Church fence

Looking at the Dutch Reformed Church (NG Kerk Moedergemeente)

in Oudtshoorn through its ornate fence.

Ink Cap Mushroom

The other day after some rain a lone Ink Cap Mushroom popped up in the backyard. It's named such because the blackened mushrooms were boiled in water with cloves to produce ink in the early days. The mushroom has a white skin with tan coloring across its shaggy looking outer flesh. Just after it appears, the cap is still closed and has an oval shape like a closed umbrella.

As the oval grows and spreads out, the mushroom begins to form an umbrella-shaped cap. As the mushroom ages, the gills beneath the cap darken and become blackened with an inky coloring that actually begins to drip dark black fluid as it deteriorates. Unfortunately the lawnmower guys were there that day so by the evening the mushroom was gone and I couldn't get a shot of it open.

Sacramento Trail sunset

Sunset over the Sacramento Trail at Schoenmakerskop in Port Elizabeth

Visit Skywatch for more pictures featuring the sky

Up the museum road

Looking up the road and through the gates at the Somerset East Museum

Morning glow lighthouse

The newly revamped Donkin Lighthouse in Port Elizabeth

basking in the glow of the early morning sun

Spike

I found this spiky critter outside the office front door the other day. The early sun made long shadows and I thought a bird flying over would think twice about taking him down with a shadow like that.

St Georges Park Cricket Ground

The Duckpond Pavilion of the St Georges Park Cricket Ground in Port Elizabeth seen from one of the walkways leading into the park. St Georges Park hosted the first cricket Test match in South Africa in March 1889. If you would like to read the whole story on the first Test match, visit St Georges Park History. St Georges is home to the Chevrolet Warriors (the South African domestic limited over and Pro20 champions) and is one of the four host stadia for the upcoming Champions League Pro20 tournament.