Pictures : Fynbos photographed like you ’ ve never seen it before
Robyn Simpson
NEWS
Nothing speaks of Cape heritage more so than the wonder of fynbos . From mountaintop to sea ’ s edge , our spectacular province is enrobed with a bounty of different fynbos species — each maintaining their own , unique characteristics .
Hiking is an activity that I hold dear to my soul , writes Cape { town } Etc ’ s Robyn Simpson .
There are few mountains in Cape Town and her surroundings that I have not given a crack . One of the things that keep me transfixed is all that is fynbos .
Growing up in Natal , something I found absolutely fascinating about the Western Cape is its flora — drastically different to the rolling hills of sugarcane that I had become so accustomed to .
Fynbos blows my mind . It ’ s hardy enough to withstand the harshest Cape conditions yet elegant enough to sit comfortably in a vase . The species holds strong on the roughest mountain edges , but up close , can be appreciated for the most delicate lace-like details .
Fynbos is the plant of all plants . Intricate to the eye , powerfully resilient , and ever-stimulating to the curiosity of the mind .
Ecologist and nature photographer , Andrew Baxter has managed to capture Fynbos in a way I ’ ve never seen before . Radiant shots highlighting intense detail and a kaleidoscope of colours that are almost psychedelic .
The idea behind the series Floristic Fireworks evolved when Andrew was photographing the amazing Leucospermums – Protea Pincushions – at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens late one evening .
“ In the low-light , the bright flowers resembled actual fireworks . In fact , some people have wrongly assumed that the images of Leucospermum tottem are actual fireworks !” says Baxter .
“ Twilight is magic hour for me in the gardens – no need to contend with harsh light and unmanageable contrast .
“ It ’ s wonderful to see familiar faces practising their ‘ dark ’ art in the late afternoon . The trick is to use the last of the sun to backlight the flora for extra effect ,” he adds .
“ These images have been shared widely around the world and it gives me great joy to think that Cape Town is not only the most beautiful city in the world but that the fynbos flora on Table Mountain and at Kirstenbosch is so universally appreciated ,” concludes Baxter .
Take a look at the Floristic Fireworks by photographer Andrew Baxter .
Grassroots Vol 21 No 3 November 2021 30