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Landscape > Rosemary Walden  > Landscapes > Namibia - Land of Contrasts
Photographs taken in the Hardap region of Namibia and featuring the Sossusvlei area
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Storm Clouds 1 Namibia is the most arid country south of the Sahara. On the whole there are two seasons: sub-tropical dry winters May to September with temperatures from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius; and hot summers with easterly trade winds, which carry moisture-laden air masses from the warm Mozambique current to the east coast of Africa with temperatures between 30 and 40 degrees Celsius (October to April). This shot was taken during a rainy season when Namibia was under the influence of La Niña and heavy rain was almost a daily occurrence. (La Niña is a cooling of the surface water in the eastern Pacific Ocean, and is an event that has an effect on rainfall patterns in southern Africa. It is the opposite of the El Niño phenomenon, which is associated with drier than normal rainy seasons in most of southern Africa).
Weaver Nest A sociable weaver bird's nest bathed in late afternoon light in the Sossusvlei area, Namibia
Orange Slice After the seasonal rains seeds germinate quickly, grasses flourish for a short period before casting their seeds in preparation for the next rainy season. Tsauchab corridor, Sossusvlei, Namibia
Ancient Tree Dead Camelthorn trees bear testament to ancient waterways and seasonal grasses blow in the wind. Tsauchab Corridor, Sossusvlei, Namibia
Curving Shadow A Gemsbok (Oryx) grazes on seasonal grasses along the gravel plains beneath the towering dunes of Sossusvlei
Pointing to the Past The beautiful Deadvlei pan was created when the Tsauchab river cascaded through the dry desert area after an abundance of rain. The waters filled a depression with water, forming an oasis in the desert. The waters created the perfect conditions for camelthorn trees to grow, but as the dunes are moved and shifted by the winds the river was cut off from the pan by the red sands. This caused the water to dry up and the trees were exposed to the unrelenting desert sun. All that remains today are their skeletons, burnt black from continued exposure to the heat. The name Deadvlei translates to "dead marsh" and some of the highest sand dunes in the world form a barrier around the vlei, further adding to its isolation. The vlei is a short walk from the famous Sossusvlei pan and is quite a remarkable sight
Dead Vlei The beautiful Deadvlei pan was created when the Tsauchab river cascaded through the dry desert area after an abundance of rain. The waters filled a depression with water, forming an oasis in the desert. The waters created the perfect conditions for camelthorn trees to grow, but as the dunes are moved and shifted by the winds the river was cut off from the pan by the red sands. This caused the water to dry up and the trees were exposed to the unrelenting desert sun. All that remains today are their skeletons, burnt black from continued exposure to the heat. The name Deadvlei translates to "dead marsh" and some of the highest sand dunes in the world form a barrier around the vlei, further adding to its isolation. The vlei is a short walk from the famous Sossusvlei pan and is quite a remarkable sight.
Ripples Here !Nara melon plants grow on the shifting sand dunes of Sossusvlei. Found in and among the small dunes of Sossusvlei, these bright green, thorny plants, grow continuously as it keeps them above the blowing sand collecting up against it. The dunes become higher and higher and the roots and the stem of the !Nara stabilize the sand. If you see dead !Nara plants, and there are several in the area, remember the National Park's Environmental Code, and leave them where they lie. It is endemic to the desert along the west coast and grows only on sand dunes where subterranean water exists
Sand and Rock Early morning light reveals the vivid red of the dunes in the Sossusvlei area. Camelthorn trees line the path of a subterranean river
Curving Shadow

A Gemsbok (Oryx) grazes on seasonal grasses along the gravel plains beneath the towering dunes of Sossusvlei
Curving Shadow A Gemsbok (Oryx) grazes on seasonal grasses along the gravel plains beneath the towering dunes of Sossusvlei
Curving Shadow

A Gemsbok (Oryx) grazes on seasonal grasses along the gravel plains beneath the towering dunes of Sossusvlei
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Keywords: wind orange blue shadow empty landscape wild sky sand desert animal green antelope grass dry dunes contrast namibia oryx harsh gemsbok sossusvlei texture photograph africa
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