Merry Christmas

Across the Karoo

Derrick, Fuji X-Pro1, Canon FD 400mm F4.5

The Long Road

Derrick, Fuji X-Pro1, Canon FD 400mm f4.5

The Old Jetty

Old jetty at the Strand. Derrick, Fuji X100T

Which one do you like?

Merle.
Canon 5D Mk11.  Canon 100-400mm L.

Only once a Year

Still in the Mpumulanga Province in the Middleburg area, all along the sides of the road grow the tall beautiful pink and white Cosmos flowers.   They do grow further away from the road too in vast fields but for some strange reason it would appear they seem to enjoy the car fumes :) as you can find them mostly there.  They only flower during the months of March and April and then they're gone.... till next year!
Merle.
Canon 5D Mk 11.  Canon 100-400mm L.

Stormy Afternoon

Outside Dullstroom (Mpumulanga Province) we drove straight into a bank of dark and heavy clouds.  We quickly took a side road to allow us to take pictures without being interrupted.  Once back on the main road the storm hit us!  Steam billowed up caused by the heat of the hot tar, and also from the railway tracks that ran alongside the road.  Eventually we drove out from under the storm but still the incredible clouds hung from the skies ever changing as we headed back to Johannesburg.
Merle.
Canon 5D Mk 11.  Canon 24-105mm L, Canon 100-400mm L.

From Johannesburg to Sabie in the Mpumulanga Province

Merle.
Canon 5D Mk 11.  Canon 100-400mm L.

'Gemstones' of the RED Kalahari

The large banded stones were found in the area shortly before Groblaarshoop in the Northern Cape.  After consulting the internet, the closest we could find was that it is a high-grade hematite deposit and can be traced from Pomfret in the north to Prieska in the south, a distance of 400km.

The smaller stones embedded in the rich burnt sands of the red Kalahari were found between these two points, a ways before Groblaarshoop.

Merle.
iPhone 4s.

Witsand - the sky at night

The Southern Cross and the two pointers are clearly visible at the bottom of the frame above the two silhouetted trees.

Merle.
Canon 5D Mk 11.  17-40mm L.  10 second time exposure.

'Witsand' of the Kalahari

Witsand Nature Reserve is a 2 500 hectare island of brilliant white sands surrounded by a sea of regular red and burnt-orange Kalahari sand.  The accommodation comprises of self-catering three bedroomed stone bungalows which are fully air-conditioned should you need this luxury in the heat of the day, +- 40 degrees centigrade!  The little waterhole is visited by a mix of little creatures, including small buck, that have become brave enough to take a drink while you are sitting on the patio.

This is a great place to visit if you want peace and solitude, take walks among the dunes and bicycle rides along the red dirt roads while breathing in the clean fresh air, watch the sun go down and light a fire for the evening meal!

Merle.
Canon 5D Mk 11.  Canon 100-400mm L

Long Road Home

Fuji X-Pro1, 14mm f2.8

A Drakensberg Sunset

The sunset in the West looking towards the Sterkfontein Dam.  All the while, a pink rain storm happening to the East, from a dirt road somewhere....

Merle.

Canon 5D Mk 11.  Canon 100-400mm L.

Into The Kalahari

Fuji X-Pro1, 14mm f2.8

A Blue Day Indeed

December was supposed to be clear azure-blue skies and white popcorn clouds floating here and there!  But for us, it was low dark sombre drizzle-filled clouds almost touching our heads as we drove higher up the pass which made picture taking not quite so pleasant!  However, to make the best of it there was a picture to be had but only if you saw the special beauty in the 'graduated blues' of the distant shapes which make up the incredible Drakesberg mountains.  (we did get some beautiful days as have been shown in the pictures up until this group)

Merle

Canon 5D Mk 11.  Canon 100-400mm L.