Skywatch Friday - Stormy weather

Thunder storms are rare in Port Elizabeth and when one hit the city a few nights ago I set up my tripod in the front yard and merrily clicked away, while the lightning flashed all around. It was mostly sheet lightning, but what a spectacular display, complete with sound effects.

I see that I have been off the blogging scene for a while now, but that is because I have been having my own flashes of inspiration and have been concentrating on writing my novel. I never realised that writing could be such fun, though it can also be frustrating when I hit a dry patch.

For more great photos from around the world visit the Skywatch site

Close encounters of the elephant kind

Have you ever had a stand off with an elephant in the African bush, while on foot? This elephant was about fifty metres from me when I took this shot and was telling me in no uncertain terms to get lost.

Pictures can be so deceiving. On our way to the Karoo on Monday afternoon we stopped to photograph a small herd of elephants while driving past a private game reserve.  I was on foot and the reason I did not have to beat a hasty retreat was because of the fence. Though I doubt that this fence will stop a determined elephant.

His rantings were all bluster and bravado and he soon strolled off to feed with the rest of the herd. I have seen this behaviour before, where an elephant will pause in its wandering and have words with a warthog or jackal and then continue on its way.

Skywatch Friday - African Sunset

We have just spent a glorious three days in the Karoo. This was sunset on night two.

For more pictures from around the world, visit the Skywatch site.

Happy New Year

I cannot believe that 2010 is over and with it the first decade of the new millenium. Where did it all go? It seems like just the other day that the world was worried about the Y2K damp squib and now we are going into the second decade.

As 2011 draws nigh I would like to wish you all a really wonderful New Year.

Don't worry about the New Year's resolutions because they generally go out the window in the first week. Rather try and avoid the rat race and take more time out to relax and chew the cud, you'll be a lot happier for it.

A one horned Cape Buffalo relaxing at the Addo Elephant National Park

Cape Weaver

Male Cape Weaver hoping for a handout at the Addo Elephant National Park.