tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81719365663490257912011-12-21T20:25:48.945+13:00New Zealand landscape photographyDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.comBlogger2331100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-38358590584712073032011-12-04T20:27:00.000+13:002011-12-06T09:26:13.706+13:00

LikeMinds weekly blog has now shifted.View the blog and see the most up-to-date posting >>CheersDonald

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-45862615579617082862011-11-22T05:14:00.000+13:002011-12-06T09:27:03.685+13:00

A bunch of crosses in a populated cemetery can numb my mind if I consider the whole experience of being human, and the collective experiences of all who've gone before us to once again return to the dust of the universe.A lonely grave seems to bite deeper - the space creates context that can be reflected on...The symbol of the cross as being part of death, is I find an interesting concept, e.g.

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-60490298670969145862011-11-13T02:44:00.000+13:002011-11-14T09:15:23.704+13:00

Yesterday I had an interesting look at a block of country nearby that I've not seen before. The Wanaka Forest and Bird group organised it and it was down the west branch of the Manuherikia river and up the east. Accessed oddly enough from the Omarama end of the Mackenzie Basin over Omarama SaddleFor those of you interested the Manuherikia river is better known in it's lower reaches around the

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-68515524342288431242011-11-10T21:25:00.000+13:002011-11-14T09:15:02.271+13:00

It's pretty normal to get some wild equinox driven weather this time of year in this neck of the woods in Wanaka, and this year has been no exception.What maybe an exception is I seem more "into it" this year. If I've got to concentrate on being in the moment, then that's not what it's about, but maybe having the camera always in the pocket enhances awareness!Last night's stillness pervaded my

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-25638807764200412362011-10-31T09:53:00.000+13:002011-11-14T09:14:40.401+13:00

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...

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-79438470081337685082011-10-15T10:28:00.000+13:002011-11-14T09:14:21.305+13:00

I had to write so I could recite, or singGod forbidIt went on into the darkest of a rugby nightWhat is an ode, but a short codeThinking of what and notRight enough to describe the dew of springBetween my toes, but believe me it and love are of the noseCould love though but pounce?Like a speedy mouseNow spring is here with fragrance and delightRaise a glass to fresh mown grassAlluring in the

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-56161388872921632202011-10-13T09:56:00.000+13:002011-11-14T09:13:57.196+13:00

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

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-34519420488748202562011-10-03T20:43:00.000+13:002011-11-14T09:13:35.631+13:00

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.On closing you may find this handy

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-70980441834774509362011-09-25T00:00:00.000+12:002011-11-14T09:13:18.593+13:00

I'm not sure why exactly, but for the last few months I've been walking lots and sometimes even jogging when in the mood - often into the deep evening. So thought I'd share aspects of my neighbourhood with you.Springtime is a beautiful time of year here. I used to live in this street Cherry Court, and even had a minor part in naming it, when it was a new subdivision. So there are lots of

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-73129226472684921552011-09-18T21:42:00.000+12:002011-11-14T09:12:58.052+13:00

I've come close but this weekend past I realised I've never been to a true dinkum Ceilidh before [pronounced "Kayleigh"]. It all began as a fund raiser at the Snow Farm for the kids in the NZ Nordic Sports Development Assoc. This is an organisation I've had a lot to do with - one I believe in as it teaches children in a way that boosts self esteem; caring, life and mountain skills. World wide

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-79060165938159404652011-09-12T09:17:00.000+12:002011-11-14T09:09:26.267+13:00

I'm just back from a mini vacation break in Dunedin. There was Rugby World Cup fever everywhere, and that was an interesting energy.But springtime... I have a habit of heading directly to the Botanical Gardens. One I learnt many years ago when I lived in Mt Cook Village for a few winters: it was such a life affirming experience to sample spring in these gardens with my ex Kris, while I often

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-51858313899504162992011-09-08T08:03:00.000+12:002011-11-14T09:09:06.403+13:00

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

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-21075541581638587332011-09-04T02:18:00.000+12:002011-11-14T09:08:45.969+13:00

Last Sunday a week ago, my phone rang early: Wanaka Search and Rescue ringing around for people to search the Gillespie Pass route in Mt Aspiring National Park. Specifically the Wilken and Young valleys for a missing tramper.That person was found quite quickly, but in dire straits in the Kieran Forks / Siberia gorge, on the wrong side of the river, and with food poisoning. The adventure seemed to

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-24997347558586960782011-08-28T22:12:00.000+12:002011-11-14T08:48:11.537+13:00

Once again I have to report, or admit too, being up at the Snow Farm for the weekend.Kite skiing is really "taking off" up there. They're becoming like butterflies... But anyway kites aside on the Sat. I helped in a minor way with the last of the Winter Games events up there - a triathlon. It was a ton of fun and I've uploaded almost 30 images on my winter mirror blog ... more>>But on this post I

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-70637938483652702422011-08-21T10:21:00.000+12:002011-11-14T08:47:45.615+13:00

It's so much fun up at my local cross country skiing area, the Snow Farm, that I've really just been eating, sleeping, skiing and working for some weeks now.As some of you know I'm running a sort of mirror blog on events there of late such as the New Zealand 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games at http://www.nordicnz.com/snowfarm/, but this Sunday I've posted a few different images here of the

