Saturday, January 19, 2013

Off Again

Hello Friends, a few pics I've taken recently ... hope you enjoy them:


On The Road … a dead car used as a feature outside the town of Steinkopf in the Northern Cape, S Africa.


Two guys sitting on a step in Nababeep, N Cape.


Quiver Tree Forest, Keetmanshoop, Namibia


Ostrich Mama with a Gang of Chicks.


Cactus feature.


This dude selling belts on a street in Springbok asked me to take his pic …


A Dog guarding his turf eyes me.


Who Are You?


Another Dead car


Rock Dassie or Hyrax. I'm sure I read somewhere that, in evolutionary terms, this creature is the Elephant's closest relative but, I'm not going to stick my neck out and say it is so ...


Sociable Weavers’ Nest in Quiver Tree at Sunset. notice the lovely flat rocks on the ground - there was one rock more than 6 meters long but sadly, none were for sale.


My apologies for being so scarce on Blogylon, the truth is that I haven't had much enthusiasm for anything.

I'm returning home next week and not looking forward to facing an empty house but, I have much work to do.

Thank you all for your messages of condolence, support and wisdom, I appreciate them all - it is true that a burden shared is easier to bear.

Please take care of yourselves and each other - I'll see you after awhile.

.

24 comments:

  1. Welcome back my friend..oh farewell again. I would never think to find salmon or pink vehicles in the desert. That relative of the Elephants looks awfully like the marmots that feast in the neighbours flower beds. Be well Graham :)

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  2. Thanks and ciao again Monica ... :)

    yeah, the Dassie is a strange creature ... if you look carefully you will notice that they have 3 digits on their back legs and 4 on the front ...

    You take care up there in the Frozen North too hey :)

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  3. Graham I have missed you this last few months but I understand just how you have felt.

    This is a great selection of photos, think I like the quiver tree best and the ostrich with the chicks, but it is hard to decide.

    I hope when you get back the work will take your mind of your loss and that we will hear more from you next time you return. Take care and look after yourself, my very best wishes to you Diane

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    1. Thanks Diane, yes, I also hope that getting back to work will influence my mindset positively ...

      There were actually two Ostrich Mamas sharing nursery duties but, as my car approached, most of the chicks all ran to one mama for protection - (there were more chicks but I couldn't get them all i the frame).

      You take care too hey. :)

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  4. I'm glad you popped up in Blogylon. Seeing you here and in a comment section here and there is good. The pictures in this post can easily take my mind off dwelling on sadder things in life. I hope it does the same for you. My favorite of this set would be the cactus picture. Amazing the variety of uses for 50 gallon barrels.

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    1. Hehe thanks Bill.

      I have one of those barrels at home - it's been cut in half (length-wise) and hinges installed on one side ... I use it to keep my barbecue (braai in these parts) dry in rainy weather.

      Take care and keep bloggingalong ... :)

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  5. They're all lovely pictures, and I think you have three competition winners - the first one of the VW, taken from such a good angle (the hilltop balancing the car and the road seeming to end) that in camera club land they would have called it 'End of the Road'; the first quiver tree picture which has wonderful nuances of colour and looks perfect with the tree positioned slightly to the left, and the barrow with the cactus. I've always thought sadness makes us more thoughtful, either behind the lens or the pen. I do hope you'll feel like blogging again soon.
    Caroline

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    1. Thanks Caroline - also for the 'End of the Road' and other comments - I'm a bit of an Airhead as far as art appreciation is concerned ... often only see things in an image when someone points them out to me.

      Have you been out building snowmen and having snowball fights?

      :)

      Keep well hey.

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  6. Wonderful pictures, as usual! I've missed you!!

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  7. Take you time, but remember to keep taking pictures. Wonderful.

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    1. Thanks Joanne - I'm hoping for a wet summer with many photo-ops ... take care hey.

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  8. I have missed seeing you on the blogs, but I understand. I love all these pictures. The creativity of the people is amazing. And the ostrich mom with all those chicks, priceless as we say in America. Please take care and let us know how you are doing when you can.

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    1. Thanks Inger - I think that was the biggest group of ostrich chicks I've seen, I count about 22 in the frame ... you be well too :)

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  9. Beautiful, Graham. You always manage to find such beauty in the stark dust of the desert. I really love the colourfully painting old vehicles.

    I totally understand your lack of enthusiasm right now for blogging. It is normal to grieve and you need time. With time I hope you will begin to feel better and have more to share with us through your beautiful captures.

    I wish you strength and safety as you make your way to more building. Blessings. x

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    1. Thanks Penny - I'll probably suffer from aching muscles for a few days after I start building but, as they say 'no pain, no gain' ... :)

      You take care too hey, hope it's not too cold up there ...

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  10. So are all abandoned vehicles in Africa painted pink for some reason? Love the VW shot and the way the Weavers' nests take over the tree.

    New follower,hoping to see more of your wonderful photography.

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    1. Hehehe Gaelyn ... it does seem that old vehicles here are painted strange colors hey :)

      The Weavers' nests are intriguing.

      Thank you, I'm sure feel more like blogging when I return ... keep well.

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  11. Hi Graham .. loss leaves so much space for us doesn't it ... time does heal - but it's not a real good adage ..

    I love your photos ... I had an orange VW just like that - probably definitely like that now 30 years on ...

    Have a good trip and then that adjustment to home ... it's difficult enough for any of us - but with a big loss .... I'll be thinking of you .. all the best - Hilary

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    1. Thanks Hilary - yeah, it's going to be a tough adjustment ...

      you keep well too hey :)

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  12. Welcome back and farewell until we see you again. Fare very well.

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  13. Great photos, the cars look like they were just painted and that nest is huge.
    Merle.......

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  14. Dear Graham, I a with you through those terrible moments. Big hug friend!

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  15. Hello Graham, I really love the first picture of the abandoned car, dusty road and the lone mountain. Its colors are amazing.

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