Between the mountains and the sea.

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New Zealand is a long but fairly narrow country. It’s 2,086 kilometres from one end to the other, but you are never more than 120 kilometres from the sea. What this means is that you can often see the mountains from the seashore, or the sea from the mountains. Which is nice. This gives many fetching photographic opportunities, such as these.

Rocky Beach, Kaikoura. It's not the name of the beach, merely an observation.
Rocky Beach, Kaikoura. It’s not the name of the beach, merely an observation.
Fishing boat in front of the Kaikoura Ranges. New Zealandness at it's most scenic, with a fishing boat.
Fishing boat in front of the Kaikoura Ranges. New Zealandness at it’s most scenic, with a fishing boat.
I could call this 'Chimney Seal. You may notice a loafing seal at the base of the old chimney. Looking across to the Kaikoura Ranges
I could call this ‘Chimney Seal. You may notice a loafing seal at the base of the old chimney. Looking across to the Kaikoura Ranges. Well I am looking at the Kaikoura Ranges, the Seal is not.
Those mountains are an awfully long way away from where I took this photo in the Wellington Harbour from the deck of the Interislander Ferry
Those mountains are an awfully long way away from where I took this photo in the Wellington Harbour from the deck of the Interislander Ferry
The newest Ferry in the Interislander Fleet, this is how we get from one island to another. You can fly but this a nicer way to go about it. That's the Kaiarahi.
The newest Ferry in the Interislander Fleet heading North for Wellington, this is how we get from one island to another. You can fly but this a nicer way to go about it. That’s the Kaiarahi. I took this from the ferry I was heading South on, towards Picton.
On a rough crossing in Cook Strait, the large bit of water between the North and South Island's you sometimes get these sea spray 'rainbows'. You have to be quick to photograph them as they come and go. Plus you risk a salt water soaking of your camera. You decide if it's worth it.
On a rough crossing in Cook Strait, the large bit of water between the North and South Islands you sometimes get these sea spray ‘rainbows’. You have to be quick to photograph them as they come and go. Plus you risk a salt water soaking of your camera. You decide if it’s worth it.
After a rough crossing of Cook Strait, turning into the Marlborough Sounds through the Tory Channel is like walking into a library off a busy street. A giant outdoor nature library on a sunny day sort of thing.
After a rough crossing of Cook Strait, turning into the Marlborough Sounds through the Tory Channel is like walking into a library off a busy street. A giant outdoor nature library on a sunny day sort of thing.
That's New Zealand's main road. State Highway One. The rail line beside it is the main rail route south. This is how we get about. It's nice here.
Once you’ve left the ferry in the South Island, the main road South is this one. That’s New Zealand’s main road. State Highway One. The rail line beside it is the main rail route south. This is how we get about.
Taking the Train in New Zealand is slow but scenic, this is the 'Coastal Pacific. I think they call it that because it follows the Pacific Coast but I'm just guessing at that.
Taking the Train in New Zealand is slow but scenic, this is the ‘Coastal Pacific’. I reckon Kiwi Rail named the train ‘Coastal Pacific’  because it follows the Pacific Coast but I’m just guessing of course.
I like a train track heading towards a mountain. The title of this post made reference to mountains. That's the biggest one in the North Island. Mt Ruapehu. It's quite far from the sea.
On the subject of trains, This the train that runs up and down the North Island. Kiwi Rail creatively named this one ‘Northern Explorer’.  I can’t think why though. In the title of this post I made reference to mountains and that’s the biggest one in the North Island. Mt Ruapehu. It’s quite far from the sea.
Inland, far inland, almost a whole hours drive the sea in one direction, well over two hours in the other.
Inland, far inland. But still less than an hour’s drive to the ocean if you head West.
The Ruahine Ranges, on the other side of them is Hawkes Bay.
The Ruahine Ranges, on the other side of them is Hawkes Bay.
Rainbow, kicking off an early morning, inland.
Rainbow, kicking off an early morning, inland.
Early morning Manawatu. I drive past this sort of thing from time to time. Manawatu is mostly flat, lying between the Rhine and Tararua Ranges and the Tasman Sea.
Early morning Manawatu. I drive past this sort of thing from time to time. Manawatu is mostly flat, lying between the Ruahine and Tararua Ranges and the Tasman Sea.
One day when I can afford better camera equipment than I have. I can capture this sort of amazing early morning scene better. Between the mountains and the sea. The Mountains are half an hours drive in front of me here and the sea is 15 minutes drive behind me.
One day when I can afford better camera equipment than I have. I can capture this sort of amazing early morning scene better. Between the mountains and the sea. The Mountains are half an hour drive in front of me here and the sea is 15 minutes drive behind me.
What better way to finish than with the sun dropping beneath the Western Horizon. I'm standing just feet from a public highway here and barely an hour from a mountain range behind me.
What better way to finish than with the sun dropping beneath the Western Horizon. I’m standing just feet from a public highway here and barely an hour from a mountain range behind me.

4 thoughts on “Between the mountains and the sea.”

    1. Cheers Glen. Not going too expensive and certainly no timelapse. Just some better quality glass when I can afford it. Same style as it’s my thing but what I want is more clarity. Better lens and a full frame camera

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