Tag: New Zealand

Here and there

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Like a lot of my photography, I try to notice the unnoticed, and this lot are the next batch. Some more photo’s taken while moving about for no particular reason. In New Zealand we are so lucky to have such amazing scenery literally everywhere you look. This is just stuff I saw, no special trips required. This is New Zealand, the bits we drive past every day.

St Martins Church, I walked around the grounds for ages to get the spire in the sun shot.
St Martins Church, I walked around the grounds for ages to get the spire in the sun shot.
Country road, take me home...
Country road, take me home…
I don't even know what this river is called, it's runs down towards Pahiatua off the Manawatu River.
I don’t even know what this river is called, it runs down towards Pahiatua off the Manawatu River.
Looking straight into the sun near Apiti, yes Apiti.
Looking straight into the sun near Apiti, yes Apiti.
Nobody has ever taken this shot before. It's a gully. I like a nice gully
Nobody has ever taken this shot before. It’s a gully. I like a nice gully
I have no idea what you might call that atmospheric effect. Like a reverse rainbow sort of thing. Seen above the Wairarapa Hill country
I have no idea what you might call that atmospheric effect. Like a reverse rainbow sort of thing. Seen above the Wairarapa Hill country
Derelict woolshed, near SH54, the Vinegar Hill road. Nobody knows why it's called Vinegar Hill.
Derelict woolshed, near SH54, the Vinegar Hill road. Nobody knows why it’s called Vinegar Hill.
That's Mt Ruapehu, from Foxton Beach. just the 230 kilometres away. We have clear skies in New Zealand.
That’s Mt Ruapehu, from Foxton Beach. just the 230 kilometres away. We have clear skies in New Zealand.
Sunset from Foxton Beach. It's the best bit of Foxton Beach.
Sunset from Foxton Beach. It’s the best bit of Foxton Beach.
Huntsman from the Rangitikei Hunt Club. They don't actually hunt anything. They just get dressed up and ride about in the scenery.
Huntsman from the Rangitikei Hunt Club. They don’t actually hunt anything. They just get dressed up and ride about in the scenery.
High in the Tararua Ranges. I drove up the creatively named Heights Road to get here.
High in the Tararua Ranges. I drove up the creatively named Heights Road to get here.
Who doesn't love to stumble across a Steam Train passing through.
Who doesn’t love to stumble across a Steam Train passing through.
The sign says look for trains, I found one.
The sign says look for trains, I found one.
There's Mt Ruapehu again. From about 150 kilometres away. It's awesome.
There’s Mt Ruapehu again. From about 150 kilometres away. It’s awesome.
I disturbed some pigeons when I stood on their bridge. They kindly made my shot more attractive
I disturbed some pigeons when I stood on their bridge. They kindly made my shot more attractive
Dawn reflecting on the woolshed, pretty awesome. We have impressive dawns here. Sunrise in another language.
Dawn reflecting on the woolshed, pretty awesome. We have impressive dawns here. Sunrise in another language.
Barn, needs work.
Barn, needs work.
I drove up a road called Heights Road. It was very high. I believe there's also regularly a stiff breeze up here.
I drove up a road called Heights Road. It was very high. I believe there’s also regularly a stiff breeze up here.
Low cloud in the Wairarapa. Near Pahiatua. Autumnal.
Low cloud in the Wairarapa. Near Pahiatua. Autumnal.
Small pond nowhere in particular. I liked the reflections.
Small pond nowhere in particular. I liked the reflections.

Cool ay? 

While out driving.

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I spend a lot of time in the car, by choice. It’s my happy place. When I’m out driving I have one eye on the road and one eye on the scenery, keeping a look out for any place that might offer a nice photograph. Here’s a selection of sights I’ve seen lately, while out and about.

