) are once again participating in this world wide effort and are inviting pariticipants to help them clean up Glencairn!

DATE: Friday 17th Sept and Saturday 18th Sept
TIME: 09.00 - 10.30
VENUE: Meet at the Southern Right Hotel
BRING: Tongs and/or gloves. GEESE will provide the bags!

People will be directed out to clean the beach, the river and the wetlands in the hope that after two days, Glencairn will be spotless and even more hopefully will stay that way. Southern Right Hotel will be supporting this effort by providing coffee, tea and snacks.

In July GEESE asked for help to donate 67 Madiba minutes to GEESE and approximately 40 people turned up to help cut down alien vegetation in Glencairn. The oldest particpant Joan Wright was just a few weeks older than Madiba himself. So please support GEESE on International Coastal Cleanup Day - young and old are welcome! Images above courtesy of Geese

If you know of any other Coastal Cleanups happening in the area please let us know on info@capepointroute.co.za

OTHER GEESE NEWS:

Leopard Toads have been breeding the Glencairn Valley this year! Please share any sightings of snakes, toads, bird lists, plants or animals with GEESE to help build the database of who and what lives in the Glencairn Valley.

An Egyptian Geese pair with 2 teenage goslings seem to have acquired a "laat lammetjie" as seen with this tiny chick. GEESE thinks someone found the chick and introduced it to the foster parents. Any information would be appreciated although the chick seems to be settline in well with it's new family! Pictured above!

Other dates to diarise:
Friday, Saturday & Sunday 1st, 2nd & 3rd October: Simon's Town Penguin Festival at Boulders Beach

Weds 17th November: Western Cape Wetlands Forum is holding its last meeting of the year, in Glencairn which is a first. Amongst other things, they will be looking at the eradication of Typha Project being undertaken by GEESE in front of the Southern Right Hotel.

For more information on GEESE: Please contact the Bromleys: cilla@bromley.co.za or call 021 782 6400

IMAGES:
1. Southern Right Hotel seen from Glencairn Vlei
2. GEESE Madiba Challenge - clearing Alien Vegetation
3. GEESE Madiba Challenge - including 92 year old member Joan Wright
4. Egyptian Geese - with the gosling arrival

Glencairn is located at the beginning of Simon’s Town. Glencairn is a hidden gem with a great family beach,the beach is also popular with windsurfers and kitesurfers, a wetlands area and a meeting place for most activities on the Cape Point Route. There’s an information office (yes that's the Cape Point Route office!), a dive centre, an African Cuisine and Galleria, small supermarket centre and the Southern Right Hotel with restaurant & entertainment, including live music, live big screen sporting action, ladies nights and more. Whale Season is still in full swing and this is a GREAT whale watching location. Select your Glencairn accommodation for easy access to Simon’s Town and the attractions on the Cape Point Route.

More Spring Splash 2010 Photos

Wikipedia says: “As a coastal suburb of Cape Town, Fish Hoek is popular as a residence for commuters, retired people and holidaymakers alike. The traditional industries of 'trek' fishing and angling coexist with the leisure pursuits of surfing, sailing and sunbathing.”

There is a lot more to Fish Hoek than being a Cape Town suburb for old people and dogs! If you had any doubts then pictures of the annual Spring Splash (taken by Cassie Carstens) taken on Fish Hoek Beach on Sunday 5 September 2010 should change your mind. See more pictures of the 2010 Spring Splash on Fish Hoek beach.

The wiki also prompted me to find out more about the allegations of retired people and I found some references to a National Geographic book called “The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who’ve Lived the Longest” by Dan Buettner. It seems that the blue zones refer to areas round the world where the highest life expectancies occur and include Barbagia region of Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; the community of Seventh Day Adventists in Loma Linda, California; and the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica.

