Kokerboom

Kokerboom, a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

The landscape of the Richtersveld in South Africa is stunning in its stark beauty. The kokerbooms are endemic to this region of southern Africa, and it's amazing to see them in this arid landscape.

The two days spent at Kokerboomkloof were important for me - not in the sense that the Hyobanche hunt was successful (it certainly wasn't in this part of the country), but for the participation in such a remote landscape. The night sky here was so beautiful. Seeing the Milky Way and all of the Messier objects by naked eye was quite humbling on the one hand, but very spiritual on the other.

The kokerbooms are sentinels for the safety of such places in the world. I draw comfort from the fact that they exist and thrive in such a harsh environment.

Kokerboom silhouette

Kokerboom silhouette, a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

Kokerboomkloof; Richtersveld National Park.

This was the photo I had planned for 24 hours - since I had seen this potential the previous sunset. So, just as the western mountain shadow was creeping over the area, the one person we encountered within 100+ square kilometers, who was staying at our campground, decides to walk the road, and stand there in my scene. Dennis (one of my field companions) and I tried to get his attention, but he didn't hear us, or ignored us - not quite sure which it was.

This was a one-shot opportunity. I had scouted the area pretty thoroughly to find some kokerbooms where this scene would work. Frustrated? You betcha! Fortunately, I was able to make the photo as the guy walked behind one of the shrubs, but then he walked into the scene.

Later that evening, Dennis went to the guy's campsite to apologize for us yelling at him. Turns out the guy didn't hear us at all. Dennis did have to contain himself when he spotted a photography book on the guy's camp table. The title? "Digital Landscape Photography for Dummies."

Self portrait

Self portrait, a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

September 5, 2013: South Africa.

Me and my shadow, plus that of a Kokerboom at Kokerboomkloof, Richtersveld National Park. Camping in the wilderness allows one to wake up before sunrise to take advantage of the warm tones of the early morning light.

Kokerboomkloof

Kokerboomkloof, a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

This is a scene from the second campground we used in the Richtersveld - a very arid and stunning landscape with all of the kokerboom trees. These are tree aloes (Aloe dichotoma), endemic to the region.

Sunset in this area is preceded by the sun being blocked by the mountains to the west. The mountains in the east are illuminated until the shadow of the western mountains climb them. The kokerboom trees are in shade, but the mountains behind are in full sunlight - an interesting combination.

Seeing this scene the first night we arrived, I planned for a photo shoot for the next evening… That became an interesting story.

Kokerboomkloof

Kokerboom kloof, a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

Second campground in the Richtersveld - a very arid and stunning landscape with all of the kokerboom trees. These are tree aloes (Aloe dichotoma), endemic to the region.

Kokerboom architecture

Kokerboom architecture, a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

One of the delightful sights in Richtersveld National Park is the contrast between the stark desert scenery and a kokerboom tree. These are also known as tree aloes - one of several different species.

I photographed this particular specimen at Kokerboomkloof campground, where we camped for two nights. I love the symmetry of the architecture for the stems of this tree. It's a good way to take advantage of the available light.

Richtersveld National Park

Richtersveld National Park, a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

Another Adventure in South Africa - searching for Hyobanche glabrata in one of the most interesting landscapes I've seen. Didn't find it there, but enjoyed the hunt.

South Africa sunrise

South Africa sunrise, a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

I usually work in Color, but I thought this was more dramatic in monochrome. I used a Fuji X1 for this photo, and it has a black and white setting, which was perfect for this dramatic sunrise at Houthoop Guest House. We camped there September 2, 2013, so this was the sunrise on September 3.

Phoenix City

Phoenix City, a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

Hunan Province, China - this is an ancient city built largely from wood. It was on the post-conference tour for the International Wood Culture Society for obvious reasons - to take a look at the use of wood in an old town. It rained so hard the day we visited that it made it a bit of a challenge to navigate the streets with the crowd of people maneuvering umbrellas. On the other hand, it was very photogenic.

Phoenix Town

Phoenix Town, a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

Hunan Province, China - visited this ancient city on October 30, 2013. It was a very rainy day, which made the visit a bit of a challenge. I enjoyed the colorful umbrellas and rain ponchos, though.

Koi

Koi, a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

I visited Yueyang Tower in Changsha, China on October 22, 2013. There was a pond with dozens of koi - very beautiful to see and mesmerizing to watch.

Phoenix City, China

Phoenix City, China, a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

I just returned from China last night to cap off a two month marathon of international travel. Here's one of my photos from the post-conference tour for the International Wood Culture Society Symposium on Taxodiaceae. Stay tuned for some blog posts about the trip (along with ones from South Africa and Australia). I have a lot of catching up to do, including photo processing, but I'll try to make a series of blog posts over the next several months.

October 30, 2013 - pouring down rain for this morning in China. The old town of Phoenix City was built around 1000 years ago. The workers work brightly colored rain ponchos and traditioinal hats. This woman was taking a break from the rain, sheltering in one of the gateways between sections of the old town.

Faces of China series

Faces of China series, a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

In Cypress City for lunch today. When we finished I did a wander about the block. This elderly farmer came around the corner with a double load of brooms over his shoulders. He was curious about the strangers in his town and I was curious about him. It was a nice encounter.

Fruit stand in China

Fruit stand in China, a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

I arrived in Beijing last night. I had a day to wait until my flight to Changsha tomorrow, so I went for a walk around the neighborhood of my hotel. I found a food market with lots of produce stalls.

Namaqua National Park seascape

Namaqua National Park seascape, a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

We camped at Varswater in Namaqua National Park, South Africa, for two nights. It was rainy and wet, but the sun came out to brighten up the early morning scenery.