~ Wide Open Spaces ~

Merle.  Canon 5D Mk2.  Canon lenses 17-40mm L, 28-80mm L, 100-400mm L.

Early in August we visited the area between Harrismith and Memel and found snow still left over from the previous week behind the old stone farm house where we stayed.  At night the temperatures dropped below zero and the word 'cold' took on a whole new meaning!  During the day it was wonderfully sunny, but fresh, and we took the opportunity to explore the area.  

Behind the 'blue mountains with the cows in front' we found the stunning blue lake (in the middle of the postings) which is in a private nature/game reserve. Luckily the security guard let us in 'just to look around' otherwise we would never have known it was there!  

Regardless of the amount of water that lies around, there is not one blade of green grass - in Summer when the rains return the rusty-gold landscape is transformed into lush velvet carpets of bright green. 

Spring has Sprung!

Merle.  5D Canon Mk 2.  Canon 100-400mm L.
Taken in the area of the Cradle of Mankind over the weekend. We have a dry Winter and when Spring comes, regardless of whether or not we have had our first rains, the dry twigs and burnt short stumps of grass come alive, nothing short of a miracle!  Tonight we were surprised to hear thunder and then lightning followed by our first drops of rain - hopefully there will be many more to come!

Xmas in July

Snow at the roadside, somewhere between Warden and Verkykerskop, in the Free State.
Derrick, Canon 1Ds Mkll, 17-40mm f4L

Clouds over Witsand

A cold day in the desert. Taken in 2004 with a Canon G3.

A Winter Sun

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

~ Summer vs Winter ~

Winter in the Free State decrees that every blade of grass/leaf turns yellow and dies!  As you can see from the pictures above, although everything is yellow and dead/burnt there is still plenty of water in these mountains.  All the little farm dams are full (no receding water marks), water runs down the sides of the roads in many places just like it does in Summer - we found it incredible!
Merle.  Canon 5D Mk11.  17-40mm L & 100-400mm L.