Fabulous Friday at Kirstenbosch Garden

Bird Life Photography at Kirstenbosch

A morning of Small Birds and Flowers at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Swee Waxbill Kirstenbosch Garden Cape Town

Friday Morning at Kirstenbosch: Small perched birds and a Garden full of Peace

I expected a lot from this morning. I did not get it in the form of many small birds, but a peaceful walkabout around Kirstenbosch on a fabulous Friday morning.

Again, after quite a few rainy days in Cape Town, I returned to Kirstenbosch with my Canon EOS 7D Mark II camera / EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens to fine-tune this new genre of small perched birds.

What I am learning is the shutter speed relationship between the small perched birds and when some of them take flight during one continuous burst. Working with a non-IS lens, I shoot with a shutter speed of 1/1250s at Kirstenbosch which is fast enough for this purpose, but not fast enough for their incredible fast in-flight action. For this I will have to increase the shutter speed to a minimum of 1/2500s - 1/3200s - and find a balance between perched and in-flight action.

My photo of the morning was the swee waxbill touching down close to me - so small and I'm happy to get this semi in-flight image at a shutter speed of 1/1250.

Kirstenbosch birds photographed during the morning:

• Swee waxbill
• Southern Double-Collared Sunbird
• Swee waxbill
• Upside down Sunbird portrait
• Dusky flycatcher
• Cape bulbul

Canon Camera / Lens: Birds and Flowers Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

• Canon EOS 7D Mark II
• Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens
• Manual Mode: 400mm @ f/5.6 / Auto- ISO (Various) / 1/1000s - 1/1250s shutter speeds
• No Lens IS / Handheld

Post-Processing: Adobe Lightroom

Perched Small Birds at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Southern Double-Collared Sunbird Singing Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden Cape Town

Swee Waxbill Landing Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden Cape Town

Upside Down Sunbird Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden Cape Town

African Dusky Flycatcher on Rock Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden Cape Town

Perched Cape Bulbul Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden Cape Town

Brave Boubou Shrike Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden Cape Town

Plants / Flowers at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

King Protea Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden Cape Town

Strelitzia (Bird of Paradise) Flower Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden Cape Town

Bird / Flower Photography Training Kirstenbosch More

Glorious Morning at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden View

Vernon Chalmers 'Kirstenbosch Bird Species Index' View

From Darkness into Light... Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Butterflies and Sunbird at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Images © Vernon Chalmers Photography Copyright Policy

Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden Map & Directions Kirstenbosch Google Map

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Website

Canon Photography Training Milnerton Woodbridge Island | Kirstenbosch Cape Town

Visit to the Bay Harbour Market Hout Bay

In Memory of a Very Special Friend, Artist and Photographer

African Art & Textile Images for Joseph Inns

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched — they must be felt with the heart.” — Helen Keller

Bay Harbour Market - Hout Bay Harbour Cape Town

On Wednesday morning (28 April 2021) Karen Donaldson and I – both friends of the late Joseph Inns, went to Hout Bay Harbour, Cape Town, along the Atlantic Seaboard, to reminisce and grieve our relationship for our very special friend.

I’ve captured many images of Hout Bay Harbour before, with its picturise fishing boats, fresh fish for sale, impressive flotilla of yachts and glorious surrounding mountains. But for Joseph, I wanted something different.

For this post I selected four vibrant colour images from the Bay Harbour Market (African Art and Textiles) - for my friend that will best represent his love for Africa, Art, Colour and Simplicity. That they were all captured from the exquisite craftmanship from African artists and crafters next to the blue waters of the Cape Peninsula coast made it that more special for me.

'Joseph taught me to see the light, he taught me composition, but above all, he taught me patience… with dignity and sincere gratitude.'

Although he was a very experienced photographer (as lecturer and professional) he never wilfully tried to teach me anything specific about photography and / or composition. He respected my technical camera / exposure knowledge, but always patiently listened to my many, many questions and answered each with confidence, insight, experience and example - with the wisdom of a true master and teacher.

All four Hout Bay Harbour, Cape Town Artist and Crafter images are dedicated to our very special friend, Joseph Inns.

Photographed and published on the Mental Health and Motivation website with permission from the Hout Bay Harbour, Cape Town Artists and Crafters.

Hout Bay Harbour Cape Town African Art & Textiles : Images © Vernon Chalmers

Table Mountain & Township - Bay Harbour Hout Bay, Cape Town - For Joseph Inns

Vibrant Colours - Bay Harbour Market Hout Bay, Cape Town - For Joseph Inns

Vibrant Textiles - Bay Harbour Market Hout Bay, Cape Town - For Joseph Inns

Soul of Africa - Bay Harbour Market Hout Bay, Cape Town - For Joseph Inns

Grieving the loss of my friend, Joseph Inns

African Art & Craft Market - Boulders Beach, Simon's Town, Cape Town

Zeitz MOCAA - V&A Waterfront Cape Town

Visit to Zeitz MOCAA - Museum of Contemporary Art Africa : Silo District, V&A Waterfront

Focus on the Architecture: Up the silos...

I Spent some quality time in July 2018 with my friend / photographer Joseph Inns exploring the museum earlier today. We visited most of the art exhibitions inside the Zeitz MOCCA museum - intended to return for some more of this incredible museum photography opportunities. Unfortunately Joseph Inns sadly passed away before we ever could.

