INFERNO

The wind swung around last Tuesday night and the fire which had burned for 2 days already in the pine plantations up in the Jonkershoek Valley advanced rapidly towards us on the top of the hill. By midnight we were surrounded by a raging fire, the thick smoke burned our eyes and made it difficult to breathe but fortunately, this time we had a lot of help from the firefighters who worked efficiently to keep the flames from reaching the house. The torching trees around the edge of the garden exploded in spectacular fireworks display sending sparks high up in the night as we watched the flames roaring up to the next ridge and beyond. It was a very long night but we saved the house and most of the garden. The Palmer family in the front lines of the action, never lost their sense of humor through this ordeal. 

KOGELBAAI

There was a very strong offshore wind and a low tide, so no impressive waves which made the situation far from inspiring. It was not easy to negotiate the slimy boulders to get to the edge of the water but I was determined to reach my spot and it paid off. Being close to the sea with a low angle I saw a myriad of colours. The translucent waves sparkled with an emerald green and later, rich copper reds were reflected on the surface of the waves from the clouds on my right. I was happy as the “Photographic gods” painted the scene with gay abandon!

RIVER ABSTRACTS

"Celebrate what's right with the world" with your photography says Dewitt Jones.

Such a simple but powerful message I keep in mind when walking with my camera. This morning, the reflections of the brightly lit vegetation and blue sky in the water over the cascades of the Eerste River took my breath away. They somehow remind me of the richness of peacock feathers in their colours and intricate patterns. The mood of the water flowing over rocks still in the shade had me riveted for a long time as I sat on a rock in the middle of the stream absorbing this peaceful start of the day.

EARLY MORNING WALKS...

in Jonkershoek, learning to use my new little Canon G16 makes me see the very familiar road with new eyes. The path winding along is still in the shade, the gold light starting to filter through the leaves makes me feel good. There is a paradigm shift as even the previously ignored sights take on an exotic flair. The bend in the river holds my attention as sunbeams dance in the mist and the roots of trees make perfect mirror reflections in tranquil pools of water. I walk along greeting some friends on their bikes reveling in the privilege I have to regard all this as an extension of my garden!