Windswept

Scarborough, which lies just beyond Kommetjie, is one of the few suburbs of Cape Town that remains far from the madding crowds, despite its proximity to the city and a recent property boom that has sent even properties here in Scarborough into the stratosphere. Scarborough is a conservation village and essentially a random scattering of houses and beach homes that lie embedded in the steep mountains of Slangkop and Red Hill, overlooking the thundering Atlantic waves. It is a nature lover’s haven, seems miles from traffic jams and makes the crime of suburban living seem irrelevant. Despite the fact that its self-employed musician-writer-artist residents have been joined by the more affluent computer programmer and advertising exec, the easygoing lifestyle remains intact. Scarborough lies adjacent to the Cape Point Nature Reserve, which guarantees little development here in the future and means that the suburb is blessed with some of the greatest treasure collections of plants. The rustic charm of the Scarborough village is further enhanced by the fact that it offers some of the best fishing and surfing on the peninsular. Bodyboarding, kite surfing, kayaking, windsurfing and crayfishing are all highly rated, and Scarborough’s beach is privy to some of the most awesome sunsets and wonderful windswept walks. There are a couple of restaurants here and a small shop, but it’s not very far before you reach Simons Town, and Noordhoek and Fish Hoek are as easily accessible in the other direction, should you need to stock up on supplies.
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The photo was taken during October 2014 at Scarborough, Western Cape, South Africa.

Windswept

Launch

The chic holiday resort town of Umhlanga on KwaZulu-Natal’s Sugar Coast is just 16 km north of central Durban. Umhlanga is all about beautiful beaches, gorgeous weather and making the most of the great outdoors, and a boat trip is the ultimate way to take it all in! Boat trips from Umhlanga generally kick off with an exciting surf launch from Granny’s Pool, an area of water sheltered by two natural rock outcrops. With the warm waters of the Indian Ocean lapping at the hull, enjoy exploring the stunning coastline and viewing Umhlanga’s skyline and iconic lighthouse from a seafaring perspective. A fascinating array of sea birds and marine life including dolphins and whales may also be observed and close-encounters with some impressive ocean-going ships anchored close to shore are also common.
Info source: https://www.dirtyboots.co.za/activities/town/boat-trips/umhlanga-rocks-adventures
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The photo was taken during June 2014 at Cabana Beach Lifestyle Resort, Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Launch

Perked

The blue wildebeest is identified by its long black mane and beard hanging from the neck and throat. Its dark silver-grey body is marked by dark vertical streaks running down the front quarters. The horns of adult bulls are heavily bossed, and both cows and bulls grow these short, curved horns. Bulls measure about 1.5m at the shoulders and weigh 250 kg. Naturally, cows are slightly smaller and measure 1.4m at the shoulder, with a mass of about 180 kg. The blue wildebeest breeds seasonally. After a gestation period of nine months, single calves are born during the summer months. Just a few minutes after birth, the calves are able to run with the rest of the herd. Blue wildebeest herds migrate seasonally. This is an effective survival strategy during both the wet and dry seasons, allowing the consumption of resources over large areas and curtailing over-utilisation. Blue wildebeests are social animals, living in herds ranging from ten to a few thousand. When the herd is stationary, the bulls maintain and protect the territory. The blue wildebeest is distributed in large parts of Southern Africa but is concentrated in the northeastern regions of South Africa. Population numbers are drastically decreased due to fencing, which inhibits the blue wildebeest’s instinctive migration.
Info source: http://southafrica.co.za/blue-wildebeest.html
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The photo was taken during June 2017 at De Kleine Serengeti Game Lodge, Cullinan, Gauteng, South Africa.

Perked