photography – Page 4 – Sandy's Views

At The End Of The Day

August 24, 2015February 14, 2017Posted in New Zealand, photographyTagged dusk, landscapes, New Zealand, photography, seascape, sunset, travelLeave a comment

I don’t like the phrase ‘at the end of the day’ when used to finalise an observation made, if that makes sense. It annoys me. So I’m going to reclaim the end of the day, show some images of the day’s end. So when I hear, ‘at the end of the day’ I’ll think of exactly that. Dusk, that wonderful light before sunset. Having said that, the odd photo of the Sun actually setting might sneak in among the dusk photos here.

That barn isn't there anymore, shame, it was a nice barn — That barn isn’t there anymore, shame, it was a nice barn

Blue Mountains, pink hues, cool dusk tones

Walking up to dusk, 200 metres from my front door

Looks like Summer, it isn't. This is Winter — Looks like Summer, it isn’t. This is Winter

On the horizon, in the distance is Mt Taranaki, 210 Kilometres distant

Kite Surfer walking in, had enough for the evening

Photos from my place

August 13, 2015February 14, 2017Posted in New Zealand, photography, TravelTagged landscapes, nature, New Zealand, ocean, photography, seascape, sunset, travel12 Comments

I’ve moved, moved to the beach. My new place is a small rented cottage on the Western Coast of the North Island of New Zealand. North of Welington, South of Whanganui. I love going to sleep with the sound of the sea outside. I can walk up to the dunes from my front door in a few moments. I decided to take a few photos. All these taken round my immediate vicinity. It’s currently winter time here in New Zealand.

This is the road to my place, ok, it's not the only road, but it is a road. — This is the road to my place, ok, it’s not the only road, but it is a road.

Who doesn’t love a patchwork of sun shadows, late afternoon on an old woolshed? I know I do.

Wonky shed — Do-er upper, this is on the way home, or on the way out, depending on if I’m coming or going. I like a wonky shed in the evening.

Sunday evening, that's a bit of weather out in the West. — Sunday evening, that’s a bit of weather out in the West.

Sunday evening, my place. It's awesome — Sunday evening, my place. It’s awesome

Cool, no other description required really

See those photos of the sea? I just simply turned around and photographed this. Those are the Tararua Ranges, they are the backdrop to my place. The wild Tasman Sea in front and the Epic mountains behind me. I like that.

Walking up to the sunset after work, on a Tuesday

While looking out to sea, I can look right, up the coast, that's the way North — While looking out to sea, I can look right, up the coast, that’s the way North

Moments after the sun sank beneath the horizon, Tuesday evening at my place.

This was a Sunday, any other Sunday, every Sunset is different of course. The clouds look a bit angry

It's the last hurrah of a Sunday. Didn't anyone ever tell you not to look directly at the Sun? — It’s the last hurrah of a Sunday. Didn’t anyone ever tell you not to look directly at the Sun?

If you don't look directly at the last light of a Sunday, you can look at the sea shore instead, which has it's own merits — If you don’t look directly at the last light of a Sunday, you can look at the sea shore instead, which has it’s own merits

After the day has gone, just after, the light changes again, and some sea birds happen by.

Finish with a bang. I spent ages trying to decide what to call this, I decided to call it WOW! Frosty morning, a few minutes up the road on the way to the day job.

It’s nice here.

Up, down and far away. Winter

July 20, 2015February 14, 2017Posted in New Zealand, photography, TravelTagged landscape, nature, New Zealand, photography, scenery, travel, Vacation11 Comments

One of the fantastic things about New Zealand is the epic vistas we have all about us. A vista being a large piece of scenery although I’m not sure that description would stand up to examination in a dictionary. I think vista is actually a distant view. What I’ve put together here is a selection of some of the amazing sights you see when you travel from A to B. Like my other posts, no special trip required, this is the scenery we see every day if we leave the house. It also helps if we leave the city but it’s not a long journey from anywhere to this stuff. Once you travel to New Zealand that is. This is winter time round here.

