~~~~ A Photographer tells ~~~~

The Angola blue waxbill in focus

Our garden is lively throughout the year. A regular visitor is the Angola blue waxbill, a colorful little bird from the waxbill family. They come to drink, bathe, and occasionally even nest near our water basins.

The male is easily recognized by his bright blue breast and flanks, which extend down to the belly. Unlike the blue waxbill, he lacks the red cheek patch. The female is somewhat less brightly colored. At about 13 centimeters in length, they are slightly larger than their related species.

In the photos, the Angola blue waxbill is shown at various moments of its daily life. A subtle, lively bird that adds a splash of color to the greenery with its blue feathers.

Cheers,

~~~~ A photographer tells ~~~~

The Quiet of the Old Harbor

In December 2017, I paid a visit to Den Bosch. During a walk through the city center, I found myself in a narrow alley where houses with different colored bricks stood closely together. Not long after, I stood at the Brede Haven, one of the old waterways of the city.

Along the water, characteristic houses lay in the soft afternoon light. The Brede Haven reflected the colors of the sky, gently stirred by a winter breeze. In front of the houses lay a few old cargo ships, a reminder of a time when this place was the heart of trade.

As early as the 15th century, sailors and merchants settled here. In 1442, a city crane was even built to load and unload goods from ships. The opposite side of the harbor, near the Smalle Haven, was developed later, after 1630. As trade grew, new quays were constructed, and more and more ships found a berth here, including at the water gate “Aen den Boom.”

Today, it is a quiet place. The water is calm, the bustle of the past has disappeared. But with a little imagination, you can still see how important this place once was for the city.

Cheers,

~~~~ A photographer tells ~~~~

Captured in Imitation

I was taking some photos here on the beach of Lake Malawi, this time using a tripod. While adjusting my composition, I suddenly saw him: Chisomo Msiska.

There he stood, with his homemade camera, crafted from an empty plastic bottle. His tripod was built from thin twigs, tied together with bits of grass, all found along the lake.

It was a clear imitation of me and my camera in action—silent, focused, as if he were copying me, but in his own way.

Cheers,