Top Dressing plane in an attractive orange to set to off against the wilderness, like on purpose.
Top Dressing plane with attractive orange detailing to set it off against the wilderness, like on purpose.
The New Zealand Swamp Harrier. Common Raptor, hard to photograph, getting this shot only took me about two years.
The New Zealand Swamp Harrier. Common Raptor, hard to photograph, getting this shot only took me about two years.
Cows and trees, pastoral farm land in the middle of nowhere, upper Rangitikei.
Cows and trees, pastoral farm land in the middle of nowhere, upper Rangitikei.
Early snow on the Ruahine's and a fetching barn. Nice
Early snow on the Ruahine’s and a fetching barn. Nice
Low cloud on the Ruahine Ranges.
Low cloud on the Ruahine Ranges.
Early morning sun, mist, trees, fence and spiders webs combine for a this arty number. It reminds New Zealanders of when they were little, apparently grown ups don't look for dewy spiders webs.
Early morning sun, mist, trees, fence and spiders webs combine for a this arty number. It reminds New Zealanders of when they were little, apparently grown ups don’t look for dewy spiders webs.
Day Breaking in the Manawatu. Love how the sun strikes over the distant ranges. You have to get up early for this stuff.
Day breaking in the Manawatu. Love how the sun strikes over the distant ranges. You have to get up early for this stuff.
Call that a valley? This is a valley, upper Rangtikei.
Call that a valley? This is a valley, upper Rangtikei.
The Te Apiti Wind Farm early morning. I'm sure there are all sorts of interesting facts about the Te Apiti Wind Farm.
The Te Apiti Wind Farm early morning. I’m sure there are all sorts of interesting facts about the Te Apiti Wind Farm.
Rangitikei River. You can see this particular view unless you are paying attention to where the river is going. There's no official view point here.
Rangitikei River. You can’t see this particular view unless you are paying attention to where the river is going and pull over on the Vinegar Hill Road. There’s no official view point here.
Misty Morning in Hunterville. I'll give the caravanning a miss this year.
Misty Morning in Hunterville. I’ll give the caravanning a miss this year.
Look, a photo of New Zealand. Literally.
Look, a photo of New Zealand. Literally.
There's that Mt Ruapehu again. I found this lake, in the forest. As you do. OK, I had to walk about 15 minutes to get to this one.
There’s that Mt Ruapehu again. I found this lake, in the forest. As you do. OK, I had to walk about 15 minutes to get to this one.
The Rangitikei Valley at 8am. It's cool to look down on the clouds
The Rangitikei Valley at 8am. It’s cool to look down on the clouds
Mt Ruapehu, about 10,000 metres. Live Volcano. Right there behind that farm.
Mt Ruapehu, about 10,000 metres. Live Volcano. Right there behind that farm.

Stuff in the middle of nowhere in particular, New Zealand

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This is a post showcasing the stuff we have about the place on the way to and from nowhere special. The places we drive past, or near, every day. The scenery that makes up the rest of New Zealand somewhere other than the places you see all the time in tourist brochures. All of the photos here were taken within an hour of my house though. So I didn’t even need to go far to take them.

This is a road to work if you live round here. A commute if you like
This is a road to work if you live round here. A commute if you like
A woolshed, we have lots of them in New Zealand. not so many with graffiti on the side though.
A woolshed, we have lots of them in New Zealand. not so many with graffiti on the side though.
You see this sort of thing on your way to work, not every day, but sometimes. You see the cows every day of course but the amazing rays less often.
You see this sort of thing on your way to work, not every day, but sometimes. You see the cows every day of course but the amazing rays less often.
Looking north, from our front lawn. So not quite an hour from my house.
Looking north in the evening from our front lawn. So not quite an hour from my house.
Steam train passing my house, out there,
Steam train passing my house, out there.
Jerusalem on the Wanganui River Road. Or Whanganui River Road. I believe the h is optional.
Jerusalem on the Wanganui River Road. Or Whanganui River Road. I believe the h is optional.
A waterfall beside the Turakina Valley Road. Where? Yes, exactly, but it's right there, beside the road.
A waterfall beside the Turakina Valley Road. Where? Yes, exactly, but it’s right there, beside the road.
The Rata Church which is beside the Marae, or behind it depending on where you stand.
The Rata Church which is beside the Marae, or behind it depending on where you stand. I like the angel. She looks like a celestial umpire giving someone out.
Mt Ruapehu at 8:30am. I know this gets in tourist brochures but not this shot and it is an hour from my house.
Mt Ruapehu at 8:30am. I know this gets in tourist brochures but not this shot and it is an hour from my house.
A woolshed. I like a woolshed.
A woolshed. I like a woolshed.
I stood inside a cave and looked out.
I stood inside a cave and looked out.
This is inside a glow worm cave most people are unaware of. It's about an hour from my house.
This is inside a glow worm cave most people are unaware of. It’s also about an hour from my house.
Right inside the cave. Apparently the glow worms come out at night, inside the cave. I know right?
Right inside the cave. Apparently the glow worms come out at night, inside the cave. I know right?
Who doesn't like a photo of an old derelict shed in the middle of nowhere?
Who doesn’t like a photo of an old derelict shed in the middle of nowhere?
I’m not normally a fan of people leaving wrecks lying about the place but this scene works for me as a photograph. Like a graveyard in the middle of nowhere for machinery and stuff.
The Makohine Viaduct. For a while it was the tallest viaduct in New Zealand at 73 metres high and 228 metres long. It's no longer the highest viaduct in New Zealand but it is still high.
The Makohine Viaduct. For a while it was the tallest viaduct in New Zealand at 73 metres high and 228 metres long. It’s no longer the highest viaduct in New Zealand but it is still high.

