Written by Petya Bartosch
Images by Petya Bartosch and Emma Kandelaars
The breathtaking Namaqualand flowers along South Africa’s West Coast and into the Northern Cape are a natural phenomenon that transforms the arid landscape into a vibrant sea of color every spring. Triggered by winter rains and unique climate conditions, millions of wildflowers, including daisies, succulents, and other native species, bloom in unison, creating a stunning floral tapestry across the vast plains. It is no wonder these fields of flowers draw photographers from far and wide to the middle of nowhere – to hidden little sleepy Karoo towns that otherwise see very few visitors! For photographers, this spectacle offers unparalleled beauty, with endless fields of radiant orange, pink, and purple hues stretching into the horizon, all bathed in the soft glow of the coastal sun. Capturing this fleeting wonder is an unforgettable experience that should be on everyone’s bucket list.
Our FROST Spring Namaqualand Wildflower Tour takes you to the heart of these landscapes for the best photographic opportunities, with the backdrop of stunning mountains. Here is a taste of what to expect.
Worthwhile stops along the way as we explore the wildflowers are the Cederberg, Biedouw Valley, quaint Karoo towns such as Nieuwehoudville and Vanrynsdorp and the Quiver Tree Forest at Gannabos Guest Farm, then the West Coast National Park situated near Cape Town. The Cederberg is a special place where time stands still and one finds themselves mesmerized by the red sand and rocky landscape, almost reminiscent of Mars. The further up and inland we went, the more barren the landscape got with few shrubs and long flat plains between mountains. When turning more toward the West Coast the vegetation changed again with more shrubs and greenery creeping in.
There is nothing better than driving on a long dust road and exploring new places with your camera on the passenger seat ready for whatever and whoever you meet along the way. I loved passing through little towns where everyone waved at each other along the one main road (the only main road that makes up the whole town.) The local bakery is often the heart of the community, and you find yourself slowing down to a different pace of daily life. You notice small things, the quint nursey with quirky signposts and old boots used as pots to grow aloes in and crested barbets playing on the neighbor’s stoep.
If I close my eyes I can still feel the soft grass, smell the flowers and hear the bees and crackling of the grasses as I lay down in the fields of flowers. It is highly recommended to lie down surrounded by all the daisies in between photographing. Look around, soak it all in.. Then carry on playing with different angles. Get low, and photograph the petals from worms eye view contrasted agains the bright blue sky with a stunning sunburst streaming through. Try find compositions that are unique and different to all the other flower photos. Go beyond a “pretty” photograph. Look for insects, rocks, different textures, play with slow shutter speeds as you embrace the movement of the flowers blowing in the wind rather than getting irritated that it is tricky to get a sharp close-up of the petals. This is when your photograph turns into poetry as you capture the flow and rhythm of the flowers swaying back and forth. It is heaven for macro photography. Even flash photography! Put your camera on a timer with your widest lens and drop it on the floor looking up through the stems and see what comes out! It is always a surprise to see what comes out! Show the windmills in the background and sheep running, show the flowers creeping up a farm fence against the wooden barn. Show it all beyond just the flowers.
Photographing the Quiver Tree Forest outside of Vanrynsdorp with bright yellow, purple, blue and red flowers in the foreground was a real treat! 5 hours felt like 5 minutes. I could have spent another few days just focused on these beautiful trees with white powdered and black textured bark. They seem prehistoric and ancient as if they come from another universe. Very strange trees but such fun to photograph. The compositions are endless! Try using your 70-200 lens to shoot from a distance, allowing you to isolate one tree that stands out. Also try low angles with your wide angle lens to distort the branches. Fun fact: quiver trees are actually not trees, they are succulents. Isolate a tree in the background by photographing it shot through the branches of a tree in the foreground by going very close up to it – using the branches as a natural frame. The shapes of the branches make for beautiful patterns and unique compositions. Gannabos Farm offers stunning cottages as you lie from your bed and watch the sun setting on the forest in the distance. You also get 24-hour access to the forest as a guest which is great for midnight star trails.
Along the way back to Cape Town we decided to drive past Lamberts bay to photograph the Gannet Colony. What a beautiful experience it was to capture them during their breeding season as they perform their mating ritual tapping their beaks against each other in a fast pace and entertwine their necks. Thousands of them sit tightly together near the harbour with their crystal blue eyes and yellow line down their neck.
The Gannet colony in Lamberts bay is a fascinating spectacle for both photographers and nature enthusiasts. This bustling haven is home to thousands of Cape Gannets, offering a rare and intimate glimpse into their lives as they nest, preen, and engage in synchronized flight displays. The sheer energy and movement of the colony create endless opportunities to capture dynamic shots, from the striking white and black plumage of the birds to the chaotic beauty of their aerial acrobatics. The close proximity to the birds, along with the raw coastal backdrop, allows visitors to immerse themselves in the unique rhythm of this thriving ecosystem. Visiting the Gannet colony not only offers the chance to photograph a remarkable species up close but also to appreciate the delicate
balance of nature in one of South Africa’s most vibrant coastal bird sanctuaries.
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