August 18, 2013

After over 1000 days of posting photos I decided that it was time for a break!

We had experienced a period of drought and there was really not much to photograph on a daily basis.

After 40mm of rain two weekends ago, it is beginning to look like spring has finally sprung, and the garden is slowly coming to life again!

While I thoroughly enjoyed the break, I decided that I no longer want to feel obliged to go out and look for a subject to photograph for the daily post. I would rather post photos when the opportunity arises.

(My sincere thanks go to those who were worried and inquired about my absence,  and also for the many visits to the blog despite the fact that there were no daily posts)

Yesterday we took a short drive through the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park.

I have not visited since July 21, and found it interesting to see how the scenery has changed.

This is the time of year when planned burning takes place in the Park. We have been fortunate enough not to have many runaway fires this year.

The photo below is stark in comparison to the next photo that was taken in the same spot last month.

Soon this area will be covered in new growth and the grazers will have a feast.

How amazing is the path that was revealed by the burning of the grass in the photo above. 

21 July:

A herd of Buffalo grazed their way over the crest and down the hill towards us

I zoomed in on the leader who had stopped eating and was staring at my car.

The photo above shows the scene @maggieztree on July 21. To the left of the tree just behind the long grass you can see where the previous 'burn' had ended.

The photo below was taken yesterday. The black burned area of the previous visit, is now covered in bright green new grass!  

One can clearly see that the tree is not as bare as it was a month ago.

Soon the newly burnt area will also be covered with fresh growth like the section in the background. The new grass looks unnaturally green compared to the rest of the scene