Tuesday 14 December 2010

Wildlife of Africa

As mentioned in my previous post I went back to South Africa for a two week break and during that time I spent a wonderful week with my folks on the northern coast of Kwazulu-Natal.  We stayed at Cape Vidal which is situated in the southern part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (formerly known as the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park).  It was somewhere we used to visit when I was younger and has a special place in my heart.  I hadn't been there in about 8 years, so quite a lot has changed.  All the horrible exotic plantations have been removed and the natural vegetation is slowly but surely reclaiming the land.  The animal numbers have increased exponentially and we saw so much on the drives we took through the park.  Below are some of the big and scary's that we saw.

Buffalo
Canon EOS 7D
Lens: Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
ISO 320
Aperture: f/7.1
Shutter Speed:1/400


Waterbuck
Canon EOS 7D
Lens: Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
ISO 500
Aperture: f/5.6
Shutter Speed:1/250


Vervet Monkeys
Canon EOS 7D
Lens: Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
ISO 200
Aperture: f/5.6
Shutter Speed:1/100


Burchell's Zebra
Canon EOS 7D
Lens: Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
ISO 200
Aperture: f/8.0
Shutter Speed:1/500

 
Greater Crested Terns
Canon EOS 7D
Lens: Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
ISO 100
Aperture: f/8.0
Shutter Speed:1/500


Kudu Cow
Canon EOS 7D
Lens: Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
ISO 200
Aperture: f/7.1
Shutter Speed:1/400


Nile Crocodile
Canon EOS 7D
Lens: Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
ISO 200
Aperture: f/5.6
Shutter Speed:1/250


Samango Monkey
Canon EOS 7D
Lens: Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
ISO 200
Aperture: f/5.6
Shutter Speed:1/50


Ghost Crab
Canon EOS 7D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 100
Aperture: f/5.0
Shutter Speed:1/250


Grooming Vervet
Canon EOS 7D
Lens: Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
ISO 200
Aperture: f/5.6
Shutter Speed:1/160

Friday 26 November 2010

It's raining cats and dogs

Well I have just got back from a trip home to South Africa to visit family and friends and had a fantastic time.  It was so good to spend some quality time with my folks too - we spent a lovely week on the northern coast of KwaZulu-Natal (pictures to follow shortly).  It also happened that both my parents and a very good friend of mine acquired new additions to the family.  Both had recently lost pets and the ones left behind were feeling very lost and lonely.  So my friend got Beetlejuice to keep Djibouti company and my parents got Buddy to keep Tsotsi company.  Both Tsotsi and Djibouti have accepted the new additions and are back to their old selves.  So my timing was perfect and I got to appreciate Beetlejuice and Buddy at their cutest.  Below are a few photos of Buddy, Beetlejuice, Tsotsi and Djibouti.  The last picture is of Max, my niece's dog (he is always so happy to see me).  One day I will have pets all of my own...


Buddy
Canon EOS 7D
Lens: Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
ISO 200
Aperture: f/5.0
Shutter Speed:1/125


 Buddy
Canon EOS 7D
Lens: Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
ISO 640
Aperture: f/5.6
Shutter Speed:1/100


 Buddy
Canon EOS 7D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 400
Aperture: f/5.6
Shutter Speed:1/160


 Beetlejuice
Canon EOS 7D
Lens: Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM
ISO 400
Aperture: f/3.2
Shutter Speed:1/125


Beetlejuice
Canon EOS 7D
Lens: Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM
ISO 400
Aperture: f/3.5
Shutter Speed:1/125


Beetlejuice
Canon EOS 7D
Lens: Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM
ISO 400
Aperture: f/3.2
Shutter Speed:1/125


 Tsotsi
Canon EOS 7D
Lens: Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
ISO 200
Aperture: f/5.6
Shutter Speed:1/125


Tsotsi
Canon EOS 7D
Lens: Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
ISO 100
Aperture: f/5.6
Shutter Speed:1/60


 Djibouti
Canon EOS 7D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 200
Aperture: f/5.6
Shutter Speed:1/200


