New Zealand | An Ongoing Pictorial

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Originally Posted by smmokan

You're making it tough to stay away.... NZ is definitely at the top of my list for places to visit soon.

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It is a bit hard to get to, but that also means very little crowds.

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Originally Posted by philth

Wow..I lived in NZ for a year. Dated a kiwi for a long time. Relationship…not so good ( nice girl though ). New Zealand on the other hand…one of the best experiences of my life. Your pics are bringing back some great memories. Can't believe I just found this thread. Nice work.

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It feels quite surreal living here at times. Everything feels so westernized, but then you realize you're at the edge of the world (so to speak) and so far from everything else.

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Originally Posted by joe4186

wow! and thank you

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Thanks.

Had a free weekend and drove down to Aoraki/Mount Cook (3 hours away) with a friend for some photography. It was an exhausting weekend, but the weather was good.

161. The drive to Aoraki takes you past Lake Pukaki. The views along here are jaw-dropping, not just for the peaks in the background, but also for the colour of the water. The almost-neon colour is due to "rock flour", ground up by the glaciers.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8678/...ab5da4d1_c.jpg
Aoraki blue by FuzzSummit, on Flickr

162. We caught sight of a lavender field on the way, so had to stop and take some pictures.
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Lavender by FuzzSummit, on Flickr

163. As you get closer, Aoraki looms unmistakably higher than anything else.
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Aoraki/Mount Cook by FuzzSummit, on Flickr

164. The landscape is quite dramatic -- the valley is very flat, and then the mountains rear up almost vertically.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8673/...8f58126c_c.jpg
Road to Aoraki by FuzzSummit, on Flickr

165. We got there just in time to catch sunset from the village.
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Fading light by FuzzSummit, on Flickr

166. The next morning, we woke up to a 4am alarm and set off on a 5km hike through Hooker Valley in order to catch sunrise over Aoraki at Hooker Lake (the terminus of Hooker Glacier). It was still completely dark when we set off, and walking under the brilliantly bright stars was magical. We got to the lake just in time to choose our spot and wait for the sun to strike.
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First light by FuzzSummit, on Flickr

167. Panorama of Hooker Lake. Unfortunately, this being summer (and a very hot one so far), there were not ice chunks floating near the shore. So no fantastic crystalline foreground objects.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7380/...50cfee0b_c.jpg
First light by FuzzSummit, on Flickr

168. With the sun up, we could shoot some of the trail (or track as they call them here) on our way back.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7361/...12042c3d_c.jpg
Hooker Valley by FuzzSummit, on Flickr

169. This is a shelter about 2/3rds of the way in.
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Hooker Valley by FuzzSummit, on Flickr

170. Later that same morning we hiked to Tasman Lake. That piece of ice on the left broke off quite recently (like in the past week or two).
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8563/...eda5435e_c.jpg
Tasman Lake by FuzzSummit, on Flickr

171. And speaking of that piece of ice, to get a sense of the scale, here are some kayakers next to it.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7286/...6c32d744_c.jpg
Tasman Glacier remnants by FuzzSummit, on Flickr

172. We saved the hardest hike for the last. Sealy Tarns is a ~2,000-ft hike almost straight up the mountain. Not kidding about the straight up part, since it is basically 2,200 steps built into the hillside. Given the already long and tiring day we'd had, cramps unfortunately forced us to abandon the hike. Not before we got some nice views though. Just means we'll have to come back to finish it some time. The view of looking up Hooker Valley is fantastic, with Mueller Lake/Glacier in the foreground, and Aoraki and Hooker Lake/Glacier in the back.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7294/...9841d1ab_c.jpg
Hooker Valley by FuzzSummit, on Flickr

This thread is unreal. Thanks for keeping this thread updated.

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Originally Posted by Fuzz

A few impressions of NZ so far...
- NZ seems to be a mix of Iowa (the farmlands) and Switzerland (the mountains rising straight up from the ground).

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Originally Posted by Fuzz

So much variety in such a small space.