Obviously many factors contribute to longevity but some of these include:
•Living in a rural community rather than an urban one – connected to the environment.
•Married couples live longer than single or divorced people
•Women outlive men regularly by about six years
•Common sense
•Eating more plant-based foods
•Being active & incorporating activity into their daily routines
•Cutting stress
•Regular participation in a community with a supportive social network

Perhaps that is why Fish Hoek is so popular – despite being a suburb of the city of Cape Town it has a relaxed rural feel.
Fish Hoek residents are active and walk on the beach or on the mountain or Jagers Walk so activity is a part of their daily lives. Many residents play golf in Clovelly and there is an active surf-lifesaving, paddling, sailing, hobie-sailing & surfing community.
Fish Hoek has a strong sense of community and many social clubs and organizations – check out www.scenicsouth.co.za for more about community activities.
Fish Hoek is without doubt a great place for holiday and an excellent base for exploring the Cape Point Route.

And don't forget it's Whale Watching season!

If you would like more information on Fish Hoek or would like to book accommodation or activities in the area please contact Cape Point Route on 021 782 9356 or visit the website www.capepointroute.co.za

IMAGES: All images courtesy of Cassie Carstens. Thank You!

Do whales have hair?

Question: Do Whales Have Hair?

Whales are mammals, and one of the characteristics common to all mammals is the presence of hair. We all know that whales aren't furry creatures, so where do whales have hair?

Answer:
There are over 80 species of whales, and hair is only visible in some. Whales have hair on their heads as fetuses, but they don't always keep it. Some of the larger baleen whales have visible hair. One great example is the humpback whale, which has golf ball-sized bumps on its head. Within each of these bumps, called tubercles, there is a hair follicle.

Other examples include the right whale, which has hairs on its chin and upper jaw, and the bowhead whale, which has hairs on its lips, chin, snout and behind its blowhole.

Since hair is not needed for warmth, scientists think the hair serves as a sensory structure, and may be used in social or sexual situations, or for calves communicating a need to nurse.

Baleen whales also have hairlike structures in their mouth called baleen, which is made of keratin, a substance found in hair and nails.

2010 Spring Splash in Pictures

The annual Spring Splash is held on Fish Hoek beach on the Sunday closest to the 1 Sept each year to celebrate spring on the Cape Point Route!

It's free, it's fun and these pictures may inspire you to join in the fun in 2011!

This year the theme was wildlife in Fish Hoek and the day started with a sandbuilding competition, followed by a kiddies Tresure Hunt, some Karaoke singing, line dancing on the beach and the BIG SPRING SPLASH which involves a whole bunch of people running into the sea at the same time to celebrate spring!

Special thanks to Clifford Wyeth for these pictures.
Visit his website www.wyethphotography.co.za

IMAGES: All Courtesy of Clifford Wyeth
1. Rush for the Water
2. Sunshine in the Water (the sunshine ladies swim every day on Fish Hoek Beach!)
3. A Hug (winner of the most graceful exit with MC and comedian Mark Sampson)
4. "Peoples Post" dive
5. Spring Splash Dance (almost a world record for line dancing?)

For more information on Fish Hoek - click here

For accommodation in Fish Hoek - click here

For help or assistance on what to do, where to stay, where to eat, where to shop , how to get around, tours or packages or general information on Fish Hoek or the Cape Point Route please

Logging and Slapping

The Southern Right Whales in front of our Cape Point Route office in Glencairn were “logging” and “slapping” today. Logging is when the whale is basically “hanging out” and resting – no cruising, no movement forwards, just chilling out at the surface of the water with a fin showing above the water or exposing a bit of skin above the surface!

There was a little slapping going on too and let me tell you this does not mean bashing the other whale on the head! Slapping occurs when the whale lifts its flippers and lets them crash onto the surface of the water in a slapping motion!

Lobtailing is usually a more common behavioural pattern and that is when the whale goes upside down with its head under water and it’s tail is exposed and then slammed onto the surface of the water. Although this is more common behaviour for Southern Right Whales I think the ones in front of our office were tired from ‘showing off’ this weekend for all the visitors to the Cape Point Route!