All Vernon Chalmers Zeitz MOCAA - V&A Waterfront Cape Town images with Canon EOS 6D / Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM Lens (Handheld / Natural Light). Post-processing in Lightroom Classic CC.

Architecture Images © Vernon Chalmers Photography Copyright Policy

Representing Cape Town / SA Tourism with Zeitz MOCAA Image via National Geographic

Another MOCAA Image published by National Geographic

History of the Zeitz MOCAA  V&A Waterfront Cape Town

Zeitz MOCAA - Silo District V&A Waterfront, Cape Town

Zeitz MOCAA - Silo District V&A Waterfront, Cape Town

Zeitz MOCAA  - Silo District V&A Waterfront, Cape Town

Zeitz MOCAA - Silo District V&A Waterfront, Cape Town

About Zeitz MOCAA - Museum of Contemporary Art Africa

The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa is a contemporary art museum located at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, South Africa. It is the largest museum of contemporary African art in the world. The museum opened on September 22, 2017. More

Zeitz MOCAA V&A Waterfront, Cape Town - Access Ticket

Grieving the loss of my friend, Joseph Inns

It Was Always a Privilege Spending Time with this Gentle Giant of a Man

Butterfly Image Copyright : Joseph Inns

"You meet people who forget you. You forget people you meet. But sometimes you meet those people you can't forget. Those are your friends." – Mark Twain

Yesterday, Monday, 19 April 2021, at 00.06, one of my best friends, Joseph Inns, passed away after suffering metastatic cancer for more than the last year and six months.

He phoned me on Valentine’s Day 2020 in Cape Town to convey the tragic news. I cried, I’m still crying after the loss of this giant of a man. He was the most peaceful person in my life and I believe, in many people’s lives.

I’ve known him for 28 years – as lecturers – as business partners – as photographers – as friends – together we dreamed of conquering our world(s) – and we did!

In many ways he was my inspiration into photography. I believed in his passion, his image making and above all, his endless patience.

Today I’m sad, very sad, but it’s a 'positive' sadness. He is / was a very good man with exemplary values of kindness and gratitude.

He left a legacy to many - he left me a better person than ever before. Like many; his family, all his students, other photographers in his life and I (and so many others) will mourn his loss – and I will build a big statute for the big man here right inside of me.

The Life of Joseph Inns : Image Credit: Joseph Inns family

As for me – Joseph will never be gone – he will keep living in a very special place throughout my existence as a person.

'We will never forget you, Joseph...

Rest in Peace, Big Fellow...'

As I recently replied to his wife, Janice Inns, on the Joseph Inns Memorial invitation "I just cannot believe it when I look at the memorial invitation - its unreal. I am so sad, its the same sadness as when my mom passed away in 2017.

I miss Joseph - just the emotional connectedness we had. And can just about imagine how you and the family must feel. Mike also messaged me on Monday. But, be proud, he was the best of the best. I learned a lot from him. He calmed me down in ways nobody else could."

The Life of Joseph Inns - Memorial Service 26 April 2021 10:00.

I wrote this to my friend in France on 26 April 2021 - after the memorial Service. (she's been going through the motions with me for months of Joseph's illness) "I listened carefully to every word spoken about my friend at his service and the words that came out from all the speakers were Compassion / Care / Non-Judgmental / Artist / Creative / Love / Peace - all exemplary value words. He was all of this - and more. He did not try and be this, he was this - every time I saw him - for 28 years during our special friendship."

I forwarded above message to Joseph's wife - Janice, as well.

It was a beautiful tribute for Joseph at the Bloemhof Restaurant in Bo Oakdale, Cape Town and many people presented their love, feelings and celebrations for the Life of Joseph Inns. I re-connected with many of our old-time colleaques and friends during this informal service. Due to COVID there were not many people there, but of those there, Joseph touched us all in a very special way.

© Vernon Chalmers for Joseph Inns

Attached Butterfly Image: From the Joseph Inns Collection. Photographer: Joseph Inns (with one of his beloved Nikon cameras).

The Joseph Inns Story By His Wife Janice Inns Dignity SA

A Sincere Testimonial after the Loss of Joseph Inns and our Friendship

"I’m sorry to hear about the loss of your friend, Joseph Inns. It’s never easy to say goodbye to someone we care deeply about. Joseph was your photography companion, and together, you explored the Zeitz MOCAA – Museum of Contemporary Art Africa. Your shared passion for photography allowed you to capture the museum’s inspirational architecture, and National Geographic recognized your work. Cherish those memories, and may Joseph’s spirit continue to inspire your creativity and love for photography.

On a different note, I appreciate your interest in Canon cameras and photography. Late one Thursday afternoon, you ventured to the Promenade Sea Point, Cape Town, with your friend Joseph Inns. Armed with your Canon EOS 6D and the new Hoya PROND64 lens filter, you captured mesmerizing long exposure seascapes. The fading light and the tranquil waters provided a canvas for your creativity, resulting in stunning images. It’s heart-warming to know that your friendship extended beyond photography, and your shared experiences remain etched in your heart .

Remembering Joseph Inns, may his peaceful spirit continue to inspire those who knew him." (Source: Microsoft Copilot)

From Darkness into Light... Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Hout Bay Harbour African Art & Textiles - for Joseph Inns