This week’s photo challenge, from Sara Rosso is posted as follows –
“Surprise. There was talk of some sort of apocalypse today, but so far, so good. Big surprise! In honor of the world continuing, show me some surprises! If you’re at a loss what to share, I bet many of you have surprises hidden under a tree or in a closet somewhere. My photo is about the first big snowfall which surprised us overnight here in Italy. I woke up to a world covered in white and these were my first steps into the snow.
Share a picture which means SURPRISE to you!”
It’s a great topic as it opens up a variety of subjects – so if you’d like to be “surprised”, pop over to the WordPress site –
A puzzle, a riddle of stripes, so beautifully put together that you can only admire the design – here’s my ‘surprise story’:
The Cape Mountain zebra is on the IUCN Red List as critically endangered. Last year in the Cape Point Nature reserve there were great celebrations as a foal was born on 19th July (2011). I’ve been on the lookout ever since, only ever catching a glimpse of the family group in the far distance. Then last week, there they were in a totally unexpected area, a busy part of the park where people congregate to use boat launching facilities, tidal pools, picnic and barbecue sites. It was late afternoon and most of the day visitors had left, and i imagine that they’d come down attracted by the inviting sweet, green grass. Still it’s unusual to photographa Cape Mountain zebra against a beach backdrop with breaking waves and it reinforced the awe of the surprising sighting. 
Nature on the Edge 
Of course the title of your post made me smile and lean forward to see what great story and photos awaited. wow! i love this! one never knows just when and where a zebra will appear!
Feliz Navidad!
Z
🙂 a little graphic rendering with a Christmas theme would have worked a treat?! Thanks for the wishes and to you too, Christmas wishes and much good luck in the new year.
Oh my word this is why I just love your blog – totally surprising! How can you follow this?
Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year:-)
Thanks Gilly! I once went to a lecture by a well-known author, an atheist, who described zebra stripes as her “God-bothering moments”…. and up-close when you can marvel at the detail it becomes quite mesmerizing. Such wonderful sightings! Best wishes to you and yours too, for the festive season.
Happy Holidays to You and Yours! Wonderful animals, zeebras, and I will remember the words from the atheist …
Definitely a surprise! Especially love the second photo.
Thanks :). It was a lucky break, went back the following week and picnic spot was humming with the holiday crowds, not a stripe in sight.
Such beautiful images!