The vibrancy of spring
From a landscape photography perspective [no pun intended], you might recall around autumn and ANZAC day I posted several images of golden leaves portraying motion. Well, what better time than spring to refine these techniques again with a few shots incorporating motion, and where colour is used as a compositional tool.
But another unique property of spring in the New Zealand high country, and around Central Otago, is what is known as a "burn-off"...
A "burn-off" is a traditional New Zealand way to promote fresh green growth to high country pastures. Usually it now means setting fire to bracken fern, which forms a waist deep barrier to cattle and sheep getting at grasses. Unfortunately these days it's usually this fern that is set alight. Why is this such a sad thing? Simple... it grows where soil is depleted partly by repeated burning of grasses and tussocks! Crazy!
It's an emotional topic too, because as the above photo demonstrates pollution is rampant. Soil erosion can be another factor.
The plum tree in blossom outside my gate...
My backyard and woodshed...
A beautiful New Zealand native cabbage tree across the road. No flamboyant displays with this master of solidarity...
I'm not sure what this colourful species is, but I assure you while it's looking autumn like, this is how it looked 4 evenings ago in a walk-way nearby...
But another unique property of spring in the New Zealand high country, and around Central Otago, is what is known as a "burn-off"...
A "burn-off" is a traditional New Zealand way to promote fresh green growth to high country pastures. Usually it now means setting fire to bracken fern, which forms a waist deep barrier to cattle and sheep getting at grasses. Unfortunately these days it's usually this fern that is set alight. Why is this such a sad thing? Simple... it grows where soil is depleted partly by repeated burning of grasses and tussocks! Crazy!
It's an emotional topic too, because as the above photo demonstrates pollution is rampant. Soil erosion can be another factor.
The plum tree in blossom outside my gate...
My backyard and woodshed...
A beautiful New Zealand native cabbage tree across the road. No flamboyant displays with this master of solidarity...
I'm not sure what this colourful species is, but I assure you while it's looking autumn like, this is how it looked 4 evenings ago in a walk-way nearby...
posted by Donald at
8:03 AM
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