Aurora’s are predominantly seen in high-latitude regions. They are also known as the polar lights or aurora polaris. And are a natural light display in Earth’s sky. In the northern hemisphere they’re called Aurora Borealis. In the southern, Aurora Australis. Or respectively the northern lights or the southern lights.
The Ahuriri river and Ahuriri Conservation Park is near Omarama in North Otago, New Zealand. And is located near the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve.
Of all the summer flowering annuals Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) are known as the “Giants”. They can grow up to 35 cm wide on a tall branching plant that can reach up to 1.5 metres high!
Waterfall and Beech Forest on the Rob Roy Glacier Walk New Zealand. B&W
The walk starts at the Raspberry Creek car park, 54 km west of Wanaka. After about 15 minutes it enters Mount Aspiring National Park. It is an easy 3-4 hours.
Gemstone Beach is part of Te Waewae Bay, and near Tuatapere and Orepuki
Semi-precious stones such as garnet, jasper, quartz and nephrite can often be found on the beach. Subject to change of the surface. Sand to stones and back again occurs with the storms and tides of this very wild coast line. The very best of the Southern Coastline!
Wind swept trees on farmland, near Tuatapere, Southland, New Zealand
Tuatapere is on the edge of Fiordland National Park’s wilderness. There is spectacular unspoilt scenery merging with lush rolling farmland. It is an ideal base for many wilderness activities such as tramping, fishing, whitebaiting, hunting and jet boating.
The Waiau River flows through the town before reaching Te Waewae Bay, where Hector’s dolphins and whales are often seen. There is a rich sawmilling history and the area is home to a logging museum, along with many other quaint reminders of the town’s pioneering history.
Cosy Nook is on the coastal road between Invercargill and Tuatapere, close to Colac Bay, Gemstone Beach and Monkey Island. And part of part of Te Waewae Bay
It is a picturesque rocky cove sheltering several fishing boats and holiday cribs and baches. It is an important cultural and historical Maori settlement site.
Pahi, as it was originally named after Ngai Tahu Chief Pahi, boasted one of the oldest and largest Maori villages in coastal Murihiku in the 1820s. Captain George Thomson, Harbourmaster of Bluff, named his property Cozy Neuk, after his homeland Scottish village. He was the first European settler.
Takahē or notornis - a bird of the rail family, indigenous to New Zealand.
Thought to be extinct, due to hunting by Māori. It was not named or described by Europeans until 1847, and then only from fossil bones.
It was then rediscovered by Dr G. Orbell in 1948. Lake Orbell, a small part of a restricted area in Fiordland National Park since then, was named after him.
Subsequently the only remaining population in the world has grown. There have been ups and downs. Currently the population by the lake number more than 200. Translocation has also been happening to other safe areas in New Zealand. It is still at risk, but on a steady path to larger numbers.
Takahē or notornis – a bird of the rail family, indigenous to New Zealand.
Managed since then the only remaining population in the world has grown. There have been ups and downs. Currently the population by the lake number more than 200. Translocation has also been happening to other safe areas in New Zealand. It is still at risk, but on a steady path to larger numbers.
New Zealand landscape. They will often reach a height of 12-20 metres. Very popular in Britain, Europe, and the U.S. In the former they’re known as Torquay palm.
The flowers are very scented in early summer, and turn into bluish-white berries that birds love to eat. It is very fire-resistant. Māori used cabbage trees as a food, fibre and medicine. The leaves were woven into baskets, sandals, rope, rain capes and other items and were also made into tea to cure diarrhoea and dysentery. Lastly they were also planted to mark trails, boundaries, urupā (cemeteries) and births, since they are generally long-lived.
There are two identified species of flax in New Zealand – common flax (harakeke) and mountain flax (wharariki). (Harakeke is really a lily).They are unique to New Zealand and is one of our most ancient plant species. It grows up to 3 metres and its flower stalks can reach up to 4 metres. Tui, bellbirds/ korimako, saddlebacks/tīeke, short tailed bats/pekapeka, geckos and several types of insects enjoy nectar from the flax flower.
Flax was a valuable resource to Europeans during the 19th century because of its strength. It was New Zealand’s biggest export by far until wool and frozen mutton took over. Today, it is used in soaps, hand creams, shampoos and a range of other cosmetics. Flaxseed oil can also be found for sale.