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I was gonna say, I think you missed some of the variety in your first quote. Sounds like you found the rest of it during your time there. I always tell people the same exact thing as you say in your second quote--the South Island is like taking every environment/biome in North America and squeezing it into New England. So amazing. Your pics do it justice--they are stunning! Please keep it going!

Did you find Cave Stream? Near Castle Hill?

I really dig #169.

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Originally Posted by Natedogg

the South Island is like taking every environment/biome in North America and squeezing it into New England.

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Yes, that's what I tell people. Except for deserts I think? Haven't found any deserts yet.

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Originally Posted by Natedogg

Did you find Cave Stream? Near Castle Hill?

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Have heard of it from a friend, but haven't made it up yet -- was waiting for warm weather (on suggestion of said friend). Now that it is summer, might make a trip up there.

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Originally Posted by smmokan

I really dig #169.

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Thanks. It is a very popular trail, but not busy at all that early in the morning. So got the nice serene landscape to ourselves.

Lots of stuff going on in the summer here.

173. The Kite Festival is big here. Peter Lynn, a kitemaker who makes the largest kites in the world (according to Guinness Book of Records), is based here in town, so he always brings out some big ones. The big ones were about 100 feet long. I loved this one the best -- the Pegasus (measuring at about 40 feet long) -- it looked very life-like, the way it twisted and turned in the wind.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8570/...3c99faf7_c.jpg
Ashburton Kite Festival by FuzzSummit, on Flickr

174. Next up was Waitangi Day, celebrating the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi between the British and the Maori. It is a public holiday in NZ and the weekend is filled with events. Among the several held here, one was a Fly-In, where (small/light) airplanes/gyrocopters fly in and out of the local "airport" (more like a grass strip). While it was nothing like the airshows in the US, it was still quite cool to walk right up to the two or three dozen aircrafts and peek into them. Very low-key affair -- the airplanes would taxi next to and across the pedestrian paths to get to/from the runways.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7289/...aac9d8ec_c.jpg
Waitangi Day Fly-In | Ashburton by FuzzSummit, on Flickr

175. It had been a while since I'd gone out for some night shots, but the roadscape MPC made me go out and shoot an image I'd had in mind for a while. This place is about a 15-minute drive outside the town limits, among the farms, and about 10 minutes from the Pacific. Pulled over to the side and set up my tripod in the middle of the road.
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Stellar highway by FuzzSummit, on Flickr

176. I don't think I'll ever get tired of the awesome night skies here.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7285/...eba65cd2_c.jpg
Power to infinity by FuzzSummit, on Flickr

177. One scene I wanted to shoot was of the rounded hay bales. I'd seen some at this one farm, but when I returned a few days later with my camera, they were all gone. I had to make do with the farm irrigators going.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8628/...7a58ea7c_c.jpg
Evening sprinkle by FuzzSummit, on Flickr

178. But a few days later I did manage to find my hay bales.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8565/...be648519_c.jpg
Morning on the farm by FuzzSummit, on Flickr

179. Next up, we went to Oamaru for a weekend getaway. The famous Moeraki Boulders are nearby. A bunch of boulders on a beach sounds kind of boring, but they are anything but. They are almost perfectly spherical, ranging from the size of a basketball or 5 or 6 feet across. They are ancient, with the large ones about 5 million years old. They are very intriguing. Some of them are so smooth.
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Moeraki Boulders by FuzzSummit, on Flickr

180. The big ones are impressive.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8654/...23484305_c.jpg
Moeraki Boulders by FuzzSummit, on Flickr

181. A lot of them very intricate patterns and designs.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8615/...468c0c5f_c.jpg
Exploring Moeraki Boulders by FuzzSummit, on Flickr

182. The next morning brought home to me the random nature of photography. I had planned to shoot the boulders at sunrise. When I woke up at 6am, it was completely overcast and raining. I still decided to make the 30-minute drive to the beach. And boy was I glad I did. The eastern sky had some gaps through which the sunlight shone through. And the boulders were out of this world. The calcite crystals growing in the cracks simply glowed in the light. Completely surreal. In order to keep my camera from being knocked over by the waves, I had to stand in the water, with the waves coming up over my knees. But it was worth it.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8572/...0c29405f_c.jpg
Break upon this fortress like water upon rock by FuzzSummit, on Flickr