So, I hope you like the photos, this is the Southern Central North Island of New Zealand, randomly photographed here and there.

One hour, one evening

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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.
Look North, early evening, lumpy land, cool clouds.
Cross. This is the monument to a local man who loved the area.
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.
Lines
Lines
Yards.
Yards.
Ducks crossing. There was a cool weather effect in the distance. Then some ducks flew through the shot which is cool.
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.
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.
Rule of thirds, New Zealand style. Looking East towards the Manawatu.
The local high ground. Trig on Mt Curl
The local high ground. Trig on Mt Curl.
Looking north, towards Hunterville.
Looking north, towards Hunterville.
Looking up the line. The Main Trunk Line. New Zealands main rail line. From a crossing on a farmers land in the Rangitikei.
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…

The Sun rises in Kawau Bay.

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The dawn of 2014, 6:15am January 1st. The year appears calm in it’s arrival.
June 7th, 2013. An unremarkable day arrives in a most splendid manner
June 6th 2013. The day before the day before, up there, above this one. I never get sick of this stuff.
seagull sunrise
The day dawned so awesome, even the seagull stopped to watch. You try getting an inquisitive early morning gull to turn it’s back on you.
Pied Stilts crossing Kawau Bay 10x12 canvas $300
Peaceful morning in Kawau Bay. Still, the stilts have had enough.
The day was going to be rough, possibly. 10x12 canvas $300
The day was going to be rough, possibly. Seagull flies into the shot. I have this exact same image without the seagull. Some prefer it that way.
Just orange. 10x12 canvas $250
Just orange. Most people lie in bed and miss out on this sort of thing.
Duck shooting season started at this very moment in 2013. The duck was probably better off where he was in Kawau Bay. 10x12 canvas $300
Duck shooting season started at this very moment in 2013. The duck was probably better off where he was in Kawau Bay.
Red Sky in the morning. 10x12 canvas $300
Red Sky in the morning. It was a very nice day though, so there goes that old wives tale, or sailors legend, or something.

Mountains in the middle.

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Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe from the road heading for Pipiriki, past Raetihi
Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe from the road heading for Pipiriki, past Raetihi. On the way to the Wanganui River road. It’s all tar sealed now you know?
Peering through the rail underpass at Mt Ruapehu. Not much of a risk of being run over by a train in New Zealand.
Peering through the rail underpass at Mt Ruapehu. Not much of a risk of being run over by a train in New Zealand.
Taken from SH4 at dusk, Late Autumn 10x12 canvas $300
Taken from SH4 at dusk, Late Autumn, late evening. It’s a pleasingly symmetrical mountain.
Taken from National Park village at dusk. 10x12 canvas $300
Taken from National Park village at dusk. That’s Mt Ngauruhoe again. That was the actual colour of the sky.
Standing in the middle of SH1.
Just taking pictures of Mt Ngauruhoe, while Standing in the middle of SH1. You can do that in New Zealand. Take pictures in the middle of the road. Not because it’s allowed, but because you can.
Clouds, not smoke above the active volcano.
Clouds, not smoke above Mt Ruapehu. It’s a 10,000 ft, give or take, live Volcano.
Because Mt Ruapehu is so very big, you can see it from very far away. Like this from over 100 miles, or 160 kilometres distant.
Because Mt Ruapehu is so very big, you can see it from very far away. Like this from over 100 miles, or 160 kilometres distant.