Flax was the most important fibre plant to Māori in New Zealand. Each pā or marae typically had a ‘pā harakeke’, or flax plantation. Different varieties were specially grown for their strength, softness, colour and fibre content.
The uses of the flax fibre were numerous and varied. Weaving is now very common. Clothing, mats, plates, baskets, ropes, bird snares, lashings, fishing lines and nets were all made from flax leaves. Floats or rafts were made out of bundles of dried flower stalks. The abundant nectar from flax flowers was used to sweeten food and beverages. Flax also had many medicinal uses.
The outer layer represented the grandparents, whereas the inner layer of new shoots – the child – remained and were to be protected by the next inner layer of leaves, the parents.
Infrared of poplar trees
Poplars were first grown in New Zealand in the 1830s. Although ornamental in Central Otago they were primarily planted upwind in rather mundane straight lines to provide shelter for stock and houses. Especially from wind, but also to provide shelter from the intense summer sun .
This is probably the Lombardy poplar, given its column-like form. And was also often planted to mark boundaries and river fords as they could be seen from a distance. This planting is very grouped thus supplying quite a magical feel, in the gathering dusk of a summer evening.
That Wanaka Tree!
A willow that was once a fence post. Now a “must see/photograph” for every tourist that comes to New Zealand.
California poppy on the bank of the Clutha River, Albert Town, New Zealand
Native to the United States and Mexico, it seemed to become quite established in the dry Central Otago climate, during the gold rush days. Locally it is sometimes referred to as the cemetery poppy. As this was where it first became established.
Rural landscape near Wanaka, New Zealand.
A moonlight shot looking towards Mt Aspiring National Park in the distance. The snowy peak being Mt Avalanche. To the right and in dead center, are the lights of Wanaka, with the Buchanan Mountain Range as a backdrop.
The Cardrona, Hawea, Makarora and Matukituki rivers all feed into the Clutha Mata-Au (formerly Molyneaux). The longest river in the South Island of New Zealand. Wanaka airport is to the left, and Wanaka township, out of sight to the right.
Tangential winter lighting reveals the ancient fluvial processes associated with rivers and streams. And now overlaid by relentless Europeanisation in the name of agriculture.
Paddling the Cromwell Gorge, Clutha River, New Zealand. Circa 1985.
This wild river was no more when Lake Dunstan was formed, beginning in April 1992. It is a man-made lake and reservoir and was formed on the Clutha River as a result of the construction of the Clyde Dam.
Dawn at Kinloch, at the head of Lake Wakatipu.
Lake Wakatipu is an inland lake in the South Island of New Zealand. Many perhaps relate more to the name Queenstown. On the eastern shore. Kinloch is at the head of the lake to the west, right beside where the Dart River, the primary tributary, feeds it. Kinloch can be reached by road via the township of Glenorchy
The name Wakatipu comes from the original Māori name, Whakatipu wai-māori
Lake Wakatipu is an inland lake in the South Island of New Zealand. Many perhaps relate more to the name Queenstown. On the eastern shore. Kinloch is at the head of the lake to the west, right beside where the Dart River, the primary tributary, feeds it. Kinloch can be reached by road via the township of Glenorchy.
Beacon Point is simply a very large and shallow area on Lake Wanaka’s shore. There is a permanent red light hundreds of meters from the point to warn boaties.
Glendhu Bay is a short drive west from Wānaka, Otago, New Zealand. It is on the road to Treble Cone ski field and Mount Aspiring National Park. The bay has a motor camp that is popular with New Zealand locals over the New Year holiday period. Patronage numbers in the many thousands.
Green turning to the typical gold of autumn. Note the softness. In camera, which gives a sharper look in this case, of segments of background – bit like pieces of a jigsawSoft, out of camera, and then applied again in software
High key filter, post processing
Not every moment of Easter weekend 2021 was spent in the woods…
An unseasonal nor-wester on Lake Wanaka. But every dog has it’s dayA moody prelude to the official autumn season on Lake Wanaka
Hand stand in the wind – gusts of 120 km/hr!
Two images combinedLichen with claret!
