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hougaard β€” The Canyon's Secret

Published: 2011-10-09 17:40:57 +0000 UTC; Views: 33120; Favourites: 2025; Downloads: 0
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Description This image looks much better against a dark background, please view it on my site to fully appreciate - [link]

Myself and Shem Compion went on a 5 day trip to Mpumalanga in January to explore the Africa's 2nd largest Canyon. One of Shem’s friend’s told us about this place on the other side of the Canyon that no one ever sees. After a long drive along unmarked and overgrown roads we got a concrete pass that quickly ascended through the tropical forest mist-belt and arrived atop Mariepskop in misty weather. We drove around and the scenery was a mix of mossy vegetation, military hardware and views of the lowveld that stretched forever.When it cleared occasionally we saw that there was a storm cloud over the main escarpment with a nice high-cloud anvil that would make for a a great sunset. We parked and decided to try and get to the escarpment edge, but the terrain of rock stacks and dense vegetation proved impossible to negotiate. We got about 100m from the road, made a u-turn and about 45 minutes later we were back at the car, exhausted and scratched all over. Using an Ipad and google earth we determined where the edge was closest to the road, drove there and found a seldom used track leading to the cliff edge. In front of us lay the back side of the three rondavels and the sun was about 20 minutes from reaching the gap in the clouds. We scouted for compositions, set up and waited for the light. As the first beams burst out below the clouds and creeped over the far hills the adrenaline started pumping (only landscape photographers can get an adrenaline rush from sunsets!). As the sun dipped below the horizon, the mist closed in and we headed back to car with a very big smile on our faces.

Blyde River Canyon, Mpumalanga, South Africa

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This image is the intellectual property of Hougaard Malan. It may not be used in any way without the author's written consent.
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Comments: 230

gear616 [2013-05-17 01:37:20 +0000 UTC]

Awesome combination of complex light and texture. Glad you had the endurance and patience to get to this viewpoint.

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Mint22 [2012-08-15 13:51:48 +0000 UTC]

Fabolously scenic

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VinySerrinati [2012-05-14 16:32:03 +0000 UTC]

Just ; whouaaaaaaaaa !!!!!

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Shadoweddancer [2012-04-30 01:53:47 +0000 UTC]

Hi Your wonderful art is currently being featured in my journal – [link]
If you do not wish to be featured, please drop me a note me and I will remove it.

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BrandiFort [2012-04-27 19:11:58 +0000 UTC]

wow....just...wow

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missylovescake [2012-03-29 19:16:36 +0000 UTC]

Simply magical!! THanks for sharing ur photography!

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lewandator [2012-03-17 18:00:01 +0000 UTC]

This photo is just beautiful! I love your gallery : ) You put much effort in your photos.

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macmari [2012-03-13 11:31:44 +0000 UTC]

It looks like the kind of picture that you'd see on a postcard. Very nice.

My brother likes it too.

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eternjc [2012-02-12 04:40:34 +0000 UTC]

I've just come across your photos, and I have to say "thank you." I grew up in Joburg, but now live in America. Your scenes are fantastic and nostalgic. Particularly this one, since I've holidayed camped in Mpumalanga many times, and the Blyde River Canyon is a place that sticks with you for life.

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Zayoon [2012-01-09 13:50:15 +0000 UTC]

Adorable

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TristanCrider [2012-01-05 16:45:54 +0000 UTC]

Please tell me you make money selling these! If you don't then all hope is lost.

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MBKKR [2011-11-16 08:34:54 +0000 UTC]

WOW

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k-lizz [2011-11-12 22:13:34 +0000 UTC]

Absolutely Stunning!!!!!

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isabel56 [2011-11-09 07:36:59 +0000 UTC]

MPUMALANGA HAS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SCENES>WE YOU HAVE LIVED IN HOEDSPRUIT FOTGET ABOUT THE BEAUTY BECAUSE YOU SEE EVERY DAY. THANK YOU FOR REMIND ME.hOW I WISH I AM BACK THERE.BEAUTYFUL PHOTO

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SugsOverdose77 [2011-11-06 04:19:44 +0000 UTC]

I seriously believe you are the next Ansel Adams. Beautiful work!

