Photographing steam in the Karoo

I'm not sure if this non-UK thread is allowed- but there is at least a Harz steam thread around somewhere. So I'll bash on with this for now.

The Karoo semi desert region in South Africa https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karoo is top of my list of the best places I've ever been to in my steam travels. Even though I was too late getting there to enjoy the 25 class 4-8-4 condensing locos working the section south of De Aar. But the De Aar to Kimblerley section kept me happy for 11 visits between 1979 and 1991. With the vast majority of my still photography in the section from Oranjerivier down to De Aar - that went through wonderfully wild and desolate semi-desert. So I plan to post some of my favourite photos there - from well before dawn to some time after sunset. Mostly in/close to winter when sharp overnight frosts and daytime temps to 20 C or less were the norm. And maybe others here have their own Karoo photos to add - doubleheaded condensing locos blasting up the grades south of De Aar very welcome!

I spent some time last night just looking at this photo. Taken early to show part of the Karoo region with a steam loco in action. It's a 25 NC 4-8-4 hauling a train of coal empties to a summit just north of Poupan. Taken in late winter 1989.

Bryan

 

Great!
I remember those telegraph poles, filled with weaver birds nests

 

Yes indeed, amazing sights.

And eagles perched on them from time to time. All of whom knew, almost to the centimetre, how close you had to get with a 200 mm lens to get a decent photograph - which meant at that distance plus 5 cms they flew off leaving you with a blurred tail shot!

Bryan

 

Spent some time on the line in 1980 and stayed at a wayside station at Kraankuil [nicknamed Kronjeville after the station hotel owner]. Impressed when he sent out his servant with breakfast tea for 4 enthusiasts enjoying linesiding in the sun.