THE BEAUTY OF A BARREN LAND

The Namib desert is one of driest lands on planet earth. It receives an average of 11mm rains annually! Compare that with Blantyre (in Malawi) 1500mm, Johannesburg (in RSA) 700mm and Mawsynram (in India) 11, 872mm! Over a million years of geological activities has created sand dunes that baffle the imagination. The Namib has some of the highest sand dunes in the world with a number of them going over 300m in hieght.  These majestic and expansive dunes have created a unique landscape that really takes the breath away from any first time visitor.

The Sand Dunes of the Namib Desert rising to touch the clouds

The dunes of the desert rise from the Atlantic oceans on one edge. The meeting point of the ocean and the desert is so breath taking a view. The rising sand mountain always makes one ask why the sand is not collapsing into the ocean? But the sand mountain defies that logical questions and stands majestically like a model on a Milan fashion show! Geologists and geotechnical engineers have spent years trying to explain this  very point! 

The Namib desert meets the Atlantic Ocean

The one prevailing feature of the Namib is the angular position of the dunes. Everywhere one looks at the dunes one gets an impression of movement of the dunes. This scenario is given by the distinct waves that form on top (of the dunes). This impression is not very far from the truth; geologist say that the dunes are constantly in motion as are they under the effect of a constant ‘push’. The winds blowing over the Atlantic Ocean are so strong and they are constantly pushing the sand inland. The waves on top of the dunes point in the prevailing direction of the winds.

The dunes with waves on top

Overtime the dominance of winds in a specific direction leads to the waves growing into dunes. Year upon year more sand will be piled up on top of the older sand. The continued piling of the sand creates dunes with sands that are densely compacted on the windward side  and loosely placed on the leeward side of the dunes.

 Top view of Dunne 5 

General View of a Namib desert landscape

BEAUTY OF EARTH’S ROTATION

Physicists have proven beyond reasonable doubt that the earth rotates around the sun. In a 24 hour period a point on earth would have done a 360⁰ spin that would take it closest and farthest from the sun. This seemingly innocuous movement has a far reaching effect on the appearance of our sky that is sometime taken for granted. When a point is closest to the sun a maximum amount of sun radiation reaches it this is what is normally called mid-day. At mid-day  the strength of the sun radiation is so strong that almost the entire light spectrum reaches earth. Due to this the mid-day sun appears close to white.

On the other hand when a point is moving far away from the sun the amount of radiation reduces to a point when there is so minimal radiation and night fall comes. Just prior to night fall a phenomenal exhibition of the earth’s beauty is displayed; normally called the sunset. As a point moves further and further away from the sun the amount of energy it receives reduces leading to some light waves not reaching the point. Just before the sun disappears the energy that reaches a point is mostly concentrated in the color red of the light spectrum hence the display of red colors experienced when the sun sets! From wherever the sun is looked at Sun set is a phenomenal view to behold! The images that follow do show how the sun set was seen from different places.

A sunset observed in Serowe lights up the horizon with fiery colors. One would be forgiven for thinking that forest fires have been lit in the heaven! The contrast between the setting sun and the clouds sets up a scene worthy beholding. 

As the sun sets in the west the reflective effects were observed on the southern side of Serowe; again the available light clouds ensured that the spectacle is easily appreciated as seen in the picture below.

On the Atlantic coast of Walvis Bay (in Namibia) the sunsets as a ship awaits to get into the habour is seen in the picture below. The horizon is empty of any clouds but still the colors of the setting sun are still very vivid.

Driving along the M1 in Malawi, between Lilongwe and Kasungu, a sunset was captured that completely changed the colors of the sky.

Even in built up areas of an urban setting a setting sun still presents something worthy look at. In the picture below the sunset was caught at service station having set the sky alight.

A sunset seen in a residential area with the sun- rays projecting out of the clouds sets out yet another stunning view. The projecting light rays do make this view even more worthy taking a moment to appreciate the view presented.

On a highway in Gaborone the sun set is seen towards the residential area of Mogoditsane. As the sun sets behind the little hill in Mogoditshane the flimsy clouds are set alight in red colors.

