Everything has a proper name although as far as the animal kingdom goes us humans often just refer to them by the "overarching" or general name. That was the case when I found this locust at Brakkeduine close to Oyster Bay west of Port Elizabeth. It was just a locust. But I started wondering what kind of locust as to not look too stupid when I do my post. Where to start? Well, when it comes to insects I go straight to…
Today is World Lion Day. It's the first global campaign to celebrate the importance of the lion world wide. People tend to be very aware of the plight of animals like the rhino, the gorilla and the African penguin due to their vulnerability, but very few know that it won't take much for the lion to be in the same situation. The king of the jungle is probably the most iconic of the animal species and have over the ages fascinated man,…
The Pearson Conservatory was originally built in 1882 and restored to its former glory between 2009 and 2011. The centre piece of the conservatory is an ornamental fountain made by Andrew Handyside at the Duke Street Foundry "Britannia Iron Works" in Derby in the UK around the same year. The Britannia Foundry's work was well known for its fine quality so these fountains can be found all over the globe. This particular design of fountain is listed as Design Number…
The narrow gauge railway line between Port Elizabeth and the town of Avontuur in the Langkloof was built by the government of the Cape Colony between 1890 and 1906 and at 285 kilometres it is the longest 610-mm-narrow gauge route in the world. Along the way the line crosses over the highest two foot narrow-gauge railway bridge in the world. In 1965 the Apple Express tourist train started operating on part of the line and finally seized operations in 2011 due to…
The space between the Port Elizabeth City Hall, Old Post Office Building and the Feather Market Centre in Fleming Square and it contains a monument which is the only of its kind in the world. The Prester John Cross was unveiled in 1986 by the Portuguese Ambassador and is dedicated to the mythical king-priest, Prester John, and the Portuguese explorers who discovered South Africa. It was the quest for Prester John as a Christian ally that led to expeditions to reach him…
This is the view towards town from the Forward Observation Post in Bluewater Bay with the N2 bridge over the Swartkops River in the foreground.
During the hot dry summer the Karoo veld can be somewhat of a bleak affair, but during the winter it's a different matter. Aloes bloom in all their fiery glory decorating the landscape like Christmas lights. Aloes, like proteas, are often found in the most unlikely and inhospitable places, growing in hot temperature and low rainfall areas and not needing the delicate hands of somebody with green fingers to nurture it. One of natures natural wonders.The post is part of the…
Winter is aloe time and when it comes to flowers one of my favorite seasons. I found these Kranz Aloe flowering on the banks of the Swartkops River in Redhouse.
The 470 square meter mosaic next to the Donkin Memorial (pyramid) is fast becoming one of the most popular art pieces on Route 67. People are finding all kinds of fun ways to take photos of it. This group of school kids were lying down on the circles for pictures when I was on top of the lighthouse the other day. Unfortunately by the time I got my camera out they were getting up already
After the posting Quintessential Karoo and Karoo Icons - Farm Gate I decided to string together a series of posts showing off some of the Karoo icons I photographed on my last visit to the Karoo. To me the Karoo is big sky country and the sky makes for a big part of any photograph taken in the area. The night skies are the most impressive you will see anywhere with the Milky Way stretching from horizon to horizon in all…