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Into the Future - 2009


Into the Future - 2009
Photo Information
Copyright: Loot Eksteen (loot) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5524 W: 722 N: 4163] (11276)
Genre: Landscapes
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-10-17
Categories: Mountain
Camera: Sony Cybershot DSC H9, Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar 15x Optical zoom, Digital ISO 100
Exposure: f/5.0, 1/500 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Travelogue: Kruger National Park - 2007
Theme(s): Landscapes of Southern Africa, Rocks of all shapes and sizes, A study in Geography (earth) 1, Kruger National Park 2, Dedications at treknature: Part Five, My Dedications ;o) [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2009-01-01 1:57
Viewed: 6882
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 50
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Mount Shikumbu

This mountainscape showing Mount Shikumbu was captured on the H14 link road that runs from just south of the Mopani camp down towards the Phalaborwa Gate, in the Kruger National Park. The unfortunate effects from the harsh South African afternoon summer sun are clearly visible causing some havoc with the extreme contrasts between the shady and sunny spots, but I decided to use this image to reflect the uncertainty of an unknown future. What awaits us (the collective human race) around the next corner? Fortunately (I believe) God is already there so we do not need to fear the future.

The Mount Shikumbu (494m) area (together with Mount Masorini (590m) and Mount Vudogwa (450m) and related sites towards the south) are classified as part of the late Iron Age (1,000–1,850AD) and are associated with the Mojelo, a sub-group of the Sotho speaking Ba-Palaborwa people. The senior headman stayed at Shikumbu, while the lesser chiefs lived at the other two hills.

The underlying material consists mainly of granite and gneiss. Isolated plugs of syenite from the Phalaborwa Ignious Complex have penetrated into the granite to form koppies of which Masorini, Shishwani, Shikumbu, Shivulani and Vodogwa are the most outstanding.

Some of the objects found in this area are made of high carbon steel while others have a highly variable carbon content. All appear to have been forged at relatively low temperature and then annealed at a low temperature near 700°C. None have been hardened by quenching and tempering.

There are no written records that describe the early African iron technology and the history of African ferrous metallurgy must be reconstructed from archaeological evidence and field observations of surviving smelting operations. Source

Once again (as for Christmas), I dedicate this posting to the entire TrekNature community, which includes:-
1. All the personnel who runs and administer this site.
2. All the participating photographers who freely share all their wonderful material and experiences, as captured through the irises of their camera lenses.
3. All other non-photographic members who share their thoughts through critiques or other means.
4. And last, but not least, the entire Internet community who regularly or sporadically visit us and appreciate (with us) the talents and giving spirit exhibited on this site.

Into the Future - New Year 2009
Although we do not know what the winding roads of this New Year holds in store for us, but to one and all I want to express my sincerest and best wishes for a happy, successful and healthy 2009. Thank you very much for the amazing friendships and all the good times shared during 2008. My life would have been far less interesting and much poorer without YOU all, my TrekNature family and friends.

On this New Years day…I pray:-
To my enemies – 365 days of harmony.
To my opponents – 365 days of humanity.
To my friends - 365 days of prosperity.
To every child - 365 days of sensitivity.
To myself – 365 days of leniency.

Have a wonderful, blessed 2009. God bless you all.

Post Processing was done with Adobe Photoshop CS2.
red45, jaycee, jconceicao, rcrick, ferranjlloret, Miss_Piggy, Alex99, haraprasan, uleko, boreocypriensis, peter_stoeckl, smitha, marhowie, carper, Aaltjie, Rehanna, betsie has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
Our Planetingridshaul 1 12-19 07:30
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Loot,
this motive is realy perfect to begin with on the first day of the New Year.
I wish you and Anna all the best for 2009, may all your wishes come true.
Thanks and greetings
Sabine - wishnugaruda

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2636 W: 74 N: 9091] (31094)
  • [2009-01-01 3:08]

Hi Loot!

As always in your posts great note. God bless you! Almost allegoric picture, new, open ways in 2009. This place is beautifull, but this is no surprise - every place from SA on TN is beautifull. Most of all in your picture I like lots of fresh air and new hopes for future. Perfect work!

