Reaching for the sun

There are a number of exotic trees in Settlers Park in Port Elizabeth that has been ring barked so that they can die and probably be cut down at a later stage. On a walk through the park I thought this makes for a nice picture with the tree's branches (arms?) reaching towards the sky … Continue reading Reaching for the sun →

Fly on a pod

There isn't much of a story to this other than: "Once there was a fly who touched down for a rest on a Schotia Tree pod..." The choice was either swatting or photographing. Guess which one I chose. I couldn't get any closer though. He wouldn't let me.

Bonsai at Addo Gateway Lodge

For a couple of years now I've had an interest in bonsai trees, but have never actually gotten to the point to start training (which is apparently what the bonsai folk call it when you grow a bonsai) one myself. Not long ago I received an invitation from Maggie Mann and Les Kingma of Addo … Continue reading Bonsai at Addo Gateway Lodge →

Daleen Matthee Memorial

One of my favorite writers is the late Daleen Matthee and it is because of the 4 books she has based in the Knysna forest that I have such a fascinating interest in the forests of the Southern Cape. All four of these books (Circles in the Forest, Fiela's Child, The Mulberry Forest and Dream Forest) … Continue reading Daleen Matthee Memorial →

Pine plantation

Up to about 100 to 150 years ago the indigenous forests along the Southern Cape stretched all along the area known as the Garden Route. When the authorities of the time realised that due to extensive logging the forests wouldn't last forever, it was decided to replace some of the decimated areas with mostly pine, … Continue reading Pine plantation →

Dias Museum Complex

The first European to set foot in what in now South Africa was Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias. He inadvertently rounded the Cape in a storm and the first went ashore in present day Mossel Bay in 1488. Due to this Mossel Bay has a close association with Dias and this is where visitors will find the … Continue reading Dias Museum Complex →

Ice Cream Bush

I love my Ice Cream Bush at home with its leaves in various shades of pink, cream and green. The botanical name of the Ice Cream Bush is Breynia disticha 'Roseo-picta' and its also known as the Snow Bush. The bush is evergreen or should I say everpink/geen. According to my research they are native to … Continue reading Ice Cream Bush →

Tree Bark

I'm always looking for something to photograph and while camping I noticed the difference in the bark on trees all within ten meters from our tent. This immediately offered the opportunity for a Random... theme posts. Random tree bark, not to be mistaken by a dog's bark.

Palm tree silhouette

I was waiting for a meeting the other day and sat playing around a bit with my camera. The sun was behind the palm tree outside the venue and the palm leaves with the weaver nests hanging on them was very nicely silhouetted. *click*Visit Skywatch for more pictures of the sky

South End Wild Fig Tree

The South End Wild Fig Tree stands about 100 meters from the South End Museum. The tree stands next to the then Chase Street. In the days of the old South End before the Groups Areas Act meant the removal of the people from the area the kids used to climb the tree while the … Continue reading South End Wild Fig Tree →