Days 2-4: Heading to Kaikoura, New Zealand – December 2015.

Posted on January 13, 2016 by Andrew McInnes Photography

This post covers three days (day 2, 3, and 4) of our holiday in New Zealand. It involved driving from Rotorua (see previous post here) to Wellington then departing on the ferry at 2:30 am to Picton, arriving around dawn, then driving to Kaikoura.

Day 2-4 – Heading to the South Island.

Unfortunately, as with all holidays, there is not enough time to see everything. There is a lot to see on the North Island but even though we had a loose schedule, there were some hard times/dates we needed to be at certain places – one such deadline was a ferry connection to take us to the South Island.

Leaving Rotorua we headed to Wellington via Lake Taupo and a few other smallish diversions. Whilst in the Rotorua area we visited Hamurana Springs for a peaceful and scenic break and saw this Waka (Māori watercraft).

Hamurana Springs - Rotarua 2AM-000456. ©Andrew McInnes

Waka – Hamurana Springs 2AM-000456. ©Andrew McInnes

Because I like birds…
A Paradise Shelduck on the shore of Lake Taupo.

Paradise Shelduck 2AM-004285. ©Andrew McInnes

South of the beautiful Lake Taupo area are some volcanic features many of you may recognise from the The Lord of the Rings film trilogy. The “Desert Road” through Rangipo Desert is a spectacular drive, and we paused for lunch with this view of Mount Ruapehu (left) and Mount Ngauruhoe (right) – the fictional Mount Doom. iPhone 5C panorama.

Tongariro National Park 2AM-000471. ©Andrew McInnes

Further south, a fence that caught my eye. iPhone 5C photo.

Waituna West 2AM-000474. ©Andrew McInnes

Onto the South Island.
Kaikoura and surrounds – abundant marine mammals, beautiful scenes.
I reckon these folks have a fantastic campsite!

Half Moon Bay – Kaikoura 2AM-000343. ©Andrew McInnes

The seemingly ubiquitous New Zealand fur seal, basking, resting, and nursing the young at Ohau Point, Half Moon Bay (just north of Kaikoura).

New Zealand fur seal 2AM-004332. ©Andrew McInnes

New Zealand fur seal 2AM-004337. ©Andrew McInnes

Kaikoura awaking with the dawn.

Kaikoura 2AM 0407-0409 Panorama. ©Andrew McInnes

Dusk settles over the Kaikoura Peninsula.

Kaikoura Peninsula 2AM 0348-0351 Panorama. ©Andrew McInnes

Kaikoura Peninsula 2AM 0356-0358 HDR. ©Andrew McInnes

Kaikoura Peninsula 2AM 0365-0367 HDR. ©Andrew McInnes

Kaikoura Peninsula 2AM 0374-0377 Panorama. ©Andrew McInnes

Assorted images from the wondrous Kaikoura Peninsula:

Kaikoura Peninsula 2AM-000353. ©Andrew McInnes

Kaikoura Peninsula 2AM-004506. ©Andrew McInnes

Kaikoura Peninsula 2AM-004498. ©Andrew McInnes

Kaikoura Peninsula 2AM-000484. ©Andrew McInnes

Kaikoura Peninsula 2AM-000482. ©Andrew McInnes

Kaikoura Peninsula 2AM-000355. ©Andrew McInnes

Wooden Fence 2AM-004690. ©Andrew McInnes

European Starling 2AM-004447. ©Andrew McInnes

In case any so-called birders or twitchers are wondering, this isn’t a new plumage for this species. Rather, it is pollen from the prolific pollen-producing plant, the New Zealand flax (Phormium).

Rhyolitic flows (I think so, at least) at Kaikoura.

Kaikoura Peninsula 2AM 0458-0460 Panorama. ©Andrew McInnes

Kaikoura Peninsula 2AM-000455. ©Andrew McInnes

Kaikoura Peninsula 2AM-000456. ©Andrew McInnes

Kaikoura Peninsula 2AM-000461. ©Andrew McInnes

Kaikoura Peninsula 2AM-000462. ©Andrew McInnes

Kaikoura Peninsula 2AM-000463. ©Andrew McInnes

To wrap up this post, here are some more images of New Zealand fur seals 🙂
This time from the Kaikoura Peninsula.

New Zealand fur seal 2AM-004384. ©Andrew McInnes

New Zealand fur seal 2AM-004403. ©Andrew McInnes

New Zealand fur seal 2AM-004426. ©Andrew McInnes

I hope you enjoyed these.

Cheers 🙂

Day 1: Rotorua, New Zealand – December 2015.

Posted on January 9, 2016 by Andrew McInnes Photography

Oh, New Zealand – what a wonder you are! I was fortunate to take a family holiday over Christmas in New Zealand, and am very keen to return, next time for a designated photography trip.

This is the first posting of what will ultimately be a series of approximately ten posts, roughly one for each day of our holiday.

