33° Suid

Table Mountain

Marié Cruywagen — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 13:50:31 +0000

In 2012 Table Mountain was officially inaugurated as one of the seven New Natural Wonders of the World. This image was taken on 20 December 2005 from a Boeing 747 as we were approaching Cape Town International Airport. The sight of Table Mountain remains one of the most welcoming in the world!

Table Mountain’s most familiar feature is the level plateau approximately 3 kilometres from side to side, edged by impressive cliffs. The plateau is flanked by Devil’s Peak to the east and by Lion’s Head to the west and forms a dramatic backdrop to Cape Town. Table Mountain’s vegetation forms part of the Cape Floral Region protected areas. These protected areas are a World Heritage Site, and an estimated 2,200 species of plants are confined to Table Mountain – more than exist in the whole of the United Kingdom! Many of these species, including a great many types of proteas, are endemic to the mountain and can be found nowhere else. Truly a Natural Wonder of the World!

Table Mountain is a post from: 33° Suid

H2O Iris

Marié Cruywagen — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 14:04:33 +0000

This shot was an experiment with a flower head that was snapped off by the wind. It still looked so perfect, but I couldn’t put it in a vase, as it had no stem. So I literally put the Iris IN the water. I day later some bubbles had started to form on the leaves, making the underwater display more spectacular. The picture was taken on 7 September 2008.

H2O Iris is a post from: 33° Suid

Into the light

Marié Cruywagen — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 13:57:14 +0000

In April 2009 we visited Cape Agulhas, the southernmost point of Africa and the confluence of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. We also visited the Cape Agulhas Lighthouse, the second oldest lighthouse in South Africa, which in 2009 celebrated its 150th birthday. The lighthouse is a national monument and was restored and recommissioned in 1988. The building now also serves as a museum and it is worthwhile to clamber up the old wooden ladders to the top of the lighthouse. This picture of the final, extremely narrow, climb to the top was taken on 12 April 2009.
Cape Agulhas is situated at 34° 49’ 08” S. 20° 00’ 33” E.

Into the light is a post from: 33° Suid

New beginning

Marié Cruywagen — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 14:47:26 +0000

Today marks the new beginning of my photoblog 33° Suid. Since my life has changed so much over the last four and a half years, I’ve decided to change the blog as well. I might be reposting some of my previous pictures, but hope to mostly post new ones. I’ve neglected my hobby the past three years – it’s time for a new beginning. In the East the Ginkgo is considered a symbol of longevity, hope, resilience and peace – may 33Suid.com have a long, happy and productive life.

This picture of the leaves of a Ginkgo Biloba was taken in Kew Gardens, London on 15 March 2007.

New beginning is a post from: 33° Suid