Sometimes Table Mountain is just perfect!

I made this image from one of the many public beaches between my apartment in Melkbosstrand and Cape Town. I just happened to see Table Mountain with the Southeaster, or Cape Doctor clouds developing just before they roll down the North side and the wind begins to howl. I got out and really did not know what to expect from the scenery on the beach. It was beautiful and deserted. The wind was already blowing pretty hard and it was difficult to keep the camera steady. I had to sit down on a dune and secure the camera between my knees and my face to get this image. If I see this effect from home then I know the winds will reach me in about an hour if they're mild, or forty-five minutes if it's really going to blow hard. For the photo geeks out there, I used my Canon 5D Mark III, 24-70mm 2.8L lens @ 42mm 1/250 sec @ f5.6 to make this image. Oh and yes, this is an HDR image. Enjoy...

View fullsize

Table Mountain Southeaster Clouds, Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa

Ostrich Sex, Wildebeast, and Flowers

My photography group here in Cape Town, South Africa planned an excursion to West Coast National Park near a city in South Africa called Langebaan. I've been hearing for a long time that it's a must see place because of the flowers blooming in Spring here in the Cape. Yes Northern Hemisphere dwellers, it's Springtime here in South Africa. Langebaan is about 105km from Cape Town. If you want it in miles it's a little over 60 miles. We wanted to start out early to avoid the crowds and we planned well, or better said Sarah, the planner, set it up it perfectly. We were the third car through the gate. There is a special area in WCNP called the Pottsberg area where the Flowers are best and the area is only open in August and September as it is a fragile eco-system. I guess I shouldn't say that too loudly or someone will try to drill for oil on it. I was the passenger this time, in the back seat and it was great. We were headed down the road and I saw Ostriches that I wanted to photograph. The South African's I was driving with said not to be silly there are Ostriches everywhere. Well I finally convinced them to stop and I made these images of either an angry or a very sexually driven Ostrich.

View fullsize

Black Wildebeast in West Coast National Park, Langebaan, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa.

As we kept driving I still had my medium zoom lens on the camera and I saw what looked like a Buffalo off in the mist. It was running faster than the car, and I got my long zoom on just in time to catch only one image of a Black Wildebeast. 

The rest of the day was just magnificent. The flowers were incredible and the scenery so diverse. A field of flowers at one turn and then boulders, cliffs, calm bays and crashing ocean waves.

The end of Winter in Cape Town

I heard some debate to day on the radio whether or not this was the last day of winter here in Cape Town, South Africa. Regardless of whether it is or not I decided to go out with my iPhone and make an image of the potential last sunset of winter. The sunsets here never cease to amaze me. I guess that's what is experienced by living directly on the beach. To that end I thought a lot about the experiences I've had here and the realization that we, as individuals, do not experience enough beauty, nature, people, and travel. We tend, and by that I include myself, to allow too much of our lives to go by un-experienced! And also un-appreciated. As they say here in Cape Town, "sho, shame man." This place and the people here are amazing. I'm sure some will be long time friends. Are there problems here in Cape Town, yes, but probably no more that any other large city in the aggregate. People in Cape Town know how to live. They experience life to the fullest because they enjoy life. Take for instance the Braai. We in the U.S. would call it a Bar-B-Q. But here it has little to do with eating. It's about people getting together, building a fire out of wood and waiting hours until that wood turns to red embers prior to cooking. In the meantime people are talking, sharing experiences and a little bit of drinking. Do I miss family and friends back in the States? Of course I do, but the experiences that I have had and made here, and have yet to experience are, and will be priceless. And I plan on sharing those with others when I get back to the U.S. So what started out in my mind as just going out and making a simple image has reminded me of all of the advice that you hear in song, in writings, and in the movies.  Go out and experience life. Take that risk. Travel to that place that you've always planned on visiting, but haven't. Most of all, live a life without regret!