183. Oamaru is also home to Steampunk HQ, a gallery of everything steampunk. Unfortunately, we had to leave town before it opened in the morning, but the exhibits they had outside were pretty cool.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8618/...e7aa18d3_c.jpg
Steampunk HQ by FuzzSummit, on Flickr

184. Back at home, I got an alert on my phone one evening that a solar storm had been noticed and there was a high probability of aurora. I packed and went out to the beach. Also took my telescope out for some viewing while waiting for the aurora.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8674/...d6f1767d_c.jpg
To the stars by FuzzSummit, on Flickr

185. One of my rare selfies! Seeing the Tarantula Nebula, a stellar nursery in another galaxy (the Large Magellanic Cloud) was an absolute treat.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8658/...82643e59_c.jpg
To the stars by FuzzSummit, on Flickr

186. Eventually, the aurora showed up. It was too faint to see with the naked eye, but as I was shooting, I noticed a purple glow on the camera back. I quickly shot off more shots to try and capture as many as I could. Out of the 50 or so frames that I shot then, only about 4 or 5 of them had good/strong enough aurora.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8643/...05c57758_c.jpg
Aurora Australis by FuzzSummit, on Flickr

187. The weather at this time of year is quite variable. Hot one day, cold and wet the next. So it proved, as I woke up to heavy fog one morning. After dropping off my son at school, I headed to the local park. In NZ, every town has a big central public park, called a domain. Ours is quite large, with large trees and many tree- and flower-lined paths.
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Ashburton in the fog by FuzzSummit, on Flickr

188. Morning fog
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Ashburton in the fog by FuzzSummit, on Flickr

189. Finally, we come to yesterday. I'd planned to go shoot at a pier with some friends. When we left town at 5am, it was pouring rain. We were not very hopeful of good photographic opportunities, but my Moeraki Boulders experience led me to be cautiously optimistic. And so it proved, as we arrived at New Brighton Pier with a lightening eastern sky. There was a slight hint of colour through the clouds.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8584/...539359bc_c.jpg
Cloudy with a chance of radiance by FuzzSummit, on Flickr

190. Until finally the sun shot through the clouds for a brief spell.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7284/...c7e77223_c.jpg
Cloudy with a chance of radiance by FuzzSummit, on Flickr

191. We were not the only ones out so early. Given the high waves, lots of surfers were out too.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8622/...e6152c78_c.jpg
Morning surf by FuzzSummit, on Flickr

192. There were also some rowers from the local club practicing their moves.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7629/...51fd678c_c.jpg
Kiwi Five-O by FuzzSummit, on Flickr

193. When we came back home, we noticed a vintage car show going on at the domain. Naturally, we had to stop. It was a show specializing in American cars. For some reason, vintage American cars (including muscle cars from the 60's and 70's) are very popular in NZ. Lots of Fords and Chevys.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7652/...4989a109_c.jpg
Ashburton car show by FuzzSummit, on Flickr

194. This was a really cool custom steampunk car. Everything about this car was steampunkish. Very cool.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8583/...d11b3ddf_c.jpg
Ashburton car show by FuzzSummit, on Flickr

195. All the cars were in superb condition, obviously meticulously cared for by the owners.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7619/...ef207512_c.jpg
Ashburton car show by FuzzSummit, on Flickr

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Originally Posted by Fuzz

182. The next morning brought home to me the random nature of photography. I had planned to shoot the boulders at sunrise. When I woke up at 6am, it was completely overcast and raining. I still decided to make the 30-minute drive to the beach. And boy was I glad I did. The eastern sky had some gaps through which the sunlight shone through. And the boulders were out of this world. The calcite crystals growing in the cracks simply glowed in the light. Completely surreal. In order to keep my camera from being knocked over by the waves, I had to stand in the water, with the waves coming up over my knees. But it was worth it.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8572/...0c29405f_c.jpg
Break upon this fortress like water upon rock by FuzzSummit, on Flickr

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I've studied photo locations like this from all over the world. This could be the very best picture I've ever seen of the Moeraki Boulders. Period.

fuzz, that is some ridiculous good work

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Originally Posted by Lonnie

I've studied photo locations like this from all over the world. This could be the very best picture I've ever seen of the Moeraki Boulders. Period.