 Djibouti
Canon EOS 7D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 250
Aperture: f/8.0
Shutter Speed:1/500


 Max
Canon EOS 7D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 100
Aperture: f/5.6
Shutter Speed:1/125


Monday 25 October 2010

Sunrise Sunset

Sunrise or sunset?  I can never decide which is my favourite.  Getting up to watch the sunrise can be a bit of a challenge, but more often than not, very rewarding.  It also means that you are making the most of the day (unless you crawl back into bed that is).  Sunsets are often appreciated more on holiday and usually signify the end of a day full of sightseeing or lazing on the beach.  Do I really have to choose?  Well no matter.  Looking at these pictures takes me straight back there.


Sunrise from Mission Beach, Australia
Canon EOS30D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 100
Aperture: f/5
Shutter Speed:1/60


Sunrise from Mission Beach, Australia
Canon EOS30D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 200
Aperture: f/5
Shutter Speed:1/50


Sunset from Little Venice, Mykonos
Canon EOS30D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 200
Aperture: f/9
Shutter Speed:1/400


Sunset on La Palma, Canary Islands
Canon EOS30D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 250
Aperture: f/8
Shutter Speed:1/320

Working at sunset, Mykonos
Canon EOS30D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 100
Aperture: f/6.3
Shutter Speed:1/320


The Windmills, Mykonos
Canon EOS30D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 200
Aperture: f/10
Shutter Speed:1/800


Sunset over the Elaphite Islands, Croatia
Canon EOS 7D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 100
Aperture: f/7.1
Shutter Speed:1/500


Highveld sunset, South Africa
Canon EOS30D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 100
Aperture: f/8
Shutter Speed:1/125

Thursday 30 September 2010

Montreal

Begging raccoons and foraging groundhogs are not exactly what I expected to find in Montreal, but I guess I didn't know what to expect.  Our main reason for going to Montreal was to visit our good friend Mayssam, who I must add (apart from being the most wonderful host of course), has two of the most beautiful cats I have ever seen, Moody and Spike.  Spike was pretty shy, but Moody was a true model and I probably took more photos of her than I took during the rest of our stay.

Montreal is an island city (I never knew that) and consists of many different neighbourhoods, each with their own distinct flavour.  Among these is Old Montreal which has a European flair, Downtown feels very North American and the Plateau I would say is a mix between the two (very Montrealian in fact).  And everything is in French (don't worry most of it is in English too) which took a bit of getting used to seeing that we were in a predominantly English speaking country.  I liked it though, and feel that it gives Montreal a uniqueness that doesn't exist anywhere else in the world. 

Aside from attractions such as the Olympic Stadium, the Notre-Dame Basilica and Mayssam's cats I would have to say the food markets were the highlight, particularly Jean-Talon.  I saw things there I had never seen before: purple peppers, white peppers, yellow cauliflower, purple cauliflower and white aubergines!  And the produce was ultra-fresh, with peaches so full of flavour they sent me right back to when as a child I used to eat them straight from the tree.  The sheer size of the market was pretty overwhelming, as was the selection of goodies, a true foodie and photographers heaven.

Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures of the begging raccoons as we saw them at night on Mont-Royal harassing people coming to enjoy the view.  Below however are a few of the pictures I did manage to take during our stay (and yes there is one of Moody there too).



Notre-Dame Basilica
Canon EOS7D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 1000
Aperture: f/4
Shutter Speed: 1/5


The Aldred building on Place d'Armes
Canon EOS7D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 100
Aperture: f/8.0
Shutter Speed: 1/250


The dome of Marché Bonsecours
Canon EOS7D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 100
Aperture: f/8.0
Shutter Speed: 1/640


 Artichokes at Marché Atwater
Canon EOS7D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 200
Aperture: f/4.0
Shutter Speed: 1/50


  Reds and greens at Marché Jean-Talon
Canon EOS7D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 100
Aperture: f/4.0
Shutter Speed: 1/60