Whales are plentiful in False Bay at the moment– so much so that there was a temporary closure of Boyes Drive (scenic road between Muizenberg and Kalk Bay) due to traffic jams from whale watchers!

Like breaching, no –one knows for sure why whales lobtail and slap but it has been suggested that it is a form of non-verbal communication. Some scientists have suggested that is a form of foraging as the slap is so loud that that it frightens fish into a tight school making it easier for whales to feed on them!

Our only problem with this theory is that Southern Right Whales don’t eat fish! (Humpback whales do though!)

Southern Right whales are baleen- feeding whales that use a comblike strainer of baleen plates and bristles to ensnare tiny morsels of food as they swim – so they literally skim the water by swimming slowly with their mouths open and are constantly eating – zooplankton, krill and other tiny organisms.

If you want to get up close and personal - book a whale watching boat trip. Trips leave daily from Simon's Town Harbour at 9am, 12 noon and 14h30 (weather dependent)
Cost is R800 for adults and R500 for children for the 3 hour boat trip.

Bookings: 021 782 9356
Email: info@capepointroute.co.za

IMAGES:
Courtesy of D. Hurwitz - Simon's Town Boat Company and E. Sittig - Germany

Why do Whales Breach?

The Southern Right Whales have been very visual and active the last few days! It is well worth a drive down to the Cape Point Route to see these amazing creatures or a weekend away on the peninsula. Despite being regular “whale snobs” – we can’t deny how incredible a sight it is to see these enormous creatures leaping out of the water (sometimes twirling around in the air). This action is called breaching and we have been trying to find out WHY whales breach. We know it’s not to breathe – they surface to the water for that!

It seems that there is no specific answer and we have heard all sorts of theories. If anyone knows for sure we’d be grateful if you could enlighten us!

• This action may be done purely for play
• It may be used to loosen skin parasites and other irritations the whale might have.
• Breaching is also believed to be a means of communication with other whales (It has been thought that it may be to transmit a message to members of their group)
• It could be a technique to help them feed by stunning or scaring prey.
• And we’ve heard that it is mating signal – like male birds do to show off in front of their females!

We do know that Southern Right whales are intelligent, inquisitive and sensitive animals, and usually form small social groups of about six related animals. In the breeding season cow and calf pairs can often been seen cavorting in the water together. The way mother and child breach alternately, one after the other, suggests that this and other behaviour may be taught.

Southern rights are willing performers for onlookers, often breaching several times in succession to hit the water again with a cannon-blast sound. Another characteristic behaviour, unique to the right whale, is resting head-down in the water for several minutes with the flukes held aloft, as if hoping to be pushed along by the wind - variously called "sailing" or "head-standing".

Then there's flipper slapping, lobtailing - slapping the tail on the water - and spyhopping, raising the massive head to see above the surface. Their huge curiosity often prompts them to approach boats to investigate - a trait with tragic consequences in the days of the whalers.

Breaching requires a lot of effort! Whales are massive! Southern Right Females are larger than males and average 16.5 metres in length, whilst the males average about 15.2 metres in length. Southern Right whales weigh about 54 000kg!!!

By comparison a Blue Whale (which is the biggest creature on earth) is about 33 metres in length and weighs about 136 – 150 000kg! The African elephant (which is the largest animal on land) is about 3 – 4 metres tall and just over 3 metres in length (not counting it’s trunk) and weighs between 7 500 – 12 000 kg. So a Southern Right Whale jumping out the water is about 5 elephants propelling themselves out the water!

You can view the whales from land (see our blog post on best whale watching spots) or try a boat based whale watching trip. Whale Watching Trip details:
Daily departures (weather dependent): 09h00; 12h00; 14h30
Cost: R800 adults; R500 children
Duration: 3 hours
Departs: Simon’s Town
Bookings: 021 782 9356
Email: info@capepointroute.co.za

IMAGES:
1. Southern Right Whale Breaching - courtesy of Dave Hurwitz - ST Boat Company
2. Whale Comparison Chart - Google images
3. Southern Right Whale landing after a breach - Google images


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