Evening Sky
There are some evenings when you just have to go for a walk. The day on which this image was taken had improved markedly after a late summer storm so we decided to take a walk around the rocks and along the base of the cliffs at the end of Takapuna Beach, near where we live. An added incentive was the expected departure of a cruise ship from Auckland which carried some friends as passengers. We hoped to watch the ship sail out through the channel that lies between the beach and nearby Rangitoto Island. Fortunately the tide was well out that day, because after waiting until well after the expected departure (the ship didn’t sail because of engineering problems) we had to make our way back to the beach in far distance before the tide would force us ti climb over the rocks. As we turned to head home we were presented with this view to the Takapuna township and beach, and the evening sky reflected in the wet sand.
Evening Glow
At the risk of presenting yet another image of Rangitoto Island at sunset I post the above image taken this evening from Takapuna Beach, which is where I live. You could say that there is almost a spiritual connection that attracts me onto the beach every time I witness another sunrise or sunset. No two are the same. The tide may be in, or out as it was this evening. There may be clouds that catch the setting sun, or none as it was this evening.
I particularly like the lines in this image, as well as the colors. There are tire marks that traverse diagonally from left to right, as well as rivulets travelling diagonally in the other direction. The scene is infused with shades of gold, blue and green which are reflected in the wet sand. I captured exactly what I wanted, and that makes me happy. I welcome you to enjoy the scene for yourself. Click on the image for a larger view.
Green Balloon
A few years ago, 2009 to be precise, a Christmas market was held in the main street of our local town. There were street stalls outside the main street businesses, as well as craft stalls, and a bouncy castle for the kids. Throughout the day a number of groups entertained visitors to the market, including a Tai Chi group from a neighboring suburb. It was during the Tai Chi demonstration that this wee girl caught my attention – totally absorbed with her green balloon while the demonstration carried on behind her back. As you can tell from the surfing Santa on the pole in the background, Takapuna is a seaside township.
Cloudy Dawn
Living near a coast with views to the north and east (I’m talking about the southern hemisphere here) you are presented with a range of moods in the sky and on the water that is driven by the weather. The sea can be angry, or placid. The sky can be clear, or cloudy. Visibility can reach to the horizon, or be no more than fifty meters. All of this presents an infinite menu of photographic opportunities.
This image was taken in early May last year from Takapuna Beach on Auckland’s North Shore. It is looking slightly east of north just before 9.00 am. An overnight storm is clearing and the sun is struggling to break through the clouds, while blue sky begins to show itself overhead.
On the coast and in the mountains are two of my favorite places at sunrise and sunset. These are the times when clouds are lit at their most interesting best. Because both places are fully exposed to all that weather systems can throw at them, they are also exciting (and sometimes scary) places to be in a storm.
After the Storm
The storm has come and gone, but there is more rain forecast for the weekend. Not as severe as last time, but bringing more welcome wetness.
Northerly storm systems pound the reef at the western end of Takapuna Beach and uproot kelp seaweed from the rocks. Waves then distribute the kelp along the 1,200 metre beach where it lies for up to two weeks until the local authority brings it’s machinery out to gather the seaweed up and take it away for composting. Local hobby gardeners also gather seaweed to add to their compost heaps, or dig it into their gardens to lie over winter in preparation for the spring growing season.
Here Comes the Rain Again …
Here comes the rain again
Falling on my head like a memory
Falling on my head like a new emotion
I want to walk in the open wind …
This 1984 Eurythmics song by written by Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart came to mind this morning as the rain finally arrived. It’s now 9.10 pm and a storm is raging outside bringing much needed rain after 4 months of dry weather. The experts tell us that this one weather event will not be enough to relieve the drought – we apparently need at least 100 mm of rain before they will even think about telling us that the drought is over.
I love stormy weather, as long as it doesn’t go on for days on end. On the coast you experience the full force of whatever is thrown at you. We have had some pretty fierce storms over the years, but never anything that has caused us any notable property damage. At high tide in a storm the waves come right up to our boundary and occasionally wash slightly up the bank and under the trees at the bottom of our sloping property, but never any further. We don’t get the full force of the ocean swells because our part of the coast is protected by out-lying islands. However, it can get pretty wild at times.
Because of the long spell of hot, dry weather we’ve had since December we can put up with the stormy tantrums for a few days to allow the ground to soak up the moisture and the vegetation to replenish itself.
This image was taken at 11.00 am this morning.