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2454 W: 10 N: 8044] (25460)
  • [2009-01-01 9:39]

Hi Loot,

As soon as I saw the thumbnail and read the caption I thought how brilliant an idea this is for the new year! I see so much symbolism in this simple and beautiful photo. Just like this car we are on a winding road where we cannot see what lies ahead. Will we ride off the road into the rocks or will we find our way to the top of the mountain? Or, with so many cars and so many drivers ...... I'll leave that sentence unfinished but I do hope that God is on "our" side. A very Healthy and Happy New Year to you and Anna.

Jane

Hello Loot,

Excellent photo.
Wonderful colours with fantastic details.
Lighting and composition are splendid.
Good notes.

Hi Loot,
Thanks for your kind wishes. It's my turn to wish you the Best New Year ever, filled with joy, peace, health and many, many great pictures! This symbolic picture is perfect for the New Year. I like this perspective a lot with excellent composition and POV. Peace.
Claudine

Hi Loot,

An amazing landscape and on my list of places to see, love the uncertainty of the road ahead and what lies around the next bend, and my very best wishes for yourself and Anna in 2009.

Kind Regards Rick :)

Great photo with classic composition. Makes me wish I was in Kruger at this moment!
Happy New Year!
Peter

Hello Loot,
Excellent picture.Fantastic composition.
Good notes and interesting notes.
TFS.
Regards.
Ferran.

Hallo Loot
A wonderful scene from our beautiful country and it is a pity that we do not see this genre often in your portfolio. The rock formation the people in the vehicle is driving towards looks so rustic and beautiful. The element of rock, sky, bush and grass is adequately captured with good sharpness and detail. This is a very lovely view of this Kruger reserve landscape. The details are absolutely splendid, colours are amazing and this idea is very creative. The image has great depth and composition and you have chosen a great angle. A great subject you have chosen as your step into the New Year. Thanks for all the valuable and educational contributions from your side to this site.
Love
Anna

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  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4072 W: 133 N: 7096] (23735)
  • [2009-01-02 4:49]

Hi, dear Loot.
I like idea of the picture and wonderful, full of content note. Last ones are the best always as well as your comments which if they are short they are long enough :).

Part of the road, its surroundings as well as the car are fine and quality of the shot is simply outstanding. It is absolutely three-dimensional image with fantastic clarity and transparency. Exposure of spot on despite the bright sunlight. And all details are razor sharp. I also am impressed with framing of the scene and composition of the picture. They are blameless. Bravo, dear friend. My best wishes to you and your family in 2009. I hope, that excellent health will be your ally and we shall have an opportunity to see much your shots in this year.
Alexei.

Hi Loot,
HAPPY NEW YEAR. A nice capture of this beautiful mountain scape. Very well composed and well themed. Thanks a lot for sharing.

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3396 W: 172 N: 3310] (10940)
  • [2009-01-02 9:52]

Hello Loot,
I hope this road will lead you to lots of wonderful places in the coming year and I wish you all the very best for 2009! This is a fantastic landscape with beautiful rocks and interesting vegetation, all bathing in wonderful sunshine.
Many thanks and kind regards, Ulla

  • Great 
  • wuta Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 855 W: 2 N: 617] (2142)
  • [2009-01-02 10:51]

Hello Loot , Beautiful landscape , good composition from the big mountain , and beauty colours , And you and Anna a Very Good 2009 . Greetings Teunie and Jaap .

Hi my dear friend Loot,
A great mountainscape shot containing a well composed road represent the 2009.
Well prepared accompanying notes as usual.
Wonderful and required wishes too.
i also wish you a happy and healty NY of 2009 my friend!
All the best!
Cheers,

Bayram

Hello Loot

A wonderful composition,the s curve road leading into the magnificent rocky horizon.
It reminds me of a tourism shot.
The colours are well saturated with lovely light.
Will you take me there some day? I figure if I start imagining it maybe one day it will manifest itself into reality,and there is no one else really I would prefer to have show me around.
I will keep playing my pools LOL
The feeling of trek,adventure and exploration really exudes from this image,what is beyond them thar hills?
TFS

Wolf

Dear Loot,
the winding road through primordial semi-desert with gentle signs of spring, passing a rugged rock, leading two people in a lonesome car to a hidden place: That is evoking a sweet feeling of adventure, and the wonderful anticipation of exploring new miracles of the fairyland of nature.
Delicious colour contrast of warm hues of dust, sand, dry vegetation, red rocks - and cool shadows. I love that simple, matter-of-fact presentation of nature and the way we are able to leave our city homes to appoach it and find joy, excitment, and peace there.
With thanks, and all my best wishes to you and your family for a happy and joyful new year, full of exciting discoveries and good stories!
Peter

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  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1739 W: 224 N: 6872] (24909)
  • [2009-01-03 14:35]

Very nice shot, Loot!
The road acts as a great lead-in line.
Excellent sharpness.
Superb composition.