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-79627577573246393332011-08-14T07:40:00.000+12:002011-11-14T08:46:18.589+13:00

It's been hard getting up at 5 am to help set up all the wiring and flags for both days this weekend to help with the Winter Games at the Snow Farm, but it's been really worth it, and I had far more fun than I imagined was possible.I've got another blog site to help punt along a nordic skiing web site I sponsor, and you can see two posts about the weekend if you go to it at http://

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-12712192953281930932011-08-08T11:37:00.000+12:002011-09-03T19:36:25.034+12:00

The weather is looking good on the Met VUW 5 day forecast and the recent snow-fall Gods have co-operated fully for the Pure New Zealand Winter Games 2011 that start on the coming weekend 13th August 2011, at the Snow Farm.The Russian Ski Team is here too and has: one Olympic Champion from recent Winter Olympics held at Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and one silver and two bronze... and they

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-35566450196258156952011-08-06T10:47:00.000+12:002011-09-03T19:35:50.635+12:00

As I post here once again, this time, well I have writer's block I think it's called.Maybe too many things to say! So here goes with a selection of many thoughts while meditating / driving a few days ago on a recent roadie through parts of Southland...I've got a selection of photos too of how I've seen what I've seen.And you know, they bring to mind the fascinating topic of how we all see things

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-69353489675546468032011-08-01T08:18:00.000+12:002011-09-03T19:35:06.738+12:00

Writing here raises some questions, like who reads this and since I only know a fraction of the answer of this, then who do I write for?It can be self, and even the manifest ego of same, but it could also be to just pick a topic and "go for it"! To reveal more of self or not, is a very good question too. There is risk in this, but also inherent honesty.But where is the truth in any given

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-6387150071712011192011-07-24T09:16:00.000+12:002011-08-01T20:28:26.711+12:00

Over the years I've posted often about my predilection for cross country skiing at the Snow Farm, so this week I thought I'd share more of the flavour of the place. It's rather unique for New Zealand, as it incorporates not only skiing, but vehicle testing and a whole lot of other things.My preferred activity is to ski out to the area boundary alone on dusk. This is a privilege I appreciate very

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-28974450934837207682011-07-17T21:22:00.000+12:002011-07-24T21:24:48.844+12:00

This weekend we've experienced the positive benefits of quite a spell of wild weather. Front after front dropped up to 2 meters of snow on the local ski areas, and probably double that back in the Southern Alps.It was a pretty unusual cycle though, as a lot of it happened accompanied by gale force south west winds. This is not a usual wind direction for winter storms around here.Lake Wanaka with

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-87352660980911646112011-07-12T14:58:00.001+12:002011-07-12T15:18:26.139+12:00

The weather has really been the big topic for discussion for the last several weeks, with the chatter initially being about the snow not coming.Well historically we've always been lucky if it came before the old school holiday's mid term break, but no, marketing spin-doctors steal the show. But now the spell is broken and it's been dumping especially in the Southern Alps.I've been happy to have

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-66626460452876603492011-07-05T20:33:00.001+12:002011-07-07T19:19:41.570+12:00

Life is all about perception, and here is a selection from the last few weeks! [hmm... a selection of perceptions, seems not quite correct English.. but, oh well]

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-50350348334789599352011-06-29T19:57:00.001+12:002011-07-02T15:10:19.451+12:00

I've travelled with some pretty awesome people on my journeys, and one of the awesomest was Lyall Campbell of Hawea, who recently made the final journey exiting this realm.At the helm of Elwing in Port Pegasus autumn 2006. She was in her element on this trip... the chance to realise another dream, another expedition. I took this shot just an hour after our return from a traverse of Bald Cone. Not

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-49655833268011873142011-06-28T18:54:00.001+12:002011-06-28T18:54:57.956+12:00

I regret the silence here - due to writer's fatigue I suspect. And currently after Telecom upgraded broadband in my neighbourhood I've been sans broadband. I apparently need a new modem, so that's in the mail as they say.The snow and winter are late this year, but I don't mind. Everything has a positive side. So I'm walking a lot every day just enjoying the warmth and views.

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-5155993756850962792011-06-14T11:44:00.001+12:002011-06-15T10:01:43.444+12:00

I spent most of my formative years in North Otago, but it was broad as I was often able to wander the length of the Waitaki Valley and the coastal regions. Last weekend I had occasion to visit these old haunts in the context of attending my cousin Michael's birthday party.Stopping to make some photos in nice light on the Lindis Pass...Over the years I've occasionally stopped by some limestone

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-85588899143095818982011-05-30T16:16:00.001+12:002011-05-30T18:40:33.160+12:00

I'm not feeling much like typing lots of words currently. So am letting the pictures speak.Below are some of my favourites from a by-gone era in my life - I scanned all but one a few minutes ago. Part of the on-going cataloging of lots of colour slides made on Practica, Pentax and Rollie gear. Film is so different to the current digital!Moon rise over Oamaru - June 1973Winter in the Ahuriri

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-33063183930791313332011-05-23T04:20:00.001+12:002011-05-23T04:20:07.567+12:00

It seems to me to have been a short autumn. All-the-more-so as after deciding on Sat. afternoon stroll at the nearby Snow Farm on the Pisa Range, I found there was a bit more snow around than I'd anticipated. It was quite a bonus really as along with the long shadows of the day, the presence of the white stuff adds light and contrast to an already stunning landscape.A rare self portrait...Meadow

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-39286073470723685932011-05-17T21:13:00.001+12:002011-05-18T09:18:51.924+12:00

For those who enjoyed last week's post on Ralph Warburton, then I've since added several or more extra photos from his collection ...here >>

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-2316069727180775392011-05-08T12:49:00.000+12:002011-07-13T22:03:20.371+12:00

So what did you do for our long NZ holiday weekend?For me every holiday break usually elicits a few memories of trips in our mountains. With the short daylight hours this time of year and accompanying biting cold some memories are quite vivid:A long ways up the Dobson Valley which runs into Lake Ohau. Using my old truck was always wonderful as it got us to some great spots you'd never really want

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-32428841308350449122011-05-07T20:48:00.001+12:002011-05-11T16:56:05.287+12:00

Several years ago or more Ralph Warburton, a well known Wanaka local decided to publish a book of his life's experiences. As an Apple computer techy I got involved quite often assisting with the technology needed for authoring and self publishing.Ralph sadly passed away subsequently, and so too perhaps in sympathy did his computer! But I'd been backing it up, and with his daughter's permission

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-37862309051406863452011-05-03T15:00:00.001+12:002011-05-05T22:34:24.373+12:00

I refer to the rejoicing in the world over the death of Osama bin Laden, and my post here is so heart-felt I've not even replied to last week's comments!One of my client/friends posted the below on his FB page. I find it very apt:"I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-86550897267861285482011-04-25T16:23:00.001+12:002011-04-26T08:46:37.323+12:00

As a landscape photography subject I find autumn very challenging, so this year instead of the obvious photos I've made in the past, I've been learning to "see" things a little differently.Easter has given me some time to reflect on this, and also as ANZAC day falls in this time I've decided to visit the past for this post. To do so means examining just what Easter is all about too: the seemingly

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-63331774638735845762011-04-19T09:00:00.001+12:002011-04-19T09:02:07.501+12:00

Seems I've missed a week re blogging. Oh well... always seems the same in autumn, when I sort of go to ground and wake up again when the first skiable snows arrive.But I have been out-and-about - again on self imposed Otago landscape photography missions:Mustering near Kyeburn. Tim brings in a bunch of sheep from the Soldier's Syndicate, that backs onto Otematata Station - which is where my uncle

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-55265538231062826972011-04-06T21:55:00.001+12:002011-04-06T22:05:39.986+12:00

I'm always passionate about New Zealand landscape photography, but as I look back on thousands of colour slides of same and some 16,000 more recent digital images [still not enough for the library I have in mind!] I've come to the conclusion that landscapes are always there - but it's people that are precious!I love capturing the moment, but there are many moments I see each day, yet I'm not

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-61763591085112457722011-03-30T19:17:00.001+13:002011-03-30T19:17:39.215+13:00

Mostly folk around Wanaka agree with me that autumn is their favourite time of year, and it makes me wonder if this true of all over the South Island of New Zealand?From a landscape photography point-of-view as the season deepens and the shadows with it we [photographers only I suspect] enjoy the onset of mist, fog and low tangental lighting. "Mood" in other words.Reflections on the Clutha River.

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-68136592680468736002011-03-20T21:51:00.001+13:002011-03-20T22:27:35.599+13:00

It's been a long time, my getting around to walking the Milford Track that traverses the northern end of Fiordland National Park. It's an icon - maybe that is why!A close friend, a vet of many big mountain trips told me he'd found it harder than he thought it'd be. Well ditto Donald! Strange one really: underfoot the hundred years or whatever of tourism related development shows, so I figured

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-44001297036487838172011-03-07T21:26:00.001+13:002011-03-08T09:15:23.472+13:00

It's hard to not post about the recent Christchurch Earthquake so here we go on a tortuous path, as the fabric of New Zealand life changes!Firstly I would like to convey my deepest sympathies and thoughts to all of you who have been directly affected by the Christchurch Earthquake of the 22 February.We're seeing amazing examples of the full gamut of the human experience, and it's inspiring as so

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-35301699587789034592011-03-01T19:00:00.001+13:002011-03-01T19:00:10.232+13:00

Last week I used the subject "A week with a few differences!", little knowing a few hours later New Zealand as we know it, would be different because of the shallow earthquake in Christchurch last Tuesday.The stories are legend, the suffering immense. We've all been touched. What usually happens overseas, has now visited us!I don't have any images that come close to the surreal offerings on the

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-22587809150888249602011-02-22T08:03:00.001+13:002011-02-22T11:27:14.080+13:00

Every week I take a couple of large water bottles down-town and fill them with very pure public spring water from near Bullock Creek. I prefer to do this very early in the morning, and it's not a bad idea to take my camera for any landscape photography that may present itself by this corner of Lake Wanaka.This sunrise was one of the most spectacular I've ever seen. Similar views were

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-61671944096750222842011-02-13T17:08:00.001+13:002011-02-17T09:47:49.964+13:00

(Cross-posted on the icommunicate blog)I discovered the historic "Blackburn Mine" at Mt Somers back in '01, while extricating myself from a bit of a snowy winter trap on the track that goes around the back of Mt Somers. Since that really hurried adventure [story below] I've been keen to learn more.Coal was the objective, but that was long ago. These days the entrance [now closed] has been

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-29893412381028107142011-02-07T21:30:00.002+13:002011-02-11T08:52:54.808+13:00

I'm no city person, but last Sat. I found myself in Christchurch briefly. Like many visitors of late I was curious as to what I'd see re. effects of the recent earthquake.Approaching via the inland scenic route the first and only evidence I noted was all the power pole are no longer vertical! Around Avonside is was really noticeable, and even bizarre. But none of them were quite aligned to my

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-64166419744038372332011-02-02T16:14:00.001+13:002011-02-02T18:56:45.516+13:00

I've been a bit remiss of late as to when I post here. It used to be every Sunday, but one way or another change is upon me.I seldom talk here about my work, but it seems appropriate today to mention that recently I've steered away from the full-on IT support I've assisted businesses with for about 12 years, and increased the time I spend on developing web sites, thus honouring my creative

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-77183148132031275042011-01-22T11:24:00.001+13:002011-01-22T12:51:04.374+13:00

Following on from a post a few weeks ago, I've trawled and sorted and processed images from my recent trip to Dunedin [Edinburgh of the South it's said].Brighton Beach...Back at the classic Dunedin Railway Station...Ticket windows...Upstairs...Tourist...From across the tracks...Enough said...Wikipedia has a good article on the Railway StationEnough of train stations, so off to the place the

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-84833374986320689902011-01-14T11:14:00.001+13:002011-01-14T11:20:22.233+13:00

With Mt Aspiring National Park on my doorstep sometimes I wonder why I don't visit it more often. So for this and other reasons last weekend saw me in the West Matukituki Valley heading to the iconic Aspiring Hut and a little beyond.It was a trip down memory lane though - while I may not go there as often as I'd like, because I've lived nearby since '82, on this amble I was constantly assailed

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-30983631695505981512010-12-28T04:58:00.001+13:002010-12-28T05:25:36.105+13:00

Hope you all had a good Christmas, and we have New Year to savour next!I've been busy here in a hobby and interpretation sense working on a few of the Central Otago landscape photos of last weekend's trip to the Serpentine Church on Rough Ridge to the east of Poolburn Dam.This is my favourite currently - I like the Hobbit like feelings it stirs in me...A nearby rabbiter's hut...No skies were

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-23459332827864021912010-12-20T12:05:00.001+13:002010-12-20T12:45:17.235+13:00

I'm not sure when I learnt of it, or when the desire set in, but I have wanted to visit the Serpentine Church for many years. It was the highest church [about 1030 metres] in New Zealand, and is situated in a snow tussock basin 90 mins. drive south of the Old Dunstan Rd. or between Poolburn Dam and Lake Onslow The road is only open for a few months of the year, and is only easily negotiable,

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-12039987169056289532010-12-14T12:16:00.001+13:002010-12-14T12:16:01.556+13:00

There is nothing like a break by the sea when you live inland, and Dunedin has always been one of my favourite cities weather aside.I'm not normally fanatical about making sunset images, but the colour and this tree caught me here...Carey's BayI've always known these as Ice Plants, and I'm probably wrong re. name, but the colour...Purakanui...The new Dunedin Stadium, that is causing quite a bit

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-9260569177547661992010-12-07T14:22:00.001+13:002010-12-07T21:27:57.988+13:00

Dougal will be 18 in a few days time, but what elicited this post was the recent prize giving at school - his last, and suddenly days later I find myself beginning yet another passage in life. This one including a young working man striving to succeed at uni. next year.A young man capable of wearing many hats...Showing traits of curiosity at an early age [with a willingness to skate on thin ice

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-55764330261052071722010-11-27T20:31:00.001+13:002010-11-28T19:18:14.335+13:00

I post this event every year it seems. The years go by a bit too quickly! Last summer thankfully there was little happening re. accidents in our mountains. Lets hope it's quiet this time around also.I train because it's fun, and don't feel a burning need to be as involved as I was back on the 80s. But if I end up 'out there' in a sharp situation, I simply want to stay safe for my own sake and for

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-6020689828047816022010-11-14T17:29:00.001+13:002010-11-14T17:35:19.499+13:00

I was invited to a 60 th birthday party for work colleague Greg at Kinloch on Sat. evening, and festivities were to begin earlier in the day at the nearby Routeburn Flat's hut.Not having wandered the Routeburn track since about 1969 I thought I'd make a day of it and see if I could get to Lake Harris and return for nibbles at the hut by 3.30 pm.Routeburn Flats en-route to Routeburn Falls. Looking

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-44056707808491814092010-11-07T22:52:00.000+13:002010-11-08T00:03:08.933+13:00

Following on from a recent post by my friend Marg, I'm copying her playful idea of publishing 10 things about self. In this case I'm interspersing my points with landscape photos from the rather large batch made last weekend. No comments - they're all about the wonderful landscape in the Nevis Valley again.1] When I hear a song I really like for the first time, I'll have it repeating for days non

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-85055725143276078152010-11-02T07:49:00.001+13:002010-11-07T23:43:05.194+13:00

Every year or two I like to do a trip through the Nevis Valley in Central Otago, and on every occasion I end up taking longer and longer, as it's just full of history and points of interest.So working our way from Garston back to Bannockburn here are a few of the dwellings in the valley...The historic Southland Ski Club hut near the top of the Nevis Saddle...This hut has been restored, but being

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-82921532296795565252010-10-23T14:27:00.001+13:002010-10-23T22:01:01.974+13:00

The end of this work week has been a little significant, and Friday will be a day to remember: I had two back teeth removed, after struggling for nearly a year to overcome a pocket of infection.A few hours afterwards I was really chuffed to find myself flying around parts of Fiordland National Park.Mitre Peak in Milford Sound once again evoked strong reactions in me, and is probably the most

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-18162875836033193712010-10-17T23:05:00.001+13:002010-10-17T23:05:50.672+13:00

Feeling more like just posting pictures this week, after last week's essay.One of a few magnificent redwoods at Wanaka Station Park...Cluden Hills near Tarras /Wanaka...This must be an "eye" dog...St Bathans Range - this unique looking and remote mountain range can be seen from so many places in Central Otago...We've been having the usual changeable spring weather lately in Wanaka. From a

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-4720915441356900782010-10-11T23:35:00.001+13:002010-10-12T12:54:30.795+13:00

My son Dougal has always been keen on science, and with Uni. looming next year, I had the idea these recent school holidays to visit the Mt John astronomy observatory at Lake Tekapo in the northern Mackenzie country, so he could see first hand what goes on at this University of Canterbury outpost.Before our "appointment" with manager Alan we left the beaten track the day before to spend the night

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-19715042327229914652010-10-03T18:44:00.001+13:002010-10-03T18:46:49.406+13:00

Obviously a few lambs survived the previous week's atrocious weather...Staircase to a swing bridge...Mossburn church...Wreys Bush pub - Southland pubs just seem to crop up in the middle of nowhere...Back entrance to Southland Boys - Invercargill...Photo shoot Southland Boys. Not sure this building would fare well in a CHC style earthquake!..A rare self portrait...Tayla...Roger...Road Works...And

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-7489987060284463312010-09-27T09:36:00.001+13:002010-09-27T23:27:31.000+13:00

"Hikurangi and Manawapopore [upper and lower Mavora Lakes] are an integral part of a network of trails which were used by Ngai Tahu in order to ensure safe journeys. Activities along the way including camping overnight and gathering kai [food]. The trails were part of summer-time pursuits such as kai-hau-kai, whanaungatanga [the renewal and strengthening of family links] and arranging marriages

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-6531568366973201322010-09-19T20:20:00.001+12:002010-09-19T21:29:51.587+12:00

It's been quite a week and somehow underscored by the huge weather system that developed in the Tasman Sea and moved relentlessly eastwardsover us all in New Zealand, bringing extreme weather to many areas.Friday evening seemed to present the most dramatic aspects of this weather system so I went for a walk with my camera in what used to be known as the Penrith Camping Ground area...From the same

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-60827752450937384262010-09-12T22:54:00.001+12:002010-09-13T11:42:46.428+12:00

A few photos below of one of the classic ski tours at the Snow Farm we did on Wed. If the snow is good quality it's one of those trips where you hardly notice the mileage, but in spring it's more of a mission - in fact the snow was icy and trippy initially then slushy, then started freezing again. All quite technical on skis akin to match sticks.Meadow Hut - it used to be called Meadow Warming

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-63184477843566777732010-09-05T10:24:00.001+12:002010-09-06T09:58:33.778+12:00

What with a spring weather pattern emerging I've been of a mind to make some landscape photos that have obliging rays of sunlight filtering through the ever pervasive clouds racing by, and alighting on my chosen foreground. For some odd reason mid week I tended to think this might happen at nearby Glendhu Bay, and on the new walkway.This was as close to obliging light that I got to see, but I did

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-86069072120062107182010-08-29T13:38:00.001+12:002010-08-29T20:59:01.156+12:00

For the last couple of weeks I've been going through some challenging yoga sessions and so this weekend feeling quite tired I opted to stay at home, do some work, and like last Sunday head out pre dawn to make some landscape photos.First light found me at the historic Bendigo gold mining area, just 20 mins. from home, on the lower Dunstan Mountains. Although I go there often, today I was lucky

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-79738359721782853232010-08-22T15:45:00.001+12:002010-08-22T15:55:50.625+12:00

This weekend my good friend Roger is in town. Both being fiendishly keen on making photos [usually landscape], we always spend sometime looking at the recent additions to our personal photo libraries, discuss possibilities/creativity and get out there at dawn or dusk to be there [f8 at 250th of a sec. and be there, as they say, are the chief ingredients to making images].One of the local farmlets

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-62496181698959623582010-08-15T23:28:00.001+12:002010-08-16T09:13:37.834+12:00

I've just been exploring yet another function of a new scanner I bought awhile back - this time doing colour negatives. I've done a few hundred old colour slides, but the negs. take a bit more time, as for starters they're not so easy to eye-ball and identify what they're of.Anyway I was quite excited to find the negs. below. They are of what was a very complex Wanaka Search and Rescue mission

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-88817325259934930572010-08-08T20:48:00.001+12:002010-08-08T20:49:22.046+12:00

Been getting back to normal here after a week now off antibiotics. Certainly feeling better too - guess I had the bugs in my gum for ages since a dental episode several months ago, and it was running me down.Work has been busy, so I've stayed close to the fire except for a trip to Queenstown, and tonight gathering some driftwood from a remote part of the lake shore at Hawea.I really enjoy doing

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-77806935978826917172010-07-26T23:13:00.001+12:002010-07-26T23:16:21.339+12:00

From the Snow Farm looking [you guessed it] west...Apart from my son Dougal, Riley on the right has been the other significant young lad in my life for many years when he lived here. He's visiting from Vancouver for a few weeks once again, just before moving back to Uni. in Montreal in a few weeks. He's extra ordinarily aware and articulate, so once again I've had the privilege of some great

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-22955479596477494372010-07-21T00:20:00.001+12:002010-07-21T00:20:52.503+12:00

Recently while out early one morning I had to walk past the Wanaka Public Library, and while this was a hazardous journey due to the prevalence of ice, it seems someone left the irrigation system on all night...And delightfully our Govt. has backed down over mining in our National Parks. Well done, and a special thanks to Wanaka local Quentin Smith who organised the FaceBook group Hands off Mt

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-2508721185967513032010-07-11T12:22:00.001+12:002010-07-11T14:28:08.148+12:00

It seems a cliche, but "winter wonderland" really applies this year. It's stunning, interesting and cold!Hoar frost crystals up the Cardrona Valley...Clearing hoar frost - Cardrona Valley again...Pre dawn skiing - Karl finishing off his night's work just before snow started falling. He's been reporting minus 17 degrees below where I made this photo...A typical view of the persistent inversion

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-58627000654945853372010-07-04T22:25:00.001+12:002010-07-04T22:28:44.302+12:00

...cross country skiing that is! I've been at the Snow farm most evenings of late tearing it up on the long trails... getting my serious bout of repetitive exercise for the year. And loving it! Probably doing about 12 Kms per night finishing just after dark. Acclimatisation is always interesting - the ability to travel fast with no sweating in minimal clothing. Since less weight is everything it

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-55754653801816155502010-06-27T15:48:00.001+12:002010-06-28T11:19:02.442+12:00

The story this week is similar to one of a year or more ago: a local Search and Rescue training day on 4wd drive preparedness and deployment in typical and unique South Island New Zealand high country braided river bed terrain. A great day out with friends it was too!This year a new Police 4wd was initiated into the training day. To me it seemed incongruous to see what is a common sight on our

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-69476505189659409752010-06-20T19:50:00.001+12:002010-06-20T19:54:06.856+12:00

After months of reading and research last week I took delivery of a new S90 Canon compact digital camera. So this weekend with my good friend Roger in town, and with some dismal damp weather it was an easy call to have a catch-up and make some photos somewhere nearby and a bit different to our usual landscape photography:Fish and Game's old Wanaka Hatchery on Bullock Creek...Then the nearby

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-73328916565769542402010-06-13T19:55:00.001+12:002010-06-13T20:09:09.664+12:00

Looking at the choices of photos to post here today it seems I've been about a bit including a trip to Southland that was work and friend related, yet I seem to have made what I've made while walking and not driving.With less rainfall of late and more precipitation falling as snow the lake is dropping after the highs of a few weeks back...Last week's south east storm sure drifted things in at the

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-21919849128761504122010-06-05T20:16:00.001+12:002010-06-05T20:26:08.287+12:00

I started cross country [nordic skiing] several years ago and one reason for the switch from downhill was that the only area in NZ where you can indulge in this addictive sport [world wide it's much more popular, with good reason, than downhill], is on my doorstep at the Snow Farm up the Cardrona valley. Since those early days I've realised through observation that the area, on the lower Pisa

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-40350413511086885382010-06-04T01:22:00.001+12:002010-06-04T01:38:38.495+12:00

In about the last ten days or so we've gone from the delights of autumn to the chills of winter. No mucking about this year!The Crown Range last Sat...The Sat. prior I was swanning about with my cousin Michael up on the Old Woman Range looking for game. We had a great day out - just a tad muddy underfoot in places and a chill wind...A little ice rims a puddle in the rocks...The sky and blue

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-76546096710425322992010-05-28T01:10:00.001+12:002010-05-28T16:16:33.234+12:00

Sometimes on reflection I find I hold an idea or a concept for many years, then one day without much thought at all I act on it.I decided one Monday morning recently to pack bivy gear and sleep out/see the sunrise from the top of the locally dominant Roys Peak [just across Roys Bay, which is the main bay and beach by the town centre of Wanaka]. I wanted also to descend east from the top and go

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-9692568355159373022010-05-09T20:42:00.001+12:002010-05-10T09:13:44.367+12:00

Last week I posted a comment on Bob McKerrow's blog - he was writing about water quality in the context of his International Red Cross work:"Such a simple thing pure water when you have tons of it. I was told years ago that the daily mortality rate of kid's from impure water is in the thousands, and that thought haunts me!"Bob replied:"Yes, we often take pure water for granted. UNICEF figures put

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-8975537159493745752010-05-02T19:58:00.001+12:002010-05-02T21:06:19.016+12:00

Lots and lots of rain in the past week flooded Lake Wanaka, and was quite a worry for a day or two as anxious locals wondered if we'd have a repeat of the event several years ago that flooded many shops. However at the critical time it eased off, and now we've all been enjoying the autumn colours again.For myself I'm in awe of nature, and while I loved it's display of disdain for the mundane

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-44360158036907331012010-04-20T12:56:00.000+12:002010-05-02T14:02:53.050+12:00

This week is a wet one - last week was more the typical autumn type, and one afternoon needing a break I took a walk along Lake Wanaka's Outlet track. The colours were delightful as was the peace and tranquility of the setting.Looking down the Clutha River...Looking back upstream...Being my son's final year at College here in town, I especially fronted up at the school Formal on Sat. night. Here

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-40178553454198863342010-04-18T12:22:00.001+12:002010-05-02T21:08:11.014+12:00

My good friend and fellow landscape photographer Roger married Kara yesterday here in Wanaka. As groomsman part of my task was to make sure his camera and tripod ended up in the right places, such as the final staged photo shoot up on Mt Roy [via heli] in the evening, but I had enough free time to follow the event and the official photographer with my own camera.We went to the standard wedding

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-35498007229399018102010-04-14T23:03:00.001+12:002010-04-14T23:22:57.995+12:00

It's that time of year again when I'm likely to be seen down the river as the sun peeks over the Grandview mountains over Hawea way. The next few weeks will see lots of dawn river mists, as winter approaches.The Clutha with the confluence of the Cardrona river on the left, along with a nice new walkway that heads downstream towards Luggate...Mt Gold and Mt Burke...The mist makes for interesting

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-11320501092891617672010-04-04T17:59:00.001+12:002010-04-06T13:13:03.934+12:00

Recently one of my good friends invited me to her birthday party, and she said it was to be at Easter time at Peak Valley. "Peak Valley" I thought... sounds like a soap! However a question or two revealed I'd been there nearly 25 years ago to climb Totara Peak. A solitary peak just north of Omarama and on the south east edge of the MacKenzie Basin. In short a magnificent viewpoint, and if I

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-89808339502815348732010-03-23T00:06:00.000+13:002010-03-24T03:52:25.653+13:00

Yesterday I took a long walk on a new walkway that follows the Hawea River from Albert Town to Lake Hawea, and I marvelled at the far-sightedness and investment of a Trust that created it from go to whoa, inc. a very substantial swing bridge...Yesterday was also the day our New Zealand National Govt. unveiled plans to mine in our National Parks. Predetermined plans at that, it seems!Unlike Lake

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-10380690757968494382010-03-16T17:39:00.001+13:002010-03-16T22:18:52.281+13:00

Nonlinear iteration or repetition with a slight difference each time is something I've been thinking of quite a bit recently. The cumulative effect is like steering a boat one degree off course, which is not much at all, yet days later finding you're thousands of miles off-course to the left or the right of your target.My point here is that any slight change in a repetitious thought pattern can

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-16624338465238674902010-03-08T23:44:00.001+13:002010-03-09T00:03:26.960+13:00

As a few of my treasured commenters have noted my posts of late have been a virtual journey, so I thought I may as well finish the pictorial story of what has now amounted to 5 days days of 4wd travel incorporating two of Central Otago's block mountain ranges - the Dunstans [Leaning Rock] and The Pisa Range.2nd cousin Paul and his family...I had quite a hard time resisting making photos of these

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-82197965152759820162010-02-28T17:43:00.001+13:002010-02-28T19:59:25.147+13:00

It's a tad humbling to be posting benign photos as I look, right this moment, at the photos coming in from the unbelievably strong earthquake in Chile. Not for the squeamish!My mundane story this week is that I set off yesterday with full bivy gear to push the boundaries of where I've been tramping before in the southern Pisa Range on my doorstep - to intersect the 4wd route explored with my

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-56353248171290409262010-02-21T13:00:00.001+13:002010-02-21T15:50:20.656+13:00

As per last week's post my cousin Mike and myself were out again yesterday on another 4wd adventure tidying the choice of descent route off of the Pisa Range for the upcoming North Otago Search and Rescue 4wd fundraiser to be held in a couple of weeks time.Last week's problem were these things called "under-runners"...They form in ancient glacial soils/clays comprised of loess [derived from the

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-49526394786661312762010-02-17T21:21:00.001+13:002010-02-17T21:24:15.857+13:00

For perhaps near on 20 years my cousin Mike and a handful of enthusiastic friends in North Otago Search and Rescue have pioneered organising 4 wheel drive trips [drive your own] all over the remote areas of Otago. Apparently they've guided about 7500 vehicles over this time, and that'd equate to well over 14,000 people!Since permission from high country farmers is hard to organise [finding out

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-54699610662447113762010-02-10T00:12:00.001+13:002010-02-10T08:26:44.623+13:00

Who was Rees you may well ponder? I recall from my school history days that perhaps he was a prospector. And although many are motivated by gold, last weekend my photographer and tramping friend Roger joined me to do some prospecting for images back in the area that was the focus of my recent posts on a Rees/Dart tramping trip.However often in life in our rush to reach a goal we overlook many

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-65262562281068834552010-02-02T10:37:00.001+13:002010-02-02T14:16:38.524+13:00

We found some endemic long tailed bats last night. "We" being some local DOC staff and myself, a happy and oft present volunteer. Not in the bush as expected, but where the road looked out on braided river bed. These little critters prolific in many parts of our country many years ago maybe among the oldest mammals living in New Zealand.A daylight shot I made on a DOC braided river bed bird

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-27506647688728890722010-01-26T18:36:00.000+13:002010-02-10T08:20:31.704+13:00

Last week it was easy to simply indulge in my penchant for New Zealand landscape photography and publish what I'd call the classic landscape images I made, but this week I've decided to introduce the people element to show another side to this glorious wander..Mandy, Glenn, Tom and Dougal...Glenn and Mandy lunching in the near derelict 25 Mile Hut in the Rees...Glenn and 25 Mile Hut...The first

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-50058219849617431192010-01-16T17:42:00.001+13:002010-01-16T19:30:23.290+13:00

Challenge Wanaka, a long distance race which starts with swimming, then 180 Km of biking and finishes with a marathon seems established as an annual event now, and right outside my front door there is a turn around point and drink station for the hundreds of runners, so every few minutes there is cheering and clapping.Today I set up a sprinkler for the runners and occasionally adjourn out to the

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-46828080547754673352010-01-10T23:46:00.001+13:002010-01-10T23:46:10.489+13:00

I'm on holiday this week and I'm off with my son Dougal [now 17] and his mates to do a Rees/Dart tramp tomorrow, and we may just sneak over the pass before the next rain storm, and depending on this it could mean I'd be back early, or late if we come down the Dart, which is quite a long walk.Dart hut is sort of in the middle of our circular trip, and it's been a few years since I've graced it's

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-72125970819536367032010-01-03T15:51:00.006+13:002010-01-03T21:29:50.351+13:00

Happy New Year readers - may 2010 treat you well!Thanks for the well wishes I've received re. my tooth problem. It's now sorted and all I can say is it's left me with a reminder that good health is everything, and an unbelievable need for sleep.Some more scans of my slide collection - some from my early days of New Zealand mountain and landscape photography - some of my favourite shots and places

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-7188622121497853762009-12-28T14:56:00.001+13:002010-01-02T12:38:46.784+13:00

The last few weeks for myself, leading up to this festive season, has been pretty interesting: an infection in a tooth spread into my jaw, and the thought stopping pain became a challenge. But all the way through I just thought of two things: that it'd improve and that some people live with severe pain for years in their lives! It all gets quite humbling in fact especially when I ponder that not

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-75803136781733035242009-12-21T17:11:00.001+13:002009-12-21T17:23:00.009+13:00

Bit under-the-weather this week with a tooth issue so until my second visit to my wonderful dentist down the road tomorrow I'm fuzzy enough to not feel much like writing, so as is my style it's easier to share some favorite landscape photography of our New Zealand mountains again.The three shots below were all made some years back on the mountains in the vicinity of Canyon Creek in the Ahuriri

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-41829413487313972372009-12-13T16:18:00.001+13:002009-12-13T16:20:08.755+13:00

Quentin Smith of Wanaka has recently formed a FaceBook group: Hands off Mt Aspiring NP and a few days ago membership stood at 5000, and it's now well over 6000!... which relates to the noises our new, seemingly unenlightened and uninspired, New Zealand Government are making to initiate mining investigations in our National Parks. Not only my local Mt Aspiring National Park I might add!While they

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-28531284301422147192009-12-06T19:21:00.001+13:002009-12-06T19:32:23.344+13:00

For my last two posts I've visited the past - first a family internment and then about the local celebration of the first ascent of Mt Aspiring last weekend. Well the trend continues: this week gone by I attended our annual Wanaka Search and Rescue helicopter training. While it's tempted me to write about adventures around helicopters and rescues that went well or not-so-well, a friend has

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-33856877246177305942009-12-01T06:07:00.001+13:002009-12-01T06:10:27.235+13:00

One hundred years ago Mt Aspiring was climbed for the first time by Jack Clarke, Alec Graham and Major Bernard Head, and so over the weekend in Wanaka there was a celebration of this in the Lake Wanaka Center on Sat. evening.I made this photo exactly a year ago while helping on a bird survey of the Matukituki river little realising that a local friend John whom I admired very much had just fallen

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-42747269917036640472009-11-23T20:00:00.001+13:002009-11-23T20:29:09.548+13:00

The weekend just past I'd set aside to attend the raising of a memorial plaque in Kurow cemetery for my aunt and uncle who passed away a few years back. This involved motoring over the Lindis Pass to the Waitaki Valley and MacKenzie Country to meet with family. North Otago was where I primarily grew up, while my aunt Pat and uncle Jim worked and lived on the remote and very large Otematata

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8171936566349025791.post-31431880637399089962009-11-17T12:02:00.001+13:002009-11-17T12:35:54.055+13:00

Whilst Oct. was quite benign, with just lower temps. than normal and a bit more cloud, right now Nov. is still misbehaving: there has been a wall of grey/white obscuring the mts. for a few days now, and recently a wind that never relents as it tore off little branches and leaves off the trees here. But at least the sun has been shining!A rare calm period, during these late spring windy days on

Donaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02514655834785883306noreply@blogger.com4