Another Autumn Sunrise
This morning, fully clothed this time, I ventured onto the beach to capture another autumn sunrise. It was different this time, not so red, but more dappled grays and blues.
We are lucky here to face the east and have a view out across the Rangitoto Channel to the island from which the channel takes its name. During the day Rangitoto continually changes its mood as the sun moves from east to west. On some evenings the setting sun lights clouds over the island with red and orange light. In storms it presents a very moody face.
This morning we were presented with a pre-storm view. There is rain predicted for two day’s time. On such occasions the atmosphere often clears and New Zealand’s fourth largest island, Great Barrier, shows clearly on the horizon. That happened in the late afternoon yesterday. Already the sky is overcast. Let’s hope that the rain comes as predicted. We really need it after the long hot summer.
I was going to show only two images from this morning, but I have decided to show five instead. I have been wanting to take photographs from the eastern end of the beach in the morning for some time. Here are the results.
Autumn Sunrise
When I woke this morning and looked out the window I knew right away I had to capture the moment. So, still in pajamas, I grabbed my camera and walked down to the beach to record the sun rising behind Rangitoto Island and the early morning crowd out getting their exercise. A man passed nearby walking his Dog. “Good morning”, I said. “Good morning” he replied, no doubt wondering why I was still wearing my PJs on the beach. It didn’t worry me. I got my pictures and was feeling very happy.
Going …
… and coming
Can we have some rain please?
This year New Zealand has had one of the hottest and driest summers on record. Most of the country has had temperatures some 2-3 degrees Celsius above normal monthly averages since December, and record low rainfall. As a result all of the agricultural lands in the North Island and on the west coast of the South Island have been declared drought areas.
Last weekend we traveled to Napier in the Hawkes Bay region of the North Island to attend a meeting and also visit a forest in the Kaweka Ranges, some 50 km inland from Napier. All of the areas we passed through on the 420 km drive from Auckland showed clear evidence of no rain, resulting in brown and dusty pastures. Farmers are having to feed their animals either with feed normally reserved for winter, or from feed stocks purchased from outside suppliers. Some suppliers have already run out of their reserve stocks. Farmers are having to de-stock to ensure that animals don’t suffer, and to allow pastures to recover when the rain finally arrives.
Because New Zealand is primarily an agriculture-based economy, the impact of the drought has flow-on effects into the wider economy. Already a predicted milk shortage has caused prices to rise on international dairy markets, and dairy farmers are receiving early payouts from the country’s biggest dairy products exporter to assist with drought relief.
The above image was taken from the road leading to the forest we visited in the Kaweka Ranges. There had been as light rain shower in the day or so before our visit which allowed a small amount of green to show. Mostly though, the pasture is brown, and what green there is is of little use to the animals. The green field in the distance is irrigated by the local farmer who has a water right to draw from a nearby stream.
It’s now autumn here in this far flung corner of the South Pacific, a time when we normally expect to get regular rain. So far it hasn’t arrived in any meaningful amounts. Farmers are concerned about grass regeneration to see them through winter and into the next spring.
There is one consolation from all this heat and dryness though. The Hawkes Bay region is one of New Zealand’s major wine producing areas. The long hot summer has produced a high quality crop of grapes this year which the wine producers are very excited about. It promises to be a great vintage.
Barrier Sunsets
I mentioned at the end of my previous post that one of the great rewards at the end of a good day’s fishing is watching the sun set in the west. The westward view from the passage between Port Abercrombie and Port Fitzroy is past the small Sugarloaf Islands slightly to the north of Motuhaku Island. These small island are highlighted as the sun sinks in the west when they are silhouetted against the orange sky.
The images below were taken as we approached the entrance to Port Fitzroy on the western side of Great Barrier Island, and then as we slowly motored to the nights anchorage. A great way to end a day.
Sinking Sun
Sun setting over Motuhaku and Sugarloaf Islands, Port Abercrombie, Great Barrier Island
Fingers of God, Port Abercrombie, Great Barrier Island
Silky Smooth, Port Fitzroy, Great Barrier Island
Needles
Early in March I went with a group of friends on a five day fishing trip to Great Barrier Island, New Zealand’s fourth largest island which stands at the entrance to Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf. The Hauraki Gulf is famous as a sailing paradise and is dotted with small islands and sheltered anchorages. It was the sixth time I have joined the crew for the Great Barrier trip on a friend’s 12 metre long power cat launch. Great Barrier Island has a number of sheltered anchorages on its western coastline, the most sheltered of which is Port Fitzroy.
