Stapelia hirsuta var. gariepensis and taller neighbours

Those that walk here, close to the Orange or Gariep River in the Richtersveld, will notice the vegetation as there is so little of it. In the distance it appears as if there is none at all. Go closer and the rich variety of life shows itself, albeit not in the same complexity per square meter as the fynbos has.

At home in this harsh land, the indigenous, even some endemic plants thrive, sometimes to the amazement of the itinerant observer. The Aloe and the pale blue Euphorbia-like stem succulent appear as well off as plants in a botanical garden.

The Stapelia hirsuta var. gariepensis boldly positioned its flowers flat on the ground like sunbathing beauties. The desert flies are sure to find them here, as the flies of yesteryear have been finding their predecessors for years.

This life was undisturbed for long, pollination followed by seed production and germination, new plants replacing old ones with no difficulty as if the world always stays the same.

The camera unsettling the fly is a sure sign of the world not remaining the same. Life in whatever form is forever certain to face challenges, big and small; the fight for survival continues for all.