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Agreed 100%. That looks like it could be from a different planet. I bet you could easily get that published.

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Originally Posted by Lonnie

I've studied photo locations like this from all over the world. This could be the very best picture I've ever seen of the Moeraki Boulders. Period.

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Originally Posted by acinpdx

fuzz, that is some ridiculous good work

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Originally Posted by From_the_NEK

Agreed 100%. That looks like it could be from a different planet. I bet you could easily get that published.

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Thanks, guys. I've really been lucking out with the weather recently. I could spend years visiting most of these places over and over again to capture them in different moods.

SOLID shoots Fuzz. Impressed.

this is out of control

I keep forgetting about this thread then coming back to it. Nice work! That pic of the boulders should be in a gallery.

This thread reminds me of how much I missed when I was down there. Can't wait to return someday.

The boulders shot, #182 is the coolest photo I have seen in a long time. Nice work Fuzz!

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Originally Posted by Fuzz

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8572/...0c29405f_c.jpg

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500px

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Originally Posted by supermodel159

SOLID shoots Fuzz. Impressed.

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Thanks.

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Originally Posted by shroom

this is out of control

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I'll take that as a compliment! :-)

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Originally Posted by shredgnar

I keep forgetting about this thread then coming back to it. Nice work! That pic of the boulders should be in a gallery.

This thread reminds me of how much I missed when I was down there. Can't wait to return someday.

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Thanks. Got very lucky with the conditions on the boulders. It's hard to take a bad picture in NZ, at least on the South Island.

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Originally Posted by Edgnar

The boulders shot, #182 is the coolest photo I have seen in a long time. Nice work Fuzz!

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Thanks.

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Originally Posted by BaNosser

500px

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Yup, that's me.

looking forward to more

This honestly is the best thread on TGR - love coming back in here every month or so. Fuzz - you are an amazing photographer and the landscape in NZ is unreal. Keep them coming.

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Originally Posted by Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer

This honestly is the best thread on TGR - love coming back in here every month or so. Fuzz - you are an amazing photographer and the landscape in NZ is unreal. Keep them coming.

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So true! This thread makes me want to return to N-Zed soon! The photo of New Brighton Pier reminds me of the night the university surf club set flood lights up on the pier so that we could night surf. There was a rock band playing on the pier that night as well.

Thanks for all the kind words.

Our adventures on the South Island ended after year in early April.

196. We went to Chicago to visit family.
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7689/1...eaa5f46e_c.jpg
Blue Chicago by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

197. Also made a quick trip to San Francisco to visit friends.
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7714/1...f643423c_c.jpg
City by the Bay by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

We then came back to NZ, to our new home on the North Island at the beginning of May. I've lived in/near cities and mountains my whole life. This is the first time I've lived near the water. And we're really near to the water. Our new place is about half a block from the beach. It sits on a little rise, so that we can see the Pacific Ocean from our living and bedroom. It is quite a novelty for us.

198. Watching the sunrises from the living room doesn't get old.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8701/1...9d2e2668_c.jpg
New awakenings by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

199. The colours in the sky are amazing. This is Great Barrier Island, which lies at the edge of Hauraki Gulf, which is where we live.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8869/1...32bfcd0b_c.jpg
New awakenings by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

200. The beach is great -- sandy, but with lots of interesting trees and rock formations all over.
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7721/1...9a91b3ce_c.jpg
Sunrise in Stanmore Bay by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

201. The gulf/bay is a very popular place for recreation. I may have to get a kayak or something.
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7718/1...6dd00d5d_c.jpg
Sailing Stanmore Bay by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

202. The weather here is gorgeous. A very tropical climate. Even though it's fall, it's very warm -- shorts and t-shirt weather everyday. And it's great to be able to take a walk along the water during those perfect afternoons.
https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5450/1...9e6b955d_c.jpg
Waves of reflection by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

203. Not to mention the fact that it is great to walk only 3 minutes to a scene like this, instead of having to drive an hour or more.
https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5326/1...f3ce98de_c.jpg
Sunrise in Stanmore Bay by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

Nice work, once again.

