The Sani Pass

Seeing photos of the Sani Pass between South Africa and Lesotho absolutely do not do it justice.  The area is absolutely beautiful, and the pass itself a narrow, unpaved road with sharp switchbacks and steep ascents and descents.  From the South African side, you can only proceed forward in a 4×4, but I don’t think the same rules apply from the Lesotho side!

Here are a few photos from my day trip this past April, and a few link if anyone is interested in seeing a dash cam video.

Table Mountain isn't the only flat topped mountain in South Africa.
Table Mountain isn’t the only flat topped mountain in South Africa.
The road on the way up.
The road on the way up.
One of several waterfall seen on the journey.  One of them ran right over the road, and we went through about 12" of water!
One of several waterfall seen on the journey. One of them ran right over the road, and we went through about 12″ of water!
I wish I recalled what type of antelope these are.  I hope a local stumbles across this post and will let me know.
I wish I recalled what type of antelope these are. I hope a local stumbles across this post and will let me know.
A pair of dassies sun themselves on a granite boulder.
A pair of dassies sun themselves on a granite boulder.
Beautiful hills - the scenery was just stunning.
Beautiful hills – the scenery was just stunning.
A traditional Lesotho herder's home.
A traditional Lesotho herder’s home.
Enjoyed a local beer at the highest pub in Africa :)
Enjoyed a local beer at the highest pub in Africa 🙂
Shooting starts into the sun wasn't ideal, but it was the only way to capture the switchbacks.
Shooting starts into the sun wasn’t ideal, but it was the only way to capture the switchbacks.
A beautiful cape rock thrush was perched at the roadside; luckily towards the bottom where it was safe to stop for a couple photos.
A beautiful cape rock thrush was perched at the roadside; luckily towards the bottom where it was safe to stop for a couple photos.
A gurney's sugarbird
A gurney’s sugarbird

Youtube: Driving the Sani Pass

Red Crossbill

We had a new bird in the yard yesterday, and after some searching, I believe it is a red crossbill (female).  I wish the photos were a bit sharper, but I got these with my zoom fully extended from some distance away; I was more concerned with identification than having a perfectly sharp photo.  The crossbill is a year round resident of my area, so hopefully I will get more opportunities in the future.

Female red crossbill 1/1000sec, f6.3, ISO 800
Female red crossbill
1/1000sec, f6.3, ISO 800

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Saddle-billed Stork

I just came across this photo of a saddle-billed stork, which I think is a stunning bird.  I feel a bit mean now calling one of it’s relatives creepy (see this post if you missed it Photo Challenge: Creepy

A beautiful saddle-billed stork watches the Sand River. May, 2015. 1/1000sec, f7.1, ISO 280
A beautiful saddle-billed stork watches the Sand River. May, 2015.
1/1000sec, f7.1, ISO 280

CEE’S WHICH WAY CHALLENGE 2015 WEEK #33

Everyone should have figured out by now – I absolutely love photographing African animals!

For the which way challenge this week, a selection of animals blocking the way.

A group of male nyala block the winding way forward. Phinda Private Game Reserve, May 2015. 1/160sec, f8.0, ISO 4500
A group of male nyala block the winding way forward.
Phinda Private Game Reserve, May 2015.
1/160sec, f8.0, ISO 4500
A mom and three young cheetah cubs block the road (as does a zebra, farther off in the distance). Phinda Private Game, May 2015 1/250sec, f7.1, ISO 1000
A mom and three young cheetah cubs block the road (as does a zebra, farther off in the distance).
Phinda Private Game, May 2015
1/250sec, f7.1, ISO 1000
A crash of rhino at a bend in the road. Phinda Private Game Reserve, May 2015 1/320sec, f5.6, ISO 640
A crash of rhino at a bend in the road.
Phinda Private Game Reserve, May 2015
1/320sec, f5.6, ISO 640

CEE’S WHICH WAY CHALLENGE

Travel Theme: Mellow

I did a quick scan through my last batch of travel photos to find a few mellow shots to share.

I hope you enjoy!

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A leopard rests peacefully in a tree top near Baines Camp in the Okavango Delta. 1/800sec, f9.0 ISO 640
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A lion cub chills out as dusk descends on Phinda Private Game Reserve. 1/500sec, f5.6, ISO 1600
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A group of cheetah cubs take a rest on the road after a hard days play. 1/320sec, f5.6, ISO 1100
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Sunrise over the Sabi Sands. 1/320sec, f5.6, ISO320
20150818_Travel Theme- Mellow
Sunset on the Timbavati, and the first star of the evening. 1/60sec, f4.5, ISO 500

Travel Theme: Mellow

Photo Challenge: Creepy

I guess truth be told, I don’t find the maribou stork creepy per se.  It’s more thinking back to kids stories about storks bringing home new babies.  I can only imagine a small child seeing one of these birds after hearing one of those tales, and then spending time being terrified about what might actually show up at home.

Whether they are really creepy or not, here are a few photos of maribou storks, creeping through the Okavango Delta in search of dinner.

