Friday, November 25, 2011

A Trip To The Richtersveld - Part 2


Sunrise at the Richtersberg Camp site on the Orange River - all the camp sites are very basic, visitors must carry their own water and provisions.


Although I was a passenger, I know what a thrill it is to drive these roads.


I'm guessing that this is a lizard ... gorgeous colours hey ... if you look carefully you can see that it's still shedding its skin.


This viewpoint took my breath away.


Sentkannetjie - Crassula columnaris.

I almost missed these tiny well camouflaged plants.


Spectacular rock formations abound.


What can I say?


Helskloof - the sides of a mountain covered with Pearson's Aloe (Aloe pearsonii) - the only place in the world where this plant grows in such density.


Three Black Crows in one of the rare trees ... they were quite far away and I struggled to get a decent shot of individuals:


A lousy photo I know but, I like the way some of the feathers of the bird are sticking out equally around it's body ... it's easy to see why Crows are associated with witches and the Underworld.

I'm hoping that some of my artistic Friends here will be able to sharpen it up and/or incorporate it into an artwork ... :)


Related Posts:

A Trip To The Richtersveld - Part 1

Scenes From The Richtersveld

A Few Plants From the Richtersveld

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25 comments:

  1. Each picture takes my breath away.

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  2. Fabulous photos and landscapes once again, Graham. Just when one thinks you've run out of scenic subject matter, there is more. Your country's landscape is hauntingly beautiful. Very different from what I'm used to though the scenes of the rolling hills with vegetation looks a lot like where my mom lives.

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  3. As you say; what can I say
    SPECTACULAR
    Diane

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  4. Beautiful photos. One of my dreams is to visit the Rigtersveldt.

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  5. I love this Park!
    (even if I get lost and I had to sleep inside the car :))) )

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  6. Omw, Graham, what nostalgia this posts evoked in me. My husband and I spent a solid month solely alone (with our dog) at Bakoven. Don't know if it's still called that. But the photos the Orange look so familiar. The winding road and the mountain view is also familiar and took my breath away. Wow, thanks for sharing. And, PS it's good to see you back again. Hope all's well. Greetings, Jo

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  7. Hi, I have missed a few of your posts and have been going back over them, fantastic photos of magical places.I am surprised at the intensity of the colours and the amount of flowers in the desert.The butterflies have to be my favourite!
    I have internet problems over here and I am in the middle of civilisation!

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  8. (My first attempt got gobbled up - please delete if somehow you get both)
    Absolutely breathtaking pictures Graham - I love the hills receding into the horizon and going from brown to blue, with the ribbon of road in the foreground, and that lizard with the extraordinary colouring. I've scrolled backwards and forwards to see them several times - truly beautiful. Thanks.
    Caroline

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  9. Wonderful photo! Love flower mountain. I can imagine water covering the flat areas and the mountains covered in green. Very glad your Flamboyant tree recovered. Your building is a great success.

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  10. You live about 20 minutes from all this? (from your last post).

    Amazing. But do tell us more like what is the population density around there. Economic activity? Source of water? Distance from major town? Helps us get a context for the location of this pristine wonderland. Thanks.

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  11. Hi OneStonedCrow .. can't really add to my comment on Part 1 - it is an amazing part of the world.

    I love your blog colours to match the Richtersveld/Namibian stone colours ..

    I was fascinated by the flora and fauna too ..

    Cheers and enjoy the rest of your trip .. Hilary

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  12. Thanks Fazlisa - I love this desert.

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  13. Thanks Penny - yes, I've only scratched the surface as far as showing the landscapes of Namibia is concerned.

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  14. Indeed Monica - I'm sure your artist eyes sees things in the pics that I don't notice.

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  15. Thanks Phillip - I hope that your dream is fulfilled someday ... it's not all that far from your present location ...

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  16. Haha Andrea - I'd love to hear that story someday ... I know what you mean ... it IS very easy to become disorientated and get lost here.

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  17. Thanks Jo ... and warm greetings to you too ... Bakoven sounds familiar = I bet that was one of the best months of your life hey?

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  18. They are Magical places Peggy - the plant and animal life here depends mainly on moisture from the fog from the nearby ocean for survival ... the fog that rolls in almost every morning is known locally as the 'Malmokies'.

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  19. Thanks Caroline - I'd love to see what you would produce with your photographic eye ...

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  20. Thanks Callie - Flower Mountain always looks different, depending on what time of day you see it.

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  21. Hehe Calvin ... it's difficult to describe the desolation ... people are as scarce here as teeth on a chicken, mining is the only commercial activity and water is obtained from the river ... if you click on the location tab at the bottom of the post you will get a better idea of where it's at.

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  22. Thanks Hilary - the colours here just blow me away ... especially the pastels.

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  23. Wow, no further comment after my comment on part ons. Will have to make a plan to change the sequence on my bucket list.

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