NZ National Parks - Tēnā koe from Wānaka Aotearoa NZ

20/07/202320/07/2023

The West Matukituki, the jewel in the crown that is New Zealand’s Southern Alps

The jewel bit… what qualifies this valley, when there are others that I think are even prettier such as the remote Wilken north branch and the Rockburn?

These two and many others typify the Otago Alps, where the mix of river, mountains, warm brown grasses and beech forest allow a feeling absent in the rawness of the Canterbury valleys, with their mean rivers, acres of gravel and rock, all with little in the way of natural shelter for man, bird or beast.

Really it is simply because the West Matukituki is so close and easy of access, just an hour’s drive from Wanaka.

All photos below are from a one day trip to Aspiring Hut return, in late May 2018. They span from Mt Aspiring Station homestead to the NZ Alpine Club’s Aspiring Hut…

Read all about the status of the birds v. predators in the valley at this recent post in Southernlight.co.nz >>

03/02/202220/07/2023

Mt Aspiring National Park

Waterfall, Mount Aspiring National Park, Rob Roy Glacier

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.

The meat tree by Aspiring Hut

So named as in the old days of deer hunting when carcasses would be hung in it to age nicely.

Pricing is koha…

When it comes to conducting business online, we understand that monetary transactions are the common means of reciprocal exchange. As a buyer, you have the freedom to determine the amount you’re comfortable with and communicate it to us. Once you’ve made your decision, we’ll gladly provide you with my New Zealand bank deposit details. Upon receiving your payment, we will send you the requested file. To ensure your satisfaction, we will need to have some initial discussions to better understand your specific requirements. Via eMail is preferred (unless you’re local/NZ).

During a 5-day photography workshop, we were asked to define “fine art.” The best answer given was a small photo of an object displayed in a matting board within a large frame, often accompanied by a high price tag. Some believed that having a watermark on a website image was undesirable as it detracts from the overall appeal.

At Photo Quest, we have a different philosophy. We believe that using watermarks on images reflects a lack of trust, fueled by fear, and doesn’t foster a sense of community.

Koha reflects the Māori worldview of interdependence and collective well-being, emphasizing the importance of generosity, gratitude, and mutual respect. Koha carries profound cultural significance and continues to be practiced in various contexts, including traditional ceremonies, community events, and contemporary social interactions, embodying the values and principles of the Māori people.

21/11/202120/07/2023

Fiordland New Zealand

Waterfall, Fiordland National Park New Zealand.

Note the tannin coloured water typical of the area. 7 metres of rain annually With over an average of appox. 200 rain-days/year.

Sunset Milford Sound New Zealand.

Fiordland. Sunset outlined clouds in Long Sound

Sunset side lighting on storm clouds in Long Sound in Preservation Inlet, Fiordland National Park, New Zealand

Lake Orbell, Fiordland NAtional Park, New Zealand — Lake Orbell, Fiordland National Park. A panorama 6727 px wide.

Situated in the Murchison Mountains. Home of the takahe.

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27/12/201720/07/2023

Te Wahipounamu South West New Zealand World Heritage Area – a true treasure of mountains, bush, beaches and forest

This area of New Zealand’s remote and rugged South Westland is truly worthy of World Heritage status bestowed sometime ago by UNESCO. It extends south from the Cook River to Fiordland and encompasses the Franz and Fox Glaciers – 2.6 million-hectares in total.

One of the benefits of living in the Wanaka area is it is very close to this amazingly diverse landscape, and this selection is from a quick trip to the Jackson and Cascade rivers area in Nov. 2017