A walk through Sesriem Canyon

At the end of the road to Sesriem, was Sesriem. Naturally. It marks the entrance to the Namib-Naukluft National Park. The settlement is little more than a filling station and a campsite which greeted us harshly upon arrival in the heat of the day, with little shade, no water, working toilet facilities or electricity. Having pitched tents in the sand we started to wonder just what we had let ourselves in for.


Our first trip to Sesriem Canyon redeemed the situation somewhat. This natural canyon was carved by the rarely flowing Tsauchab river. Pools of rich chocolately brown water stood along the bottom of the valley - a remnant of the first rain fall in 10 years which had occurred just the previous week. As a consequence, those who wished to explore the valley, took off our boots, rolled up our trousers and ventured through the sun soaked pools, over shingle, sand and rocks, as far as we dare.


First photographic challenge - deep dark shadows, bright glaring light, and people - in all the wrong places! I've salvaged this one from a pitiful collection, to give you an impression.


(I've posted another in my alternative album and would value an honest appraisal)

[FBailey]

This must have been so hard - did you bracket? Looks terrific on black btw:)

[Helen Jane]

@fbailey no bracketing (concentrating on too many other things - including not slipping or dropping the camera!) The harshness dealt with in post processing. Thank you.

[Maggiemae]

You were brave - camping in a place like that! Very beautiful, though! Hope you didn't see any snakes!

[sarah]

Wow in tents in that heat - I like the puddles of reflections

[haskar]

Great play of shadows.

[Clare Gadsby]

such lovely repetitions of the light

[summerfield]

good shot all around -- light, shadows and reflections. but i wouldn't under 'normal' circumstances go camping, and having lived in oman for more than three years taught me that if you're not native, you don't go camping in the desert -- i'm just not tough that way. god, i'm thinking crab spiders and eeek! snakes! i may forgo showering but the toilet issue would be the added deal breaker for me. you are one tough lady, my good friend. and your photographic eye is enviable!

[Catherine Otley]

Love it!

[Kahsia]

I think you did an excellent job on this. My daughter was in Namibia 10 years ago and loved it.. I don’t envy the rustic conditions.

[Caroline]

Great contrasts here but wow, tough conditions. I have been there (not to Namibia but similar conditions) and I cannot say I wish to experience it again. Definitely an experience of a lifetime, I am sure! :)