That's a farm paddock, not a golf course, this is where we grow your Sunday Roast lamb. This is winter, those are the Ruahine Ranges. — That’s a farm paddock, not a golf course, this is where we grow your Sunday Roast lamb. This is winter, those are the Ruahine Ranges.

Sheep, four of them. Manawatu — Sheep, four of them avoiding the oven. Manawatu

It's a hay barn, but I call it a high barn. Manawatu Hill country, Ruahine Ranges backdrop. Most people think the Manawatu is flat. Taken from the Waituna-Tapuae Road — It’s a hay barn, but I call it a high barn. Manawatu Hill country, Ruahine Ranges backdrop. Most people think the Manawatu is flat. Taken from the Waituna-Tapuae Road

The photo is straight, the trees and power pole are on a lean. Rangitikei farm land

Late afternoon, looking across the Rangitikei from Kauangaroa Road. It's the road from Hunterville to Fordell. — Late afternoon, looking across the Rangitikei from Kauangaroa Road. It’s the road from Hunterville to Fordell.

Looking down at the Rangitikei River cliffs from Otara road. There is an Otara in Auckland, it's quite different to this Otara. — Looking down at the Rangitikei River cliffs from Otara road. There is an Otara in Auckland, it’s quite different to this Otara.

The Ruahine Ranges looming large over a fetching piece of farm land. Manawatu High country. There is high country in the Manawatu contrary to popular opinion.

That's a 'Southern Cross' Windmill. I think it's best days are behind it, as are the mountains. — That’s a ‘Southern Cross’ Windmill. I think it’s best days are behind it, as are the mountains.

Low cloud, early morning in the Rangitikei River Valley. Makes for a cool island in the cloud

That’s the Kiwi Rail Northern Explorer, passing through the Rangitikei. The only passenger train that runs between Auckland and Wellington. It runs each way, every second day. We aren’t really a nation of train travellers.

Mt Taranaki through the trees. Those trees are just in front of me, Mt Taranaki is over 180 kilometres away

Rangitikei landscape. Lot's of it. — Rangitikei landscape. Lots of it.

Look! It's New Zealand, all of it in one photograph. Putorino Road, hardly anyone will know where that is but every one who has driven from Taihape to Bulls has driven past it. — Look! It’s New Zealand, all of it in one photograph. Putorino Road, hardly anyone will know where that is but every one who has driven from Taihape to Bulls has driven past it.

A green barn with no doors at a place called Silverhope.

Mt Ruapehu 130 kilometres away from here. Here being Fordell in this particular instance.

Let's have a closer look. That's still Mt Ruapehu 130 kilometres away from Fordell but I used the zoom lens a bit on my camera. I don't have a big zoom lens, just 200mm. Luckily Mt Ruapehu is massive. — Let’s have a closer look. That’s still Mt Ruapehu 130 kilometres away from Fordell but I used the zoom lens a bit on my camera. I don’t have a big zoom lens, just 200mm. Luckily Mt Ruapehu is massive.

It’s Winter time but spring is coming already. See you when it’s warmer.

Cloudy coolness

June 27, 2015February 14, 2017Posted in New Zealand, photography, TravelTagged beach, clouds, landscape, nature, New Zealand, photography, seascape, sunset, travel2 Comments

Because who doesn’t like to look at some epic cloud formations? Don’t ask me to go all scientific on you. I’m not a cloud geek, I don’t know what the clouds are called. I just like looking at and photographing some cloud action that’s worthy of capturing. I’ve already put a few photos throughout the blog which feature cool clouds, but they were incidental to the view. These ones are the reason I took the photo. It’s the subtle differences. If you know the names of the clouds, please comment and enlighten us all.

