close iframe icon
approved icon joggievanstaden avatar
joggievanstaden
Banner

Quiver trees at sunrise



behind the lens badge

Shortly after sunrise in Kokerboomkloof in the Ai-Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, South Africa

Shortly after sunrise in Kokerboomkloof in the Ai-Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, South Africa
Read less

Views

3025

Likes

Awards

Contest Finalist in Creative Landscapes Photo Contest vol11
Contest Finalist in Celebrating Nature Photo Contest Vol 7
Contest Finalist in The African Continent Photo Contest
Featured
  View more
Peer Award
Outstanding Creativity
andrewdavies_3664 richardgreen4 AllanSeppa teresahudnall_0174 esperanzatheis LouLousVisions johnmccown +25
Superb Composition
johndelalande jusifsarkarov mismadam DanaCarruthers lyndellanne GaryWilliamsImagery minorProfits +21
Absolute Masterpiece
Indina_2021 jewlezrenaewells Satyadev_Hirani Karl-Heinz cometolifephotography ppls6 kerrylynncordier +15
Top Choice
Eddieuuu071 katiemcharg Morgan_Lytle HeadInTheCloudsCamera thierry Butler LcPam carlosdesousagiraldez +12
Magnificent Capture
Heike-J-Stasiak Angiepierre kellumbear bpwhite egifford Lillymeg Vitaliy_SN +2
All Star
Topsy124 crystalmorton Ayan_Arion 1EmmTeeAhrr photoman1974 Vash01Photo
Superior Skill
Tarunpal23 kasper 2001vermont henryksadura
Genius
jdmarks64 lukas_strout
Virtuoso
BrandyLukerPhotography MichelleMizerka

Emotions

Impressed
italj B-Framed Mad24 Viktor_Odnovyun skippy ZoltanKr taunbri +17
Happy
lukas_strout

Top Ranks

Nature Addict ProjectTop 20 rank
Nature Addict ProjectTop 20 rank week 2
Travel Addict ProjectTop 30 rank
Travel Addict ProjectTop 20 rank week 1
Creative Landscapes Photo Contest vol11Top 10 rank
Creative Landscapes Photo Contest vol11Top 10 rank week 1
Capture The Outdoors Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Capture The Outdoors Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Creative Light Photo Contest ProfotoTop 10 rank
Creative Light Photo Contest ProfotoTop 10 rank week 1
The Collection ProjectTop 20 rank
The Collection ProjectTop 10 rank week 1
The Collection ProjectTop 10 rank week 1
Creative Landscapes Photo Contest vol9Top 20 rank
The Tree Lover Photo ContestTop 10 rank
The Tree Lover Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Inspired By The World Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Inspired By The World Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Creative Landscapes Photo Contest vol7Top 20 rank
Creative Landscapes Photo Contest vol7Top 20 rank week 1
Earth Day Every Day Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Celebrating Nature Photo Contest Vol 7Top 10 rank
Celebrating Nature Photo Contest Vol 7Top 10 rank week 1
Inspiring Landscapes Photo ContestTop 10 rank
The African Continent Photo ContestTop 20 rank
The African Continent Photo ContestTop 30 rank week 1
Paths And Trails Photo ContestTop 30 rank
Paths And Trails Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 1
Celebrating Nature Photo Contest Vol 6Top 10 rank
Celebrating Nature Photo Contest Vol 6Top 10 rank week 1
4 Comments | Report
Robert49
 
Robert49 July 08, 2019
Uitmuntende foto! Baie geluk.
DNproSTUDIO
 
DNproSTUDIO August 21, 2019
a very unique tree with a strange shape color and also no leaves
CURUTCHET
 
CURUTCHET September 11, 2020
it seems you have fog there , is it the way the tree get some water there
joggievanstaden
joggievanstaden November 09, 2020
This area receives less than 100mm rainfall per annum. The quiver trees are adapted to store water in their fibrous, succulent stems and branches. This is some very low clouds, early morning - unfortunately no rain that day :-)
LeeHuang
 
LeeHuang September 04, 2021
nice shot
See all

Behind The Lens

Location

This photo was taken in the Quiver Tree Valley of the Ai-Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park South Africa/Namibia during a weeklong photographic trip to this Arid region in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa

Time

We rose early to make sure we catch the rising sun but was greeted by low lying clouds and mist. I tried to make the best of the light available, taking some images of the magical Quiver trees in the misty conditions. Suddenly the light changed as the rising sun shone through a gap in the low clouds. The trees with their wonderfully textured bronze-colored bark were lit up against an overcast mountain with clouds! That little bird on top of the tree was the cherry on top! Pure magic!

Lighting

The natural lighting was perfect, coming at a low angle with the wonderful warm glow of sunrise.

Equipment

For this image I used my Nikon D800E with the Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 @ 100mm, f10, 1/80 sec and ISO 100 - Handheld

Inspiration

The very arid South African Richtersveld is one of the most rugged and beautiful areas of the region. Some of the oldest geological formations in South Africa can be seen here, laid bare by the semi-desert conditions. The quiver tree (Aloe dichotoma) is also one of the most Iconic trees of Southern Africa. What more can one ask for nature to dish up?!

Editing

This image is vey lightly cropped with only the most basic editing done in Lightroom Classic

In my camera bag

I have been using the Nikon D800E since late 2012 and my bag is never without the Nikkor 14-24mm f2.8, Nikkor 24-70mm f2.8, Nikkor 70-200 f2.8 and the Nikkor 105mm Micro f2.8. Lately I also take the Nikkor 200-500mm f5.6 with me where I can. A heavy bag yes, but worth every gram of it!

Feedback

Nature is out there in all it beauty and diversity. It is up to us to go out and find the special moments, the unique perspectives an to experience the many moods and nuances brought by the constantly changing weather. Nature is patient and so we ought to be. It does not run or shy away but waits in anticipation to invite us in to explore and get intimate. It never gives away all it's secrets and beauty but always leaves something for the next time. Our nature photography will only grow at the same speed and intensity as our own personal immersion into mother nature.

See more amazing photos, follow joggievanstaden

It’s your time to shine! ☀️

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes.
Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.

Already a member? Log In

By continuing, you agree to our Terms of Service, and acknowledge you've read our Privacy Policy Notice.