Overberg South Africa Week-end visit

I come from the dry region of the North-western part of South Africa, being used to barren and dry landscapes. In my younger years the Overberg region of my country did not appeal to me a lot.

But since we moved to the Western Cape as a family, and me getting married and having my own family in this beautiful part of our country, the Overberg also became a beautiful second home to me and my family - I certainly started to see an appreciate the uniqueness of what every region serves up!

The Overberg is the next region adjacent to the Western Cape of South Africa, and a major wheat source for the country. It consists of lovely flowing hills, filled with acres and acres of wheat farms, looking different with every season of a wheat producing region. Farmers plant Canola to feed the wheat fields, and every year the canola fields display different patterns of beautiful  yellow colours during the month of August in particular.

August is thus a photographer's dream month in the Overberg! I was privileged to be in a part of the Overberg during August this year (2013) just after a week of needed heavy rains, and lovely crispy sunshine in the days thereafter.

The heavy rains of the previous days also made a few pictures that was worth the visit. Every once in a while some of the roads even has to be closed for traffic because of the roads flooded. This time it also happened.

 The sun sets over a water filled farm land, making beautiful photographic opportunities.

 

Amongst the rich diversity of this region, is also the most southerly point of Africa, Agulhas, with a famous light house as part of its attraction. Not far from Agulhas is Struisbaai, a fisherman's town with a lovely long stretch of sandy beach for long walks and swimming.

But then, to the east, there is also the town of Arniston - a popular tourist attraction with typical fisherman's houses, a very popular hotel, and a beautiful attractive coastline. That is where I headed one morning early, to try and capture some of the coastline in its splendour.

On the far end of this picture, one see a light tower belonging to this part of the coast line - not as spectacular and well known as the one in Agulhas, about 50 km's to the South West of this one.

The light tower is only accessible by foot or by 4x4. After a lovely day in this part of the Overberg Region, I could catch the last rays of the sun shining on the top part of the light tower before getting back to my overnight stay at Struisbaai.

This for certain is not the only or last word about the Overberg. Nothing is yet been said about the other towns and villages of this region, the rich diversity of birdlife or the unique plant species of this region - but that is for another day!

Lanner Falcons hunting

Part of every visit to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is to try and photograph Lanner Falcons hunting at water holes.

One's photographic skills has to be quite sharp on this, since the speed with which the Lanners dive on to their prey, usually finches, or francolins, together with the flurry of birds trying to get away form the hunter, is simultaneously exciting and difficult.

On my last trip, it took me five days of driving to a certain waterhole, sitting for two to three hours each, waiting for the lanners to strike, trying to figure out their flight pattern, predict where to focus my shortisch 200-400 lens, before I could get something decent on the last day prior to leaving the park!

The Lanner wait until a bunch of birds comes to the water hole to drink, and then strikes from a nearby tree, first trying to hit a bird with full force, and then turning in the air, coming back for the bird lying on the ground, pick it up an then fly to a nearby branch where it would start picking the feathers and eating its prey.

We also witnessed a Lanner chasing a francolin from the water hole by air for a very long distance, until my wife could only follow it with binocolars, witnessing it eventually catching its prey.

On this occasion, the Lanner picked up the finch, and flew to a nearby branch to take a snack!

After finishing the catch, it took off - back to the tree from which it launches its attack - usually about 40-60 meters from the water hole.

To us it seems that the francolins are the favourite meal by choice, and if a Lanner falcon is in the vicinity, one can be sure that it will try to strike when the francolins comes flying in for a quick sip of water.

Although I am ecstatic being able to catch some of the action, being a novice, I for certain will try again when times come!

Thanks to my wife who sits with me in the car, not interested in photography, reading a book, scanning with binocolars, pass on the snacks, being patient with me trying to achieve something unique and enjoying nature with me!

Flight of a Spoonbill

These funny looking birds are a treat to watch in flight. Their out of place looking bills do attrack one's attention together with the gracious movements of their wings. Each and every one of their wing flaps is a beautiful picture that lets one appreciate the wonders of nature.

Contempt!

Study in Cormorant landing....!

Cormorants are to be seen everywhere over the world! There are lots of different species everywhere - ask the birders for specific names etc!

It is always a pleasure to see these big birds coming in to land or take off. I got a chance to capture a landing series at Intaka sanctuary situated in Canal Walk near Cape Town:



Another successfull landing and all in a days work! Nature is wonderfull and beautiful!