From whatever view point a setting sun is looked at it does present a spectacular view which need appreciating.

LAND, RIVERS AND LAKES FROM THE SKY

Flying over land presents a different view of the earth we live on. Whereas every day we walk tall on the earth and look in awe at the various majestic mountains in our midst a fly past them shows the top of the hill and their majesty sort of diminishes. The mountains and their majesty can still be appreciated though from such heights. Seen from about 1100 metres above the hills that make up the Kruger National Park one is presented with a beauty of hills and valleys. The picture is able to show that in the greater scheme of life on earth the majestic mountain range is just a small beautiful piece of the jigsaw.

A fly past Lake Malawi further reinforces the beauty of the lake as spelled out in lake of stars-tribute to an emotionless model The coastline of the lake is even further defined. The contrast between the land, lake and the clouds does reinforce the amazing beauty of the lake.

At the same time that a fly past shows the beauty of the land below it also gives a glimpse into to damage/destruction that human are effecting on the land. Take the beauty of the lake and land above however another part of the lake you find that the mouth of a river emptying into a lake is one point where erosion upstream is exhibited. The blue waters are replaced by brown water which are a by-product of the silt that has been eroded upstream.

Major rivers seen from up in the sky do present their own fascinating side. At about 10,000metres above sea level the river below appears as if it is just a junior primary school kid’ s art works. The meanders of the river are so vivid that one would choose to believe that the mighty river that gashes as much as 10,000 cu. m every second! A river captured between Mozambique and South Africa shows this.

In another view a river’s impoundment shows the reservoir that has been created clearly.

Every day walking or driving or cycling on land presents a view of the world. However, looking out of the window (when flying up in the air) does give another dimension of the beauty of our world. If one goes over the various fears associated with flying one would really enjoy the beauty below!

THE COLOURS ARE BACK – SPRING IS HERE!

Spring is an interesting period of the year with the cold of winter just having gone there is a period of unease. The weather can be quite unpredictable. The beginning can wobble between cold and hot but once the heat has taken root then everyone knows spring is bidding farewell. In as much as the YO-YO type of weather is an issue it is what happens with the vegetation that is even more interesting. A number of plants have chosen this period as the best period to show the artistic side of nature. It is not for fun though this is part of the whole plant pollination cycle that enables plants to produce fruits and (in a number of instances)  lead to new plants … sustaining the specie!

The mixture of colours is just breath taking to say the least!

A brown tree truck with green leaves and flowers that have white, violet and purple (all in one!) set against a brown landscape of a residential neighbourhood.

A creeper on a neighbourhood plot displays its bright colours ...

A tree on the road side is drenched in white as if to show that it is too old for the landscape. The golf ball shaped white flowers are responsible for the trees apparent old age!

Another tree on the road side is draped in white. On closer inspection one can see the white flowers that have blossomed from the tree. The white flowers are in very large numbers comparative to the green leaves as such they give a deception that the tree is wholly white!

In the wild a tree looks strangely bleached green from a far. A closer inspection shows the culprits!

Even in the dark the beauty of while flowers on a tree are just stunning. It looks an eerie picture. The darkness fails to hide the effect of the flowers on the tree.

With all these colours on display it is official winter is gone; the colours of nature confirm the demise of winter and the official setting of spring in readiness for summer! Everywhere one looks the eyes are met with the various colours that the artist, that nature is, has kept hidden for a while. In the radiant colours it appears as if a giant lady’s dress has been draped over the land, it is time to go out and enjoy this display of nature!

HAPPINESS IN THE EYES OF A CHILD

In this world there are quite a number of afflictions. Life presents so many challenges that it is easy to forget that smiling has a lot of benefits to the human development. In http://www.helpguide.org/life/humor_laughter_health.htm people are encouraged to laugh as in the end this simple act is very beneficial to human development. Amongst adults it is very seldom that you find adults letting out the laugh however in our young in spite of moments of ‘craziness’ children express themselves with laughter.

Sometimes kids do laugh at ‘awkward’ times to say the least. Imagine a kid running from a bath having stripped off all clothes. He goes all berserk laughing his way around as he is being chased out!

