She loves flamingos and as it is her birthday, we nipped down to the lake before her aunts would get hold of her later in the day.
Early morning and soon the African sun will blanch the scene to make distance photography difficult.
I love this lake as it has a very friendly atmosphere and the birds also love it as they come here in droves to breed during summer every year.
Every time that my wife sees her beloved flamingos in the wild, her face lights up. It is such a pleasure to bring her here and I also enjoy the time out with her. Just a personal thing between us.
It is an escape from the rushed life around us and in peace and security one can wander around here at will.
So come and join us on the early visit.
This was the start of our walk and I also benefitted with another far walk.
Some very busy flamingos here below.
Their breeding season is over now, and they are raising the youngsters before their flight higher up into the African continent when our winter starts here at the southern tip of the continent.
A trio of Black-winged Stilts (Himantopus himantopus). Dad, mom and baby at the front.
The shallow lake is very popular and every year many species of birds arrive here for their breeding purposes.
Here is a closer look at the black-winged stilt baby. A real cutie.
Sing me a song sweet flamingo man.
Coming in is a Spur-winged Goose (Plectropterus gambensis) to join his mates.
Greeting each other was a pair of Glossy Ibis birds (Plegadis falcinellus)
It looked like the one at the left had a lot to say to her mate.
A twining of long necks to show the affection.
And then it was time for us to go and we left all in the same peace as we found it. Leaving only our footsteps behind.
A part of the trail that we walked at the lake.
Finally, just that single mountain at the start of the long mountain range.
My wife is the heartbeat of Papillon in the admin department and without her loyal support we would never have lasted so long. She is also an online lecturer and she earns much more than me, not that I mind as it keeps us alive. We live a very sparse and simple lifestyle and we have only the basics in order to avoid distractions. No TV or anything else that can distract from our peace and love in the house, as we do not have easy jobs and sanity is of the most importance to us. After two burn outs I had to have a serious operation and after that we decided to implement some changes and boundaries. No more being available 24/7 and no more hard work when we are supposed to be sleeping at night. Diets were changed to fresh fruits and vegetables and fast foods were canned. Long walks for exercise in nature and absolutely no arguments. We even sold up in the north in the country and moved down to a coastal rural town and as they say, a change is like a holiday.
There is also much poverty down here and instead of doing things on our own, we now partner with established social organizations.
Why reinvent the wheel when we can rather support and work together?
Just a wee bit here about ourselves and our life.
I hope that you have enjoyed the pictures.
And That's All Friends.
Photos by Zac Smith-All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Canon Powershot SX70HS Bridge camera.