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StefanEffenhauser [2011-11-03 09:26:59 +0000 UTC]

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JindrichLisy [2011-11-02 22:26:28 +0000 UTC]

I feel I can get adrenaline rush not only from sunset but from sunrise too! Anyway perfect light!

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jen10a [2011-11-02 14:48:05 +0000 UTC]

Was there a year ago and nearly fell off the view point. =0

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hougaard In reply to jen10a [2011-11-23 08:48:34 +0000 UTC]

haha, that wouldn't have had a happy ending.

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Shoayb [2011-11-01 14:35:43 +0000 UTC]

wow , amazing lighting

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hougaard In reply to Shoayb [2011-11-02 07:47:52 +0000 UTC]

Thank you very much

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karlijnlovesart [2011-10-30 11:59:58 +0000 UTC]

so beautiful!

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hougaard In reply to karlijnlovesart [2011-11-02 07:47:53 +0000 UTC]

Thank you very much

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Angie-Pictures [2011-10-28 12:03:29 +0000 UTC]

Stunning picture!

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hougaard In reply to Angie-Pictures [2011-11-02 07:47:50 +0000 UTC]

Thank you very much

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Angie-Pictures In reply to hougaard [2011-11-02 20:45:00 +0000 UTC]

My pleasure!

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Sister-of-the-Moon [2011-10-28 03:24:50 +0000 UTC]

So beautiful!!!!

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hougaard In reply to Sister-of-the-Moon [2011-11-02 07:47:50 +0000 UTC]

Thank you very much

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O-Gosh [2011-10-27 21:44:46 +0000 UTC]

[link]

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hougaard In reply to O-Gosh [2011-11-02 07:47:49 +0000 UTC]

Thank you very much

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c00LpicS [2011-10-21 18:20:44 +0000 UTC]

Stunning!

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hougaard In reply to c00LpicS [2011-10-23 17:44:09 +0000 UTC]

Thank you very much

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Shh-GonnaDrawNow [2011-10-21 12:55:34 +0000 UTC]

UUU- .... run...jump!!! FLY!!

U are happiest man on planet u were there.

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ente-mit-Spinne [2011-10-19 03:19:28 +0000 UTC]

looks a bit over sharpened on the bottom part but it is still an amazing photo

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hougaard In reply to ente-mit-Spinne [2011-10-20 17:20:03 +0000 UTC]

Thank you

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Eep386 [2011-10-18 01:48:59 +0000 UTC]

Just. Beautiful.

'Tis all I canst say.

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hougaard In reply to Eep386 [2011-10-20 17:21:43 +0000 UTC]

Thank you

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Eep386 In reply to hougaard [2011-10-21 03:22:42 +0000 UTC]

My pleasure

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coreyconway [2011-10-17 19:31:47 +0000 UTC]

What a shot! Absolutely beautiful!

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hougaard In reply to coreyconway [2011-10-20 17:20:08 +0000 UTC]

Thank you

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quixzan [2011-10-16 03:23:43 +0000 UTC]

Wow, this is breathtaking!

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hougaard In reply to quixzan [2011-10-16 18:41:33 +0000 UTC]

thank you very much

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quixzan In reply to hougaard [2011-10-16 19:12:59 +0000 UTC]

You are most welcome.

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GoldenGirl954 [2011-10-15 17:21:44 +0000 UTC]

WOW! This is so beautiful

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hougaard In reply to GoldenGirl954 [2011-10-16 18:41:36 +0000 UTC]

thank you very much

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BloodyBat [2011-10-14 15:35:57 +0000 UTC]

Suge a beautiful ladscpare and wonderful rays of light... It's an amazing photo!

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hougaard In reply to BloodyBat [2011-10-15 08:48:29 +0000 UTC]

Thank you

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edmund-ng [2011-10-14 09:01:14 +0000 UTC]

nice light!

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hougaard In reply to edmund-ng [2011-10-15 08:48:31 +0000 UTC]

Thank you

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CarlPearce [2011-10-13 10:23:14 +0000 UTC]

Wowza. It's like some lost world from a 40's adventure movie. You'd half expect to see King Kong in there. Or Indiana Jones. Or even a Ford Explorer being torn apart by a Tyrannosaurus Rex.

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