Day 1 – Rotorua area (North Island).
We visited the stunning and amazing Wai-O-Tapu (Sacred Waters) Thermal Area, and can wholeheartedly recommend including this on your itinerary. I have included images from the three primary attractions: the Geothermal Area, Lady Knox Geyser, and the Mud Pool.

I strongly encourage you to visit the Geothermal Area as soon as the doors to the Thermal Wonderland open in the morning because the temperature differential really allows for viewing more steam/venting. After you have enjoyed the wonder of the place, perhaps go explore elsewhere for a few hours, but ensure you return late afternoon – specifically to view the stunning colours of The Champagne Pool which show themselves as the sun gets lower in the west. I have included some afternoon images showing these almost unbelievable colours, which are a result of the mineral composition of the spring water, some of which are: gold, silver, mercury, sulphur, arsenic, thallium, silica, and antimony.

Before we get to the images of Wai-O-Tapu, here is a scene that captured my attention on our drive along the Thermal Explorer Highway…

Fence and Hill 2AM-000332. ©Andrew McInnes

Into Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland we go…

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Area 2AM-000102. ©Andrew McInnes

Devil’s Bath 2AM-000107. ©Andrew McInnes

Devil’s Bath 2AM-000325. ©Andrew McInnes

Devil’s Bath 2AM-000106. ©Andrew McInnes

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Area 2AM-000196. ©Andrew McInnes

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Area 2AM-000117. ©Andrew McInnes

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Area 2AM-000175. ©Andrew McInnes

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Area 2AM-000194. ©Andrew McInnes

On to my favourite feature – The Champagne Pool. I was fascinated and enthralled by it 🙂

The Champagne Pool - Waiotapu 2AM 0301-0307 Panorama

The Champagne Pool 2AM 0301-0307 panorama. ©Andrew McInnes

The Champagne Pool - Waiotapu 2AM-000124

The Champagne Pool 2AM-000124. ©Andrew McInnes

The Champagne Pool - Waiotapu 2AM-000131

The Champagne Pool 2AM-000131. ©Andrew McInnes

The Champagne Pool - Waiotapu 2AM-000185

The Champagne Pool 2AM-000185. ©Andrew McInnes

The Champagne Pool - Waiotapu 2AM-000281

The Champagne Pool 2AM-000281. ©Andrew McInnes

The Champagne Pool - Waiotapu 2AM-004249

The Champagne Pool 2AM-004249. ©Andrew McInnes

The Champagne Pool - Waiotapu 2AM-000122

The Champagne Pool 2AM-000122. ©Andrew McInnes

The Champagne Pool - Waiotapu 2AM-000164

The Champagne Pool 2AM-000164. ©Andrew McInnes

The Champagne Pool - Waiotapu 2AM-000123

The Champagne Pool 2AM-000123. ©Andrew McInnes

The Champagne Pool - Waiotapu 2AM-000141

The Champagne Pool 2AM-000141. ©Andrew McInnes

The Champagne Pool - Waiotapu 2AM-000138

The Champagne Pool 2AM-000138. ©Andrew McInnes

Next to The Champagne Pool is an area/feature named The Primrose Terrace, including warning signage.

The Primrose Terrace - Waiotapu 2AM-000297

The Primrose terrace 2AM-000297. ©Andrew McInnes

A boardwalk crosses the draining end of The Champagne Pool, and the evaporating water is rich in silica, depositing as silicious sinter – creating The Primrose Terrace feature.

The Primrose Terrace - Waiotapu 2AM-000166

The Primrose Terrace 2AM-000166. ©Andrew McInnes

A popular feature/attraction is Lady Knox Geyser, but I must admit I was somewhat underwhelmed, primarily because anthropogenic inputs are added to ensure the 10:15 am daily event. Nevertheless, worth a look.

Lady Knox Geyser 2AM-000221. ©Andrew McInnes

Lady Knox Geyser 2AM-000226. ©Andrew McInnes

On now to the Mud Pool. This is a small section of the feature shown here.

Mud Pool 2AM-004227. ©Andrew McInnes

Sometimes you see an “explosion”

Mud Pool 2AM-004120. ©Andrew McInnes

At other times a slow building of pressure…

Mud Pool 2AM-004163. ©Andrew McInnes

Which begets the following “burp”

Mud Pool 2AM-004164. ©Andrew McInnes

so many shapes…

Mud Pool 2AM-004184. ©Andrew McInnes

Mud Pool 2AM-004190. ©Andrew McInnes

Mud Pool 2AM-004211. ©Andrew McInnes

I hope you enjoyed, and are intrigued by the scenes in this posting.

Cheers 🙂

Thunder and lightning – Wombarra and Austinmer, NSW.

Posted on December 15, 2015 by Andrew McInnes Photography

Last week (early December, 2015) we witnessed a wonderful series of lightning storms in the northern Illawarra area of New South Wales, Australia. Surrounded, but not underneath any particular cell, the light and drama at Austinmer and Wombarra was spectacular!

Here is a panorama of one of the lightning storm cells bathing Austinmer Beach in amazing light.

