Indholdsfortegnelse for August 2020 i go!

Each generation has its own set of cultural references, related to the entertainment we share while growing up. As a kid of the 1970s and early ’80s in suburban South Africa, my friends and I thrived on Bud Spencer and Terence Hill slapstick, Spaghetti Westerns and badly dubbed kung fu movies. The adrenaline would flow for days after watching Bruce Lee demolish a triad of baddies. An older sibling with a yellow belt who knew just enough about karate to sound authoritative would lead our scrawny bunch through a poorly choreographed version of a kata. Then we’d practise our moves on each other. Never a good idea. It was far more educational, and less painful, to see if we could quote Bruce Lee by heart: “Empty your mind, be formless,…

FULL MOON 3 AUGUST SPRING TIDE: 4 AUGUST HIGH TIDE: 3.43 AM & 4.07 PM LAST QUARTER 11 AUGUST NEAP TIDE: 13 AUGUST HIGH TIDE: 10.45 AM & 11.10 PM NEW MOON 19 AUGUST SPRING TIDE: 20 AUGUST HIGH TIDE: 4.02 AM & 4.22 PM FIRST QUARTER 25 AUGUST NEAP TIDE: 27 AUGUST HIGH TIDE: 10.57 AM & 11.22 PM These are the high tide times for Cape Town. For other places, add or subtract minutes: Saldanha: +5; Hermanus: -4; Port Elizabeth: +19; Durban: +26 Tide information reproduced with permission from the Hydrographer, SA Navy. The Hydrographer is not responsible for any transcription errors. sanho.co.za…

RENÉ KRÜGER IG: @kruger_fleur Canon EOS 600D Canon EF-S 18 – 55 mm lens RENÉ WRITES: I took this photo on the farm Blaauwskop in the Hofmeyr district of the Eastern Cape. My little sister threw a stone for Pote (Paws) to fetch and I captured the moment he splashed through the puddle. It was earlier this year after good rains. I’d never seen the Karoo so green and lush. You only have to look at Pote to know that fresh farm air will give you lots of energy and a zest for life. The farm gate is also symbolic for me – it’s the gateway to my favourite place in the world. TOAST SAYS: Look closely at Pote’s head: His tail is sticking out to the left of his…

SHELLEY’S SLEEPOVER, PILANESBERG The town of Mogwase is so close to the Pilanesberg Game Reserve that if you stay at Shelley’s Sleepover the night before, you’ll still smell of Aquafresh when you arrive at the Manyane Gate in the morning. Mogwase (and Shelley’s) is perfectly located for people from Gauteng because you can drive there calmly after work on a Friday, enjoy a good night’s rest, then you’re just a 10-minute drive from the park gate for a full Saturday’s game viewing. Michelle “Shelley”Vagionakis and her husband George are friendly hosts, and they also have a passion for the Pilanesberg. “My favourite thing about the reserve is the elephants,” Shelley says. She grew up in Zimbabwe, where her love of the bush was nurtured. “The Pilanesberg is diverse. There’s so…

My right hand holds a pair of braai tongs and sporadically busies itself by turning a chicken drumstick on the grid. My left hand holds my phone at an angle where I can see the image on the screen clearly: A big pack of wild dogs are trotting athletically along a jeep track, the roadside grass tall and green after good rain in the Lowveld. I’m watching WildEarth’s YouTube live stream and riding along on a game drive in a private game reserve 1 500 km from Cape Town. My father would have shaken his head at all this modern technology. The khaki-clad guide behind the wheel of the vehicle provides running commentary. In pretty much real time, I can see what he’s seeing: The cameraman zooms in for a…

SHOOT WITH THE SUN. Position yourself so that the sun shines from behind you onto the subject you are photographing. USE BACKLIGHTING TO YOUR ADVANTAGE. Photography is full of exceptions to the rule. We’ve just told you to shoot with the sun, but in Willie’s photo the light is actually shining from behind the buffalo. This is called backlighting and it’s what makes the photo so striking. Backlighting often goes hand in hand with rim lighting, which is when the outline of your subject glows brightly (like the mane of a lion) when lit from behind. Here’s another cool thing that happens when the sun is low in the sky: It picks up particles in the air like dust and moisture, which can add a sense of drama to your…

