
There is no doubt that one of my favourite places to be is the Zinder bush.

Sheba, my Rhodesian ridgeback from Sweden, loves the bush as much as us humans (and horses!) and would gladly follow me to the end of the world, if our rides would take us that far.

Sometimes we stop to take pictures of the critters (Sheba in particular),

…sometimes we stop for water (it’s practically impossible to drink while ambling!),

and sometimes just to take pictures of the glowing sun.

On this particular outing, we made it to the Dadin Serki tapki (seasonal lake) before the sun had set,

giving Sheba a wonderful life quality moment in the water!

Arwen looked longingly at Sheba who - whenever she gets to access a large quantity of water,

…is lost in a world of her own.

And we humans spend long moments enjoying her joy…

Once Sheba was done playing with water, our attention focused to the sunset, which was taking place up the hill.

While riding towards it, the palm trees offered some beautiful shapes against the glowing light.

Closer,

and closer!

We knew the sun would be setting behind the next hilltop, so we picked up some speed and headed for it.

By the time we got there, the glow had turned pink. Beautiful and grand, but difficult to capture in its entity.

We took a moment and enjoyed the view, then jumped off the horses and walked them across the low rock formations (good exercise for them as they get to work on where to place their feet).

I turned around to check on Anette, saw her and her horse’s silouette against the beautiful deep blue sunset, and told her to hold still. I’m sure you understand why.

Sheba joined them,

…then walked off to a higher point for a better view. It’s a ridgeback’s job to keep track of everything happening around us, and Sheba takes her job very seriously.

On our way back, we crossed the seasonal lake again; much to Sheba’s delight!

Every ride brings new encounters. These boys stopped to let their young bull drink, before heading up the hilltop we had just come from.

A last look at the tapki bearing a final red glow,

…before heading home in the dark!
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37 users commented in " Following the Sunset "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackWow, beautiful pictures. It makes me miss Niger! Do all Rhodesian Ridgebacks like water so much or is it a characteristic unique to your dog?
That second palm trees shot is spectacular!!! And the one with Anette.
Awesome photos! Wow! The scenery there is just stunning.
Love the silhouette photo of Annette! That is just fabulous…
The sky palette with its ever-changing subtle hues is spectacular…and the silhouettes of palm trees, Anette, horse and Sheba against the beautiful sky are crisp and sharp, making a lovely composition!
You’ve got a bunch of winners here Esther, but that backlit shot of Sheba with the stirrup in foreground is all kinds of awesome! Love it!
And yeah, if I’d seen Annette’s silhouette framed like that, my only two words would have been “Don’t. Move.” Closely followed by mad, high speed clicking.
And I’ve got your link safely copied away for later. I’ll get you the best placement I can!
@Nancy: Sheba’s father is a great fan of water, and many of her siblings jump in water, regardless of the temperature. That said, I hear of other ridgebacks who won’t even go near water. What most have in common though is that they like water when they get to choose the setting, which rigidly excludes bathes and showers of all kinds.
I love going along on your beautiful rides.
I have palm trees too this week, although smaller and chillier than yours. Again, I’m incredibly taken with the strong silhouettes and am imagining those patterns on a painting or textile.
Fantastic photo´s!I love your photo´s of the palm tree´s!Great shots!
What great pictures! Very interesting. And really beautiful sunset skies. I love to visit other countries in this way.
What gorgeous captures of what had to be a delightful day/ride! Incredible skies! Love the palm trees, too, etched against the sky! Terrific post as always, Esther!
Enjoy your weekend!
Sylvia
An adventure!
Beautiful place and series!
It is always very interesting to see the world from your perspective!
Thanks again for sharing it with us!
Great captures…in the 7 th photograph it looks like the locals have gathered there to do some of their laundry also.
Eaglesbrother
What a beautiful series. I love the silhouettes against the sky. And I can’t get over the size of those boulders.
I love when you ride out into the Zinder bush for sunset and take us and the camera along. Your vegetation is so different from anything I’m used to seeing.
Sure is nice to see Sheba enjoying the water.
Great post Esther.
Great photos from your ride. I enjoyed every minute of it.
I especially liked the silhouette shots. Spectacular!
What extraordinary life experiences you must be enjoying in such an amazing place! Your beautiful dog looks so healthy and happy! I am in awe of these beautiful photos and memories that are a treasure to you!
The pictures with the big stones make me homesick for Zimbabwe where there are an abundance of huge stones. Sheba is SO beautiful. Ridgebacks are the best dogs.
Gorgeous sunset photos, a great series of photos. Happy skywatching.
Such wonderful pictures not only of the changing skies butalso those big boulders an happy Sheba taking a dip and those magical shots at the oasis with the palms… Memories of Rudolph Valentino and the sheik of Araby.
wonderful images, looks like you have an amazing time here!
I always thought there can not be a more beautiful sunset than in South Africa. I am quite sure I was wrong
Beautiful, you have such talent writing and taking photos, you should create a book !!!
WOW, great set of pics, all are beautifull in its own way, done a great job.
The silhouet pics wiht u the horse and dag are simply stunning!!!!
Happy SWF.
Eric, Holland
Esther: What a beautiful ride through the rugged country. I love your shots at sunset when you do the silhouette. It reminds me of a song from my childhood.
That was a fun ride from day to night. The meeting with the bull was so unexpected but natural
Thanks for the tour of the bush. You and Sheba are such great guides!
I bet your horses are non-spooky due to all of the interesting and unusual things they are exposed to during every ride. Wow! Do you ever see wild animals, like lions, elephant, zebra, giraffe?
Your photos were gorgeous. My faves were the sunset with palm trees and the sunset with your friend and the horse. So pretty!
~Lisa
Imponerende flott bilde serie Esther.
Ha en fortsatt fin helg.
Wow, these sunset photos are beautiful….such gorgeous colors! I love the sillouette pictures also! This is a place with so much beauty to take pictures of.
There is just no glow like your glow.
I love all of your silhouette pictures…you are brilliant at those.
i love the shot of the glowing sun. and looks like you had a great fun there with your animals. great shots.
A beautiful ride in a beautiful landscape - no wonder you love Niger! Sheba looks like she’s having the time of her life.
Niger came back to me when I saw the pictures! The smells, the people, the environment… I do miss it!
All of them are great but : 18-19-20 Outstanding!!!! thanks for sharing your walk, keep walking !!!!
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