Roberta Writes – Thursday Doors: A stop over in Dundee, South Africa, CFFC: forms/shapes in nature, and Reena’s Xploration Challenge #293

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A visit to Dundee

Did you know there is a town called Dundee in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa? It is a coal mining town and the reason we overnighted there is because it is close to the site of the Battle of Blood River which is a landmark battle between 464 Boers and an estimated 10,000 Zulus on the 16th of December 1838. I will tell you more about that battle next week. I wanted to spend a good few hours at The Battle of Blood River memorial and museum and also visit the Ncome Zulu Cultural Museum on the other side of Blood River where the battle was fought. There is a bridge of reconciliation between the two museums.

We spent our time in Dundee at the lovely and brand new B&B called Bella’s Rest. The B&B was on the edge of a manmade dam and had a nice view.

These are a few pictures for Dan’s Thursday Doors which you can join in here: https://nofacilities.com/2023/08/24/wvu-morgantown/

The entrance to the B&B
Sliding doors from our two rooms onto the private verandah
Security door between the bedrooms section and the admin section.
View across the dam. The restaurant was on the other side

Shapes in Nature

Look at all the rings in this picture – dam at Dundee
The waterfall formation in the Cango Caves, South Africa
These two pictures were taken into the water in the Knysna Lagoon in the Western Cape. I was photographing a crab which you can see in the picture. I love the patterns.

You can join in Cee’s challenge here: https://ceenphotography.com/2023/08/15/cffc-contrast-2/

Reena’s Xploration Challenge #293

Reena’s prompt last week Thursday was three AI generated images. I’m a bit late posting, but better late than never. You can read other poets responses here: https://reinventionsreena.wordpress.com/2023/08/17/reenas-xploration-challenge-293/

AI Madness

Weird designs

Neckless heads; floating

Tricks the eye

Confuses

Brain grapples to unravel

Visual distortion

My poem is based on this picture that was featured on my blogging friend, Meeka’s blog last year. If you enlarge this winning picture, you will see the people have no necks. It is so surreal that it won a prized. You can read Meeka’s article here: https://acflory.wordpress.com/2022/09/10/is-art-still-art-if-an-ai-makes-it/. I have not forgotten this post and artwork.

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Published by robertawrites235681907

I am a writer of young adult fiction and poetry

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88 thoughts on “Roberta Writes – Thursday Doors: A stop over in Dundee, South Africa, CFFC: forms/shapes in nature, and Reena’s Xploration Challenge #293”

  13. You really are a very good photographer, Robbie. The artist in you sees shapes and patterns that most of us don’t notice…until you draw our attention to them. Just lovely. I think at the most basic level, /that/ is going to be what truly distinguishes human art from AI art.

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  18. Breathtaking photography! You are a multipotentialite with your multiple talents

    Indians know Dundee because of the Mahatma Gandhi historical connection.

    You are right that prompt words play a crucial role in art generated by AI. I find it convenient to not depend on stock images.

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  22. The photos are wonderful, Robbie. What a lovely spot. My pool makes the same ripples in the sunlight- always a beautiful sight. I look forward to reading more about the battle next week.

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          1. That was an interesting picture. I read the article that went with it as well and I agree with her. I think AI is a tool, for sure. I wasn’t sure about the no necks. The one woman on the right seemed to have a neck to me. I even enlarged it to check it out. There is a space under her chin that looks like a neck. Anyway, it is an amazing piece. 🙂

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