24 November 2012

New life - zebra

For the past five months my focus has shifted away from much of what I enjoy doing, as I have been involved in a protracted dispute in our community, which I have decided is now going to take a back seat.

It is now a time for renewal for me, to look around and enjoy the beauty of the Eastern Cape and for doing the the things I enjoy most, like indulging myself in photography and spending time in nature, especially the Addo Elephant National Park.

The Park has a harsh climate, but after good spring rains the green countryside is interspersed with large expanses of yellow flowers and splashes of pale blue where the plumbagos ramble through the bush.  In some areas where the park was extended there is still evidence of the former farm lands, where the bush was cleared, with the alien thistles making a  make a statement all of their own. I know they should not be there, but I am still captivated by their beauty.

Wherever you look there is new life like this zebra foal that momentarily separated itself from the safety of the herd, as it frolicked through the bush.


For many of us Addo holds a special appeal, because of its enormous bio-diversity and yet many people visiting the area choose give it a miss, in favour of the game parks up North. We don't only have the big five, we have the big seven - when we throw whales and great white sharks into the mix.

15 June 2012

Autumn Leaves

This was one of those “wow” moments on a recent road trip, when we drove around a corner into a grove of poplar trees, on the road to Die Hoek, near Oudtshoorn, in the Western Cape. The leaves were a blaze of yellow and the wind was gusting through them and whisking them away flurries.

31 May 2012

Skywatch Friday - Big skies and open spaces

The wide open spaces and big skies of the Great Karoo are quite breath taking. 

This scene was taken at the Karoo National Park where you can get as much enjoyment from the scenery as from the animals.



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

25 May 2012

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.

20 May 2012

Goshawk

The Addo Elephant National Park is not just about elephants. This Southern Pale Chanting Goshawk was one of the gems I managed to capture on our last trip there.