Harmattan

It's here! it comes back every year and somehow, it always takes me by surprise... The signs are unmistakable, though.

Just in case you don't remember how the view is from my porch, have a glimpse here.

Be well, take care of yourself, don't forget to hydrate inside out, and take care of the nasty little ear, nose and throat ailments you'll probably not be able to avoid completely.

Of dogs and baobab fruit

Who would have thought...

Please ask for my permission BEFORE you decide to use my pictures. It's the polite thing to do, and it'll prevent legal unpleasantness. Thank you.

Sunset on the bush

Sunsets are fast when you are relatively close to the equator but they are beautiful. I wish I could render the atmosphere, but I'm not a good photographer yet.

Please respect my property. These pictures are mine alone, and you are requested to ask for prior permission before reusing them. Thank you!

The great baobab walk

What a beautiful Sunday morning to play with light, angles, focus, and nature in general!

A friendly reminder: please refrain from using my pictures without my prior written authorisation. Your appreciation is flattering. Your stealing is not. Thank you!

An unexpected bonus

The theme of this morning's walk was baobabs, but when I reached the last one I wanted to see today, I discovered it was inhabited. This bird is fairly common here, but stunning nonetheless. I think it's a  Purple glossy starling / Lamprotornis purpureus / Merle métallique pourpré.

These pictures are the result of a lot of time and efforts. They are my property, and I'm sure you'll understand that you're not allowed to use them without my prior written authorization. Thank you!

Catching up?

The rain seems to be doing double duty today, catching up after a few worryingly dry months. The area is flooded as far as the eye can see. I just called someone I was supposed to meet early morning tomorrow, to tell them I won't be able to make it. They found it strange, because they are only 20 km away and not a drop fell where they are. Well, call me a liar if you want...

Far left is the baobab tree those who are familiar with my corner of the bush are accustomed to. Something is missing in the picture: the hills behind the baobab tree are completely hidden by clouds/sheets of pelting rain.

This is what I would have to cross to reach the road if I had to go out anytime soon. A strong stream before the fence foundation, and another just outside it. The rest of the land is under a few inches of water.

I'm told the electricity poles are buried 6 ft inside the ground. That's a relief. This one is about 10 ft inside my boundary. Beyond is where the two above mentioned streams merge.

More of the same (it's sort of fascinating), with a glimpse of the flooded land on the other side of the road.

A friendly reminder: although I feel very flattered when you appreciate my pictures, they are mine and mine only and you are NOT allowed to repost, copy or reuse in any way without my prior written permission. Thank you!

An office with a view

A lot of people ask me why I decided to go and live in the bush. This morning, I was working at the usual place (on the porch) when I raised my head and saw this:

I rest my case.

What are these trees?

Baobabs, not baobabs? I just cant' seem to make up my mind about it.

One such trees was uprooted by so-called developers not far from here, and once fallen (and rid of these parasitic plants that all but cover this one), it certainly looks like a baobab tree.

Whatever they are, I like these upturned whitish branches.

Baobab flowers and fruits

This morning I went on a baobab identification mission with my little 3-year old helper (she is very observant and has a better eyesight than I do, which offsets her tendancy to chatter continuously and to point her finger at the most incongruous --or unremarkable-- things with an excitedness that tends to be infectious. That is, until you realise that, in fact, she was showing you the umpteenth sparrow that morning, or anything as pedestrian as that.)

I was a bit disappointed to see that the flowering stage is all but over already,

But I was able to "catch" a late flower

And to witness a whole lot of promises from mother Nature