Monday, August 30, 2010

The Story of the The Nest Builder

Saturday lunch time was a busy time for Mr Weaver, he had a nest to build! After watching him for a while it soon became clear that he hadn't a clue on how to build his 'house'!

No matter what he did, nothing seemed to help, no fresh materials made a difference no matter how many times he went back and forth slowly stripping the neighbour's palm tree - what a stressful mess!

By Sunday and a second start, he had almost completed the new house nervously hoping Mrs Weaver would approve.  He flitted back and forth pushing in/neatening up wayward palm-leaf strips, all the while Mrs Weaver sat on the branches nearby gently rocking in the afternoon breeze, surveying his progress.

... and then there was the little matter of Mira the cat - just wish she would go to sleep like cats do, she just won't go inside and leave me alone, oh dear!

                                      
'Oh please, please go in', he said! 'oh boy', she said, 'this place is such a dump!'  After chasing her round the tree a couple of times he eventually managed to get her to at least take a look at his handiwork -  a bit skeptical to begin with but it would do.

Eventually she agreed to inspect her new home, he took off to leave her in peace and avoid any confrontation should there be one.  He had lined it with only the freshest of young tiny leaves and had even plucked little yellow feathers from his own chest!

She might look dowdy and brown but was capable of wielding enormous pressure for the nest to be perfect therefore 'this leaf must go' - off she flew not knowing where she would drop it.

Nervous but relieved - At last! At last! now I can rest! he thought.  She looks happy ie. she hasn't ripped it to pieces (yet!) and flown off irritated and annoyed!
Then off he flew through the trees singing as he went overjoyed that he didn't have to start all over again!!

Merle. 5D Canon Mk2. 100-400mm L

Past Summer Sky

Derrick, Canon EOS-400D, 50mm f1.4

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Pink Afternoon


The sun always make the blossoms a warmer pink later in the day than in the morning when the light is 'whiter' so I prefer to take them in the late afternoon in a dappled light and you don't get so much 'burn-out'.
Merle.  5D Canon Mk2 100mm Macro

A Warm Spring


Spring is normally the 1 September but this year it is a little warmer than most so my 'flowering peach' is starting a bit early!
Merle. 5D Canon Mk2.  100mm Macro

~Tulips~


Merle.  5D Canon Mk2 100mm Macro

Rock-A-Bye-Baby


We stayed out of town one evening and found this Weaver nest hanging over a Koi fish pond.  This was taken early in the morning with the sun filtering through the trees.
Merle. 5D Canon Mk2. 100-400mm Canon L (my favourite lens!)

Solar Power


Merle. 5D Canon Mk2.  100-400mm Canon L

Hiveld Winter Morning


Merle. 5D Canon Mk2. 100-400mm L

Friday, August 27, 2010

East Wind

Derrick, Canon EOS-5D

Saturday, August 14, 2010

The Gods Must Be Angry

Hail clouds over Southern Africa. Derrick, Canon EOS-400D, 50mm f1.4

The House


Disused now, but must have been a place of happier times with wrap around stoeps (patios) where you could soap up the late afternoon sun listening to soft music floating in the gentle breeze.
Merle.  Canon 5D Mk2. 100-400mm L

Where have all the Birds gone?


Totally abandoned, dry and overgrown, not a bird in sight - a very eerie feeling .....
Merle.  Canon 5D Mk2 100-400mmL

The Colour Purple


Merle. Canon 5D Mk2 Macro 2.8 100mm

Dirt Road Woes


We were peacefully traveling down this dirt road when a horrible man passed us in his high-powered 4x4 and left us in a cloud of dust!
Merle. Canon 5D Mk2 100-400mm L

East of Eden

Derrick, Nikon D2X

Our New Watchdog

These days we have a different breed of pet in South Africa. Wait till you see the cats! Derrick, Canon EOS-5D

Monday, August 9, 2010

The Winding Road Home

Derrick, Canon EOS-1Ds

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Saturday Drive

Afternoon drive in the Cradle of Mankind. Derrick, Canon EOS-1Ds

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Just the Two of Us


In spite of these trees being in Sepia, they are now putting on some green leaves!  I saw them again yesterday on the top of the rise/hill on my left just before the Allandale Exit, Midrand.  There actually are other trees around them but as your vision changes from a moving car you will eventually get a shot where they will appear like this.
Merle.  Canon 5D Mk2. 100-400mm L

Resting Place


So sad when you see something totally overgrown and uncared for that was once so carefully manicured and tendered - the same blowing club in the Sandringham area.  Thought I would do it in Sepia just enhance the time passed and distant memories.
Merle.  Canon 5D Mk2. 28-80mm L

~ Those were the Days, my Friend ~


Layers and layers of memories of wonderful days gone by.  Resting bench at a now disused bowls club in the Sandringham area, Johannesburg.
Merle.  Canon 5D Mk2. 28-80mm 3.5- 5.6f L

Sunday's Play


Just managed to get this shot last Sunday afternoon as we wizzed across the bridge (Crocodile River) passing Roos se Oord near Hartebeespoort Dam.
Merle.  Canon 5D Mk 2. Canon 100-400mm 4.5-5.6f L