Each year we try to round the northern end of the island to spend at least one night at Arid Island (Rakino) on the ocean side. To reach Rakino one has to round Aguilles Island and Needles Point. I always enjoy this part of the voyage because of the rugged and spectacular coastline. The images below were taken on the return journed from Rakino (Arid Island).
Aguilles Island and Needles Point
The eastern side of Great Barrier Island is battered by whatever the Pacific Ocean throws at it. On most of our trips we are unable to round the Needles because it is too rough, so the weather has to be right for long enough to make a safe return journey.
Needles Point, Great Barrier Island, New Zealand
I am trying out the NIK software suite from Google at present, and especially NIK Silver Effects Pro for black and white conversions. I thought the rock structures at Needles Point would make an ideal test subject, hence the monochrome images above and below.
You can see that the Needles are not a place where you would want to be in bad weather. The pinnacles of rock sticking out of the water can do a lot of damage and need a wide berth.
As for the primary purpose of the trip, fishing, it was a mixed bag. For most of the time we had to return the catch to the sea because the fish were under-size. We managed to get enough to eat each night, and sometimes for lunch as well. Our luck changed on the last night where over the period of an hour we kept more than we returned, with enough for a small amount to take home as well. On our way back to Auckland we stopped off the shore of another Hauraki Gulf island for an hour and had the best fishing of the trip, ensuring that the wives of the crew members received a reward for being left at home.
One of the rewards of being on the sea comes in the evening when the sun sinks in the west. The image below was taken in the bay at Port Abercrombie as we were returning to Port Fitzroy for the night. It makes a great way to finish a good day of fishing.
Sunset, Port Abercrombie, Great Barrier Island
Fly Me to the Moon …
… Let me swing among those stars
Let me see what spring is like
On Jupiter and Mars
In other words …
These words from the 1954 Bart Howard song made famous by Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and many others came to mind when I watched this parapenter seem to soar towards the moon at Kennedy Park on Auckland’s North Shore last week.
I first saw another parapenter riding the thermal air currents off the cliffs with Rangitoto Island, the major landmark at the entry to Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour, in the background. Minutes later he joined the moon flyer to circle and swoop above the cliffs.
Kiwi Summer
I read in the newspaper and see on the TV news that winter in the Northern Hemisphere is rather cold this year. I know that cold. So, to cheer you up, here is a reminder of what summer looks like here in the down-under!
All of these images were taken on Takapuna Beach, in Auckland, near where I live. Click on images for a larger view.
Jetman
A new phenomenon hit Auckland last week. It was so unusual that it featured on the evening TV news as a feature product at the “Big Boys’ Toys” expo held at the Auckland Showgrounds.
Apparently this device is known as a “Flyboard” and is powered by a jetski. According to the product’s website “The Flyboard is a water jet powered machine which allows propulsion underwater and in the air. The position of two nozzles under your feet ensure 90% of the propulsion and allow for movement controlled by tilting one’s feet. The nozzles on the hands are used to ensure stabilization, just as ski poles would.”
These images were captured from Takapuna Beach yesterday afternoon. It seems that buyers need deep pockets as the Flyboard is priced from NZ$13995.00 (plus the required jetski, of course)!
Click on each image for a larger view.
Grey Dawn
Rangitoto Grey Dawn
Rangitoto Island in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf can be seen from many parts of the city. This volcanic cone guards the entrance to the Waitemata Harbour and all shipping entering the harbour passes through the channel seen in this view. The mood of the island changes throughout the day and with the weather. This image was taken just before 8.00 am on an early spring morning in 2009. The clouds reflect the changeable weather we have in Auckland at that time of the year.
Testing
Testing
Anyone who knows about elite yachting knows that to enter a yacht into the Americas Cup contest requires lots (that’s LOTS) of money. That obviously limits entrants to millionaires (maybe billionaires) who can fund the development and testing required to produce two very technical craft for the challenger series, followed by the main Americas Cup event itself. The next Cup series will be sailed in 72 foot catamarans with wing sails and a crew of about a dozen sailors. And these craft literally fly on their winged dagger boards.
This image was taken at the limits of my 18-200 mm zoom telephoto lens. From camera position to the Emirates Team New Zealand cat is approximately 4 km, with the lens zoomed right out. The image has been cropped to give an even “closer” view. Although there was only a light breeze the yacht still had one hull lifted completely out of the water. Already when testing their yacht in San Francisco Bay, Team Oracle have managed to nosedive and flip their boat, spilling all the crew into the water. Its expensive having an accident in these yachts!
