The Cape of Clouds – atmospheric skyscapes come alive

Today’s photographic collection differs from my usual images of one special site on my hiking trail here in the Cape coastal region of South Africa. Instead I have compiled images from numerous different places on my recent outings, although they all have one thing in common – they are a collection of skyscapes to show the vast and various faces of this epic African shore.

Sunrise on the south Cape coast of Africa

I’m sure you can find a big sky in your part of the world too, we all have it above our heads. It just depends on your perspective. Here in the wide open spaces of the South African coastline there is just so much space and clean air that the atmosphere is crisp or at least fresh and healthy. This collection of photos shows some of my most interesting views and is a continuation on a theme from an earlier post a few days ago, where I focused on the sky as a canvas for an artist or for our own mind to conjure up imaginative impressions of our own, which you can read here: https://peakd.com/hive-127788/@julianhorack/the-sky-as-a-canvas-for-our-thoughts

Murderous skies having a moody moment

The skies certainly change from season to season and are affected by the conditions on the day, much like us. And the light quality and frequency shifts all the time. And this in turn shifts us, like a song might shift us through hearing. These skyscapes shift our moods via visual impressions. It’s still vibration that is affecting us on a subjective level.

Pointing at the sky, a pensive moment

Sometimes even the atmospheric pressure affects us on an objective level too, though we generally aren’t consciously aware of it. Unless it’s a build up to a thunder storm and then we can get all ratty as the electric charge builds up in the atmosphere to a point of thunder and lightning or perhaps a refreshing rain shower.

Somewhere over the rainbow there is a pot of gold, and it's here on the south coast of Africa

I personally would feel claustrophobic if I didn’t have this vast open sky and space all around me all of the time. I left the city decades ago and seldom return, so I’ve become accustomed to living in these wide open spaces surrounded by nature. It could be a physical and psychological requirement for this kind of space and freedom and fresh air. I would not qualify as a space cadet in a rocket ship or space station whatsoever. You will have to colonize Mars or the Moon without me. You can mine the minerals and keep the profits, I don’t mind.

Charred remains of the historic Knysna fire of 2017 which burnt down over 1000 houses in two towns

Different seasons bring there themes and recurring atmospheric conditions, which make for various types of light shows throughout the year. As the eternal observer it becomes inspiring to catch the shows when they go live on the air. The mood becomes surcharged and there is a sense of electricity tingling throughout everything. Then the downpour arrives to wash away the bad vibes and refresh the entire atmosphere once more.

A bird of prey sits atop a skeletal tree looking for prey

There are no tropical conditions here or wintry blizzards, only the most temperate of conditions by comparison. Temperatures range from about 5 C to 35 C throughout the year, and the sky is always big and wide open, except when there is thick fog or mist in winter, of course. I will have to capture that for you one day, although you can imagine how illusive it might be trying to capture mist in any form whatsoever, even photographic. Nevertheless, this collection of skyscapes can reveal to you the various atmospheric conditions and their concomitant moods here on the southernmost shores of Africa.

Indigenous Queen Protea flowers in the foreground, from the local "Fynbos Floral Kingdom"

The rest of South Africa can become hotter or colder in places, since we have desert and high mountains, but here on this particular southernmost shoreline, we have what is called a Mediterranean climate, at 34 degrees south latitude. One benefit is a primarily temperate condition throughout the year. It becomes easy to appreciate nature and explore it since the conditions are always good. In other words this is a perfect place for you to come and explore and bask in the healthy outdoor lifestyle whenever you choose.

Awesome atmospheric cloudscapes to add a dramatic touch to the epic view

I hope you like today’s collection of skyscapes. I’m sure there will be one or other that particularly appeal to you personally as a favorite. The thick dark woolly clouds really appeal to me. It means that there is shelter from the sun and UVs, as well as an exciting atmospheric condition, either electric before a thunderstorm or dramatic in some other way. I guess a variety is what makes for optimum enjoyment in all walks of life. And here nature shows us numerous different faces throughout the year, mostly always benign.

(photos my own)