I guess, because we live on the coast, the air is relatively warm, and planes flying over us are usually at low altitude (mostly just landing or taking off.) So for us, seeing con-trails is a rarity. We were fascinated, while staying up in the high mountains of Lesotho, to see the sky constantly littered with con-trails , particularly around sunrise. From the directions of the lines, we could identify the Port Elizabeth to Joburg plane, Joburg to Capetown, as well as the Durban to PE plane. We particulary enjoyed the feeling of disjointed unreality it gave us, roughing it up in the isolated wilds with no phones or electricity, yet seeing all this hi-tech machinery scooting along above us, connecting hubs of industry and crowds. It made us even more grateful to be there, and heightened the feeling that we had somehow dropped off the planet!
Camping in Malealea, freezing our butts off in our ricketty tent, we woke up both mornings to wonderful skies, with a sunrise on one side, crescent moon overhead, and jets painting lines all over the place! Here is a selection of the variety we saw on those magical mornings.
Speaking of Malealea, if you want to read a really inspiring story, about a subsistance farmer who lived on a piece of land that was unusable because it was so badly eroded, and covered in huge bare gullies, and who turned it into a model of productivity, with no capital or farm equipment, just a vision and sheer hard manual labour, follow the Malealea link above.
Have a great weekend everyone!
23 comments:
Suzi-k, these are stunning pics. It may have been cold but it was so cool, in more ways than one, getting up so early :)
Those trails of jet planes are awesome!! :)
Oh my goodness they are all so good that i wouldn't know which to pick, sounds like you got a bit cold.
great catch for SWF! mine's up too hope you can drop by..
Excellent!
Beautiful collection! :)
Absolutely stunning. Thanks for sharing so many. The last one is mesmerizing. They all are. I also stopped by your art blog and I am blown away. Your work leaves me speechless.
These are stunning photos.
Loved the jet trails!
Those trails are lovely. They are like company on a quiet day.
great photos...be sure to save some more for next week...ha!!
Hi Suzi
Well these blew what bit of hair I had left, right off the top of old womtigs napper.. I get to see low planes and con-trails all the time.. but they can still stop me in my tracks at time.
I hope many follow this link.. a take an interest.. maybe a 'paypal' account could be set up for this tractor appeal. Let me know if I can be of a help withthis.
Those are wonderful sky shots. The last one is so dramatic it looks like a painting. They are all great.
What a treat your pictures are! Keep us updated about the farmer.
Step outside at night, and look at the sky then.
I'll watch the blog for news of the 'Musi's tractor. I can't do much else than "advertising," but every little bit helps.
Best
Rethabile
WOW! I especially loved the gray skies with the trees. Very poetic! The fire of the sunset/sunrise? (last photo) was magnificent!
Sheesh, I was trying to pick out my favorite and then I got all flustered because there was too many I liked... ah, I like 'em all! Beautiful shots!!
Your blog is a great eye-opener (as in EDUCATION) for me.
Thank you!
All beautiful images, excellent.
Wow, perfect captures. Love them all.
Great shots. Have a great holiday and don't use up too much GAS.
Mike
Nice shots of the con-trails. Sometimes we see them here north of the city of Toronto, Canada, and sometimes not. (Apparently we're below major fly routes between the southern United States and Europe. -- Doesn't make sense to me!)
Thanks for explaining why they are sometimes seen and sometimes not.
spectacular sky shots!
You had many wonderful pics, it´s hard to choose just one as a favourite...I think it´s the one with wide con-trail and moon.
This is such a beautiful series of photographs. Love them all. Lesotho sounds so exotic.
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