 Marché Bonsecours at twlight
Canon EOS7D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 100
Aperture: f/11
Shutter Speed: 30 s


 Graffiti
Canon EOS7D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 100
Aperture: f/5.6
Shutter Speed: 1/125


  Watchdog
Canon EOS7D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 100
Aperture: f/4.0
Shutter Speed: 1/80


  Getting ready for winter
Canon EOS7D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 100
Aperture: f/4.0
Shutter Speed: 1/60


 Moody the model
Canon EOS7D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 500
Aperture: f/4.0
Shutter Speed: 1/40


 Stade Olympique at twilight
Canon EOS7D
Lens: Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM
ISO 100
Aperture: f/13.0
Shutter Speed: 30 s


The magic of lanterns at the Jardin botanique de Montréal
Canon EOS7D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 100
Aperture: f/10.0
Shutter Speed: 5 s

Monday 6 September 2010

Roma

This time last year we were in Rome, and boy do I wish we were there now.  Gorgeous weather, great food, amazing sights and of course gelato around every corner.  I am sure those of you who have been to Rome will agree with me when I say that the city just oozes ancient history.  From the Colosseum and the Roman Forum to the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain there is just so much to see.  And photography wise so much to capture.  Join me on a visual tour through the streets of Roma.

Priests in Rome
Canon EOS30D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 100
Aperture: f/8
Shutter Speed:1/160

The inside of the Colosseum
Canon EOS30D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 100
Aperture: f/9
Shutter Speed:1/200

The Roman Forum
Canon EOS30D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 100
Aperture: f/10
Shutter Speed:1/200

Castel Sant'Angelo
Canon EOS30D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 100
Aperture: f/10
Shutter Speed:1/200

GUCCI store
Canon EOS30D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 200
Aperture: f/5.6
Shutter Speed:1/80

Basilica dei Santi Ambrogio e Carlo al Corso
Canon EOS30D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 200
Aperture: f/10
Shutter Speed:1/200

The Colosseum at night
Canon EOS30D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 100
Aperture: f/11
Shutter Speed: 6.0 s

The Pantheon at night
Canon EOS30D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 100
Aperture: f/5
Shutter Speed: 5.0 s

Wednesday 18 August 2010

Stunning Santorini

This post in inspired by a friend of mine, Catty.  Her and her significant other are off to Santorini soon and I thought what better time to show some of my Santorini pictures and to give them an idea what they are in for.  Santorini is one of those places that simply must be seen.  The whitewashed buildings hugging the rim of the caldera, the spectacular sunsets, and the unique volcanic beaches make this a truly special place.

 View of Oia
Canon EOS30D
Lens: Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
ISO 250
Aperture: f/16.0
Shutter Speed: 1/400

 Doorway to Paradise
Canon EOS30D
Lens: Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
ISO 250
Aperture: f/9.0
Shutter Speed: 1/160

 Streets of Oia
Canon EOS30D
Lens: Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
ISO 250
Aperture: f/10.0
Shutter Speed: 1/200

 Ammoudi Bay
Canon EOS30D
Lens: Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
ISO 250
Aperture: f/11.0
Shutter Speed: 1/320

 View of the Caldera from Ammoudi Beach
Canon EOS30D
Lens: Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
ISO 250
Aperture: f/10.0
Shutter Speed: 1/320

 View of the Caldera from Oia
Canon EOS30D
Lens: Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
ISO 250
Aperture: f/13.0
Shutter Speed: 1/320

 Windmill of Oia
Canon EOS30D
Lens: Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
ISO 250
Aperture: f/14.0
Shutter Speed: 1/400

 Bougainvillea
Canon EOS30D
Lens: Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
ISO 250
Aperture: f/10.0
Shutter Speed: 1/200

 Taking in the view
Canon EOS30D
Lens: Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
ISO 250
Aperture: f/11.0
Shutter Speed: 1/250

All in a days work
Canon EOS30D
Lens: Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
ISO 250
Aperture: f/13.0
Shutter Speed: 1/250

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