Perhaps more dead than an “alive autumn lookBe prepared to get wet in the quest for soft light
Source image for the mandala style one below
Non distracting background known as bokeh. More easily achieved if the background is someway behind the subject. Plus lens wide openRoses in certain light are not always as they seem
And lastly some odds and ends for the week
University of Otago Campus. Post processing involved some playing with infra redOnce was a peonei
Nothing to do with autumn, but seen in Cromwell town
None of these blog page images are listed in our shop. Nor are they likely to be. But if you’re interested in purchasing, please note which image and email Donald so I can advise you with a price and options.
There were various reasons for lots of local NZ travel in 2019, and fortunately I had the time often to not rush trips across the likes of Central Otago, e.g. Wanaka to Dunedin and return.
The images below are very roughly in chronological order, but being lots of them I’ve uploaded with speed in mind – life in 2020 is nice and full, and sitting at a keyboard is best kept to a minimum. Enjoy!
Silver Peaks range behind Dunedin on a day tramp in the damp, which helps engender a sense of mysteryOn various days I’d help an old friend Wayne survey road upgrades in Southland, and so I got to see lots more of rural NZ than I knew existed, as usually the surfaces that needed to be marked out for upgrades were on anything but main roads.
These were long days with lots of water needed to keep hydrated.An evening on Cook Strait heading to Wellington on a roadie with an old and dear friend. This is looking back at the South Island
Wellington harbour
A relocated railway station in Central Otago now serving as a musterer’s farming hut. Bordering the Oteake Conservation AreaLan Yuan, Dunedin Chinese Garden, in Dunedin. The garden commemorates the contribution of Chinese people to the history and culture of the city.
I met my cousin and husband down there so it was a delightful family outing looking at some strong history, with them both and my sonA side trip and camp out in my Land Cruiser camper, to altitude on the Rock and Pillar Range – the last of the block mountains between the Cardrona Valley, Wanaka and Dunedin. A very windy area.Luxury with a cold beer out of the vehicle fridge, on the Rock and Pillar Range watching the sunset.
It got very windy in the wee hours though, and despite turning the truck around so it faced into the wind, to get a good sleep I drove a few km and parked up in a gully out of it, and woke to heavy rain.And when needing a bathroomAnother evening camp out – this time at old gold diggings on the Hawkdun Range, Oteake Conservation Area.
I’d climbed up to here in very cold winds to get some photos, and then descended in the dark back to my welcome little mountain hut on wheels, aka Cafe Toyota.
Mt Aspiring in the backgroundLower Rock and Pillar Range – Butterfly country once experienced and now imaginedMy new awning on the camper – should have made one years ago for the simple reason that in rain the end of the bed would get wet.
Note no poles and my 100 year old industrial sewing machine got an airingSunset from the Hawkduns.
Just myself, my three legged tripod and some nearby cattle to enjoy a perfect evening while on my way to DunedinThe now empty Cadburys chocolate factory in Dunedin.
Site of a new hospital coming up.During the year I finished off a new tire related web site in Wanaka, and so was delighted one day to spot this beauty outside the new buildingBest image from a sunset photoshoot at Glendhu Bay, WanakaUniversity of Otago where my son has studied for several years. A truly beautiful campusI had to visit Christchurch a few times during the year and since I’d never seen the city post earthquake I predictably ended up visiting the Cathedral ruins in the SquareChristchurch public toilets near the Square at nightChristchurch Public Art GalleryHistoric gold reserve at Macraes OtagoLuna Light Festival fairies – midwinter, Queenstown
The smog of winter in the Manuherikia River Valley, Central Otago
Mt Tutoko, Fiordland National Park – photo from the jet service into Queenstown from CHCWintery tarn and Hawkdun Mountains, Oteake Conservation Park, on the edge of the ManiototoThe front runners at the annual World Loppet Merino Muster race, the Snow Farm, Cardrona Valley, Wanaka.
These world class athletes on cross country skis are well into their 42 km race, and typically average speeds of up to 22kph over that distanceDuring the year I was appointed onto the Otago Conservation Board where we represent the public and advise the Dept of Conservation on select matters and strategic decision making.
As such I get to do field trips, and here is a native kaka at Orokonui Sanctuary near Dunedin.My son and girlfriend near the mouth of the Catlins River, Coastal Otago.
I had a large print done for him of this image as a Christmas present, and it was well received.
