Kalahari Dreaming, by Bernd Wasiolka

Kalahari Dreaming, by Bernd Wasiolka. Bochum, 2015. ISBN 9783000409912 / ISBN 978-3-00-040991-2

Kalahari Dreaming: The Kalahari has had a magical ring for me since I first saw it on TV as a child, says photographer Bernd Wasiolka. When I visited South Africa for the first time in 2000 it was top of my wish list, and I managed a brief, four day visit.

Bernd Wasiolka  

Exploring the riverbeds and dunes in search of reptiles, birds, springbok, gemsbok and the elusive cats, I was captivated by the beautiful scenery, the red sand dunes, the stately camelthorn trees, the open riverbeds and pans. On my last morning drive I spotted my first big cats, two Cheetah brothers at 'Veertiende Boorgat', drinking and playing in a big camelthorn next to the road. From that moment I was hooked. The following years I returned several times, then Lady Luck intervened. My diploma thesis took me on a three month field rip into the heart of the Kalahari duneveld. Diploma thesis led to PhD thesis, and before I knew it I was staying three more years. I studied the effects of land use on animal diversity, mainly on farmland, but also within the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. My relationship with the Kalahari grew deeper, my professional photography developed, and so came about this book. But what makes the Kalahari such a special place? It starts with the exhilaration of an early morning game drive, following the riverbed between the sea of sand dunes, full of anticipation for what might be around the next bend, or waiting at the next waterhole. There's the excitement when you spot the fleeting silhouette of a distant Leopard, the thrill of watching a majestic black-maned Lion striding along the riverbed, the satisfaction of waiting patiently for several hours for the sudden explosive action of a Cheetah hunt. Then there are the natural spectacles of Mother Nature at full force: the howling dry season winds, pushing vast columns of fine sand high into the atmosphere, the camelthoms all but disappearing as the sky darkens and animals seek shelter; dust-filled air creating orange dreams as the first rays of the morning sun creeping over the dunes; the last rays of the setting sun forming a ring of fire around the animals: it's dreamtime in the Kalahari. As the setting sun paints the sky blood red, the creatures of the night take over. Barking geckoes open the nocturnal concert, the heart-piercing cry of an owl splits the night, the roar of a distant lion reverberates along the riverbed, The cackling laugh of a hyaena and the howlof a jackal mark the rise of the full moon, a huge silver disk in a night sky filled with a myriad of sparkling stars, the Milky Way living up to its name. The rainy season provides even greater spectacle. As the rains approach, huge cumulus clouds build up, with the promise of awe-inspiring thunderstorms. In late afternoon the storm may break, blackening the sky, zigzag lightning illuminating the scenery, dusk turned eerily into daylight for a few flashing seconds. Often the rain is no more than an unfulfilled promise, but when at last it does fall, the spell is broken and clouds burst, dropping their heavy load. Within minutes the storm passes, thunder rumbles off into the distance, the sky clears, and a welcome freshness fills the air. Late evening sunshine breaks through, adding sparkle to the raindrops on the leaves of trees and grasses and droplets caught in the für of animals. New life emerges, flowers spring from the parched soil, antelope Start to drop their offspring, and the Kalahari shows its splendid side. It's these magnificent spectacles, the endless blue skies, the vast open Spaces, the timeless solitude, that leave a lasting impression on visitors, setting-the Kalahari apart from other places. This is the magic of the Kalahari. lf this book brings you only a fraction of the joy that I have experienced on my Kalahari journey since that first short visit, then I will have achieved what I had hoped. This book is a tribute to all the wild creatures of the Kalahari. Lean back, relax and enjoy!

This is an excerpt from the photo book Kalahari Dreaming, by Bernd Wasiolka.

Title: Kalahari Dreaming
Photographer: Bernd Wasiolka
Publisher: Bernd Wasiolka
Genre: Wildlife Photography
Bochum, 2015
ISBN 9783000409912 / ISBN 978-3-00-040991-2
Hardcover, dustjacket, 196 pages, 34 x 24 cm, throughout colour photographs