Living near the Kruger, Africa’s premier wildlife reserve is a tease. I don’t get to visit as often as I want. I lived on the South Coast a few years back and recall a conversation I had with Mervy Dowsett (RIP friend) . Mervyn and I talked about the beaches and how little time we as residents spent on them. He discussed the issue in the following terms.
It seems to me that the property sales market in Mpumalanga is in the toilet, but you don’t see it reflected in the asking prices. It makes me wonder if some estate agents are unaware of the depression in the market. As I understand it Property sales in Mpumalanga are at a real time low down 40% from a high 2 years ago.
DIY’ers in Mpumalanga are about to get a huge treat. We are working on the definitive website that will supply information and how to’s on most projects around the home, but most of all you will be able to look through and find all those goodies you need to get the job done without leaving home.
It is strange how life seems to work in cycles. I remember my Gran aways telling me it’s darkest before dawn. The last few months have been educational. I have been looking at things from a different perspective and have made some big decisions. But first of all let me tell you why I am writing about Building supplies and hardware in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. Read more…
I went out in a Bell 206B3 the other afternoon to take some photo’s for CFA Charters’ brochures and their stand at INDABA. The ride was rather interesting. We went and photographed all the falls on the panorama route. I am not putting all the pics of the falls here. I am putting up the photographs I took of some other interesting stuff.
On Saturday a crocodile captured in the wild was given a biopsy to check for disease in wild crocodiles. I was there to capture images on “film”. The 4 m crocodile had been given enough drugs to sedate a 3m crocodile by the capture team.
harvesting the crocodile steak
closing up after surgery, superglue works a treat
By the time the biopsy was done a local anaesthetic was needed as the croc was semi awake. The blindfold and the local kept him calm while the cutting was taking place. Thereafter we unloaded him after treating his wounds and moved him into the translocation camp.
Local canoeists on the river in the Schoemanskloof have been complaining about a few crocs in the river so they are being moved to other homes. Once we had her in the camp we were able to take a few photos up close and personal under the watchful eyes of the experts.
Here are a few shots for you to look at. Soon I will be processing many more and putting them on the Mpumalanga Photography website.
I was reading Shebees blog about Durban and Curry and stuff and she asked what I liked about my hometown. I was also talking to Gary the other day and he said “Why do we live in Nelspruit, Facts are we can earn 5 x what we earn here in Johannesburg”. I have been pondering these issues for a few days now.
I like nature and the Kruger Park is just down the road, I told Gary. He came back and said, when last were you in the Park. Bloody good question that. In fact I haven’t had more than 6 daytrips all year. Factually Gary is correct, I have spent less time in the park than I could by earning more than I do and doing a weekend every two months.
But here is the thing, I have been to Barberton, Lows Creek, Graskop and many other places just for the day as well. I have bush right behind my house, with 4 purple crested loeries in attendance. Theres a mongoose and his whole family living in the bush right behind my house.
It never goes below 8 degrees here and even that is too cold for me. I spent a few weeks in Johannesburg the winter before last and let me tell you I have never been that cold, not even in England. I chat to my neighbors every now and again here. We are not hidden behind 14 ft walls.
I don’t have a fence in my front garden at all. But still if someone were to offer me a job at 5x what I am earning I would seriously consider taking it so that I can spend more time in the Park.
There I was in my back garden watching the birds, Cape white eyes, mannikins, sunbirds, turacos, mousebirds and more when I got lucky. This chap hovered for just long enough for my really bad 500 lense to get into focus. At 1/500th of a second the wings are beating so fast they are a blur. This photograph does not actually do the bird justice. The light was a little bright.
Collared Sunbird
One of my getaways is the Kruger Park. I get away to the peace as often as I can. If you are going to do the South Africa Holiday, The Kruger National Park is a must visit. If you are a photographer its a certainty that you don’t want to miss the photographic opportunities offered by a trip to the Kruger National Park.
Impala at the transport dam
Doing the trip with the tour guides is all good and well but they are mostly trying to get you to see as much as possible in the shortest period of time. Visiting the park with a photographer that knows the spots and wants you to get the best shots is far superior. I spent two hours on the bridge at the Malelane Gate last weekend and got some awesome images which I will post later.
Mpumalanga sunset
So you are thinking of the South Africa holiday and want to see the park in the company of a photographer just give me a shout. I will arrange everything from accommodation to transport. You fly in I’ll meet you at the airport and get you to all the best scenery and wildlife.
I don’t do big groups, A maximum of 4 photographers on the vehicles is my limit. I also prefer not to have blokes with inferior equipment like Nikon with me. OK that was just a wee joke, We don’t care what you shoot with as long as you take pictures and leave only footprints.