Petra – inside the incredible cave dwellings – photos

Posted on by Opher

We clambered up the cliffs to get into the caves.  Some of them seemed to have been hollowed out, or extended, by the Nabateans. Others seemed natural. Many had signs of previous habitation – smoke blacked ceilings.

I was in my element with the camera,

The fabulous colours, striations and organic shapes of the eroded sandstone were spectacular. I think I liked them better than the Treasury.

The openings reminded me of Gaudi’s windows in his houses in Barcelona.

It was amazing to stand in the entrance to the caves and peer across the valley. A beautiful sight.

Everywhere were extraordinary colours, shapes and structures. It’s like the world was on acid.

I had to be prised away. I might have spent all day clambering around shouting out – ‘WOW!!’

Petra – Photos from deeper into the city.

Posted on by Opher

It would have been amazing to have seen this place back when it was a thriving city. Petra was a centre for trade, back in the time of the Nabateans. The rocks were hollowed out as storerooms and dwellings. There would have been camels, tents and stalls set up all around. It would have been a thriving centre of colourful activity.

It would have attracted the dancers, musicians and snake charmers – all the rich, colourful people looking to ply their trades. Food, drink, and goods of all kind.

Having been through a number of Middle-Eastern squares and bazaars I can just imagine it.

I just adore the organic shapes of the eroded rock with its beautiful striations and colours.

I’m certain Gaudi must have visited and used the structures in designing his buildings in Barcelona.

The Barbary Apes of Gibraltar – photos

Posted on by Opher

The Barbary apes aren’t apes at all – they are tailless monkeys, Barbary macaques, who originated in the Atlas mountains of Morocco and were probably brought to Gibraltar by the Muslims when they invaded Europe.

I do adore monkeys. I always wanted a pet one but it isn’t very ethical.

These particular monkeys are doing very well. They first prospered because of the myth that the rock would always be British while the apes were there – so the British fed and nurtured them. Now they are a major tourist attraction and get fed and pampered.

Technically they are wild – though because they get fed and looked after, they have no fear of people and are dependent on humans.

They seemed to be enjoying themselves posing for photos.

These Barbary Macaques are the only wild monkeys left in Europe (apart from my grandchildren).

St Michael’s Caves – Gibraltar – photos

Posted on by Opher

We went up high on the rock with great views over the bay and towards Spain and across the straits to Africa. Then we went into the caves.

Gibraltar is a mass of caves. They have been hollowed out by water dissolving the limestone rock.

St Michael’s caves are a big complex. The main one is a big cavern in which they hold concerts. A fabulous setting.

The concert setting.

The caves are a mass of stalagmites and stalactites all lit up in bright colours (as seems the current trend to attract tourists). It is quite a spectacle.

A Walk around Hornsea – photos

Posted on by Opher

Hornsea is a seaside town not far from us. I normally go there every week for my writing group but that is cancelled because of Covid. We are making use of the fine weather to explore. Although I go there regularly, there is much of the town that I’ve never seen.

It used to be grand but now it is down market. It declined when Beeching cut the railway link leaving it rather isolated.

We started on the Mainstreet. There are many fine houses from all the different incarnations of the town.

Then headed off down the back streets.

This is in the park – an extensive park with lots of facilities – but this is part of the moat for the great Manor House that no longer exists.

We then had a walk along the prom. Sandy beaches with few people and lots of social distancing – warm sun and cold North Sea.

This is the facade of the old railway station.

Through the memorial gardens dedicated to all those killed in the wars of the last hundred-odd years – so many young men needlessly slaughtered.

I wonder if they’ll put up memorials for the Covid victims in years to come?

Past the main church with its impressive spire.

On to the mere – a large lake with reed banks and boating. A great place for nature.

To Nurture Nature! Or to die!

Posted on by Opher

You are all most probably sick to death of me going on about the huge damage that was wreaked on the habitats near where I walk. They mowed the wide verges down the entire length of the road and completely destroyed the vestiges of wild habitat. The plants were in full flower and alive with insects. The seeds and insects provide the food for the hedgehogs, voles, owls, kestrels and kites.

