January - Enseleni Nature Reserve

Enseleni - A Gem on our Doorstep

A few minutes out of town is our new found place of discovery. It never disappoints but continuously surprise us with what it has to offer. 

The African Finfoot still allure us, but maybe one day ..... 

It is amazing to walk amongst wild animals. As there are not many visitors in the Reserve the Zebra are always curious to see two legged friends in their turf. 

.... and then it is time for the little treasures and the quest to get nice close and personal for that perfect shot.... Richard stalking a spider. 

The hiking-trail takes you through some beautiful forests, where a very special sighting is the shy Red Duiker. 

Some stunning butterflies can be found in the forest too, such as this Mother of Pearl ...

and a very unusual specimen of the Variable Diadem ... this one we chased around the forest for nearly an hour, waiting for it to land in a spot where the light would allow us to get a photo, well just getting it to perch was already quite a challenge. 

Another very charming bearded fellow we found in the forest.....

On the edges of the forest we have seen so many different species of butterflies, the one more beautiful than the next.

The Brown Pansy

The Common Scarlet - still a bit baffled at the "common" part of the name, as this is stunning and definitely not common... 

This was the 1st time I noticed that some dragonflies, like this Tiger Tail does not "sit" on its "feet" but rather hold on to the twig ... 

..... and a nice little hand-stand from another one.

Making a delicate picture ....

For some you have to get flat on your belly to get a shot.

Posing on some flowers ...

I just had to add this one as I just love the little wings starting to develop. 

Competitions entered April 2012

My Results - Beachcombers Photography Club

This was the 1st month that I mastered up enough courage to enter our local photography club's monthly competition. The theme for the month was "People" and then  the normal "Open" section. I entered the required two photos per category. I was pleasantly surprised with the  following results: 

 "Master & Model"

Awarded COM (Certificate of Merit, highest award to be granted) and Club Favorite (with an overwhelming vote)

"Wisdom"

Awarded COM

"Autumn View"

Awarded COM

"Grand Entrance"

Awarded COM

I am still in shock with the results, but it has given me the much needed encouragement to keep on learning and improving on my photos. After the meeting many of the club members came over to congratulate me as it was a "full-house" result for a "newby" in the club. What an amazing experience ..... 

January - Tala Game Reserve

January 2012 - Tala with Greg & Tammy

Our next stop in the Midlands was with Greg and Tammy, their home in Hilton PMB and a wonderful visit to Tala Game Reserve. This was after a devastating fire swept through one wing of the beautiful house Greg built with his dad on the Reserve. Fortunately the rest of the house was saved and below are some pictures I took. 

This little one could not contained it's curiosity. 

And who are you??

Baby ostrich, so adorable!

Coot stomping her nest ...

Hanging out to dry ...

One of my favorite raptures, Long Crested Eagle

Pretty confused Indian Mina .... acting like an Oxpecker :)

....... and then it was Siesta time 

(Wood Sandpiper, Yellow Billed Duck and Egyptian Goose)

White-Throated Swallow 

Another Woodie 

Birds of a feather flock together ;)

What an amazing sight this was!

The view of the lounge from the library

Bar with a history

Entrance to the wine cellar

Small dining room 

Stunning veranda area

Outside dining area, with a view ....

Wedding venue 

Being silly ..... ;)

January - Visiting The Dargle

January 2012 - Off to The Dargle for a visit

Having loved ones in the Midlands is wonderful, as it is so quick to get to them for a weekend. Craig, Justine, Connor and Zoe in the Dargle and Richard's mom a stone throw from them. 

The drive from here to Pmb is pretty boring, but once you hid the rolling hills of the Midlands you feast your eyes on the landscape, with the spectacular Drakensberg on the horizon. 

Clouds building up for a Midlands thunderstorm in the late afternoon

This beautiful bathroom is located in the attic of an old farmhouse in The Dargle Valley, KZN Midlands.  Strong rumors have it that Jack The Ripper could have stayed in this house in early years.  The Farmhouse featured in the video clipping below is this house with the beautiful view from it's bathroom upstairs.

Link: Jack The Ripper in the Dargle

The way you look at life ~ you either focus on the empty window pane or the broken one ... or you see the reflection of life and turn around to embrace it.........

Hanging out to dry 

Beauty can be in the small things we notice. 

After the rain ... 

The sound of crystal

Beauty in simplicity

Mom and daughter

(our beautiful Justine and Zoe)

Wait for me .....

Out in the country-side

Abundance 

(Zoe and Connor)

Reflecting ...

Just being with dad

(Craig and Connor)