Weekly Photo Challenge: Opposites

July 3, 2016 / Christina B / 26 Comments

This week’s photo challenge is to show opposites. Since it’s winter here at the moment and we have lots of rainy days I immediately thought of sunshine as opposed to clouds or rain. I love the drama of clouds rolling in, especially when the sun still partially shines on it, so I put together a little gallery of opposing sunshine and clouds/rain photos.

Sunny weather while a storm is rolling in

Sun bursting through the rainy clouds out at sea

Sun shining on the dark clouds

Dark clouds rolling in

Sunshine where I’m standing but clouds and rain over the ocean

Sunshine and rain fighting it out

More rainbows (a double one this time) on our way down Bluff Knoll

Clouds rolling in at Sorrento beach

Cloud iridescence in Etosha National Park, Namibia

G…

April 8, 2016April 8, 2016 / Christina B / 21 Comments

G is for Gnowangerup, a small town close to the Stirling Ranges in south west Australia. I love the street art in the town depicting what the community is about. G also stands for the Gamsberg Pass, a very scenic pass on the edge of the Namib desert.

G is also for grass trees, guavas, garden and growing things, especially edible things.

Galahs are cockatoos that are widespread throughout most parts of Australia. G also stands for the Grey Go-away bird (an African bird) and the Golden Whistler.

Gamsberg Pass in Namibia

Gnowangerup street art

Art along the main street of Gnowangerup

Gnowangerup street art

Grass trees

Galahs

Grey Go-away bird in Namibia

Golden Whistler

Weekly Photo Challenge: One Love

March 12, 2016March 12, 2016 / Christina B / 11 Comments

This week’s photo challenge is to show what One Love means to us. The Urban Dictionary describes One Love as “the universal love and respect expressed by all people for all people, regardless of race, creed, or social status”. In the challenge Anne also says: “the universe is constantly whispering words of love: expressions of pure joy, respect, loyalty, and sacrifice for someone other than ourselves, and instructions on letting go and focusing on what is most important in this world”.

The natural world gives us so much every day, the very air that we breathe and beauty all around for us to look after, respect and love, without asking much in return. There are many elements that, together, form our world as a whole. Our natural environment, the animals and us humans who have the responsibility to care for and protect it. Love, respect and loyalty occur in our environment every day. I love the peacefulness of nature, and listening to its sounds. Birds calling, waves rolling in or animals moving around.

Sunrise is one of my favourite times of the day. It’s a time to be thankful for life, the promise of a new day and the privilege to experience it every day as we do.

Sunrise over the mainland near Esperance, southern Western Australia, taken from Woody Island

Animals grazing at sunrise, at peace in and with their environment.

Sunrise in the Kalahari, Namibia

What’s not to love and respect about mother nature when she shows all her colours? Out hiking, and it reminded me of a line I read somewhere: “Leave only your footprints behind”.

Bluff Knoll, Stirling Ranges, southwest Australia

Love, respect and loyalty in the animal kingdom – galahs are birds that mate for life.

Pink and grey Galahs, taken in Denmark, Western Australia

Mutual respect – I’ll help you and you help me.

Zebras dozing in the midday sun in Etosha National Park, Namibia

Love and tenderness from adult to the young.

Giraffe in Etosha National Park, Namibia

Caring and trust between humans and wildlife, two more necessary elements in looking after our environment.

Feeding a young kangaroo at Donnelly River, southwest Australia

Trust, respect, loyalty, caring, responsibility and love all come together to form a bond with animals where no words are needed.

Child No 3 and Belle sharing a quiet moment a couple of years ago in Namibia

As the day winds down it’s time again to be quiet and reflect on how much we have to be thankful for, and also on our duty to care for our world and all those that we share it with.