Cloudy skies above the Kalahari

Spectacular skies as the rain transforms the drab and dry Kalahari into a sea of green.

Photo by Spectacular skies as the rain transforms the drab and dry Kalahari into a sea of green.

The desert transformed

Garden orbweb spider

A beautiful Garden Orbweb Spider female warming her limbs as she waits for prey to be trapped in her giant orb web.

Photo by A beautiful Garden Orbweb Spider female warming her limbs as she waits for prey to be trapped in her giant orb web.

Brown-veined white butterflies

The annual migration of the Brown-veined White butterflies was truly amazing to witness. Hundreds of these were flying over the Kalahari along their journey to Mozambique.

Photo by The annual migration of the Brown-veined White butterflies was truly amazing to witness. Hundreds of these were flying over the Kalahari along their journey to Mozambique.

The green desert

The dry Kalahari was transformed into a splendor of green.

Photo by The dry Kalahari was transformed into a splendor of green.

Insects and the yellow devil thorn

Beetles and Insects of all shapes and sizes were taking advantage of the Yellow Devils Thorn Flowers.

Photo by Beetles and Insects of all shapes and sizes were taking advantage of the Yellow Devils Thorn Flowers.

The Brown-veined White Butterfly

Sociable weaver

The Sociable Weavers were super busy this month trying to provide for their young chicks. Insects are abundant this time of the year so it wasn’t too difficult to keep the growing chicks’ tummies full.

Photo by The Sociable Weavers were super busy this month trying to provide for their young chicks. Insects are abundant this time of the year so it wasn’t too difficult to keep the growing chicks’ tummies full.

Sociable weaver chick

The Sociable Weaver chicks almost ready to take their first flight.

Photo by The Sociable Weaver chicks almost ready to take their first flight.

Baby scrub hare

Babies abundant everywhere. This little Scrub hare baby was waiting for mum to return. Barely bigger than a grown man’s fist.

Photo by Babies abundant everywhere. This little Scrub hare baby was waiting for mum to return. Barely bigger than a grown man’s fist.

Night sky

Spectacular sunset in the Kalahari.

Photo by Spectacular sunset in the Kalahari.

Barking gecko

During the summer months, especially after the rains, the Barking Geckoes emerge to exploit the abundance of insect life at night. The entrance to their unassuming burrow is barely larger than a pencil where they will sit and call throughout the night.

Photo by During the summer months, especially after the rains, the Barking Geckoes emerge to exploit the abundance of insect life at night. The entrance to their unassuming burrow is barely larger than a pencil where they will sit and call throughout the night.

Barking gecko

Adult Barking Gecko waiting for an insect victim to stray within striking distance.

Photo by Adult Barking Gecko waiting for an insect victim to stray within striking distance.

Destination spotlight: A greener Kalahari desert

By Geoff May

After previously enduring a harsh, dry heat in the Kalahari, our crews were pleasantly surprised when they returned from the Soutpansberg mountains to the desert, only to find lush green landscapes, blooming yellow devil thorn flowers and an abundance of wildlife.

Producers Barend van der Watt and Henk Ekermans had arrived just in time for the annual migration of the brown-veined white butterflies. Hundreds of these flying insects make their way from the Western Cape to Mozambique, stopping by the Kalahari to treat themselves to the yellow devil thorns that litter the desert this time of year. Speaking of insects, Watt and Ekermans noted that the moisture in the soil had brought out all the various bugs that thrive in it.

The rainy season also brings about a smorgasbord of food for the creatures of the Kalahari, especially baby birds and other young creatures. Take a look at some of Watt and Ekerman’s spectacular photography above.

Tags: africa, In the Field, kalahari, kalahari desert, rooted