Popular Walks

21/11/202120/07/2023

Moke Lake, Queenstown

Dawn. Moke Lake is a small lake just a 15 minute drive from Queenstown, in the South Island of New Zealand.

There is a Dept. of Conservation camping area on the northern shores. And the short Moke Lake Loop Track is popular with walkers and cyclists.

14/12/201920/07/2023

The Dunedin Botanic Garden

Magnolia in the upper Dunedin Botanic Gardens

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.

White rhododendron at the Dunedin Botanic Garden — **A *rhododendron* typical of the more naturalistic upper garden, where there is an arboretum, rhododendron dell, native plant and geographic collections.**

Dunedin Botanic Gardens — **There are over 6,800 plant species**

Dunedin Botanic Garden — *The Garden is a preferred location for serious botanical studies as it is* home to a significant number of plant collections

Garden worker at Dunedin Botanic Garden — **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 free**

Dunedin Botanic Garden, the roof of the Winter Garden Glasshouse — **The 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 4.30pm**

Students studying in the Dunedin Botanic Gardens — Each 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 flats

Dunedin Botanic Garden - Peter Pan statue — **Peter Pan and is that Wendy whispering in his ear?**

Dunedin Botanic Garden decorative hedges

Dunedin Botanic Garden -Japanese shelter — **A feature of the flat lower Garden**

Fantails ofter frequent the Dunedin Botanic Gardens — **Fantails often frequent the Dunedin Botanic Gardens**

South African section of the upper Dunedin Botanic Gardens — **South African section of the upper Gardens**

The formal rose garden and camellia collection in the lower Dunedin Botanic Gardens — **The formal rose garden and camellia collection in the lower Gardens**

17/11/201904/10/2023

Some thoughts on how to enhance sustainability in photography

One of the goals of Photo Quest NZ is draw attention to our unique New Zealand landscape in such a way as to do something tangible towards not only protecting it, but ensuring people grasp the need for habitat restoration for our native species.

Along the way though we leave footprints – not so much in the way of the obvious nasty chemicals used to make images pre digital, but in more subtle and insidious ways such as the need for electronics (with planned obsolescence, not to mention packaging), batteries and data storage.

With these thoughts in mind, and already being off the grid (all Photo Quest studio work is done via solar power) with equipment chosen for it’s potential longevity (can you believe a ten year old iPhone) thoughts recently have gravitated towards travel – the simple act of getting to remote locations and back again.

Duffers Saddle in the snow - Central Otago — **`At least I have accomodation with me`**

It’s been a habit in the past to go to a new locations, take a few images and then retreat back to the office where they’re evaluated pending another trip to said location. The thought being to be there for sunsets and sunrises, or a snow storm or two.

However recently good friends invited me to have a day trip up Isthmus Peak – a viewpoint popular with young back packers, which gives great panorama views of both Lakes Wanaka and Hawea.

View from Isthmus Peak track — `View from the lower section of the Isthmus Peak track`

**`Mts Castor and Pollux from near the top of Isthmus Peak`**

**`Lake Hawea on the left, Wanaka on the right, from near the top of Isthmus Peak`**

`Lake Hawea on the left, Wanaka on the right`

Mount Aeolus from from Isthmus Peak — ***`Looking across Lake Wanaka we could see the Wilken Valley peaks such as Mount Aeolus, but unfortunately the noon light did not make for a photo equal to the majesty of this view`***

On seeing the panoramas offered by this walk, it can come to mind to return for the golden hour after the sun has set, or better yet in this case, be there for dawn. Which actually means burning more fuel.

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.