I couldn’t resist. I just had to stop and pick a few. Along the road stood a wall of tall flowers.

Not just any flower, but the big bright yellow peddle that resemble the sun. These are for Ouma Letty who is 92 years old and doesn’t get many visitors anymore. She adores sunflowers. Such a small gesture added a cheerful smile.

The little things that make a big difference. We need to remember to stop and smell the flowers, no matter how busy we are.

We are on our way to Hoopstadt, or a farm nearby. We are visiting very close and longtime family and friends.

In fact, this is where Mariette grew up. And dear Ouma Letty was expecting Mariette, Pieter, and Ruhan.

And me? It’s amazing to meet and greet inspiring elders. Imagine the changes she had seen over the past 90-odd years. I would be happy if I were as physically and emotionally fit as this charming lady.

It takes some character to grow up on a farm. Uncle Herman, her son, knows all about it.

Tonight is braai night with family and friends. These nights are legendary around here and not to be missed. If the farmers do something, they do it properly.

However, nothing is that straightforward with Kuifie. Well, I think it is. But my easy-going no planning lifestyle makes it complicated for everyone else.

I had spotted something on my way to the farm. Yet, they didn’t see me.

1000 and one flamingos waddled through the shallow waters of a nearby dam and I was eager to follow them with camera in hand.

Or drone up above, whoever comes first.

It hadn’t rained much here either and water levels are peculiarly low. Oxygen levels are so low that even catfish couldn’t live on.

The foreshore consisted of clay. Some spots were drier than others.

In the silver lining, much to the liking of the white and pinkish feathers. These colours determine older and younger birds. The more tiny crustaceans that had been filtered through the flamingo’s upside-down bill, the brighter pink his gown would glow.

My body was glowing too. Temperatures were in the thirties at least again today and we needed a cool bath to keep our cool in Farmer Herman’s makeshift swimming pool. This is life.

I will return to the flamingoes in cooler evening hours. Herman asked his neighbors for permission for me to fly Rick over these graceful birds.

That means that the zebra parked next to the dust track comes in peace.

We’ve all seen flamingos. But have you ever seen flamingone?

Go flamin’ go! It’s a flamin-gone event not to be missed.

To get airborne, these long-legged feathered friends need to cover some legless ground.

Running over water with wings flapping radically creates a lot of motion over and in the water as the runways are clearly marked. This is the movement I was trying to capture particularly with Rick from above.

However, I didn’t want to stress the birds as I carefully moved towards the flamingos at a safe height. A flying stampede could also mean that Rick may be accidentally hit by oncoming air traffic.

It turns out to my very surprise, the birds were comfortable and happy for Rick to orbit around them.

The sounds from the props were something they didn’t connect with danger.

I had been searching for these exotic birds on my travels but I hadn’t been in the right place at the right time. Until now.

What an incredible sight for sore eyes. 1001 flamingos on this little pond together. A sea of moving legs and necks decorated with white and pink feathers.

The sun was slowly fading towards the horizon which gave me another opportunity I had been searching for.

A windmill that pumps groundwater up is are common sight in South Africa.

This one was standing tall in the middle of nowhere.

I just had to angle in various directions around this landmark.

Simple but effective.

The braai gathering was in full swing when I returned to the farm. I just made it back before the last light had faded into complete darkness. Ruhan did his best to show his BBBQ skills while most others enjoyed a drink and good company. It’s not hard to fit in these shindigs and I met many new people.

Most were in disbelief at how I live my life. I can’t believe how lucky I am either.

The food was scrumptious and tasty as the Brannewein made the rounds.

Thank you all for outstanding hostessing.

The flamingoes presented themselves rather skittishly in the early morning hours. Maybe they had a late night too.

I was up and gone way before first light, opportunities like these don’t present themselves often.

There isn’t a more peaceful scenario than watching the sun coming up over the horizon.

Even more so impressively being surrounded by these graceful ballet dancers.

This is my dreamworld.

Sunny days cast long-legged shadows over the lagoon.

A calm and subtle grouning noise can be heard from the flock as the birds wade through shallow waters.

The sound of nature versus the sound of silence. Incredible.