February Sunset

If someone told me this morning that I would photograph one of the most breathtaking sunsets today, I would probably have laughed at them!   It was one of those hectic days, and  the lack of caffiene in my system made it even worse. 

Upon returning home, I decided to play with Stretch in the backyard. Soon we were both so tired that we fell down onto the grass.  That's when I noticed a large cloud being illumenated by the setting sun. I rushed indoors to get my camera and within seconds I forgot all about the hectic day I had.  Soon mist and smaller clouds started rolling in, and before my eyes the trees 'caught fire'.

I only sharpened and cropped the following photo - just to give an idea of what the sunset looked like (also have to mention that I used a polarized filter): 

The majority of the photos to follow were edited in Corel Painshop Photo Pro X3.  Editing photos is my least favourite part of photography, although I have to admit it makes a big difference....

The following result was achieved by changing the contrast and brightness settings.  It's one my favourite photographs to date.

Using the kaleidoscope effect:

Now this is what I call a perfect end to a VERY LONG DAY!!!

"The rising sun
blesses my mind
with joy.

The setting sun
blesses my heart
with peace."  

Sri Chinmoy

A cat and four dogs...

As I was driving into our complex this morning I noticed a cat taking a nap under the branches of a tree.  Needless to say, I grabbed my camera to take some photos. There was no time to swap lenses, but who cares!  I'm doing this for the fun of it...

“Some people say that cats are sneaky, evil, and cruel.  True, and they have many other fine qualities as well” Missy Dizick

This post will not be complete without some of photos of dogs, so here goes:

  

Last, but not least, a photo of my beloved son, Stretch.  He's very camera shy, so this was nothing but a fluke!

“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.”  Josh Billings

 

Hiding amongst the grass...

“She sat down in a weed patch, her elbows on her knees, and kept her eyes on the small mysterious world of the ground.  In the shade and sun of grass blade forests, small living things had their metropolis.”  Nancy Price

Robber Fly (possibly Pegesimallus pulchriventris)

Elegant Grasshopper (Zonocerus elegans)

Bagworm larva hanging from a strand of silk

Head of the larva protruding from its case 
made of silk and grass

Silver-Striped Hawk Moth (Hippotion sp.)

Silver-Striped Hawk Moth (Hippotion sp.)

For the last couple of days I have searched in vain for interesting insects and spiders to photograph.  So, imagine my suprise on Saturday when I came across this Hawk Moth in our garden seeking shelter from the sweltering heat.  

The wingspan of the moth was +/- 70mm.  Its hind wings had beautiful pink bases, whilst its abdomen was covered in silver flecks.

These moths are found all over Afria, and are known to migrate occasionally. 

Unfortunately this was the only photo I could get of the moth's coiled proboscis.

Whilst photographing the hawk moth, I spotted this recently hatched grasshopper nymph on one of the succulent plant's leaves.  Approximate size was about 13mm.

Sunday afternoon ended on a high note when I discovered an Elegant Grasshopper feeding on a grass blade.  I will try my best to upload those photos within the next few days.

Have a good week all!