I was at Langebaan for the weekend, and I took my point and shoot with me on an early morning run (more proof a great shot does not always need the top camera). Anyway, the water in the lagoon looked so calm and peaceful. I think I captured the atmosphere in this shot. This is in contrast to the howling South-Easter that normally blasts through everything at Langebaan.
I really like this shot; What do you think? By the way this is a large panorama, so click on the photo to zoom in.
Tuesday (which was a public holiday) dawned cold, still and misty. The water was like glass, with the winter mist blurring the line between the water and the sky, perhaps blurring the real word with the world of the faeries a little as well.
I love walking around in the mist, it makes me feel like I am the only person in the world. Quiet, a little eerie, and peaceful.
I had a meeting in the Gardens yesterday, and on the way back I noticed this strange old building (it probably contains water pumps or something) sticking out into a water reservoir. I love the way it was built to be functional, but to still look pretty. Also can you see the two rows of birds sitting on the railing?
I have been in this suburb about a million times, and it is amazing how you can live in the same place for so long, and think you know an area so well, and yet you still stumble on things that you have no idea existed in the first place. A very unexpected find.
On of my favourite books is “The Bridge Across Forever” by Richard Bach, and this bridge just reminded me of the book. I took it this morning on my phone, while waiting for a business breakfast a the Crystal Towers Hotel in Century City, Cape Town. The footbridge, which connects the hotel to the main shopping centre, is very beautiful and elegant, curving gracefully as it arches across the canal.
It was such a wonderful day to spend a few minutes in the sun.
I spotted these early morning paddlers while driving to work, so I grabbed my phone and took the shot. I like the way the duck appears to be watching the paddlers.
We have mountain fires in Cape Town every summer. Usually they happen when it is hot and windy, and mostly they are started by cigarette butts being thrown out of car windows.
This year is no exception. On Saturday the mountain just above Boyes Drive was on fire, and the fire-crews were using two helicopters to dump water onto the fire. Because it was so close to my house and I live right next to the vlei, I watched the choppers collecting the water out of the lake before dumping it onto the fire.
It was pretty amazing watching the choppers, incredible skill in dropping down to grab the water, and then dumping it right on the hot-spots. This is in the cross-winds and flying through all the smoke. These are amazing pilots.
Thankfully, they managed to put this one out quite quickly, and there didn’t seem to be any major damage. We have had some pretty major fires in the past.
Here are the rest of the pics.
I just got back from speaking that the Wordcamp Cape Town conference, and it was an awesome experience. There is so much technical talent in South Africa, and some amazing work being done. It was invigorating and exciting to meet so many amazing WordPess evangelists. I have also never seen so many iPads and Mac’s in one place in my life. I did feel a little strange using my PC laptop for my presentation :-)
The conference was the Atlantic Imbizo, V&A Waterfront, which is on the top floor of the shopping centre, offering amazing views of the waterfront and the harbour. Of course I managed to get in a shot or two, so I hope you enjoy these two of the fishing boats, taken from the roof of the building.
Fishing boats in Cape Town Harbour
It is such an amazing day today, the sky is clear, the sun is out, and the weather is wonderful. It is difficult to believe that Hurricane Irene is on her way (she has already hit the East Coast), and will hit Wilmington tomorrow evening, and New York shortly after.
We should not have major problems here in Wilmington, but we are still stocking up with bottled water and preparing for power outages. Virginia is in a state of emergency, and Delaware on a warning level. Several areas have mandatory evacuations, but we are fine here and should not need to worry. Mandatory evaculations in New York for the first time ever.
The good news is that this has extended my holiday by two days since I will not be able to fly out of JFK on Sunday.
I caught this shot coming into JFK airport at about 5:30 in the morning, just before we landed. The view is looking up towards Long Island, in the general Boston Direction.
This was taken with the point and click, but considering the circumstances, I think that it came out ok.
The folks at Cape Town Helicopters give me a flip in one of their choppers on Saturday to do a photoshoot. It was a cool and crystal-clear day perfect for shooting.
Table Mountain with Lion’s Head on the right, the harbour in the front.
Cape Town Stadium, with Lion’s Head and Table Mountain in the background.
Cape Town Stadium with the city bowl in the background.
The Camps Bay and Clifton beaches, with Hout Bay in the distance.
You can do a flip for less that R600, and while that is a lot of money, it is an amazing and unforgettable experience. Highly recommended. Cape Town Helicopters have a 100% safety record, so I am sure you are in good hands.
Disclosure: my flight was free, but the opinions and photos are mine.
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