More from the Mountain

Some additional photographs on the way up and at the top of the mountain.

On the Other Side of the Camera

Here are a few photos of myself from the other side of the camera.

Mountain Bees

These bees were busing around us at the top of the mountain. They certainly look scary.

Chase the Donkey

Well the South Africans decided they needed to get out of the truck when the driver decided he had to back down the hill to be able to make the turn. It seems their nerves were shot driving up and down the mountains. Anyway the donkey had to be moved out of the way so they relaxed by chasing it down the hill.

Mountain Fruit: Pacay

These fruit grow at about 1300m. We found a tree at the well site on the way up to the mine. One eats the white part in the interior of the pod that surrounds the seeds. It is kind of like cotton candy but not as sweet with a flavour of Vanilla. The Spanish name for these is Pacay. A relative is known as the ice cream bean in English. The trees are grown to provide shade for the coffee trees.

Country Hotel

Here we have the hotel that is the best option when one visit's the mine site.

Great to See Vincent Again

After the last trip, and every trip, it is great to get home to see Vincent and Luisa.

Nelson Mandela Square

I didn't have much time to see Johannesburg but I did get to Nelson Mandela square a couple of times. Lots of restaurants overlooking the square and a big mall inside. It was a good place to pick up something for Vincent and Luisa.

Pilanesburg Birds

These are five of the three hundred species of birds at Pilanesburg. No indentification here as they are not in my birds of North America handbook.

Pilanesburg Panoramas

Views from around the park. I was able to spend a day during by hectic visit to South Africa in Pilanesburg National Park located about a 2h drive from Johannesburg, and next to Sun City. The grass is long this time of the year so anything lurking just a few feet from the road could not be observed. That said there was a lot to see in this fourth largest park (550 square km) in South Africa. The park is completely fenced and the genesis project reintroduced some of the vanished species during the 1970's.

Commorants

These commorants have lots of food in the small lakes in the park.

Pilanesburg Turtles

These turtles hang around the view points overlooking the water. Looking for a handout no doubt.

Rhinoceros

We happened upon this rhinoceros family along our route. This is the closest I have been to these big animals even when visiting a zoo. I didn't risk reaching out and touching them especially with the baby around. My driver was a little afraid for his car. Not sure if these are the white or black species as both exist in the park.

Elephants

You will soon have to travel far from Toronto to see elephants as our mayor has decided they are too expensive.