~~~~ A Photographer tells ~~~~

Colorful Acrobats in the Garden

They regularly flutter by in our garden in Malawi, as well as in the riverbed next to our house. Sometimes they rest on twigs and leaves, both among the greenery of the garden and along the water’s edge. Wherever you look, they always seem to be in motion – or perfectly still, in quiet balance.

Dragonflies – graceful, almost otherworldly insects – are a fascinating subject to capture. Their metallic shimmer, vibrant colours and impressive wings make them true works of natural art. Some hover motionless in the air, others sit quietly on a leaf or twig.

With their large compound eyes, slender bodies and powerful wings, they seem built for both speed and elegance. Dragonflies can’t sting, but their presence is unmistakable – a vivid detail in the landscape.

In the photos, you’ll see several dragonflies both in motion and at rest.

Cheers,

~~~~ A Photographer tells ~~~~

Wild Fruits and Red Fingers

The football match in Chitimba had not yet started. The first supporters were already standing along the field when I saw her standing there: Mery Chavula. Her lips and fingertips were strikingly pinkish-red, a color you wouldn’t expect. I knew immediately where it came from. Mery had just eaten wild almond fruits.

The fruits fall in the tree’s season and the children pick them up from the ground. They peel the fruit with their mouths, after which the juice from the pulp causes the pink/red color on their lips and fingers. The pulp itself has a slightly sour taste, but the real reward is the almond inside the large pit of the fruit. The children crack open the pit and eat the nut.

When I saw Mery standing there, with her strikingly colored lips and fingers, she was calmly looking at the people along the field. She had no idea I was observing her. As I took a few photos without her noticing, she suddenly turned around and looked directly into my camera, a moment I immediately captured.

Cheers,

~~~~ A photographer tells ~~~~

Mushroom Wonders

With the arrival of the rainy season, our garden in Malawi transforms into a breeding ground for all kinds of mushrooms. Everywhere you look, they sprout from the ground in various shapes and colors. Some stand alone, like tiny islands in the soil, while others cluster together, nestled closely side by side.

Between the pebbles on the sandy shore, delicate caps emerge, their striking pink hues contrasting with the damp ground. Further on, in the dark, moist soil, brown and cream-colored mushrooms appear, while in other spots, white ones push their heads up.

The warm, humid climate allows these fascinating fungi to thrive, as if the garden has a life of its own. The mushrooms come and go, a silent reminder of how dynamic and unpredictable nature can be.

Cheers,