05 July 2008

Time Out

Suzi-k and I decided to take some time out at Port St Francis this weekend, so I will not be doing much visiting. Something interesting always seems to happen on our journey's, like coming across this flock of ostrichs on the back road from Jeffreys Bay. We stopped so that I could photograph a couple of blue cranes, which decided to be uncooperative.


It was then that we then noticed the ostrichs, which had been browsing in the distance had started walking towards the road. Soon they were right up against the fence, being quite sociable.

Some of them even took the opportunity to enjoy a quick dust bath.


Oh what beautiful eyes you have. These are domesticated ostrichs, which is why they were so friendly - they were probably hoping for a handout. What they have done is finally clinched the ostrich meat debate for me. How can one look into those eyes and then eat one of these again?

Oh yes, I did say we are at the Port. Just after sunset a couple of humpback whales decided to do some lob tailing for us. What an amazing sight as their great big tails lifted out of the sea and then came down with a mighty clap, as they struck the water. It was already too dark for photographs, but I managed to get a short video clip, which I will see if I can post, when I am not on the cell phone.

It has been a great day.

15 comments:

Kerri Farley said...

I think the ostrich are cute! And a lovely night shot! Glad you had a wonderful day!!

Katney said...

This would be such an adventure to me. I guess we each have our own sort of adventures in our own places. While I may be amazed at your ostriches, you may be amazed at my mountain adventures. And each seem wonderful but relatively ordinary in their own place.

We did have a farm that had emus nearby at one time, and there was one near my brother in California. The one near here is no longer, but when we visit my brother we will have to ask after the emus--smaller than ostriches, and somewhat out of place here, but interesting nonetheless.

S-V-H said...

The ostrich is an animal that we can admire only in the zoo - and you are so close to them. Nice photos and that harbor photo looks almost like a Rembrandt to me. :-) Very nice post, Max, thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Stunning photos Maxe. I agree with you - it would be impossible to eat such beautiful birds now that you have met them. The harbour shot is just gorgeous. Do you ever pick your favourite shots and frame them?

Bob Johnson said...

You always amaze me with your photography.

Tom said...

These are fantastic pictures.. on my blog at the moment I am doing a tour around Bakewell.. if I had driven just a little more up a track I would have come to an Ostrich farm..

Max-e said...

Kerri thanks for the comment. They do look cute but can be quite viscius if you intrude on their nests or chicks

Max-e said...

Katney, I never tire if seeing these birds or any other wildlife, those these were domesticated.

Btw did you know that emus are bred for their fat that is used in cosmetics. Apparently it is very compatible with human skin. I got this gem from a local emu farmer.

Max-e said...

Susanne, thanks for the comments. One of the priveleges of living in the Eastern Cape is having so much wild life on our doorstep.

Max-e said...

Lid, glad you like my picks. I have been trying to convince myself for some time now that ostrich meat is tasty - it is not. But now I have decided that I wont sample them again.
I have never framed any of my shots, but then if you see the walls in our house you will see that there is no place for more pictures

Max-e said...

Bob thanks for the comments - I feel the same about your sky shots

Max-e said...

Tom next time go visit the birds. Thanks for the comments

Maria said...

Wow, cool, never seen such pics of strausses!

myonlyphoto said...

Ohhhh my, these are so funny. Everytime I go to zoo, I love photographing them, their faces always kill me, lol. Anna :)

kml said...

You really caught the expressions in the ostrich's faces! Love the macro shots of them!!