Nurturing Young Talent
One of the great things about the international Rotary movement is a goal of nurturing young talented people and helping them develop and grow.
For the past six years the Rotary Club of Milford on Auckland’s North Shore has organised a Musical Showcase at Westlake Boys High School that allows young North Shore musicians, who have won secondary schools competitions, to demonstrate their prowess in a public performance and hone their skills before year-end examinations. The Sunday afternoon concert is always well patronised and any profits made are distributed to the music departments of the participating schools.
If any readers live on the North Shore of Auckland, or know someone who does, I would recommend that you attend the concert to support the young players and their schools, and have a thoroughly entertaining afternoon as well.
After the Storm
The northern part of New Zealand has just been battered by a north-easterly storm that brought heavy rain, high winds and cold temperatures. Some Auckland suburbs and parts of the CBD were flooded and several roofs were blown off. The end came very quickly. As soon as the sun appeared, so did the surfers. The choppiness of the sea subsides in short time and for the next few hours perfect surfing waves form. Its school holiday time so the news spread quickly to get to Takapuna Beach to ride the waves.
Early Morning Run
Early Morning Run – Sunrise over Rangitoto Island from Takapuna Beach, Auckland, New Zealand
I was on the beach at 6.30 am yesterday morning just to catch the sunrise. It looked promising when I first looked out of the window so I took my camera and tripod onto the beach and waited. This is just one of 40 images I took as the sun crept towards and then broke over the horizon.
Morning Run
Morning Run
Caught this quickly the other morning just as the sun was trying to break through the clouds over Rangitoto Island in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf. Many people are on Takapuna Beach in the morning, fitting in some exercise to set them up for the rest of the day.
Shore to Shore
On only one day in each year is there so much movement of people on Takapuna Beach, and that’s the day of the annual Shore to Shore Schools Fun Run.
On that day people of all ages join together to support their local schools in a 5 km fun run from Takapuna Grammar School to the Milford Reserve on Auckland’s North Shore. From toddlers pushed in prams to grandparents, they move en mass to raise money for sports equipment for their schools.
These images were taken at about 9.30 am, about 1 km into the run. The official start at Takapuna Grammar was 9.00 am.
Bar Coded
When walking on Te Whero Island that connects the Auckland CBD to the Wynyard Quarter you become part of the urban artwork that is a giant bar code.
Te Whero Island
This image was taken into the late afternoon western sun which cast long shadows across the painted barcode pattern. Straight ahead is the lifting bridge known as the Wynyard Crossing, with the new Viaduct Event Centre on the right. I prefer this black and white rendition to the colour version as it highlights the tonal contrasts better.
Entertainment at Wynyard
Ever since the new Wynyard Quarter was opened to the public of Auckland in time for the 2011 Rugby World Cup it has become a visitor magnet, especially during the weekend. It seems that there is always some new activity taking place.
Last Sunday I visited the Wynyard Quarter for the first time since the RWC with my wife and family. The children’s playground was packed, there was a water science exhibition nearby, and performance artists were scattered around the area miming and acting out water-related skits.
Silo Girl
In the base of an old cement silo there was an old upright piano. I watched as this chap sauntered up and slouched in the chair, hoodie pulled up over his baseball cap and cigarette dangling from his lips. He hunched over the keyboard and fingered what seemed to be a random series of notes, much as a small child would when first introduced to a piano. Within minutes his playing developed into a well practiced virtuoso performance, but his demeanor remained unchanged. I leaned later that the piano is a permanent feature around the North Wharf/Jellico Plaza area and available for anyone to play.
"Hey Mr Pianoman, Wont you Play a Song for Me?"
Between the Piles
Between the Piles - Matiatia Bay, Waiheke Island
Walking in bays where there are boats at anchor is a favourite pastime. I like to watch what is going on. Sooner or later, even on boats that seem to be unattended, signs of life appear as crew members come from below decks where they have been working or resting and take in the surroundings. Here a seagull takes advantage of the top of an unattended pole to rest and preen itself. Occasionally a new boat enters the bay looking for anchorage, or another already at anchor readies itself for a new passage.
This image was taken while on a coastal walk between the ferry wharf at Matiatia Bay on Waiheke Island and the main town of Oneroa. Just out of frame on the left there was a yacht standing on cradle and tied to the piles while maintenance was being performed.
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