This week’s Foto Friday Fun features images chosen by ten readers which includes quite a bit of hiking in the Drakensburg Mountains and other South African sites plus one of those cat looks.
Diane and Nigel chose #2311. She might be able to pronounce that name. This bird hide is in Camdeboo National Park near Graaff-Reinet in South Africa. A good place to watch birds and other wildlife coming to water.
Jenn chose #1985. I love mountains and South Africa’s Drakensburg captured my heart with all the green. This was the morning view from camp after a one day hike.
TreDeuce chose #1923, “the year my dad was born.” 2010 was the first year I visited South Africa and I took my Dad’s memory as he’d recently passed. Here I am hiking in to the above camp in the Drakensburg Mountains and following my guide John whose pack was larger than mine as he carried two small tents. We drank from the crystal clear streams and experienced a huge storm. Read the story if you haven’t already.
Gail chose #2019. From the same hike as above on the way back with entirely different views along the same trail in the Drakensburg Mountains.
Sherry and David chose #7892. Difficult to put in perspective this tortoise was about two feet long and slowly heading into the brush at Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa.
Yogi chose #6666, “because it is my brother’s 66th birthday and we took a bunch of photos on Route 66 to celebrate. I’m stealing that idea. This from a Christmas celebration at Bill’s son and DIL who hosted a remarkable family gathering in 2015.
Pam and John chose #5211. Although this could be an entrance station to almost national park this one is the Malelane gate into Kruger National Park. Doesn’t it look rather safari like?
Jeff chose #1621, “the year of the first Thanksgiving.” The lush green Drakensburg Mountains give birth to many streams. I am thankful none of the ones I crossed in the above hike were as big, deep, or swift as the Sterkspruit River with a waterfall hiked to a few days before the overnighter.
Rita chose #4932. One of my favorite places to watch summer monsoon storms and camp is Crazy Jug Point on the Kaibab National Forest at the rim of Grand Canyon.
Jodee and Bill chose #9060. I am fascinated by the stone work of the Native Americans in the Southwest. This at least two story structure called Wukoki Pueblo is about 1000 years old and is seen in Wupatki National Monument.
Other than sunsets I’m not getting out much for photos. Yet Sierra offers occasional phone shot opportunities. She prefers drinking the freshest water from my glass yet can only bury her head in so far. So this is, ‘the fill it up’ look.
Thank you for playing along with Foto Friday Fun which allows me to share these photographs and memories. Please join in next week by leaving a number between 1 and 9999 in your comment below.
Do you have a favorite this week?
2019 Calendars available for shipping and still in time for Christmas.
Haha, yes I can pronounce it. In Zulu khwali means a smell or odour, manzi means water so I am presuming that the hide was close to a pond or lake of some sort. Wow, but the Drakensurg is very green, I had forgotten quite how it looks. No particular favourite, just love them all especailly the one of you hiking. 3011 for next week please.
Have a good weekend and take care, Nigel and Diane
LOL! Smelly water. The water was high while visiting Camdeboo and I don’t remember a smell. But I do remember the lush green of the Drakensberg. #3011 of next week.
Such beautiful green mountains in South Africa. I love that you were backpacking there. The stonework of the ancients always has such a spiritual feel for me. I’d like 1129 for next time please.
Wish I was still able to carry a backpack. #1129 for next week.
That’s so cute! I hear you, about the weather. We are hoping for sunshine. I don’t mind the rain or snow, we’ve had both, but it’d be nice to have some sun!
How high do your photo numbers go? Mine turn over at 9999!
I do calendars, too, sending them to family members!
I’d like #8364!
After a few days with no sun I start to get grumpy. This is our second, with rain. Thank goodness the snow will be further north. Camera turns over at 9999. #8364 for next week.
While I have visited a number of the Pueblo of the SW, some with impressive structures, the most interesting and affecting indigenous site for me is the Walnut Canyon National Monument just a few miles east of Flagstaff off of i40. I rarely pass it by when in the area.
Parts of, let alone the totality of the site, are hard to capture photographicly. For me it is an emersive, profoundly felt experience.
Curious as to whether you have visited the monument.
1948_ The year my brother was born and the year of my first car, a 48′ Cadillac convertible.
Cheers!
I liked Walnut Canyon but as you say rather difficult to photograph. While working at Mesa Verde, I could feel a happy presence in Cliff Palace. #1948 for next week, nice car.
How fun to see so many pics from South Africa! Those lush green hills are really pretty. I love native ruins as well. The wall at the Homolovi Ruins visitor center mimics this ancient wall perfectly – but I’d love to see this one too!
#9401 for next week please.
I couldn’t believe how many pics came up for the same place and time to spark memories of those lush mountains. The ancient peoples were some of the best masons. #9401 for next week.
I love the pics from your South Africa adventures and your Canyon photos.
Next week, let me see, my number is 1310 because that was the score Thursday night as my Dallas Cowboys beat the New Orleans Saints.
Have you figured out if you are going to be able to work at the canyon again next year?
Thanks. I applied for summer work at the canyon and a few other places, now I wait to hear. #1310 for next week.
I do have a favorite this week! Rita scored with your monsoon photo and link to Crazy Jug Point. Next week I’d like 1208 the date Borrego Springs celebrates its new library.
Crazy Jug Point has always been a score, especially during monsoon. Does take 35 miles of so-so gravel to get there. #1208 for next week. Enjoy the celebration.
Something needling my subconscious woke me this morning and made me revisit your blog. It was the Malelane gate construct that was bugging me.
The post-tensioned cable suspended cantilevered roof system was the solution to a concept design I have put off doing for a client. Now I can proceed and offer a concept proposal next week to the client. It would be a fun project so I hope it gets legs and we can run with it. Otherwise it will be a fun design exercise.
Funny how somethings find you and present solutions one might miss other wise.
Maybe not a coincidence. You should share the design drawing.
Hi Gaelyn Sorry I’m a bit late in commenting. Great pic of you hiking, it looks very lonely though. Do you come across other people when hiking. I also like stonework so particularly like the stonework at Wukoki Pueblo and your cat Sierra looks reading to pounce .One place I would love to be able to visit is Mesa Verde but alas to far for me to travel now.One of my regrets in life. 9039 for next week please. Enjoy the week ahead.
You’re not late, it’s only Monday. I don’t mind hiking alone and depending on where do usually see people on the trail. Mesa Verde is an interesting park to visit and some of the ancestral sites are open to the public with a Ranger. I’ve always dreamed of Machu Picchu. #9039 for you this week.
So much green in Drakensburg!! Love seeing the bright green blanket:)
#2103
You would love hiking in the Drakensburg, not many trees to block the views, sandstone rock formations, and lush green. #2103 for you this week.
Couldn’t have seen more beautiful pictures if I’d been here myself to choose one ;>)….. loved the green rolling hills/mountains of that park… and Sierra letting you know who’s boss! Nothing new from me this week again, but hope to be back next week. (Winter-home-safe, but stlll digging out.)
Thanks Sallie. Glad to know your are ‘home’ again.