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!