Southern Central Hawkes Bay, the day before the 'great flood' turned up in other parts of the country. Waipukurau, the nearest town to here was unaffected. The clouds were weird throughout Hawkes Bay that day — Southern Central Hawkes Bay, the day before the ‘great flood’ turned up in other parts of the country. Waipukurau, the nearest town to here was unaffected. The clouds were weird throughout Hawkes Bay that day

Looking North-East across Waipukurau in Southern Central Hawkes Bay. Storm brewing, but not here.

I call these 'God rays', they are actually called 'Crepuscular Rays'. Which sounds meteorological rather than awesome. These are over the small Rangitikei town of Hunterville, which few would describe as awesome. — I call these ‘God rays’, they are actually called ‘Crepuscular Rays’. Which sounds meteorological rather than awesome. These are over the small Rangitikei town of Hunterville, which few would describe as awesome.

Rangitikei river valley, full of fog, love this stuff. There's a river down there, I expect it has something to do with the valley hugging foggy clouds. — Rangitikei river valley, full of fog, love this stuff. There’s a river down there, I expect it has something to do with the valley hugging foggy clouds.

I put a lot of care and thought into naming my images. I call this 'Yard Rays'. I know. — I put a lot of care and thought into naming my images. I call this ‘Yard Rays’. I know.

South of Napier, Hawkes Bay. Storm front brewing but the storm wasn't here. Still, as you can see, the beach is not one for sunbathing so that's good to know if you'd ever considered such a thing and felt a special trip to Napier might be in order. Make the trip by all means. Don't swim or sunbathe, drink wine. — South of Napier, Hawkes Bay. Storm front brewing but the storm wasn’t here. Still, as you can see, the beach is not one for sunbathing so that’s good to know if you’d ever considered such a thing and felt a special trip to Napier might be in order. Make the trip by all means. Don’t swim or sunbathe, drink wine.

Looks like a Tornado brewing over Napier in Hawkes Bay. It isn't. — Looks like a Tornado brewing over Napier in Hawkes Bay. It isn’t.

Rays punching through the clouds above Lake Taupo.

This is an unremarkable place in the Manawatu. Made interesting only by the sun striking through the clouds. I'm sure there is also lots of local history the local people are very proud of though. — This is an unremarkable place in the Manawatu. Made interesting only by the sun striking through the clouds. I’m sure there is also lots of local history the local people are very proud of though.

Cumulonimbus. I know I said I wasn't going to name any clouds. But this is amazing. The entire top of the Whangaparoa Peninsula obliterated by a nuclear explosion, is what a Cumulonimbus looks like in this instance — Cumulonimbus. I know I said I wasn’t going to name any clouds. But this is amazing. The entire top of the Whangaparoa Peninsula obliterated by a nuclear explosion, is what a Cumulonimbus looks like in this instance

Over there at the bottom right is Rangitito Island to give some perspective to this epic cloud formation. Early morning in Arkles Bay. — Over there at the bottom right is Rangitoto Island to give some perspective to this epic cloud formation. Early morning in Arkles Bay.

Same place, different day, slightly different angle. Big skies up there.

Rangitito at Dusk, with a boat heading out to sea. This is the sort of thing you want to be looking at of an evening rather than the telly. Just saying.

So that’s it. When people say ‘it’s all cloudy’, that’s a good thing. See?

Sunrise in the centre

May 31, 2015February 14, 2017Posted in New Zealand, photography, TravelTagged animals, art, dawn, landscape, nature, New Zealand, photography, sunrise, travelLeave a comment

The centre being the central North Island, rather than the coast. So many people take wonderful photographs of the sun coming up over the sea. That’s easy to do, all you need is an alarm clock and to point your camera East in the morning. Inland it’s a bit more of a challenge. There are hills and stuff in the way. Here are a handful of local sunrises I’ve been lucky enough to witness.

Halcombe, guess what time? — Halcombe, 7 am or so

Rangitkei River. Steam off the water looks cool

Derelict house, early, the ghosts aren't even up yet. — Derelict house, early, the ghosts aren’t even up yet.