Wine, Beauty and Afrikaans define Stellenbosch, Western Cape,South Africa

Last Saturday I traveled to Stellenbosch at the urging of a friend as it is definitely a place not to miss if you visit Cape Town. I was also advised that I may have trouble communicating as Stellenbosch is also VERY Afrikaans. Well, they were right on both accounts. I've seen towns, but what could be so special? When I got there it's as if I had been transported back in time with all of the Dutch and Afrikaaner architecture. Not to be lost in the conversation, it is the home of Stellenbosch University. A fact I did not know is that Stellenbosch University is where the South African National Rugby Team, Springboks, was founded. The town was founded in 1679 by the Governor of the Cape Colony, Simon van der Stel, who named it after himself — Stellenbosch means "(van der) Stel's Bush". Humble guy. It is situated on the banks of the Eerste Rivier ("First River"), so named as it was the first new river he reached and followed when he went on an expedition over the Cape Flats to explore the territory towards what is now known as Stellenbosch. Yes, there were modern shops, galleries, restaurants, and cafe's, but all was in theme with the aged charm, of the town. It was a shame as most Galleries and shops were closed as I got there later in the afternoon after getting lost on the way. Not a surprise. There is wine everywhere. During 1690 some Huguenot refugees settled in Stellenbosch, grapes were planted in the fertile valleys around Stellenbosch and soon it became the centre of the South African wine industry. I don't know much at all about wine personally as I am a beer snob, but I have been told that the South African wines are among the best in the world. Unfortunately, my stay was cut short as it was raining, so my time there was very limited. Here are a few select images. I will definitely be traveling back to Stellenbosch in the near future on a nice day. Hopefully I can find a bar with good beer! 

Make images in your own backyard!

I made this image the other day on a beach run in Melkbosstrand. I saw the the little girl just standing there with her cute hat on and thinking that she must be wondering what is out there. I asked the parents if it was ok to make her image, and made several images with my iPhone. Yes my iPhone. "The best camera is the one you have with you." In this case it was the iPhone. I edited the image in a program called Snapseed that is free and owned by Google. I've had it since it came out and I actually paid for it. Oh well, it was worth it. It's what I use to edit most of my iPhone images. It allows for a lot of creative control and not just some standard filters. The point of the post though is not the image, the editing program or the camera. The point is that you can usually find the best images or ideas in your own backyard, so to speak. Not literally your own backyard, though it may be in my case, but somewhere that you have unencumbered access, is close, and one that you are very familiar with. We all have these locations. I'm looking out my window right now and I see a Kite-Surfer preparing his kite for a ride. I am sure that if I go out there I will be able to find something to shoot. You get the point. Find the spot you know like the back of your hand and concentrate on that. Push yourself to make good images. See you later. It's a beautiful orange kite!

Cederberg Wilderness Area, South Africa

I tagged along with my group of friends to go to the Cederberg Wilderness Area for a four-wheeling excursion. The Cederberg is about 200km North of Melkbosstrand where we all live. That's roughly 120 miles on a two lane crazy road with trucks, bicycles, people walking and anything else that will move. That's just how Africa is. When you get into that area there is a small town that you go through called Clan William. Not much there. Some gas stations, restaurants, school, etc, however, there is a very famous resort called Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Wellness Retreat. Supposedly this is one of the top ten resorts in the world. It's out in the middle of nowhere. Cederberg has beautiful terrain.

View fullsize

Cederberg Wilderness Area  

Grave from Anglo-Boer Wars

Big red rocks precariously balanced on top of each other and a relatively dry climate.

After going through some relatively mild roads we got to a small town named Wupperthall. Wupperthall was established by missionaries and many of the people there are descendants of the founders and either live off the land as subsistence farming, working for the preserve, or work in the shoe factory.

View fullsize

Wupperthall Shoe Factory Sign

View fullsize

Wupperthall Shoes

We walked around the town for a while and encountered several of the locals which were more than willing to pose for photographs. This young man wants to be a photographer, so we chatted a while, and I gave him my card so that I could send him his photo. I like to do that with everyone I photograph. it's the least I can do.

View fullsize

Boy in Wupperthall

We left Wupperthall and that's where the adventure really began. Granted the road was not marked well and the map was difficult to read. As luck would have it we took the wrong way of two choices. We went down into a valley with no exit out. We would not find that out for another two hours. Shortly into the ride one of the vehicles  had the road give out under the rear wheel and tipped into a very large hole. The Jeep was almost on it's side with two wheels on one side in the air. 