Pastoral scenes

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Central North Island, near Hunterville, this scene reminds me of a song by the New Christy Minstrels called 'Green green'. I wonder why?
Central North Island, near Hunterville, this scene reminds me of a song by the New Christy Minstrels called ‘Green green’. I wonder why?
A small reflective pond and a relaxed cow. A pleasant day in the Rangitikei.
Reflective Rangitikei. Near Hunterville, no Hobbits here. Just a cow having a lie down.
Hay baling. I hated doing hay. Worst job of the summer. Mind you, the hay paddock can be a scene of some pretty epic summer colours if someone else is doing the work. Which is the best way to get the hay in.
Hay baling. I hated doing hay. Worst job of the summer. Mind you, the hay paddock can be a scene of some pretty epic summer colours if someone else is doing the work. Which is the best way to get the hay in.
Barn
Autumnal Barn beside SH54, Vinegar Hill. Yes we do have autumn in New Zealand
Mt Hikurangi taken from above Tokomaru Bay, East Cape. 10x12 canvas $200
Not Mt Doom, Mt Hikurangi, East Cape. Tokomaru Bay is to my right. Quite the contrast on the snowy mountain in the distance.
Looking across rural Manawatu towards Mt Ruapehu, over 150km's distant. 8x12 canvas $200
Early morning in the hay paddock with Mt Ruapehu, over 150km’s distant. They don’t get up early round here. Note the absence of work taking place.
The Rangitikei River. One of our finest, most beautiful winding rivers. Part of it was used as the Anduin River in the Lord of the Rings films. This information seems to have bypassed most of the LOTR fans who head straight for Hobbiton (which is in the Waikato. I'm pleased to say I had to look that up) and the South Island. Not so many Hobbit geeks wandering around the Rangitikei.
The Rangitikei River. One of our finest, most beautiful winding rivers. Part of it was used as the Anduin River in the Lord of the Rings films. This information seems to have bypassed most of the LOTR fans who head straight for Hobbiton (which is in the Waikato. I’m pleased to say I had to look that up) and the South Island. Not so many Hobbit geeks wandering around the Rangitikei.
Wonderful old bar with the evening sun striking through. Between Kimbolton and Cheltenham. 8x12 canvas $350
Old barn with the evening sun striking through. Between Kimbolton and Cheltenham. Sheep are unimpressed with an impressive sky, they prefer grass.
The derelict cottage beside SH1 near Marton. Early morning light 10x12 canvas $300
The derelict cottage beside SH1 near Marton. Early morning light. With sheep.
Fletcher flies low over the fence line in the Rangitikei 8x12 canvas $200
Fletcher flies low over a fenceline in the Rangitikei. Bet he did that on purpose, to show off.
Sun set on the sheep yards taken looking west from Mt Curl in the Rangikei. 10x12 canvas $200
Sun set on the sheep yards taken looking west from Mt Curl in the Rangitikei. Mt Curl is more like a hill than a mountain.
The Te Apiti Windmill Farm on the hills near the Manawatu Gorge. Many people hate windmills because they are an ugly blight on the landscape. If you've ever seen this windmill farm, you might change your mind. I think the word you might choose over ugly, is awesome. Even though awesome blight on the landscape still doesn't sound like a good thing. They are an amazing sight and apparently also generate an awful lot of electricity. Which is a good thing.
The Te Apiti Windmill Farm on the hills near the Manawatu Gorge. Many people hate windmills because they are an ugly blight on the landscape. If you’ve ever seen this windmill farm, you might change your mind. I think the word you might choose over ugly, is awesome. Even though awesome blight on the landscape still doesn’t sound like a good thing. They are an amazing sight and apparently also generate an awful lot of electricity. Which is a good thing. There are more than 3 windmills…
See, more than 3, there are dozens. Most of them are behind me though.
See, more than 3, there are dozens. Most of them are behind me though.