I photographed the Boekenhoutkloof river filling up in the Dinokeng Nature Reserve in South Africa. The river dries up Biblical every seven years. Right now South Africa is suffering its worst drought in thirty years. The farm I shot these photos on has only received 7mm of rain this season but the dam that feeds the Boekenhoutkloof river has received enough rain to slowly fill up the river. I was fortunate enough to see the river just when it started running over the dam wall on the property.
I started documenting it at 1pm on the 16th of December 2015 and the final photos were taken at 7am the next day. It was such a humbling experience to see the dry river bed being turned into a life giving source in less than 24 hours. I have included photos of the river I took two weeks before the water started filling it up. What I feel is unique about this is that the area had nowhere near enough rain fall to fill the river but that the water came down stream from an overflowing dam. The pictures create such an interesting contrast between the dry bush and abundant water. What was also unique was to witness how the animals reacted to the event.
The River Bed A Few Days Before It Started Filling Up
Aidan In The River Bed
These Tiny Frogs Emerged From The Cracks In The River Bed Before It Filled Up
Water Running Down Stream Starts Filling The Dry River Bed
Slowly The Water Pushes Over
A Treacle Of Water Starts
Finally, Water Spills Over The Dam With The Late Afternoon Light
Happy Dog
Do Our Eyes Deceive Us?
The River Had Been Dry Four Hours Earlier
A Warthog Takes In The Sight Of Abundant Water
The Difference Between This Picture And The Picture Below Is Astonishing
7am The Next Morning The river Is Almost Back To Its Normal Level
Swim In The Water For The First Time In Months
Some of South Africa's highest summer temperatures have been recorded during this drought.