It’s a harsh place this Namib desert. Sandstorms obliterate, wind forever sculpts the sea of sand pushing it northwards. Referred to as world’s oldest desert some of the highest wind speeds are recorded in the south, particularly in the Sperrgebiet. The dunes march across the landscape forming linear or star shapes or the classical barchan, depending on the wind direction and how it funnels through the valleys.
Kolmanskop is a deserted mining village near the harbour town of Luderitz. The last inhabitant left in 1956 and the village stands ghostly and abandoned as the sand reclaims the desolate buildings.
Another abandoned building in the middle of nowhere; like a stage setting for lost dreams and hopes, one can’t help wondering what happened to the inhabitants.
Fit for purpose, the bill of the puffin is narrowly shaped, designed to cleave through water. But useful too in building it’s nesting burrow by cutting through the soil and then shovelling away the material with it’s feet. It has a raspy tongue, an adaptation which enables it to hold multiple fish. The fish are pinned against the spines on the palate while allowing it to open its beak. What a charismatic species. We were fortunate to observe the colony on Lunga Island (Inner Hebrides), Scotland.