View fullsize

Hooking up Jeep

View fullsize

Front view of Jeep

We finally got out after talking about how we'd be sleeping in the vehicles and being seriously worried. It's not like a tow truck could even get to us. We finally got to the end of the trail as far as we were concerned after I was chased by a farmer's hogs when I was opening some gates. Not fun.  We turned around and got back to we made the wrong turn and headed back to ClanWilliam where we had some burgers a went home. Another remarkable adventure with great friends. To be honest most of the time we laughed off our predicaments because we live and work in the paradise that is Cape Town! Can't wait to do it again!

Click Here to see the rest of the images! 

My Last Night at the Bontkop

My first three weeks in Cape Town were spent at the Bontkop Guest House in Melkbosstrand, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa. The Guest House is impressively decorated and has a stunning view of the ocean and Table Mountain from almost all of the rooms. Ronel and Nico are the owners and make every effort to provide a home away from home for the traveler. Ronel provides a great breakfast every morning consisting of fresh fruit, coffee, yogurt, and granola to start. Then Ronel prepares a hot breakfast for everyone. Melkbosstrand is a beach and surfing town about 35 km North of Cape Town. It is easy to fall in love with this little community. I liked it so much that my mission was to find a place in town for the next two years. My original plans included areas closer to Cape Town, but after experiencing the laid back attitude and quiet solace of Melkbos it was a no-brainer to stay here. Staying at the Bontkop provided the convenience of being able to walk to the business section of town a couple of blocks away to either hang out and watch the surfers, or take in dinner at a number of great restaurants. My favorite was Dam Huis. "House at the Dam" was the first building in Melkbos and as it turns out one of the waitstaff lived at the house prior to it becoming a restaurant. Michaela essentially grew up in the house until 2003. A lot has changed since she lived there, but good memories still linger. The food is great and the service even better. Try the Fisherman's Casserole! The first image is a view of the shore and ocean just outside the Bontkop at dusk on a very stormy and cold day and night. I'll always remember the Bontkop and how Ronel and Nico looked after the new Capetonian from the states.

Room With A View

My lease was finalized today so I move in June 5th. Turns out the beach that is in my view just so happens to be a famous beach. Not to everyone, but to a selective group. In the summer the best Wind and Kite Surfers come from all over the world to this beach to train. These are Pro Circuit and Olympic Athletes. I don't really know why yet and nobody can really explain it to me, but you can be sure that when they get here in the Summer (December, odd huh) I'll get plenty of images and get to the bottom of the why. Looking forward to the show. Starting to get cold here.

Downtown Capetown as crazy as any city

Many things on my plate today. Bank account, car registration, and fixing my Visa. My work Visa is good for three years, but they stamped three months at the airport. So out of all of these nightmarish projects in a foreign country, which do you think would take the longest. Banking, no, I have a personal banker in the Premier division of FNB, a subsidiary of Barclays. Took 10 minutes to open my account and they'll send someone to deliver my debit card. Twelve dollars a month for unlimited transactions and rewards points. Take that Washington Mutual! Visa problem, no, another 10 minutes. Mistakes on their part go to the front of the line. How about that. Registering a car in your name is a NIGHTMARE! But, at least you can gift a car and not pay the tax of 14%. My old boss was gracious enough to give me his Mercedes! I'll bet all of the private car sales are gifts! Stopped by this cafe in downtown Capetown. It was unique. It had a Steampunk decor (Marisa) and they roasted and ground their own coffee (Ana & Janelle). The Roaster and Grinder were huge. When you paid your bill it came in a pewter mug. Very cool. I congratulated the owner and asked if I could make some images. He was flattered. Also looks like I may have an apartment. Really hard to come by in Melkboss. Only three condo complexes. Lucky enough to find a large, very modern one bedroom across a neighborhood street from the beach with an unobstructed view and most importantly, sound of the waves. Mesmerizing. No more iPod with fake wave sounds. Comes a small little yard that includes a slab where you park your car and a beautiful electronic wooden/stainless steel gate. It's almost art. Anyway, would have rather have had a two bedroom but the price is right. Furnished, all new stuff, stainless and granite bath and kitchen for R7500. That's about $789 including utilities. Pictures to follow if I get it. Later.