Well done and a have a great 2009!

Joe

Salut Lott et merci pour tes commentaires et tes bons souhaits pour l'année 2009
CELA FAISAIT UN BOUT DE TEMPS QUE JE N'AVAIS PAS PUBLIÉ.
J'espère un jour pouvoir rendre visite a cet endroit qui semble merveilleux avec toutes les belles images que tu nous envoies.
Je te souhaite a toi et toute ta famille une merveilleuse année 2009
Au plaisir de te revoir et a bientôt .
amitié JP

  • Great 
  • smitha Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 348 W: 73 N: 1165] (4409)
  • [2009-01-05 21:10]

Dear Loot,
Thank you very much for your inspiring thoughts for New Year wish.
Wish you and Anna the very best in 2009.
regards,
Smitha.

Hi Loot,
Well composed and a great message/theme for this fine image.
Thank you for your friendship these past few years.
Let's believe together that 2009 will be a great one, filled with many blessings..
Howard

a very nice photo from a famous place,
first of all I wish you and your family a good 2009 in good health, I know it's a little bit late. your photo here of this park is very nice good quality job I like it a lot. have a good evening
regard Jaap

Dear Loot
With this image you make me long for the open spaces of South Africa and the nature that spoilt me while I stayed there. I just love the wide open space you have photographed here; in my imagination I can smell the fresh air, no pollution, no toxics, no garbage, no nothing in sight. Only a beautiful landscape that pleases me tremendously, as this is once again one of the wonders of the Creation that is created so masterfully. How I wish I could have been in that car driving uphill, not knowing what treasures will await me on the other side? Loot I am sorry to read that you are so busy with work projects at the moment. It is really a pity that work keeps you away from your hobby and leisure. Unfortunately that is life and we have to be thankful that we have the strength and physical ability to carry out our work, although we do not always feel that way. Please just do me a favour, when this project is completed, take a weekend break with your wife and spend some quality time together, as I am sure the two of you do not see each other much at the moment. Thanks for the beautiful words you have left us at this image as well as your Christmas image. It is taken to heart, and left in one of the rooms of the heart. May God bless you too!
Warmest regards
Aaltjie & Hettie

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3277 W: 148 N: 6163] (18832)
  • [2009-01-19 1:26]

Yes, I missed it!!
Sorry Loot and I wish you God's best blessings for you and Anna in 2009 too.
Looks like the long and winding road up ahead - and none of us know the path we're to travel on, do we? Just take one step at a time and TRUST!!
Best regards
Janice

PS Nice, sharp image here. Good all over...

Hi Loot
Hierdie foto is ongelooflik!! ek ken hierdie presiese spot wat jy so mooi vasgevang het. Jammer jy kry nie meer tyd vir jou gunsteling tydverdryf nie - maar toemaan een van die dae kan jy weer meer aandag aan die fotos gee.
Lekker bly
Betsie

Dear Loot
I was paging through your gallery and attracted by the landscape similar to "the street were I live".

Apparently in this part of the world are the oldest geological formations and therefore no fossil found.

When I came for the first time to South Africa in 1976 - I was fascinated by the unusual shape of mountains in Africa - and later particularly by the strange formations near Phalaborwa. Every time on my way there I think of giants' children having forgotten to pack away their building blocks.

The tower in the top right corner of your photo is especially interesting i.e. sporting on top a UFO.

The question-mark shape of the road says it all...

The scenery looks - as if there had been a few drops of rain a day or two before - some blades of green appearing at the road side, but rainy season not yet started according to the colour of the sky.

Looking at this picture makes me happy and proud to be a South African citizen, living in one of the most beautiful and diversified countries in the world.

A beautiful South African Landscape - skillfully presented.

Have a nice week-end
Warm regards
Ingrid

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