Hex River Valley Celebrating Autumn

“Sometimes I do get to places just when God's ready to have somebody click the shutter.” ― Ansel Adams. Today God was on my side. Continuing with a family tradition the South African flag was raised on another perfect day.

To spend a morning with someone who grew up on the foot of the mountain is really special and a rare treat. The earth is still fresh in the early morning when the sun comes peeping over the horizon with its bright light from the East.

Meandering through the orange, purple and golden colours of the vineyards along little known paths gives us the advantage of taking lesser seen photographs.   The view from that rocky koppie overlooking Kanetvlei with its breathtaking vistas was a highlight.  I rarely have the opportunity to walk with the hounds and that was a real treat too. 

Homes must have large windows for us to appreciate the ever changing landscape; unfortunately birds often can’t see the glass and fly headlong into the glass.  The pain and shock must be monumental and it’s a miracle they sometimes survive too.

Doing Photographic walks and outings with another photographer is always inspiring and I think it certainly lifts ones game.   What normally happens when I’m alone is often tragic as I cowboy around shooting from the hip with the hope that something good happens, unless I’ve planned a “table top” still life things can go awry as I might be pressed for time, reluctant to ask someone if I may take a photograph of him or her, or the area may be dicey, there’s safety in numbers they say.

On most days I’m lucky to have my partner in crime who helps me, teaches me and sees things in a different light.

“A lone peak of high point is a natural focal point in the landscape, something by which both travelers and local orient themselves. In the continuum of landscape, mountains are discontinuity -- culminating in high points, natural barriers, unearthly earth.” ― Rebecca Solnit, Wanderlust: A History of Walking

Thank you Chris for walking with me and thank you Louise for allowing us free reign to walk. 

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