Tag: chameleon

Local Talent

Napier (South Africa) has got talent; we all saw that recently with the theatre spectacle ‘Wonderland’ in the School of Skills in Napier (next posting).

A talent is also Abigail Camille. Many know her as one of the faces of ‘Pascal of Napier’ (local cuisine). I’ve used her a few times as a model and although she still has to learn a few tricks she’s got the potential to become a great photo model (if she wants) 
Abigail Camille has many faces and goes up in different surroundings like a chameleon. I had the privilege to work with her on several occasions this year (with thanks to a.o. Vanilla Boutique and Jeremy Shoe Repair and Locksmith in Bredasdorp and Yvonne de Wit Jewellery in Napier (Okay; the last one does not count for she is my wife for life . Soon I hope to work again with her and if everything works out she will have the opportunity in the beginning of 2020 to learn a few tricks-of-the-trade from a well known African super model with whom I have another session.

The Chilling Chameleon

We are privileged to live where we live in South Africa; an abundance of nature and an amazing landscape. Hidden in the mountains are numerous waterfalls, patches with pristine fynbos and various other plant genera. And than the animals. In the Overberg you find everything from a small bug to baboons and leopards. And they all like to chill every now and than; human beings alike.

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The trick that did it.

Last Sunday I had difficulties in photographing a chameleon nearby the beach in Die Kelders between Stanford and Gansbaai. Only when I put my camera in the bag the little creeper came out of his hiding. Whenever I opened the bag it rushed to its hiding in the rocks. That repeated a few times until I did as if I was putting my camera in the bag. After it realized that the camera is a harmless instrument the chameleon posed patiently provided I did not come too close. Beautiful creature! Locally people call this chameleon ‘Bloukopmannetjie’ (‘Little Blue Head Man’) and you find them all over. These are shy animals and will only come nearby (but not too) if you sit still for a while. The portraits are made with a Sigma 70-300 mm macro lens fully zoomed in.

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Steel nerves

Shot along coast in Gansbaai, South Africa. For people traveling off-the-beaten-track: From Hermanus/Stanford turn right into ‘Die Kelders’. Follow this road until there is a sign (=right) to a National Park. On this road first turn left. This is a dead-end road with parking at the end. Take the path towards the ocean and enjoy. Also historical caves. For the local people it’s the free entrance to the park (entrance fee of Cape Nature Conservation is a rip off because of missing and neglected/dangerous infrastructure such as stairs and pathways to beach and caves). This ‘freeway’ is a very safe one with stunning views of surroundings and small (chameleons, birds, etc) and big (whales/sharks/dolphins) wildlife._DSC2523nr2WEB