Then there are those times when the young ones seem to find laugh in everything surrounding them. They just laugh and make you wonder what is going on in the little head.

 It is usually understandable when you encounter kids playing and there is laughter all around.

But whatever the circumstances the laugh in the young reminds the general population that laughing is an essential human element. In appreciation to the goodness all around laughing would not be a bad thing at all.

OF THE PAST AND THE FUTURE

To onlookers an old woman holding a baby boy appears like an everyday occurrence. But looking closely the picture does say a lot! What is the old woman thinking about? She is looking so keenly at the young boy who is oblivious to all that is happening.  The grey hair and the wrinkled skin do bear witness to the period that the woman has spent on earth. This is a big contrast to the young boy’s skin that is still tender and soft.

The woman looks proudly at the child and loudly says, “I thank God I have lived to see and interact with 3 generations of my direct family”; of course she is holding her great grandson!

BEAUTY OF THE WORLD

The world is a beautiful place; the beauty of the world can be described in various words and various presentations. The hills, plains, valleys and rivers of the world have all come together to create a really beautiful world.Unfortunately the word beauty varies from one individual to another, as it is said beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder.

The rolling hills of the Nyika Highlands are one testament to the beauty of the world. Having climbed up to as much as 2200m above sea level (going through a rugged road) one is presented with a ‘flat land’ that baffles the mind both in terms of the their sheer beauty and size. The Nyika plateau is one place that is blessed with much more than topographical beauty. It is said that the flora and fauna on the plateau is second to none. With its beauty and abundance animal/bird life the Nyika plateau was declared a world heritage site in 2000 (Nyika National). The highest peak on the Nyika is actually 2605m above sea level; Nganda Peak is perpetually covered in clouds at this height! The plateau covers a total of 3200 sq. Km!

  

From the Nyika plateau to the west there is another presentation of natural beauty, the scattered hills of Nthalire valley. Seen from over 1300m the view from above is just breath taking. The ‘snaking’ earth road adds to the beauty of the area more so when you compare this with the beauty of the Nyika plateau.

Driving on the road at times one encounters nature (presenting a beauty) that one is left speechless. The elephant rock in the Chikangawa forest (part of the Viphya mountain range) is one such rock formation. To a lay person (not a geologist that is) this rock formation is a wonder as one always asks how such a massive rock came into being. Its origins aside the presence of the rock and the shape that it has taken within its environment makes this natural occurrence a beauty to see.

Seen from a good vantage point a road snaking through a mountain presents its own form of beauty. It may be argued that this is not natural, the answer would be yes and no. Yes the road is a man- made feature but all that the road does is emphasise the existing natural beauty of the surrounding area more so if the design of the road is done properly.

When looked at from a mountain top a road meandering through a naturally beautiful place does do the same task. The Gaborone-Lobatse road seen from Kgale Hill does emphasise that fact. The valley below the hill is a beauty but the road makes the beauty stand out.

How about the view of a giant wetland seen from about 1000m above ground? The Okavango delta is a breathtakingly beautiful world heritage site with an abundance of both flora and fauna. It is generally said that to appreciate the delta one has to fly over it then you get to see the sheer size and beauty of the delta. The delta is a source of both life and pleasure. It is the largest delta in the world covering 15,000 sq. Km and large mammals in and around the delta are about 200, 000 (Okavango Delta).

The Victoria falls is a thunderous beauty. With 1088m cu. m per second falling (on average) through 108m the Victoria falls is indeed a thundering beauty. That is about 4000 adults’ daily water supply falling every second through the falls! The sound generated by the falling water can be heard kilometres before one reaches the falls and the vapour can also be observed from a distance.The beauty of the falls and the life it supports has also made this beauty a world heritage site (Victoria falls). 

That being said the beauty of the natural world is all around. It can be seen in the setting sun for example. As the sun sets it gets covered in clouds and right before one’s eyes a natural beauty is presented. This is one beauty that can easily be taken for granted. As seen from the M1 road between Dedza and Ntheu the setting sun does present a beauty worthy taking a moment to appreciate.