7am or so, from the Feilding-Halcombe road

Still 7ish, bit of a theme of the hour in the morning setting in here.

Mt's Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe, about 120 kilometres away — Mt’s Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe, about 120 kilometres away

Ruapehu again, over there, miles away in the morning

You've heard of the Verve song, 'The drugs don't work'? This is the rural version 'The cows don't care'. Sunrise in the Manawatu. — You’ve heard of the Verve song, ‘The drugs don’t work’? This is the rural version ‘The cows don’t care’. Sunrise in the Manawatu.

Winter’s coming

May 30, 2015February 14, 2017Posted in New Zealand, photography, TravelTagged landscape, mountains, nature, New Zealand, photography, travel, winter6 Comments

It’s the first official day of Winter in New Zealand on the 1st of June. I took these in the last couple of weeks, round my way. You don’t have to go to the South Island to see snowy peaks and mountain ranges. These were all taken within an hour of my place in the Rangitikei. Southern Central North Island.

I call this one, 'Top of the Mountain road'. I'll let you puzzle over the hidden message in that title. — I call this one, ‘Top of the Mountain road’. I’ll let you puzzle over the hidden message in that title.

I call this Ruapehu Space ship clouds. Took me ages to think that up

The New Zealand Main Trunk rail line, heading north towards Mt Ruapehu

I call this 'Mountain Road'. Because I took it on the Mountain Road. No need to make up names when the actual name is cool enough. — I call this ‘Mountain Road’. Because I took it on the Mountain Road. No need to make up names when the actual name is cool enough.

The open road, literally. The sign says so.

The Ruahine Ranges again, looking across the Rangitikei River Valley. Snowy and sunny. A perfectly photogenic combination

Who doesn't love a derelict barn with a tree growing out of the window on a remote country road. Just a hint of the Ruahine Ranges in the background. — Who doesn’t love a derelict barn with a tree growing out of the window on a remote country road. Just a hint of the Ruahine Ranges in the background.

Mt Ruapehu, looking awesome on a partly cloudy crisp autumn day. For those unfamiliar with Mt Ruapehu, it’s a 10,000 foot high active Volcano in the middle of the North Island. 10,000 feet sounds more impressive that just shy of 10,000 feet which what it actually is. 9,177 feet in actual fact.

Mt Ruapehu again, from Wanganui, or Whanganui if you prefer

No snow here, but it's not far away. This is beside the Moawhango Valley Road, not a road you are likely to find by accident. It's up behind Taihape, in the middle of nowhere. — No snow here, but it’s not far away. This is beside the Moawhango Valley Road, not a road you are likely to find by accident. It’s up behind Taihape, in the middle of nowhere.

Take care, like the sign says — Take extra care, like the sign says. Also the Desert Road isn’t really across a desert. It’s an Alpine Environment and quite un-desert like.

This is also high in the Rangitikei Hill Country, an old woolshed looking cool ij the snowy morning sun — This is also high in the Rangitikei Hill Country, an old woolshed looking cool in the snowy morning sun

That's the mighty Rangitikei River Valley with a bit of snow on the Ruahine Ranges in the distance. Epic views across the lower North Island. — That’s the mighty Rangitikei River Valley with a bit of snow on the Ruahine Ranges in the distance. Epic views across the lower North Island.

We had a light dusting of snow in the Rangitikei hill country, I loved how the shadowed side of these hills took longer to thaw giving this cool effect on the landscape

One hour, one evening

March 15, 2015February 14, 2017Posted in New Zealand, photography, TravelTagged animals, clouds, landscape, mountains, New Zealand, photography, scenery, sky., sunset, travel, Weather1 Comment

Apparently Pam arrives tomorrow, if she does. That’s Cyclone Pam of course. There were pretty amazing clouds developing in the North and East of where I live so I thought I’d pop out and take a few photos. These were taken in the space of an hour. Near my place.