Austinmer 2AM 9850-9852 Panorama © Andrew McInnes

Stormy light over the Pacific, incorporating a little of Keswick House.

Keswick House 2AM 9854-9856 HDR © Andrew McInnes

Just a little further north is the village of Wombarra, from where the following three images were captured.

Wombarra Headland 2AM 9864-9866 Panorama © Andrew McInnes

Wombarra Headland 2AM 9867-9869 Panorama © Andrew McInnes

Wombarra Headland 2AM 9887-9888 stack © Andrew McInnes

The final two images include the Wombarra rock pool.

Wombarra Rock Pool 2AM 9900_9903 stack © Andrew McInnes

Wombarra Rock Pool 2AM 9913-9914 © Andrew McInnes

’twas a wonderfully dramatic sky, with quite the lightning show that was ongoing for quite some time. I hope you enjoyed these images.

Cheers 🙂

A few beach and intertidal images from Iluka, NSW.

Posted on November 16, 2015 by Andrew McInnes Photography

An assortment of subjects from the beach and intertidal zones near Iluka, NSW.

A winding path with a turn back – a gastropod trail in the sand.

Beach Tracks 2AM-007195 © Andrew McInnes

Iluka Dawn 2AM-007196 © Andrew McInnes

Dawn Fishing 2AM-009847 © Andrew McInnes

Ghost Crab 2AM-009873 © Andrew McInnes

Ecklonia radiata – kelp 2AM-007210 © Andrew McInnes

Neptune’s Necklace 2AM-007209 © Andrew McInnes

Cheers.

Empress Falls in the Blue Mountains, NSW.

Posted on November 11, 2015 by Andrew McInnes Photography

Empress Falls is a stunning waterfall near the town of Wentworth Falls in the Blue Mountains of NSW, Australia. The Valley of the Waters Creek pours over fern-fringed ledges as Empress Falls, a 30 metre fall into a cold deep pool.

The hike in and out from The Conservation Hut is slightly vigorous (about 30 minutes hike each way), yet absolutely worth it if you are hesitant, especially if you like waterfalls.

This image shows the final section of descent to the bottom of the waterfall.

Empress Falls 2AM-009335 © Andrew McInnes

On the lower section of the bushwalk there are numerous seeps and soaks, especially if there has been recent rains.

Empress Falls 2AM-009339 © Andrew McInnes

Abseiling (rappelling) is very popular and the Blue Mountains Adventure Company can provide the experience for you.

Empress Falls 2AM-009348 © Andrew McInnes

A little further downstream of Empress Falls are a series of smaller, but no less beautiful waterfalls such as the following image of Sylvia Falls.

Sylvia Falls 2AM-009358 © Andrew McInnes

Cheers.

Minnamurra Rainforest

Posted on November 11, 2015 by Andrew McInnes Photography

These images capture a portion of a remnant pocket of subtropical and warm temperate rainforest that is the Minnamurra Forest – within Budderoo National Park near Jamberoo and Kiama, NSW.

Minnamurra Rainforest 2AM 7191-7193_HDR © Andrew McInnes

Cheers 🙂

Fallstreak Hole (cloud)

Posted on November 11, 2015 by Andrew McInnes Photography

A fallstreak hole (also known as a hole punch cloud, punch hole cloud, sky punch, canal cloud, or cloud hole) – a large gap phenomenon that sometimes appear in cirrocumulus or altocumulus clouds. I captured this recently at Lawrence Hargrave Memorial Park south of Sydney while we were whale watching.

Cheers 🙂

Springsure, Queensland – including a light-painting episode.

Posted on November 11, 2015 by Andrew McInnes Photography

This is overlooking Virgin Rock and the town of Springsure in the Central Highlands Region of Queensland, Australia – as seen from Minerva Hills National Park. As is my want, I hiked in a few hours too early with all the required equipment and froze my bum off, waiting for dusk’s blue hour and the town lights to be on, in order to light-paint this scene…

This is the “before” image, taken on iPhone 5:

And this is the subsequent light-painting image.

The remaining images here are different views of Mount Zamia escarpment, incorporating Virgin Rock:

This is a light-painting of the entrance to Springsure Golf Club.

For the following shots it was 1 degree C, and silly me, I was out photographing in thongs (i.e. Flip flops, not the underwear variety), light summer fishing pants, t-shirt and an old hoodie! Brrr.
On the left is Virgin Rock – a feature of the Mount Zamia escarpment.

The following two images are essentially very similar compositions, but were taken 50 minutes apart.
different light = different feel.

Hope you enjoyed a brief glimpse of this beautiful area of Queensland.

Cheers.

2015 Alexandra Headland Winter Longboard Classic – the Sunshine Coast, QLD.

Posted on November 11, 2015 by Andrew McInnes Photography

Dawn on finals day of the 2015 Alexandra Headland Winter Longboard Classic – the Sunshine Coast, QLD. For information regarding the results, you can go to this website: Alexandra Headland Malibu Club.