Last Light
Exploring the Drakensberg entails an immense exercise in patience, as one seeks out fleeting moments when conditions yield mere seconds of stunning light. I spent a significant portion of this particular in my tent, observing as mist and clouds continuously swirled around, offering no indication of hope for a breakthrough in light. However, to my surprise, a mere thirty seconds of light pierced through the ominous clouds moments before sunset, creating an incredible scene, one that made the six-hour ascent of 950 meters well worth it! Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa.
A Flooding Tugela
After five years of visiting the Drakensberg, this was the first time I have ever seen the Tugela Falls in flood! I have been here, two or three times before after massive rains, i've heard the waterfalls thundering down, but I have always been engulfed in mist. On this particular day, we battled heavy rain getting to our camp, heavy mist engulfed us, and I thought I would miss out on the opportunity again of seeing the falls in flood. I sat in my tent, checking the mist every couple of minutes, and to my elation, the mist opened up, affording us an incredible view I have worked so hard to see! I finally managed to photograph the Tugela Falls in flood. Our window of opportunity did not last long! Another rain storm approached us, and moments after this image was taken, we ran back into our tents to escape the heavy downpour. Moments like this make the challenging times hiking the Berg so worth it! Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa.
After The Snow Storm
The sun breaks through from the east after two full days spent in the snow and thick cloud. This sunrise was spectacular, the golden light hitting the massive cliffs of the Amphitheatre, the foreground snow catching the light and clouds above completing the scene perfectly. I am very proud of this photo, it took a lot of suffering to get. Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa
Amphitheatre Arch
A beautiful rainbow forms immediately as a storm passes overhead, arching over the Devils Tooth and Eastern Buttress. I've waited for a long time to capture a rainbow over this location, and finally I was gifted with an incredible opportunity. Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa
Amphitheatre Thunderstorm
Violent thunderstorms whip across the rugged Drakensberg landscape late one December afternoon, throwing down numerous bolts of lightning. I shot many frames hoping to capture the lightning as the storm passed over and got lucky with numerous lightning strikes. Moments after this image was taken, the storm peaked and sent us running into our tents to get away from torrential rain and lightning overhead. Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa
As The Inversion Changes
Dramatic conditions surround the Drakensberg Amphitheatre, changing every few seconds as the cloud inversion shifts and warps around the spires and buttresses towards the east. Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa
Below Ifidi
Clouds ebb and flow amongst the lower peaks of the mighty Drakensberg Escarpment as a spectacular sunrise illuminates the landscape. Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa
Between The Cloud
A small gap in heavy cloud allows a view towards the Mitre and Chessman of the Cathedral Ridge as sunset light softly catches the peaks and cloud above. Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa
Clearing Snow Storm
During August 2021 the Drakensberg received a massive snowfall. Although I was scheduled to be on top of the escarpment for this snow storm, I opted to stay below and capture the massive mountain peaks above me. The storm shrouded the mountains for the majority of the storm, and as the storm started clearing I was awarded with an incredible view of the Eastern Buttress of the Amphitheatre completely covered in snow. Light broke through heavy cloud, illuminating the rugged ridges of the escarpment creating some incredible natural contrasts. Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa
Cliffs Fall Into Cloud
Rugged cliffs fall into cloud high up on the Drakensberg escarpment as the faint twilight glow of sunrise paints the landscape in soft light. Standing on the edge of the cliffs above the Column & Pyramid, you have an amazing view back onto the Cathedral Ridge in the background. Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa
Contrasting Light
Incredible light spills through beneath heavy storm clouds and rain creating a beautiful rainbow behind the Mnweni Needles. This is my favourite type of light - dark moody clouds contrasted against strong directional light! These moments are exactly what exploring, adventure and photography are all about for me! It’s about finding those fleeting moments of light, weather, of any natural event that stops me in my tracks and immediately humbles me, allowing me to experience the power and incredible beauty of our natural world! I wish everyone on this planet could experience moments like this in nature! Earth wouldn’t be in such jeopardy then! Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa
Dawn Light and Shadow
Heavy mist builds below the peaks of the Drakensberg Escarpment, swishing back and forth under an impressively colourful sunrise sky. The Eastern Buttress and Devils Tooth protrude above the vast expanse of low cloud. The blue tinge in the top of the sky is a shadow, possibly caused by a distant cloud bank blocking the light from the sun. Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa
Drakensberg Expanse
Beautiful cloud dances below the peaks of the northern Drakensberg, continually swirling about and changing the scene every few seconds. A small sliver of light manages to break the cloud and illuminates the Mnweni Needles, the two peaks in the front and centre. In the distance you can see from the right, North and South Peak creating the Saddle, then across to the left the Mitre, the Chessman and the outer and inner Horn. This is a beautiful view from the Ifidi area. Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa
Drakensberg Grandeur
I have seen many beautiful places in Southern Africa over the last 14 years as a photographer, but the Mnweni Pinnacles in the Drakensberg sits at the very top of that list! The first time I saw this view, I was speechless! These pinnacles are massive, i’m guessing at least 200 meters tall, maybe more. Its a long hike to get to this location, but worth every step!For me, I think this image might become one of my all time favourites I have captured. It will also print beautifully, I captured this photo as a multi-row pano and ended up with a 123 megapixel file. Needless to say, i’m printing this one for home! Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa
Dramatic Mbundini
Incredible light spills through heavy storm clouds shining onto the rugged landscape surrounding Mbundini Abbey, The Madonna and Her Worshippers and Fangs Pass. Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa
Fangs Pass Waterfall
A waterfall at the bottom of Fangs Pass flows strong as low heavy cloud cover the peaks in the distance. Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa
From Ifidi
During this particular morning, the cloud inversion drifted way below the escarpment summit for many hours, but it slowly made its way higher, soon engulfing the landscape moments after this photo was captured. This is a view of the Devil's Tooth, but from the lesser known side of Ifidi. Drakensberg Escaprment, South Africa
From North To Central
The view from Icidi Pass is incredible, made even more incredible by a spectacular sunrise. The peaks in the foreground are the Mnweni Needles, and beyond that the Cathderal Ridge, and then in the far distance is Monks Cowl and Champagne Castle. Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa
From The Clouds They Climb
If you use your imagination, there appears to be three men climbing out from the clouds. I visualized this image many years ago, coming back to this composition time and time again waiting for the right conditions. I needed a cloud inversion at a very specific height to make the image work. I was happy to finally complete this image during a 5 night hike in November 2019. The storm clouds were an added bonus, adding more drama to the scene. Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa
Into The Sunrise
The sun rises to the east just above Mponjwane as heavy particulate air catches the golden light across the rugged landscape of the Drakensberg. Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa
Light Across the Cutback
A fleeting moment of light I will never forget!During a northern Drakensberg traverse I did in November 2019 we spent our 5th and final night at the top of Rockeries Pass. We spent the afternoon shooting storms over the Cathedral Peak area and it was quite a relaxed final afternoon. Out of nowhere, about 45 minutes before sunset the temperature started dropping, and the smell of moisture filled the air. Within a few minutes the air went from absolutely clear to heavy but partial mist. We could see gaps in the mist to the west so we took a chance and literally ran from the top of Rockeries towards the Mnweni Pass area leading up towards Mponjwane.The area close to the top of Mnweni pass has some amazingly dramatic features, and by absolute luck we had some of the most incredible light rays coming through gaps in the mist, creating such an ethereal scene. This moment lasted only a minute or so. It was such a rushed photo to take, I was out of breath from running, sweating, and I literally set up my camera on my tripod and had to instinctively compose this image in seconds and fire off a couple shots.The moment was so fleeting, it was an amazing scene to behold, even though I was in a flat panic to capture such an incredibly beautiful scene. It was a very fulfilling experience and I feel happy that I managed to capture something special of a beautiful part of the Drakensberg. Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa
Madonna And Her Rainbow
A dramatic storm passes and then clears enough to let late afternoon light shine through, creating a beautiful rainbow over one of the most beautiful views of the Drakensberg I have ever seen. Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa
Mnweni Needles Light Rays
The Mnweni Needles acentuate terrific sun rays cast by the rising sun during a very hazy morning in the Drakensberg. Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa
Mnweni Pinnacles Sun Rays
Heavy atmosphere engulfs the landscape creating very hazy conditions, accentuating beautiful late afternoon sun rays cutting through the rugged landscape of the Mnweni Pinnacles. Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa
Mnweni Self Portrait
Adventures in the mountains, experiencing this rugged landscape, discovering its many secrets and nuances, a love affair with dramatic weather. This is everything I love about spending time in this mountainous wonderland and this image for me, sums up exactly how I feel when exploring. Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa
Moonset Over Rockeries
The moon slowly sets over the rugged and beautiful Rockeries area in the Drakensberg. The tall peak to the right of the moon is one of the Mnweni Needles and the peak just to the left is Mponjwane. Although the moon wasn't full on this evening, and having a full moon in a sunset sky is impossible, the long exposure of 30 seconds in camera blurred the moon creating the effect of a bigger moon. Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa
Mponjwane Landscape
The first direct light of day rises above the cloud inversion to the east. The view towards the sunrise is beautiful as Mponjwane stands tall above the surrounding landscape. Clouds cover the valleys below as far as the eye can see. Drakensberg Escaprment, South Africa
Pinnacles And Moon
Clear skies over the Mnweni Pinnacles and Drakensberg landscape allow the moon overhead to shine bright, as the first crepuscular rays from the rising sun shine above. Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa
Rain Curtain
Heavy rain falls to the east of the Column and Pyramid as dappled sunlight falls onto the tall pinnacles so iconic of the Drakensberg. Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa
Remnants of Light
The last remnants of sunlight quickly fades on a stormy afternoon over the iconic and picturesque Amphitheatre in the Drakensberg mountains. A slow flowing Tugela River reflects the amazing fiery sunset colours, oranges and reds, bringing to an end a great day in the Berg. Royal Natal National Park, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa
Rugged Amphitheatre Dawn
Beautiful soft early morning light catch some cloud above the rugged landscape of the Drakensberg Amphiteatre in a soft pallete of magentas and blues. Early morning is magical in the mountains. Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa
The Ebb And Flow
Dramatic spires and peaks below Mponjwane stand tirelessly against the ebb and flow of thick mist below, engulfing the landscape during sunrise. Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa
The Tugela Falls
Moody, misty conditions engulf the dramatic landscape over which the Tugela Falls flows. A massive cloud inversion sits well below the escarpment edge, creating a sense of being on top of the world. Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa
The Falling Mist
This was one of my finest mornings of landscape photography I have ever experienced. A bland sunrise turned into an epic display of wind and mist coming from Lesotho and falling over the escarpment edge for more than an hour. The falling mist engulfed the landscape emphasizing the dynamic cliffs and pinnacles of a treacherous and beautiful Drakensberg amphitheatre landscape. Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa
The Fiery Sky
Incredible sunrise light pierces through a small gap on the horizon, washing the landscape in beautiful golden light as dramatic clouds catch the light overhead. This is quite easily one of the best sunrises I have ever seen in the Drakensberg. Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa
The Madonna at Twilight
The basalt cliffs of the Drakensberg Escarpment are impressive, but near the top of that list is this formation high up in the Mweni area at Fangs Pass. Termed the Madonna and Her Worshippers, these seemingly small spires or peaks are in fact at least the height of ten busses. Heavy snowfall adds dramatic character to this landscape as stars faintly glow signalling night fall. Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa
Towards The Light Of Dawn
The mighty cliffs of the Amphitheatre reflect brilliant early morning light as the sun paints the landscape in golden colours, beautifully accentuating light and shadow. Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa
Tugela Falls Sunrise Inversion
Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa