Puddling, muddling and influenza

The recent Labour Weekend break was a bit lost on me I'm afraid. It does not happen often, but I came down with quite a nasty 'flu.

However life's experiences have taught me that being so laid up with a 'flu creates opportunities. Namely to "let go" of the things that are not really important. You could say the opportunity presents to let go a bit more of the ego.

Seeing patterns in a puddle...




Looking upwards in contrast and there at end of the day is light, and the distinct look of spring in what snow is left on Roys Peak...


The time has come then to "let go" of winter, and many other things, and ground myself by planting my vege garden.

An ode to spring

I had to write so I could recite, or sing
God forbid
It went on into the darkest of a rugby night
What is an ode, but a short code

Thinking of what and not
Right enough to describe the dew of spring
Between my toes, but believe me it and love are of the nose
Could love though but pounce?
Like a speedy mouse

Now spring is here with fragrance and delight
Raise a glass to fresh mown grass
Alluring in the breeze
Many fantails salsa dancing I see
Should we be bowed of head in respect?

Spring I say complete
Don't leave us to soon, let us swoon
Feel with our hearts summer in the wings...
Will soon see us sneezing on our knees
Hankies out, the tears all for nought
Rugby's outcome maybe happy maybe sad

But pollen doing the rounds
The surge of biological urge
Would we be best a bee?
They may not us, hold the key

Spring on the wing cupid
I do love thee

Donald Lousley Oct. 2011





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Chasing the Light, doing the mileage

The spring weather of late here in Wanaka has been very beautiful. Yes, unsettled but interesting and thankfully not the gales too often that underscore spring at 45 degrees south.

It's been very conducive for walking, and so too has my mindset: every evening I've been fortunate of late to wander many miles along Lake Wanaka's lakeshore looking and seeing, even doing time exposure photos in the dark. Such is the life of a hobbyist landscape photographer, and sometimes philosopher looking for innocence lost...


When I got my first camera as a child, for whatever reason since I'll typically be walking along and suddenly "see" a potential photo. One started recently with this shot. All I knew prior was the lighting was typical "magic hour" and soft just after sunset. I always try to identify the factor early on that will make the technical side a challenge. By having it in mind it can let us work faster to capture the moment...


We don't really photograph objects [or people], but instead the light reflected from same. Different times of day produce different tones and warmth - these become factors in triggering an emotional response in myself. Here the shot develops - I like the way the texture of the trees frame the triangle formed by the rocks, themselves bordering on triangular...


The moment of truth - the moment I want to share not only what I've seen, but what I feel. But it's not for me to take it further into words. That could be your job if you wish, or simply sit with any feelings the image engenders, or just walk by...


And I'm not the only one out walking. In this instance I'm the opportunist. Anticipation is the name of this game - what was the limiting factor? For me, timing...


I'm finding walking very social too. Here my friend Brent tests his jet boat, which he's just had stretched. I really respect what he does on a typical tourist journey up and down the nearby Matukituki River in Mt Aspiring National Park, as using his Maori culture and local knowledge of wildlife, history and geology he takes his clients into a story...

"Mo te Tangata mo te Whenua" It's about the people, about the place.

True not only as Brent and Sue's ethic, but typical of my own feelings, photography and otherwise.

Kia kaha

But I'm on my own journey too - into my imagination, holding a tension in there like in yoga, between light and shadow, warmth and cold, what I see verses what I feel...


And like us all I continue to walk, hopefully "seeing" a little more light each time, and in it's reflection ultimately finding my truth - renewed on each journey...


Link to: Wanaka River Journeys

Old Haunts

I seem to have been all over locally in the last week. With springtime ski touring on x/c skis a "happening" thing [a firm snow base with soft on top really suits the narrow skis], but then there are the delights warmer temperatures bring, such as a bush walk at nearby Kidds Bush in Lake Hawea, and then simply the Wanaka lake shore just minutes walk from my door.

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On closing you may find this handy: How best to tie a shoe-lace