Airshow time again

Fly by at the Port Elizabeth airshow. A Mango Airlines Boeing 737 800 and the Silver Falcons team in their Pilatus PC-7 Turbo-Trainers 

Route 67 - New Artwork

This weekend Suzie and I went to the Donkin to check out the latest artwork, which turned out to be a very cheerful piece of work. I still need to find out the name of the artist and the name of the work.

Close-up of some of the panels, which I believe are made from the caps of medicine bottles.

Route 67, is an amazing project displaying street art from the Campanile near the harbour, to the Nelson Mandela Bay Art Museum at St Georges Park. It was named in honour of the 67 years that Nelson Mandela contributed to South African politics and the struggle to eradicate apartheid.

Winter solstice - Richmond Hill.

Here is an example of the brilliance of the early twentieth century builders. On the 21 June every year, the rising sun is perfectly aligned between the hall at the St Phillips Church, the St Phillips Guesthouse and our front gate. And, to top it all legend has it that if a flock of crows flies over when you are watching the sunrise, you are going to have a really good year. Okay, so I made I up the second part, but no problem that's how legends are born.

Skywatch Friday - Silver Sky

The sun was on its downward journey as we drove into the city and it was that magic moment, a few minutes before the sky would start to take on the red and orange hues of sunset. I was in the passenger seat and here was an opportunity not to be missed. I quickly opened the window and took a few shots as we passed some trees along Cape Road. The only suggestion that this picture was taken in the city is the street lamp, trying to blend in with the stem of a tree.

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

Port Elizabeth Tramways Building

A blue heron lurking in the Baakens River under the M4 freeway. The reflection in the water is from the Port Elizabeth Tramways Building which is being restored after many years of neglect.

Restoration of the Tramways Building is well under way. When this project is complete this it is going to become one of the city's iconic landmarks. Credit must be given  to the Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA) for having the vision to turn this once derelict building into their head office.

Not quite Super Moon

Last night saw Suzie and I taking the opportunity to photograph the moon rise, because we are not sure what cloud cover we will have to contend with tonight, when it will not only be full moon, by a super moon.

Super Moon on the rise

A fisherman caught in the moonlight near the old slipway

The streets of Richmond Hill - Old Teachers Training College

I love hitting the streets at night and looking for photo opportunities. More often than not I pump up the ISO and don't use a tripod...and yes not all the shots are succesful, but hey this is the digital era so it doesn't matter.  What I am looking for is atmosphere, like these low clouds catching the glare from the city lights. That combined with the low angle gives the picture an almost rural look, though this is in the inner city. 

This picture was shot at ISO 3200 at F3.5 and 1/2 second.

It was a dark and stormy night....

The view through my cars windscreen at 04h45 this morning, taken while on a neighbourhood watch patrol. I liked the way the street light caught the sheets of falling rain. The effect was enhanced with the water running off the windscreen, giving it a nice abstract effect.

City lights

The Port Elizabeth beach front at night. Conditions were perfect for night photography, a full moon, no wind and a spring low tide.

Skywatch Friday - The Donkin

Sunrise at the Donkin Reserve with two iconic symbols of the city. The old lighthouse and the pyramid, built by Sir Rufane Donkin in memory of late his wife Elizabeth, after whom the city is named.

This is one our favourite spots to watch the sunrise over Algoa Bay.

Visit Skywatch for more great sky pictures from around the world.

Skywatch Friday - Super Moon

This week saw the arrival and the departure of the super moon. I did not bother with any close ups of the moon, because my efforts at moon photography are usually a disaster.  Having said that I did include the moon, albeit bright and fuzzy, in this picture taken at Hobie Beach, at the spring low tide.

Visit Skywatch for many great sky pictures from around the world.

The witching hour

I was up early one morning to capture an image of the park across the road from us, as it was shrouded in the mist and looked quite eerie. I felt the shots were somewhat bland to start with, until Wallace, our Siamese cat, decided to join me.

Cats are not the easiest of animals to photograph at the best of times, but try it in the dark when they are on the prowl and refuse to cooperate and it is almost impossible. Here he paused long enough to coincide with the shutter speed and give me a nice silhouette.

Skyatch Friday - Don't crane your neck

One of three large cranes being used on the construction of the new conference centre at the Boardwalk.

Visit Skywatch for more great sky pictures from around the world.

Time out from the skies

Feral pigeons taking time out at the Horse Memorial, against the backdrop of a bright blue sky.

Taxi art #2 - Route 67

Last night I went on a photographic jaunt to look for some material for the Pentax World Day. My natural inclination was to head for Central and imagine my delight when I saw the "taxis" on Route 67 were lit up. For once there were no cars illegally parked, which meant that I could use the no parking area at the Opera House and and get some shots.

Then as I was leaving I saw an opportunity that was too good to miss and lady luck provided me with an open parking spot further down the hill. And then with a chatty car guard in tow, I captured the taxi "parked" on the Land Rover.

He added a new meaning to the term "chimping" as he wanted to see all the shots and then called over the security guard, from the Opera House, to have a look as well. They were intrigued that I had conceived of the idea to park the "taxi" on the roof of the Land Rover.

"Are you a designer," I was asked.

"No," I replied, "just an enthusiastic amateur photographer."

With that we said our farewells and I continued on my quest.

Skywatch Friday - Black sky

Black skies on their own are definitely not very appealing, so I decided to bring the old lighthouse on the Donkin into the picture, as it provides a nice contrast against the night sky.

Another view of the Donkin, with the moon rising over the Bay.

Visit Skywatch for more great skies from around the world

Skywatch Friday - Route 67

This is one of the new sculptures along Route 67 in Port Elizabeth, but I am not sure what it is called or what it represents. If I have to venture a guess, the loops represent the voting line and propellers the crosses on ballot papers from the 1994 elections. I'll have to check this out.

Anyway it is one of 67 Public Art Works commissioned to symbolise Nelson Mandela’s 67 years of work dedicated to the Freedom of South Africa. 

This is what it looks like when you lie on your back on the sidewalk

I was on my feet when I took this shot, trying to get a good angle.

Skywatch provides links to many great pictures from around the world. Pop in you won't be disappointed.

The Urban Prison #2 - View through the wire

Looking towards Central from the old PE Tramays building.

Back in the abstract zone

I have been enjoying exploring abstract photography in the city. This one was also taken the other night in Govan Mbeki Avenue, just before Baakens Street, in the pouring rain.

The Streets Of Richmond Hill - Edward Street Synagogue

I could not resist the contrast between the red of the flowering gum and the blue on the buildings.

Close up of the flowering gum.