I used to go on a walk eager to see what wonderful creatures I was going to find.

Since the destruction of all those acres of habitat, I haven’t seen anything.

The verges are now becoming green as the decimated plants regrow.

But they are devoid of flowers. It is too late now. The flowers have passed their season. There will be no seeds for the animals.

These verges are devoid of most insects. Countless multitudes of insects were destroyed. Those are the food for the birds, hedgehogs and shrews.

The birds and creatures will have another hungry winter.

Further down, on another lane, there were areas of verge which had not been mown.

It is easy to see the rich profusion of life – flowers, seeds, bees, butterflies and other insects

We are being urged to keep little wild patches in our gardens for the insects, for the wildlife, yet, for no apparent reason, acres of wild habitat are mown flat, wiping out whole communities of plants and animals.

If we want to have the beauty of nature around us we have to protect it!

If we do not look after the planet I fear we will have no future!

Destroying habitat – Irony!!

Posted on by Opher

While walking up my hill – past the scenes of devastation where they have mown the wide verges, I saw a sign at the entrance to a field. So I went and had a look.

The ultimate in irony:

The sign was about how wonderfully they were managing the land and providing habitat for wildlife such as the grey partridge.

It says that the chicks need plenty of insects and seed.

To the left of the sign was the wide verge that had been mown flat – destroying all the habitat full of insects and seed.

To the right of it was the field freshly ploughed with no strips of wildland for the partridges, no stubble,  no seed, no insects.

Was this some kind of sick joke???

No wonder nature is taking such a battering!!

The beautiful Yorkshire Wolds in summer – Photos

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This is my usual walk. Since lockdown I have been doing a 10K walk every day. This often involves me walking up this hill on to the Yorkshire Wolds. There is a great view.

It is great to see the changing colours due to the seasons and weather.

I used to see some amazing creatures too – stoats, hares, foxes, kites, kestrels and owls – but since the mowing catastrophe they have disappeared.

Nature is so restorative and refreshing.

These pictures were from yesterday’s walk.

A Close Encounter with a huge Komodo Dragon.

Posted on by Opher

Coming back from the waterhole I was feeling ecstatic. For a Biologist like me to encounter real Komodo Dragons in the wild was quite an experience.

We headed back to the beach. The tropical jungle seemed very fertile. All around us was the buzz of insects and call of unseen birds. We came across more wild pigs and deer. There seemed to be ample food for the dragons.

Back on the beach there were fishing boats. I went for a look around.

Our guide beckoned to us. A little cash exchanged hands. He took us along to his village.

We passed more deer. One mother seemed to be telling her baby to beware of dragons.

In the village, the kids were out playing. There in the middle of the village was a huge slumbering giant of a dragon.

He took us right up to it. So much for ferocious dragons. They let their kids play with the dragons!

We weren’t through. We were able to go right up to the huge beast and even touch it. The dragon didn’t seem bothered. It was far too sleepy. It just closed its eyes and went back to sleep – dreaming of gobbling up pigs and deer – plus the odd annoying human.

In Search of the Fearsome, Deadly Komodo Dragon – Photos

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We left the safety of our ship, boarded small boats and headed in to the jetty and the beach.

Somewhere in the fetid jungle the ferocious dragons lived – mouths full of fangs, dripping red saliva and a bite so deadly that nobody survived. Their reputation went before them.

The could outrun deer and eat them whole.

We were introduced to our intrepid guide who was going to lead us into the interior. We eyed him up for signs of strength and courage. All he had to defend us with was a forked stick. We remained dubious.

We set off and immediately came across a wild pig, part of the staple diet of the dragons. It looked half-starved and petrified. I think it was a nervous wreck.

We set off down the trail through the thick tropical vegetation, expecting to bump into a dragon at every step, peering around us, expecting one to pounce.

Rounding a corner we stumbled upon a giant monster slumbering in the shade. It opened its eye to see who was disturbing its morning nap.

 

 

Then it closed its scaly eye and went back to sleep.