animals – Sandy's Views

Puppy Love

September 7, 2018Posted in New Zealand, photography, TessaTagged animals, Australian Cattle Dog, Blue Heeler, cute, dogs, pets, puppies, puppyLeave a comment

We got a puppy in March this year, her name is Tessa and she is an Australian Cattle Dog, otherwise known as a Blue Heeler. Some people think the Blue Heeler is an ugly dog. We beg to differ, what do you think? (Most of these are iPhone photos.)

5E30B1D6-3087-4722-8FDC-C30405F0A490 — Chill

F2259BD7-6596-45C5-96A0-93AA00CE2D41 — Best of friends

From The Side Of The Road

March 1, 2016February 14, 2017Posted in New Zealand, photography, TravelTagged animals, cattle, holiday, landscape, nature, New Zealand, pastoral, photography, Roadtrip, scenery, travel, Vacation1 Comment

One of the great things about New Zealand is all the awesomeness, everywhere. In many countries you have to travel to see cool stuff. Get in a vehicle and make a special trip. We have that awesomeness everywhere. Right there beside the road. Part of my photographic ‘thing’, is that none of the photographs I take require any special equipment or even robust footwear. All the photos on this blog were taken near the side of the road except the one where I went for a bit of a walk. Theoretically you could take any of these photos with your phone camera while wearing a pair of jandals. All I did for each one of these shots, is pull over as I was driving past. We see this stuff on the way to the shop.

Charolais Cattle first thing in the morning. I do like a nice cow. You may have more photos of cows to follow

Cottage on a hill — Old cottage and Macrocarpa trees, we have a lot of derelict cottages about the place.

Hawkes Bay from Te Mata shadow — Clean green New Zealand, get’s a bit dry in the summer sometimes. This is Hawkes Bay. Looking South from Te Mata Peak. You can drive up there.

Tree — Almost good enough to eat, but I think they make beer with this lot.

The Clydesdale War Memorial Hall, Manawatu. I don’t think it sees too many parties anymore.

Shade — Sheep know a shady spot when they see one. Well most of them do.

Rail bridge over the Ohau River looking towards the Tararua Ranges. This is a common sight in NZ. Rail bridges of this type that is. The Tararua Ranges aren’t a common sight unless you are in the vicinity.

Central Hawkes Bay — That’s where Hawkes Bay starts. Looking North from a prominent view spot.

Misty Mountains, that’s not their name though, they just are sometimes.

Whanganui River Valley. One of the best drives in New Zealand. Almost nobody goes up there.

Estaury stumps — Bit of driftwood in the Foxton Estuary. Looks a bit moody.

High country shack — I like an old corrugated iron shack as well. This is at the end of Heights Road. Nobody goes up here either. You can walk into the Tararua Ranges from the end of this road.

Himi Rays — Remember I mentioned being on the way to the shop? This was on the way to the shop.

Mountain Cows2 — Cows and mountains. Perfect photographic combination. Well one mountain. That’s Mt Ruapehu.

Himi Red sky 1 — Down on the beach, Himatangi Beach. This is about 200 metres from my front door. It can be quite scenic in the evening.

This was a while ago, bit of snow there on the Ruahines.

Manawatu Rail line — This scene appealed to me. That’s the main New Zealand rail line. Just there.

Windmill — Pastoral, this is also on the way to the shop. Clothes shop rather than food shop, but a shop nonetheless.

Tararua manawatu morning — Taken a couple of paddocks down a few days earlier than the last photo. The one below. I like a fetching paddock scene.

Cows dawn — Dairy cows in Manawatu. Making milk. Looks a bit like a painting this one. It isn’t though.

Most New Zealanders simply pass by this stuff everyday, taking it for granted. I am constantly amazed at the natural beauty, wilderness and amazing pastoral imagery all around me. Maybe you have to go away for a while to appreciate it here. I know I view New Zealand differently since I’ve been back after so long away.

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.

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.

Look North, early evening, lumpy land, cool clouds.

Cross. This is the monument to a local man who loved the area.

What's your beef? — What’s your beef? You can also see the Te Apiti Windmill Farm away in the distance at the bottom right of the image.

Ducks crossing. There was a cool weather effect in the distance. Then some ducks flew through the shot which is cool.

Without the ducks, just layers of land and evening cloud, with rainbow type thing.

Rule of thirds, New Zealand style. Looking East towards the Manawatu.

Looking up the line. The Main Trunk Line. New Zealands main rail line. From a crossing on a farmers land in the Rangitikei.

Then it got too dark so I went home…