Another one of the views from the WWII Forward Observation Post at Cape Recife, this time looking south towards the Wildside. The ruins of the original WWII barracks are visible just below the FOP.
The view towards the Cape Recife Lighthouse from inside the WWII Forward Observation Post in the Cape Recife Nature Reserve
Port Elizabeth has arguably the most complete collection of surviving coast artillery buildings and equipment dating from the Second World War (1939-45) of any port in South Africa. Before the Second World War the Port Elizabeth Harbour actually had no defence in place except for Fort Frederick which was built in 1799 to guard the original landing place in the early days long before a harbour was even built. In 1942 it was decided to put harbour defences in place at all South Africa's…
Walking along the Wildside coastline on the Roseatte Tern Trail through Cape Recife
The renovation project on the Cape Recife lighthouse is nearly done with the scaffolding around the lighthouse having been removed and by now the rest are probably gone as well as I took this pic about two weeks ago. Now I'm just holding thumbs that they will allow visitors to go up the lighthouse again some time soon.
The ocean off Cape Recife churns white, specially at low tide, as the waves hit Thunderbolt Reef. This notorious reef has claimed numerous ships over the years and was named after the HMS Thunderbolt which struck this massive reef in 1847. The Cape Recife Lighthouse was built in 1851 to warn ships of the eminent danger but even with it's presence close by ships accidents have still happened. But its not all bad news. The area around the reef is a very…
Last week I saw a stunning yet very sad picture by Luc Hosten on Facebook. Two days later I was down at Cape Recife in Port Elizabeth and came across the scene photographed by Luc. The penguin wasn't in the same position anymore and I didn't want to try and recreate the exact scene anyway, so decided on something similar yet slightly further away. African Penguins are highly endangered and under immense pressure at the moment with some people giving them only 5 years if…
Die Kaap Recife vuurtoring is op 1 April 1851 in gebruik geneem en staan net buite Port Elizabeth op die westelike punt van Algoabaai. Kaap Recife is die draaipunt in Algoabaai in en word verskriklik gevaarlikste geag as gevolg van Thunderbolt-rif wat oor die eeue al verskeie bote en skepe geëis het. Die rif self is vernoem na die HMS Thunderbolt wat in 1847 daar op die rotse geloop het. The vuurtoring is 24 meter hoog en die lig is 4 000 000…
Die Kaap Recife Natuurreservaat in Port Elizabeth beslaan omtrent 370 hektaar om die westelike punt van Algoabaai. Die reservaat is idiaal vir voëlkyk beide aan die kus en om die waterherwinningspoele. Die beste manier om die reservaat te verken is om op die 9km lange Roseate Tern wandelroete gaan. Die roete begin by SAMREC (South African Marine Rehabilitation and Education Centre), 'n pikkewyn reddingssentrum, voor dit by die waterherwinningspoele verby gaan. Die roete lei dan deur plantbedekte sandduine en verby 'n uitkykpos…
Cape Recife is one of Port Elizabeth's best bird watching spots, specially for waders, coastal and marine birds. This cormorant looks like he is showing off his impressive wingspan for a passing kelp gull.