This is a sample of the 173 000 photographs submitted to the 2014 Sony Photographic Competition.
Main photograph: Orangutan in Bali
Stunning Photographs
Category Archives: Photo Galleries
Only in Australia
A previous blog entitled “Only in Africa” revealed the essence of Africa with its idiosyncrasies and quixotic behaviour. Every country has a unique image which evokes that essence. As is usually the case that quintessence represents more than the landscape even though that forms an important backdrop to that imagery.
This time is the idiosyncratic behaviour of Australia and Austrailans that is portrayed.
Animals in Unusual Poses
This is a series of photographs with animals in different poses, some fatuous and others charming but all evoke a pleasing response. Is this an animal’s innate ability or do they surreptitiously attend acting and drama lessons when their owners are not at home? Whatever the truth of these assertions, pets, especially kittens and puppies with their cute adorable expressions, make their actions even more lovable.
How about making these breath-taking locations your next vacation stop-over?
How about something breath-takingly different for a vacation? Instead of Paris and London, why not make a change and discover some magical places where none of your friends have been before.
Main picture: Lofoten Islands, Norway
The Golden Age of Air Travel
Cabin service on board an intercontinental Boeing 707 during a flight with the West German airline Lufthansa, April 1967
What is the first thought when contemplating flying somewhere: cramped conditions with stodgy unappetising meals? Business Class is completely different experience but who can afford a seat which can cost anywhere from 5 to 10 times that of an economy class seat.
This series of photographs will reveal the elegance of flying during the 1950s and 1960s. Women would be dressed up to the nines and for the men suits and ties were de rigeur. In effect the whole plane was in current terms First and Business Class. The prices reflected that fact too. The plebeians were not allowed to lower the tone. There was no need to discriminate against them overtly. The price ensured that they could not enter these hallowed cabins.
Main picture: Passengers enjoy a drink and a game of cards in the cabin of an Imperial Airways plane in 1936
Scott’s Fatal Polar Expedition contrasted with a Modern One
The ways in which Scott and Shackleton explored the Polar Regions is moribund. Even the manner in which Randolph Fiennes manhandled all his kit across Antarctica need no longer be the modus operandi. Whilst even his odyssey to the South Pole is remarkable in terms of endurance and tenacity, it lacked the one ingredient that continues to make Scott’s and Shackleton’s attempts enduring: no Plan B.
Robert Falcon Scott was to die on the 29th March 1912 in his heroic attempt to become the first person to reach the South Pole. Amundsen, using dog sleds instead of manhandling their equipment, had beaten them to it. The only solace and consolation was to return with their samples which was the ostensible reason for the trip. Reaching the Pole first was pure bravado, vanity and for the glory of the British Empire.
Main picture: Robert Falcon Scott in full Polar regalia
What are you trying to do to me?
Animals can be as expressive as humans. It is this attribute which endears them to us humans and ensures that we adopt them and pamper them. In this series of photographs, their human owners or companions are attempting acts as banal as attempting to wash them or take them to the vet.
In no uncertain manner do they demonstrate their displeasure at such a sadistic activity.
More Remarkable Playmates
Yesterday’s blog showcased three separate stories on unusual animal friendships or playmates. Here is another. In this case it is between an elephant and a dog.
Barak, a Basenji dog – a breed from Central Africa, owned by a game ranger in the Kruger National Park, clearly has eyes for this elephant. In order to communicate better with the dog, the elephant reciprocates and gets down to the dog’s level.
This incident occurred in 2014 at the home of Louis Olivier who lives at Skukuza, the main camp in the Kruger Park.
Unusual Animal Behaviour
I was always under the mistaken belief that it was only my pets which exhibited this usual behaviour. Now I have become aware that all pets suffer from the same psychological problem: the opposite of agoraphobia.
After viewing these photographs does your pet also require the services of a trained animal behaviourist in order to overcome their belief that something that they could sleep in as a puppy or kitten is no longer suitable as a fully grown animal?
Massive Storm in Jozi on Monday 16th February 2015