DEPTH OF WHAT? Depth of field refers to the “distance” between the in-focus objects in your frame – those nearest to the camera and those furthest away. SHALLOW DEPTH OF FIELD. Some people talk about a shallow depth of field, but others say “narrow” or “small” depth of field – same thing. You have a shallow depth of field when the in-focus part of your frame is small, as in Celeste’s photo above. Notice how the shells are sharp only in one narrow band – everything closer to the camera, and further away, is out of focus. To get this effect, experiment with the widest possible apertures your lens can handle, such as f1.4 or f3.5. (Celeste’s cellphone could do f1.8!) This is a good technique to apply when you’re…

What was travelling during Level 4 like? Quiet, for the most part. I drove 180 km from Mbombela to Chrissiesmeer and I only saw two police vehicles in the places where the traffic cops usually hang out: one car before Barberton and the other as I entered Ermelo. All my paperwork was in order, but I wasn’t pulled over. Where did you stay? I would normally have stayed at the places featured, but this was not permitted. Instead, I visited these places during the day and decamped to a lockdown-approved establishment in Chrissiesmeer at night (Tom Tom Stonehouse). I got takeaways from The Billiard Room. When I was researching the article, it was unclear what the future would hold for tourism post-Covid-19. This led me to choose places that would…

Why did you study zoology? I’ve loved nature ever since I can remember – especially animals and reptiles. I grew up next to Nelspruit Nature Reserve and I spent a lot of time there with my dog Chunky, looking for snakes and other creepy-crawlies. This led me to enrol for a bachelor’s degree in Biodiversity and Ecology at Stellenbosch University. Afterwards, I went on to do my master’s degree in Zoology with a focus on Herpetology, the study of reptiles and amphibians. I was proud to be awarded the Junior Captain Scott Memorial Medal by the South African Academy for Science and Art, which is given each year to the student with the best Zoology or Botany MSc thesis. What was your thesis about? I investigated the genetic structure of…

WHY? We publish a selection of reader pictures every month. Don’t be shy, haul out those shots you’ve been hoarding on your computer and send them to us! We like just about anything: wildlife, landscapes, portraits, holiday snaps or bugs in your garden. HOW? Send your best photos to takeyourpic@gomag.co.za Don’t send files bigger than 4 MB – if we need a bigger version, we’ll ask for it. Give the name, surname, home town and contact number of the photographer. Also include info about where and how the shot was taken, and what equipment was used. If you manipulated your photo in any way, tell us what you did. THE FINE PRINT We reserve the right to use your photos elsewhere in the magazine, on our digital platforms and marketing material.…

HOW LONG IS THE TOUR? Eight days; seven nights (tented accommodation) TOUR DATES 29 January – 5 February 2021 7 – 14 February 2021 19 – 26 February 2021 28 February – 7 March 2021 HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? Rates: R12 950 per adult; half-price for children under 10. INCLUDED IN THE RATE • Camping fees • Park entrance fees • All advertised activities •Tents, cutlery and crockery •Three meals a day, plus tea and coffee in camp • Professional tour leader and guides as required •Two-way radio communication WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING •Your own vehicle (fuel, border fees and road taxes are for your account) •Your own mattress and sleeping bag and other camping bedding • Camp chairs • Drinks and snacks • Medical emergency and evacuation insurance cover BOOK NOW! Call 044 535…

Owls have excellent eyesight. Some owls can see a mouse from up to 800 m away. (That’s almost a kilometre!) Owls are nearly silent while flying. They don’t even make that typical swooshing sound thanks to soft, serrated flight feathers. Those tufted feathers aren’t ears. Owl ears are holes on the sides of the head. Some owls have asymmetrical ears, meaning one ear sits higher than the other. This allows the owl to locate exactly where a sound is coming from. Some owls have flattened, dish-like faces that focus and amplify sound. They have four “toes”, or claws. Two point forward, one points backwards and the fourth toe can move both ways! They catch and tear their prey apart with their sharp claws and fight off enemies like hawks, honey…

After dreaming of the world’s biggest rainforest for years, we were finally in the port city of Belém, on the southern fringe of the Amazon basin, about to embark on the journey of a lifetime. But first we had to wait for a barge to take us to the city of Macapá. This city is on the northern bank of the Amazon River, but it’s 330 km away as the crow flies! In between Belém (technically on the Pará River, part of the greater Amazon system) and Macapá is one of the largest river islands in the world – Marajó Island. With a land area of 40 000 km², it’s twice the size of the Kruger Park. While we were waiting for the barge, we decided to explore Marajó. Despite…

DO A SPOT CHECK. Be aware of colours that might “pop” in your photo. In a typical landscape, the dominant colours might be subtle hues of brown, green and grey. But maybe there are some wildflowers in bloom, speckling purple, pink, white or red. These can contribute to the visual message you want to convey (a springtime flower scene), but if they’re just a distraction (suddenly the tortoise you’re photographing is outshone by a field of daisies), then rather find a way to crop them out. COMBINE COLOUR AND MAIN SUBJECT. Take a look at Johan’s Durban scene above. The white-and-red boat in the foreground is the most prominent subject and stands out despite the busy background of people and buildings. That’s because the bright colours of the boat draw…

GRAB CONTROL. The faster your shutter speed, the better your chances of capturing a pin-sharp freeze-frame of that springbok pronking in the dust outside Twee Rivieren. Or maybe it’s not your subject that’s moving, but you – like when you’re trying to take a photo of a quiver tree from a moving vehicle in the Richtersveld (and your dad isn’t in the mood to stop). Modern D-SLR and mirrorless cameras can shoot at very high ISO values with increasingly minimal loss in image quality. (In the old days, everything went grainy the higher the ISO.) This means that you’ll almost always be able to shoot at the shutter speed required by the situation you’re in. GO SLOW. Shutter speed also has a more relaxed, hey-shoo-wow side. When you deliberately use…

KEEP IT SIMPLE. Star trails are complicated, rather start with something simpler. Look at Stefan’s striking picture above. The spotlight was so bright that a tripod (usually a staple of night photos) was unnecessary. By using a high ISO of 1 250 (which increases sensor sensitivity) and a super wide aperture of f2.8, he was able to use a shutter speed of 1/640 of a second – fast, for a night shot. When using a light, be careful not to agitate the animal. If it seems uncomfortable, switch off the light. CAMPING GLORY. On a camping holiday, you’ll spend many nights staring at a fire. Once you’ve had your turn peeling potatoes, use the time to set up a cool campfire scene. Use a tripod and take the photo not…

The sardine run is one of the largest migrations on the planet according to biomass, alongside the great wildebeest migration in East Africa. Here are some amazing stats about these unassuming little fish. 200 000 The tonnes of sardines hauled from the ocean along the Western Cape coast each year. 20 000 The estimated number of common dolphins that pursue the sardine shoals up the coast during a good run. 621 The total number of sardines once found in the stomach of a dusky shark! 21 The number of fish species commercially allowed to be classified as “sardines”. 20 The approximate length in centimetres of an adult sardine. Sources: wildoceanfilm.com; shark.co.za; healthbenefitstimes.com…

This emotive documentary, set to release after lockdown, explores the story of human-wildlife conflict in Africa. Produced by South African filmmakers Black Bean Productions, and directed by James Suter and Charlie Luckock, The Edge of Existence takes a look at humans living on the boundaries of wild areas in Tanzania, and the battle for survival that ensues. We’ve all heard about the horrors of poaching, the wildlife markets and the bushmeat trade, but this story gives voice to new players and allows us to see the true complexity of a larger situation: the fight for resources as protected areas shrink and human demand grows. What about the poacher who has become a game ranger? Or the farmer whose crops and livelihood have been destroyed by a herd of elephants? What…

MEET THE AUTHOR Faansie Peacock is a birder, illustrator, author and regular contributor to this magazine. Faansie’s Bird Book is billed (excuse the pun) as a fully fledged field guide for kids, but with 722 species featured, it’s also a wonderful resource for anyone of any age. You started birding when you were five years old. What sparked your interest? Since I was so young when I started, I don’t remember a specific moment. My parents loved the bush and we spent a lot of time outdoors. Somewhere I got hooked. My earliest memories are of specific birds, like a black-crowned night heron at a stream in a spotlight. Where and when this happened, I can’t say, but that image has been imprinted in my brain for 32 years. Recently,…

STAY HERE St Nowhere Spa and Campsite This popular fishing spot is 110 km north of Henties Bay. Camping from R300 per night for two people. Camping stand close to the sea with a private bathroom from R400 for two people. Self-catering bungalow from R700 per night for up to four people; R175 per extra person (max nine people). Groups of up to 13 people can book the big house – from R1 400 per night for eight people; R175 per extra person. Rates exclude 2 % tourism levy and bedding (R40 per person). The kiosk sells basics and there’s a small restaurant open during the summer holidays. 00 264 81 124 0879; bookings@stnowhere.com Terrace Bay Resort This place is run by Namibia Wildlife Resorts – it’s about 310 km…

Have you been somewhere you think other go! readers would enjoy? Write about the experience and we might publish your story. Please keep it short (1 500 words max) and send us some sample photos. If we do decide to publish, we’ll need the original, high-resolution photos so make sure your camera is on the right setting. E-mail your story to editor@gomag. co.za. We reserve the right to edit and shorten your text, and use your photos elsewhere in the magazine, on our digital platforms and in our marketing material.…

HOBBIT HOME K-Way Kids Pop-up SIZE: 2 SMALL KIDS WEIGHT: 1,3 kg PACKED SIZE: 67x67x2 cm Your kids probably won’t spend the whole night in one of these, but it’s a great play and escape area for diminutive explorers. (Pitched, it measures 210x100x80 cm.) It’s also a good sun shelter for general adventures and beach visits. It comes with a pizza-shaped carry bag and pegs, but the best part is that it has a dead-easy assembly: Take it out of the carry bag and throw it gently into the air. The internal poles force the tent open; you just have to peg it to the ground. Just make sure you’ve practised how to pack it away before you head out on your trip! R399 Cape Union Mart THE SENSIBLE SLEEPER…

Each day of The Namib100 has a unique charm and a much wider variety of landscapes than you could imagine. You’ll see thousands of birds and seals, jackals and maybe even gemsbok and brown hyenas. You’ll hike off the grid, away from civilization, deep into the dunes, and you’ll camp wild under a blanket of stars. The daily distances are long, but the hiking isn’t technical. You’ll feel like the last people on earth… The Namib Desert is one of the oldest deserts on earth and seems totally devoid of life at first, but look closely and you’ll find unique plant and animal life perfectly suited to deal with climatic extremes. As you explore forgotten diamond-mining settlements, you’ll also get a glimpse into the history of this magnificent wilderness area.…

Lungile Lusenga Tourism monitor “The Natural Erosion Bridge at Goedehoop isn’t the only fascinating rock in the area. Goliath’s Footprint in Mpuluzi, on the way to eSwatini, is a 1,8-metre impression of a‘left footprint’in granite rock. Some people believe it’s the footprint of God or Adam; others say it belongs to e’Mpuluzi, a giantess in traditional folklore. “Towards eManzana (Badplaas) you’ll find a cave named Ti’Qwa, a San word describing the relationship between people and God. There are rock paintings in the cave that are thousands of years old.” Ask Lungile to show you these sites (R350 per person; own vehicle). Call her on 076 041 5374…

IN THE MAGAZINE Send your best travel and nature photos to takeyourpic@gomag.co.za – we might publish your shot in the Take Your Pic section and you could win the monthly prize. ON INSTAGRAM When you upload a photo, use the hashtag #menseselense – check the spelling, many people incorrectly tag “menselense”. Also tag @gomagsa and @menseselense. This way we’ll see your photo and might share it on our pages. ONLINE COURSE Improve your photography skills at home – visit takebetterphotos.gomag.co.za and do our online course! It costs R950 once-off and you can do the modules in your own time. PHOTO WORKSHOPS AND TOURS We host full-day or weekend photography workshops, and photography tours. Keep an eye on the magazine and Facebook for dates.…

PICK YOUR TARGET. Make sure you know what the star attraction in your frame should be. Is it that kudu bull with the three-turn horns, or the pretender with two turns next to it? Ensure that your composition points all eyes straight to the main subject. (Yes, the three-turn bull!) ISOLATE A DETAIL. A herd of elephants will always make for a good photo, but how do you make your photo better than everyone else’s on the same game-drive vehicle? You find a detail that tells a story, like Annemarie did in her elephant portrait above. See how the legs of the big elephants create a “frame” around the small one, and how the delicate touch of the mother’s trunk creates an intimate scene? By cropping out the bodies of…

DON’T SHOOT BLINDLY. Yonks ago, when you were limited to a roll of film that could only capture 24 or 36 frames, photographers were far more circumspect before they pressed the shutter button. Your nifty digital camera can shoot hundreds of photos in minutes. But be careful of overshooting. Don’t waste your shots. Sure, when a lioness bolts from her ambush position and starts gaining on a buffalo at Sunset Dam in the Kruger – go wild. Fire off a hundred shots; one of them will be the money shot. But at other times, it pays to be selective. BE PATIENT. Impatience and photography aren’t good bedfellows. You’ve seen pictures of jackals catching doves at the Cubitje Quap waterhole in the Kgalagadi, right? Surprise, it doesn’t happen every 10 minutes!…