MESMERISING

THE CATCH: A photographer photographs a tree at Deadvlei. Close to Sossusvlei in the Hardap Region, Deadvlei is one of the top attractions in the country because of the stark contrast between the red dunes, the dead and live trees, and the grey sand. According to experts, it was a salar – a salt-encrusted depression that may or may not be the basin of an evaporated lake – made of white clay and salt, which was irrigated by the Tsauchab River. Now, there is neither a river nor enough rain in the area, which has resulted in the death of the 900-year-old acacias. Due to the dry air, the trunks of these old trees have not decomposed. PHOTO: LIMBA MUPETAMI