The Botanical Gardens in Roodepoort

The Botanical Gardens in Roodepoort was where I found yet another amazing waterfall, The Witpoortjie Falls. Here we find the nest of the pair of Black Eagles right next to the falls. I spent a day in the gardens, have shot some photographs of Green Milkweed Grasshopper’s (Phymateus Viridipes) as well as another grasshopper, known as the Koppie Foam Grasshopper (Dictyophorus Spumans) which is unique in its red and black colouring.

A sunday to Jo' burg

Back in Johannesburg I got a little daring and ventured into the city centre. It was however a Sunday and not too busy! I have managed to get a couple of good pictures here. From the Old City Centre to the New and Modern Sandton City, where I shot photographs using my Canon EOS1 DS Mark3 and a 70-200 2.8 ISL with an extender X1.4.

Back to Johannesburg

Well, back to Johannesburg, not using the toll road. This took more than half a day, the views with the escarpment. From Sabie I travelled on to Lydenburg, via Long Tom Pass. Another area that demands my attention!

Pilgrim’s Rest

Ah, then there is Pilgrim’s Rest. This is a historical Museum. The town has been kept very similar to what it was about a 100 years ago. The views of the pass going into the town are just incredible. The buildings of Pilgrim’s Rest, give a feeling of long time ago!

From Kruger to the Blyde River Canyon

From Kruger to the Blyde River Canyon! This includes, Burke Luck Potholes, God’s Window, Wonder View and the Pinnacle. Various Waterfalls, including Lisbon Falls, Berlin Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Horseshoe Falls. It was at Lisbon Falls that I managed to shoot the photograph with the rainbow in the waterfall. After returning to the falls for a second time, which really made the trip worth it! The views from God’s Window and Wonder View are just amazing. This is also a place that I could spend some time shooting panoramic. I have taken many sunset pictures in South Africa and will always enjoy the splendor of the African Sunset!

Kruger Park: A little bit of luck

I managed to see again the big five and took some nice shots.
President Paul Kruger established a protected area for the wildlife of the Lowveld Region in the late 1800's. The area was developed during the 1900's stretching 352 kilometres from north to south along the Mozambique border and eventually became the Kruger National Park we know today. The Johanesburg to Nelspruit route takes around 3 - 4 hours by car through beautiful scenery that's a landscape photographers dream. The best time to visit is during the winter season as the grass is low and the animals more easily visible. Winters are dry and the best time to spot the animals are in the morning and evenings when they come to the waterholes to drink. There is a range of accomodation to suit all budgets, from camping to lodges to guest cottages. Safari's can be arranged from Johannesburg often with a pickup/drop off from the airport and the Khoka Moya Camp has a child friendly program that provides shorter game drives for their younger visitors while parents can go on 3-4 hour safari's into the bush. For more information visit http://www.krugerpark.co.za

Kruger Park

Well, it’s on to the Lowveld, and Kruger National Park. After spending 2 days viewing game in the park, I have discovered that photographing wildlife is not an easy task. Lighting is seldom correct and unfortunately the subject does not comply with a verbal request to please move a little closer! I have found this to be incredibly challenging and would love to continue shooting wildlife. I have been very fortunate in having observed all of the Big 5. As well as rare species as the African Wild Dog, which I was able to get a couple of shots of using my Canon EOS1DS Mark3 with a zoom Canon 70-200 2.8L IS and an extender Canon 1.4. Unfortunately, due to wildlife not participating in my request for them to move closer, I have not been able to photograph all of them. I realize that the standard lens for a wildlife photographer is a 500mm. As in the Drakensberg, the game parks of Africa hold plenty of challenges for me.

From Cathedral Peak to Giant' s Castle

Passing through a rural village on route to Cathedral Peak I took some really good shots of the village in the morning light. At Cathedral Peak I hiked to Doreen Falls which was a short hike through magnificent scenery. Next on to Giant’s Castle; where I managed to capture pictures with the ray of the sun through the mountain peaks. I have not had enough time to photograph all that I have wanted to in the Drakensberg Mountains of Kwa-Zulu Natal. It could take years to do this.

To the Drakensberg

I departed Johannesburg for the Drakensberg Mountains in Kwa-Zulu Natal, the first stop I made where I took pictures, was in Harrismith. From Harrismith I travelled over the Oliviershoek Pass, taking pictures of Sterkfontein Dam Nature Reserve. Continuing on to Little Switzerland and then Mont-Aux-Sources.

Johannesburg

I arrived at Johannesburg International Airport! I was really excited to be in South Africa to take pictures of Johannesburg before the FIFA World Cup in 2010, as well as other tourist destinations in the country. I have realized that Johannesburg is a very difficult city to photograph, due to the fact that it is very flat, there are no rivers, or any lakes close to the city. Also I need to consider the criminal factor in Johannesburg, that I cannot go anywhere, So far I have stayed safe, with no problems. I have managed to take some shots of Johannesburg from a long distance using a Canon EOS1DS mark3 with a zoom Canon 70-200 2.8 LIS plus an Extender X1.4 mounted on a Manfrotto Tripod. With the same equipment I have taken pictures of Sandton City. The modern city centre of Johannesburg.

One evening to Canary Wharf, London

I returned to Canary Wharf, London, in the evening after photographing the area a couple of times previously during the day. I have found an excellent site from which to photograph the whole business area. Many of us know London as an old city; this just shows us how modern London really is. I have used a Canon EOS1DS mark3 with a zoom Canon 70-200 2.8 LIS, mounted on a Manfrotto Tripod. I enhanced the images using Photoshop Lightroom 2.