Yet another visit to a certain tree in the Nevis Valley – it’s my photo nemesis I think: satisfaction eludes me capturing the cold emotion of this old historic gold dredging pond, but I’m getting closer.
This visit represented the coldest I’d been in 2019.
Nevis Valley gold miners cottageLake Hawea from a day trip up Isthmus PeakOtago Conservation Board field trip Matukituki Valley – me on the rightProposed conservation land on Glenaray Station Otago/Southland. An inspection visit by helicopter pre submission.
One huge area – one hour flying only covered a fifth of the farm.Lake Wanaka flood Dec 2019.
Last event 1999, and thankfully this one stopped short of the shops, just!My favourite capture for the year – there I was all set up at Glendhu Bay for a more sedate shot and a jet ski came by causing some ripples I did not think I’d benefit from, however they made for something much better.Wishing you all the very best for you and yours for 2020 – may you always have time to smell the roses
I often go to Dunedin for many varied reasons, and one of the delights of every trip is a visit or two to the oldest botanical garden in New Zealand, which was established in 1863.
There are two parts of the Dunedin Botanic Garden, linked indiscernibly, known as the upper gardens and the lower gardens which merge nicely with the University of Otago campus. View Google Map
The initial garden was established on a site now occupied by the University but due to extensive flooding in 1868, the gardens were moved to their current site in 1869.
A rhododendron typical of the more naturalistic upper garden, where there is an arboretum, rhododendron dell, native plant and geographic collections.There are over 6,800 plant speciesIt covers 28 hectares of hillside and flat land to the north of the cityThe Garden is a preferred location for serious botanical studies as it is home to a significant number of plant collections In July 2010, the Dunedin Botanic Garden was awarded a rank of “Garden of International Significance” by the New Zealand Gardens Trust thus becoming one of only five gardens nationwide to be bestowed with this honour.The resources dedicated to the Gardens are significant, yet unlike many similar gardens in large cities overseas such as in Vancouver, entry to the Dunedin Botanic Gardens is freeThe roof of the Winter Garden Glasshouse – open 10am to 4pm, with nearby alpine house and toilets 9am to 4pm, and the cafe 9.30am to 4.30pmEach University year Dunedin city hosts 40,000 plus students and with the Gardens in close proximity scenes like this are common place. In short they offer an immense and peaceful place for relaxation and study, while also providing pathways to North Dunedin where there are lots of student accomodation flatsPeter Pan and is that Wendy whispering in his ear?A feature of the flat lower GardenFantails often frequent the Dunedin Botanic GardensSouth African section of the upper GardensThe formal rose garden and camellia collection in the lower GardensMagnolia in the upper Gardens
Last week I came across the above fantail /piwakawaka and as my camera was in my hand, I started stalking him/her with my lens, knowing full-well, like we all do, that these sweeties move about almost too fast for us limited humans.
But I got a good enough shot, and then I had the oddest feeling I was not alone and was being watched, so I took half a breath and realised the kereru was less than a meter from my nose.
The rest was history as they say, but look at the expression. It’s said these beautiful birds are dumb, but that was not what I saw…
Eventually my kereru friend decided to turn away prior to departure, but could not resist looking back for sometime with an air of indecision, or maybe even reluctance…
One of favourite piwakawaka photos taken in red beech forest in Mt Aspiring National Park…
None of these blog page images are listed in our shop yet, but if you happen to be interested please note which image and email Donald so he can process the various options, and advise you with a link when completed
I’ve been around this now famous tree in more ways than one, e.g. swimming, and simply took it for granted for a few decades.
In snow, flood, or times of drought this tree that used to be a fence post earlier than 1939, endures with a determination to not just live, but to be a rock star of the Internet
However before it became famous a few of us had been there with cameras in sunshine and storm, simply because it was nice subject matter for landscape photographers.
But even then we had no idea how social media would change all that – now days getting an image of it with no people is the ultimate challenge.
And often the sun sets on a perfect day, which finds the lake levels either up or down or somewhere in between
But what intrigues me of late is the tree seems to sense the attention it gets and becomes alive in another universe
Then again it is not always the centre of attention
None of these blog page images are listed in our shop yet, but if you happen to be interested please note which image and email Donald so he can process the various options, and advise you with a link when completed