The Last Sunset of 2014

I was hoping for a spectacular send-off-sunset for 2014 complete with flame oranges, dramatic golds and cerise coral pinks stretching across the entire sky!!  But no! it was fairly windy and quiet out there alongside the road in the Cradle of Humankind outside Johannesburg apart from the odd passing car. We waited hoping that the sun would drop through the bank of thick cloud on the horizon but that there would be some gaps for it to wave it's last goodbyes, but sadly no.  We moved to another favorite spot and found this water puddle from the recent rains and just maybe... it's final wave was reflected there..
Merle.
Canon 5D Mk11.  Canon 24-105mm L.  Canon 100-400mm L.

The Fairest Valley of them All

The Hex River Valley must surely be one of the most beautiful valleys on earth.  If you catch the light 'just right' whether it be late morning (as above) or late afternoon when the mountains glow orange from the setting sun, it is breathtaking!!  This humble valley is also well renowned for it's top-class wine and hundreds of thousands of bottles are produced each year. We have passed this way many, many times over the years but each time it seems to be more beautiful from the last offering up just that little bit extra...
Merle.
Canon 5D Mk11.  Canon 100-400mm L.

Happy Day

Happy New Year!  Fuji X-Pro1, Zeiss 32mm f1.8