What would seem like an easy task, ended up taking a little longer than expected. After the South Africa Airways flight pulled away from the terminal at JFK, the pilot announced we’re 17th in line to depart and would probably be 45 minutes before we take off – to be expected at JFK. As we were waiting, the cabin crew started running around fussing over a passenger in the next section. A few minutes later a request if there are any doctors on board to identify themselves. Uh-oh, not good.

We returned to the tarmac – to be met by an ambulance, police, and more airport personnel. The passenger was removed from the plane, as well, they retrieved his luggage from the hold. After an hour and a half, we started our journey again, only to be 25th in line to take-off!

Seventeen hours later, after an hour long stop in Dakar (Senegal) to re-fuel and exchange some passengers, we arrived in Jo’burg. It was poring rain, but we made it to the Airport Grand Hotel safe and sound. And now it’s early to bed, as I have no idea what time zone my body is in, but I’m feeling pretty tired. Off to Windhoek, Namibia tomorrow!

Just killin’ time waiting to board the flight to Jo’burg. Everything (including my luggage) has made it this far – hopefully that continues. A bit of a delay in Toronto this morning – had to wait on the tarmac for over an hour before the plan was cleared to take off due to bad weather in New York. Next post will be from the Goche Ganas game reserve – hopefully with some photos!

As the countdown continues, I’m getting excited for my trip to Africa. It’s been 2 years since I last traveled to South Africa (Kruger National Park, Tshukudu Game Reserve and Cape Town). I can’t wait to get on the plane Thursday and start this adventure in Namibia.

I’ve got my camera bag packed, my personal article (airline speak for tote bag / laptop case) and my suitcase ready to go. Amazingly, the suitcase is still under the 50 lbs max. by a lot! It came in around 30 lbs, which is good. The carry-on baggage (ie. my camera backpack) limit is 22 lbs – let’s just say I’ve weighted my camera bag and I’m not telling how much it weights!

This will probably be my last post before I get to Windhoek. It will be a lot a different flights to get there – 4 different planes, 5 take-offs and landings. I fly Winnipeg-Toronto on Thursday, Toronto-New York (LaGuardia) on Friday, transfer to JFK and fly New York-Johannesburg (with a refueling in Dakar), arriving in Jo’burg Saturday evening. The last leg is Sunday morning from Jo’burg to Windhoek. I really hope my luggage makes it without getting delayed – or I will be without a tripod as I can’t take it as carry-on.

Check back starting next weekend and I’ll have a trip updates (with photos!) every couple of days.

That’s right – I’m counting down the days until I leave for Namibia – it’s now less than two weeks! I’m going on a photo trip that will last 2 weeks in Namibia, with a fews days of travel to and from.

The trip is run by Marsel van Oosten, an award winning photographer from the Netherlands. I fly into Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, where our journey starts. I’ll be joined by 2 other Canadians, 1 American, 2 South Africans and 4 Dutchies (not counting Marsel) for a total of 10 participants. It should be a very interesting cultural mix. You can check out Marsel’s site a www.squiver.com

The trip takes us all over Namibia, changing locations every second day or so. We’ll see quiver trees, large sand dunes, visit a ghost town and photograph a seal colony on the west coast. There will be of course may of interesting locals, but I don’t want to give them away right now. It looks like I will have internet access every couple of days, so I plan to make somewhat regular postings during my trip. Please check back the beginning of May to follow along.

Now, I guess I should get my bags packed, so I don’t forget anything…

This past weekend I journeyed outside in an attempt the capture some northern lights along with Chris and Geoff. The predictions were correct and the skies co-operated till quite late (or early the next morning, depending how you look at it). Some of my results follow… (click the photo to see a larger version).

I was quite surprised to find out this past week that my entry into the Nikonians.org Photographer of the Year 2006 Contest, Landscape Category, received Second Place. My photo, titled “Kruger Park Morning”, was taken on my recent trip to South Africa. You can view my entry (and the winner’s entry), by visiting the contests announcement page. Click on my photo to view a larger version. Prints are available by request.

As for the rest of my photos from South Africa, I’m working on it! It just takes time. I’ll be done by the middle of August, as I already have a presentation booked (in other words, I have a deadline!). Low resolution copies will be available in my gallery at that time.

I’m back from my photo trip to Kruger NP, the Tshukudu Game Reserve and a quick stop in Cape Town. I have lots of photos to sort, so in the mean time, check out our Nikonians trip diary for some shots and a quick trip recap. I’ll provide an update to my gallery once I’ve sorted all my photos.

This past week, Oak Park High School presented their annual musical production. This was 42nd Street, which was very well done. I practiced my stage photography skills on the unsuspecting students, the results which can be seen in the gallery. I’ll be providing high-res print friendly versions of the images to those that request them. It will just take a little while as I’m working on another project that is due in the middle of May. Enjoy the shots and send me an email if you want a high-res copy of a certain photo.

Finished off the last exam today. Feels great to be done. So now I have a quick turn around before I start my summer with Manitoba Hydro Tuesday. There is lots to do and little time to do it. Biggest thing on the to do list: get ready for South Africa. That’s right, I’ll be on a photo safari this June, which should be a lot of fun. I can’t wait, but I still have a lot to read, learn, and do before going…guess I had better get started!