Certainly not the most attractive bird I've ever seen (but I don't think the ugliest either).
Certainly not the most attractive bird I’ve ever seen (but I don’t think the ugliest either).
A group of caribou storks patrol the shallow waters of the Okavango Delta.
A group of caribou storks patrol the shallow waters of the Okavango Delta.
Creeping around in unison.
Creeping around in unison.

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One of the storks was successful on the hunt.
One of the storks was successful on the hunt.

The Daily Post – Creepy

Red-breasted Sapsucker

A new visitor stopped by the yard this morning!  I fired off quite a few shots from the porch, mostly so I could ID the bird, and then wandered closer.  He or she didn’t mind my presence, and continued working up and down a couple of birch trees, picking off tiny insects.  The red-breasted sapsuckers are a summertime visitor to my area, according to my bird app, so I am very grateful for the opportunity to view and photograph today.

I was glad I was able to move around the get the light in the right direction, and work towards an uncluttered background.
I was glad I was able to move around the get the light in the right direction, and work towards an uncluttered background.
I love the out of focus soft green background, it really shows off the red feathers,
I love the out of focus soft green background, it really shows off the red feathers,
A chance to see the wings spread out, and the hint of yellow tones on the belly. 1/1000sec, f6.3, ISO 640
A chance to see the wings spread out, and the hint of yellow tones on the belly.
1/1000sec, f6.3, ISO 640
Captured mid-blink.
Captured mid-blink.
Looking skywards.  I love the detail that I was able to capture.
Looking skywards. I love the detail that I was able to capture.
Reaching to grab at a tiny insect.
Reaching to grab at a tiny insect.

Travel Theme: Grey

Here are my photo’s for the travel theme- grey.

A pair of grey go away birds perched at the top of a tree, in lovely early morning light. 1/400sec, f7.1, ISO 100
A pair of grey go away birds perched at the top of a tree, in lovely early morning light.
1/400sec, f7.1, ISO 100
A walk along the dikes on a typical January morning in Pitt Meadows. 1/50sec, f4.0, ISO 720
A walk along the dikes on a typical January morning in Pitt Meadows.
1/50sec, f4.0, ISO 720
My very favourite type of grey!  A group of elephants approach along the road at Phinda Game Reserve (we kept reversing to give them the room they needed). 1/640sec, f8.0, ISO 2800
My very favourite type of grey! A group of elephants approach along the road at Phinda Game Reserve (we kept reversing to give them the room they needed).
1/640sec, f8.0, ISO 2800

Where’s my backpack?

Lions at Night

During my last trip to South Africa, I was lucky enough to watch lions at night not just once, but on four separate occasions.  I have wanted to post these photos for a while; originally I held off as I printed two of them as a gift, and didn’t want to run risk that they would be seen on screen before the prints showed up in person (they looked AMAZING, if I do say so myself).  I’ve finally had the chance to work through all the photos I had hoped to edit. A few of them are also on my Smugmug site, links are provided for anyone interested.

I hope you enjoy, and have a wonderful evening.

A lioness passes incredibly close to the front of the landrover. Londolozi Game Reserve, May 2015
A lioness passes incredibly close to the front of the landrover.
Londolozi Game Reserve, May 2015
Giving us a glimpse of her powerful teeth and jaws. Phinda Game Reserve, April 2015
Giving us a glimpse of her powerful teeth and jaws.
Phinda Game Reserve, April 2015
What big teeth he has! Chitwa Chitwa, May 2015
What big teeth he has!
Chitwa Chitwa, May 2015
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Such a beautiful cat. Phinda Game Reserve, April 2015
This lioness was obviously bored of all the attention she was getting. Phoned Game Reserve, April, 2015
This lioness was obviously bored of all the attention she was getting.
Phinda Game Reserve, April, 2015
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Keeping a watchful eye out. Chitwa Chitwa, May 2015.

Lying in wait

A lioness tries to catch 40 winks, but the male lion nearby definitely had other things on his mind! (More on that in another post!) Chitwa Chitwa, May 2015
A lioness tries to catch 40 winks, but the male lion nearby definitely had other things on his mind! (More on that in another post!)
Chitwa Chitwa, May 2015
Keeping his eyes on his prize... the lovely female featured in other photos. Chitwa Chitwa, May 2015.
Keeping his eyes on his prize… the lovely female featured in other photos.
Chitwa Chitwa, May 2015.

The king at night 2

What big teeth she has! Phinda Game Reserve, April 2015
What big teeth she has!
Phinda Game Reserve, April 2015

Lying in the dark 2

We were watching her, but she was focused elsewhere. Phoned Game Reserve, April 2015
We were watching her, but she was focused elsewhere.
Phinda Game Reserve, April 2015

Lying in the dark

A regal pose, and such gorgeous eyes. Phnda Game Reserve, April 2015.
A regal pose, and such gorgeous eyes.
Phinda Game Reserve, April 2015.

The king at night

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