KGALAGADI TRANSFRONTIER PARK

At the end of February, Pat Scott and I took off for a 12 days trip to Kgalagadi which is characterized by red dunes and dry riverbeds. I was told to expect temperatures exceeding 40C, but abundant touches of green in the landscape revealed that there had been good rains in the area. The clouds were superb and so were the sunrises and sunsets.

We were in luck, it never got too hot. We had so much more rain that large pools developed all over the place, in which the landscape reflected perfectly. I was delighted to see the vegetation, free of dust for a short while, sparkling in the early light and imbibing the place with a quiet and tranquil atmosphere. There was plenty to drink and much more rain soaked the wildlife giving it a soft painterly quality. Soon it became a real adventure to negotiate the waterlogged roads and made us look like a river boat!

I was so happy to be there to experience this unusual weather which transformed the landscape completely. To see the game frolicking in green pastures, full of flowers was a wonderful treat.  

COFFEE AT GROOT CONSTANTIA

A phone call from Ali Questiaux was all it took to join him for coffee at Groot Constantia.

Yes, in that!

His little bubble helicopter was just big enough for the 3 of us to squeeze in and share in his passion for flying.

It was a beautiful, calm morning and off we were. From Morningstar Airfield we flew straight over to Bloubergstrand and following the coast, we admired the majestic Table Mountain, Waterfront and Sea Point from above. Following the Atlantic Seaboard, past the Twelve Apostles down to Hout Bay, Chapmans Peak and the long white stretch of Noordhoek Beach, I found myself totally absorbed by the patterns below us, especially those of the waves and the many colours in the sea.

We turned over the Slangkop light house at Kommetjie, aimed for Fish Hoek, the harbour of Kalk Bay I had photographed the week before in the storm, to reach Groot Constantia for coffee and croissants.

From there we headed back towards the airfield passed Kirstenbosch and Blouberg Nature Reserve to complete this exciting experience of viewing the Cape Peninsula from the air.

STORM AT KALK BAY LIGHT HOUSE

Last Sunday the storm, rain and ferocious gale force winds, that swept the Peninsula for the last 3 days, were reaching their peak across False Bay when we received a call from Chris Fallows, the amazing shark expert, telling a few friends to meet in the early evening for a shoot at the Kalk Bay harbor.

He knew the wind and tides were going to bring formidable breakers crashing on the wall and around the light house. 

Pat Scott, Jacoba Van Zyl and I, three mad enthusiastic photographers braved the elements and battered by the wind we were not disappointed. It was a terrifying, exhilarating and exciting experience. The waves were exploding in spectacular shapes and patterns along the wall of the harbor, at times engulfing the light house completely.

I watched the fisherman who had taken shelter in the niche of the light house and regularly vanished inside the waves. It took my breath away every time it happened as I feared he would soon be swept away in the boiling waters.

But he knew he was safe.
Visit their website and enjoy these amazing photographs:

Beautiful Chris & Monique Fallows artwork for sale, Posters ...