Clouds at sunset

Earlier in the week after my Donating Blood post on Port Elizabeth Daily Photo,  Seamus asked me if my camera was an extension of my body like my arms and legs because I take photos of everything.  My camera is always in my backpack which goes everywhere I go, even when I pop down to my local supermarket for bread.  You never know when a one in a million photo opportunity may present itself.  Here is another example.  Last Sunday evening was our Christmas carols service at church and as I got out the car I noticed how beautiful the sky looked.  Off cause my camera was in my backpack in the car boot, so I got a couple of pics before I had to run to catch up to the family who was entering church already.

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Penguin release

The main objective of the South African Rehabilitation and Education Centre (SAMREC) based at Cape Recife in Port Elizabeth is to save and rehabilitate the endangered African Penguins which is found on the islands in Algoa Bay.  Once the whole rehabilitation process is completed, the penguins are released back into the bay to return to their colonies.  I was very fortunate to be at such an event the other day where ten penguins were released.

After the crates that they were transported in to the beach were overtunred, the penguins headed for the water.  Eight of them were still juviniles while the other two were dressed in their full adult "tuxedoes".

When they got to the water they seemed a bit hesitant to enter and only after a while and some coaxing headed off into the waves.

Follow my leader

There was a large group of school kids on a beach outing and after the release the teacher asked SAMREC's Animal Manager, Jared Harding, to explain to them what just happened.

Carols by candlelight

Saturday afternoon we bundled the family into the car, packed a picnic basket, grabbed the camping chairs and headed down to Settlers Park for the second annual Carols by Candlelight in Settlers Park.  The day was a bit of a windy one, but the location for the event was down in the valley and very well sheltered.

The event was organised by the Wildlife and Environment Society of SA (WESSA) and Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism and forms part of the Baakens Valley Recovery Program.  Over the years the Baakens Valley and Settlers Park has started to become a bit of a dodgy destination with the wrong elements taking refuge in the valley, but through the efforts of various parties this is changing and the people of Port Elizabeth is taking back what is one of the city's biggest natural assets.

The program was lead by the Salvation Army Brass Band and the vocal talents of the fabulous Niqui Cloete-Barrass, Marelize Barnard as well as MC on the night, Anna Pouw.

During the show the kids were called to the front and asked to sing "We wish you a Merry Christmas" with the performers.  All the kids had a chance to sing into the microphone.  Here Drama Princess, in the pink windbreaker, is awaiting her turn.

The evening was stunning and I honestly think that people don't know what they are missing when they don't support events like this.  I really hope that Carols in Settlers Park will grow from strength to strength as it has the potential to one of the great events on the city's events calender.

Painted Reed Frog

Admiring the little spekboom trees in one of the local plant nurseries the other day, a slight movement caught my eye.  A little Painted Reed Frog was sitting on one of the branches and tried his best to be invisible when I brought the camera closer. 

Painted Reed Frogs are found from Swaziland in the north to as far south as Port Elizabeth.  While those in the north are striped, the painted reed frogs in the Eastern Cape are spotted.  They normally have pink limbs with adhesive discs on their toes.  Usually found in reed beds close to water, they have a short, loud, piercing whistle.

St Georges Park

St Georges Park is said to be the oldest proclaimed park in South Africa.  The park was officially opened on 6 August 1861 to commemorate the 1 year anniversary of the visit of Prince Alfred, the second son of Queen Victoria, to Port Elizabeth.  The park can be explored via the various paths running through it. 

It has the potential to easily become a botanical garden like the one in Kirstenbosch in Cape Town.  The paths take one through large shady areas covered in trees that has been around since the early days of the park, while open grassy areas are ideal for picnics and kids to play in.

Slap bang in the middle of the park is a big fish pond and standing there quietly I spotted a number of monster koi (or I hope that's what they were).

Except for the park section itself, St Georges Park is also home to the famous St Georges Park Cricket Ground, the PE Bowling Club (South Africa's oldest lawn bowling club), the historic Pearson Conservatory, St Georges Park swimming pool and the St Georges Cemetery (one that I actually haven't visited - note to self) amongst others. Every first Sunday of the month Art in the Park also takes place in the park.

Palm tree silhouette

I was waiting for a meeting the other day and sat playing around a bit with my camera.  The sun was behind the palm tree outside the venue and the palm leaves with the weaver nests hanging on them was very nicely silhouetted. *click*

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Cracks