TELPERION

Good day Everyone! Last week we spent a day at Telperion (a Diamond Route property). As we drove through the reserve, Nicoleen counted a total of 34 warthog piglets and numerous newborn from Impala, Blue wildebeest, Zebra, Waterbuck, Baboon and Kudu. And where were our cameras? Don’t ask. We will be back there this coming [...]

Butterfly hunters

Hi Everybody We tried our best to get hold of the Kammanassie Blue butterfly but no success (yet). The plant that they feed from (Indigofera declinata) is not in bloom yet and the chances of getting the butterfly are very slim. We had a glimpse of a butterfly that seemed to be a bit larger [...]

Nature’s self-defence

Good day Everyone Today I discovered another one of nature’s wonders! On a hill next to the Stompdrift Dam I came upon a succulent plant (Euphorbia sp.) with numerous spikes along its stem. On top of each stem was a nice bunch of flowers. How odd, I thought – the plant is protected from foragers [...]

Wish you were here

“High” Everyone Today I had the privilege to visit the Blesberg radar and ATC (air traffic control) station situated on top of the highest point (1680m) of the mighty Swartberge. The cycloramic view from Blesberg peak is breathtaking and here I realised again that some views in South Africa cannot be captured on camera – [...]

Macro Magic

Hi Everyone The past two days were spent exploring new ground at Welgevonden. With this blog I had a choice between landscapes and macro shots. It is always difficult to choose – landscape shots need to be displayed/printed in large format to come to its right but macro pictures can be cropped tight and seem [...]

Snakes and butterflies?!!

Good to be back! I always advise people not to run in the bush (unless a rhino is chasing you of course!). By running in the bush, snakes on your route will not be alerted in time to get away. They will perceive your sudden appearance as an attack and WILL defend themselves. In the [...]

Butterfly children

Good day Everyone I arrived at Welgevonden late Monday afternoon. Yesterday Philip and I went up the Kamanassie Mountains to look for the very rare Kamanassie Blue butterfly (Orachrysops brinkmani). On the plato we ran around like flower children chasing after every butterfly we saw. No luck. Nevertheless, the view was fantastic and the route [...]

Ghost of the bush

Hi Everyone And a ghost it was indeed! We had the perfect sighting with the kudu climbing an embankment opposite us. It was in the shadow of the hill and the camera dictated a 15th of a second shutter speed. Way too slow for shooting from the hip with a 600mm lens. This “blurry” picture [...]

Klein Karoo flowers

Welcome back! According to the experts, the Klein Karoo flowers are now entering its “Yellow Phase”. Following that will be the “Purple Phase” and then all the others… Most of the current flowers are yellowish with the odd orange and purple bush. The Klapperbos are full in bloom and its red flowers stand in stark [...]

Promised picture

Hi Everybody Yesterday was a quiet day (no, I did not take the day off) with few pictures worth posting. Below is the picture I promised in the previous posting. I believe a photo should be taken so that it requires no or the minimum post-production. I am proud to say that, besides removing a [...]