A scorpion

Back in September 2010 I once hiked up Lion's Head with Sonja and Aleks in the evening (but apparently nowhere near full moon??) and on our way down I spotted a scorpion on the footpath.

I think it was the first one I'd seen in 20 years, and it was a glorious one. About as textbook an exemplar as I could hope to see. According to some pub wisdom it might have been a non-venomous one, judging by its large pincers and relatively small tail. (I wouldn't stake my life on pub wisdoms, though.)

The best things in life are free

On Tuesday I hiked up Lion's Head after work with hiking friend Bronwen. I think we left just a little bit too late to catch the sunset from the top. But in a month or two, leaving at 17:30 should leave a reasonably fit person enough time to get to the top in time.

It was full moon, so although we missed watching the sun fizzle into the ocean, we did catch the moonrise on the opposite end of the Earth.

Shadow of Lion's Head

Last rays of sunset illuminate Table Mountain and the Twelve Apostles

The moon rises from behind the clouds and mountains

Dusk cityscape

Camps Bay at dusk

Clifton at dusk

Cape Town night view

Sea Point by night

Profile of Devil's Peak set against city lights

Southern cross near the top of the image