Fantasy Lighthouse

The lighthouse at Seal Point, Cape St Francis has many moods. It just depends on what time of the day you happen to be there and what the whether is like. It is seen here reflecting in a pool..............

My favourite lighthouse

It was early start this morning to catch the sunrise at Shark Point, Cape St Francis, but I'll save those for another time. The morning light was just perfect and really brought the lighthouse to life.

Skywatch Friday - Gone Fishin'

Getting up early to catch the sunrise over St Francis Bay is always a bonus whenever we get to stay at the Port. This day was no exception and the picture was enhanced by a boat heading out for some deep sea fishing,

More sky pictures from around the world can be seen at the Skywatch site.

Seal Point Lighthouse

Saturday was a perfect day in the Eastern Cape and a trip to Cape St Francis always merits a visit to the lighthouse that was built in 1874.

This time round I took a different perspective with my pictures.

 

I must go down to the sea again

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is ............to be able to enjoy it from terra firma, because that way I do not have to endure getting sea sick or getting covered in spray.

Apologies to John Masefield, and I do enjoy the sea but when I go there it must be on my terms.

These pictures were taken on the wild side at Cape St Francis, on a day when the sea was not too rough and the sun was at the right position to bring out the different shades of blue and green.

 I stood on the shore, like the good land lubber I am, and just fired away as the waves came rolling in.

Exploding wave................it might not be rough but there was enough power in the waves for some spectacular effects.

 

I love the colours in the swirling foam and water.......

That's how I like the sea. Close enough to enjoy it but not close enough to get wet, with both feet on solid ground.

Cape St Francis Lighthouse

A trip to Cape St Francis is never complete without a visit to the wild side, though on this occassion the sea was quite tame.

Mini vs Maxi Tour - Day 2 Cape St Francis

My day started with an early morning walk on a rather windswept, but refreshing beach at Cape St Francis.

The wide expanse of beach looking towards the lighthouse.

Our accommodation at the Cape St Franci Resort catching the early morning light.

Today is going to be very busy with a canal tour, bungy jumping and a canopy tour

Oyster Catcher

This is the closest I have been able to get to an oyster catcher, but it was not close enough to get a really good shot. Oyster catchers are quite rare, but I have a different take on the subject. I think they just make themselves scarce, especially when there is a human around with a camera.

Gulls, gulls, gulls

I had a lot of fun this weekend photographing kelp gulls at Port St Francis. I enjoy watching them and have a big collection of gull photos, because I cannot resist photographing them. This is a series of me tryng to capture them in flight. 

Now for a running take off.........................

........and away they go...................

Immature kelp gull in fly by................... he just recently got his wings.

Skimming across the ocean

Near mid-air collision

One day I will get the perfect shot.

Sky Watch Friday - Rainbow skies

Cape St Francis lighthouse taken last Saturday. It was a case of being in the right place at the right time. I was taking pics of the lighthouse, when suddenly the rainbow appeared and put on a quick show and then it was gone.

For more pictures from around the world, visit the Sky Watch site.

Cameos of a lighthouse # 4

I wonder about the mind that came up with the design of the prism, to magnify the light. Aside from its functionality, it is a work of art.

Then onto the top balcony, with the original railings. The view is magnificent, but on a really windy day you could easily be blown off.

Cameos of a lighthouse # 3

When the concrete steps run out, you reach the top with by the metal stairs

In the early days the light was rotated with a clockwork mechanism. The lighthouse keeper was kept on his toes, by having to climb the tower every few hours to haul up the weights. The cable for the clockwork mechanism was run through the wooden tube.

I took this shot of the inside of the wooden tube, through an inspection hole in the side. The cable is still in place.

Cameos of a lighthouse # 2

One of the characteristics of the building is creeping damp. Waterproofing was not that good back in 1878, which means that maintenance is ongoing.

Taking the first steps. I can't remember how many steps there are to the top, except that there are many. It is well worth the climb though.

Eerie light in the narrow stairway. Before the advent of electric lights the climb up the stairs must have been very gloomy.

Cameos of a lighthouse # 1

Looking at my photos, I realise that I have not done much with my Cape St Franci lighthouse pictures, so I will be doing a series of close-ups. If you want to see the lighthouse in its context, follow the link in the side bar.




Looking up at building from the entrance, on a clear day - no prizes for guessing when it was built.

I wonder.................

I can figure the bit out about the children, but the cat part has me baffled. But then, in a place like St Francis Bay, which has more than its fair share of eccentric people, a sign like this should not come as a surprise.

Sky Watch Friday - Land, sea and sky

The day dawned bright and clear, the clouds were dissipating and soon afterwards the fishing fleet that had come into St Francis Bay to ride out a storm, chugged off back to the open sea.

Visit the Sky Watch site for more great pictures from around the world.

Cape St Francis

I missed the sunrise this morning, but the compensation came when my early morning walk brought me to the lookout point above the Port, which presented a view of Cape St Francis. What is nice about this area is that a large green belt has been retained as a nature reserve. Too often we see the coastline being destroyed by uncontrolled development.

Ecological Day - No to Nukes

Ecological day is a monthly feature started by Sonia at Leaves of Grass , to give bloggers the opportunity to post articles on any ecological matters, on the first Tueday of every month.

My first venture is into the spectre of nuclear power.

When you look out on this vista, it is hard to believe that a nuclear power station could be build on the second point, not too far in the future. Yes, Thuyspunt has been identified as one of the sites for a pebble bed nuclear reactor. All indications are that the Governmant and Eskom are intent on building on this site.

The Government is firmly commited to its programme of building nuclear power stations and the powers that be are going through the motions of the environmental impact assessments (EIA). The assumption is that as long as one goes through the legal motions, it justifies the end.

The EIA is now being conducted on the route of the power lines, which can only lead one to conclude that someone in high places has already made up their mind.

The reality is that we do not want a nuclear power station on our door step.

• Nuclear power is not safe despite what the experts say. Yes, you can take precautions, but the inherent risks are big.
• Pebble bed technology is as yet untested.
• The site is alongside the ecologically sensitive sand river system.
• This site is in the heart of one of the country's prime tourist and dairy farming areas.
• 20,000 people will have to be evacuated from Cape St Francis in 12 minutes, on a single access road, if there is a nuclear leak. It is even closer to Oyster Bay

As country we need to do something about about our electricity demand, but I believe we should be looking for better sustainable alternatives such as wind.

For more Ecological Day posts visit Sonia at Leaves of Grass.

Rocks, sand and sea

One of the many views on the walk from Port St Francis to Shark Point.

Francolin

The Blogger problem have persisted all week, but so have I and this is the first picture I have been able to post from my ADSL line in over two weeks. I have been posting with my cell phone, but that was a hassle and more costly - then this morning as suddenly as as it stopped working, it started again. Let's just hpe it lasts.


Last weekend we were able to get many great pictures at Cape St Francis and I was delighted to be able to capture this francolin. What is also great about the Eartern Cape is that there is always some plant flowering, no matter what time of the year.