A few more...

204. Even though we live on a crowded peninsula (Whangaparaoa), there's a gem of an open space called Shakespear Regional Park. It is an open sanctuary for native animals and plants only. In fact, when you go it, you are supposed/required to scrub the bottoms of your shoes with a chemical to make sure you don't carry foreign stuff into the park. A great to get away and enjoy some open air.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/344/18...b0252c0a_c.jpg
Shakespear Regional Park by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

205. The park is basically a huge open space with trails all over. Views of the water on 3 sides, e.g. Te Haruhi Bay to the south.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/340/18...497228e3_c.jpg
Te Haruhi Bay by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

206. You can also see the Auckland skyline from there.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/489/18...f800ff59_c.jpg
Auckland by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

207. This is the beach by our place. We live just by where you can see the white roof on the left, less than a 5-minute walk.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/326/18...3a5a3dc5_c.jpg
Exploring Stanmore Bay by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

208. The whole front of our house looks out over the water. So waking up to this view everyday is not hard.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/451/18...f05fdfb8_c.jpg
House with a view by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

209. I was not very hopeful about doing much astrophotographer after moving here, since we're so close to Auckland. I was glad to be proven wrong after one clear night at Shakespear.
This is looking out east over Tiritiri Matangi (where the lighthouse is), an open nature reserve. All foreign animals and predators have been eradicated and native endangered species have been reintroduced.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/492/18...6ed162f4_c.jpg
Shakespear stars by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

210. Auckland is less than 30km away (as the crow flies). And while it does produce quite a lot of light pollution, it is still remarkably dark. This is looking out over Auckland, with the iconic shape of the Rangitoto volcanic island on the left. The stars are still quite clear above the city.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8869/1...949ab2bc_c.jpg
Shakespear stars by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

211. The ubiquitous "cabbage trees" of New Zealand.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/333/18...57e4748a_c.jpg
Shakespear stars by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

212. One great thing about doing astrophotography in NZ is that the galactic core is in a prime position for most of fall, winter, and spring (unlike in the upper Northern Hemisphere, where it is relatively low towards the horizon). This was shot on a static tripod with a 50mm lens -- no tracking mount or specialized astro equipment.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/509/18...b31c56fc_c.jpg
Shakespear stars by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

Awesome shots Fuzz!!! I love when you tip your camera up to the stars.:smile:

All great shots as usual!
I wonder if the very clear air in NZ has anything to do with the weaker than expected light pollution from Auckland. If the air is very clear, the light doesn't have anything to reflect off of in the atmosphere reducing the light haze when capturing a photo.

Love the astro stuff! Really nice!

Thanks, guys.

From_the_NEK, I think it's just that even Auckland, the largest city in NZ, is still very small (population of only 1.5 million in the whole metro area). The suburbs don't stretch out for miles and miles in every direction, so the "light dome" falls off pretty quickly. Not many billboards lit up from the bottom. Also not a lot of street lights every few yards.

213. This is the view from the front of our house.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/451/1...f05fdfb8_c.jpg
House with a view by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

214. Auckland has an industrial silo park that has been converted into a recreational area, with kids' playground, art galleries, restaurants, etc.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/501/1...1a642deb_c.jpg
Silo Park by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

215. Inside one of the silo art galleries.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/285/1...2b019bd9_c.jpg
Silo Park by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

216. Auckland Botanical Garden
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Auckland Domain by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

217. The famous corpse flower bloomed, but we visited just a day too late.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/381/1...e1ab8d06_c.jpg
Corpse flower by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

218. View of Hauraki Gulf from a lookout at Wenderholm Regional Park. This is the bay we live on (the cluster of inhabitation on the right horizon).
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/501/1...2e7c9cc4_c.jpg
Hauraki Gulf by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

219. Fata morgana on the waters outside.
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3812/...bdaa0cdc_c.jpg
Stanmore blues by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

220. The Spirit of New Zealand, seen from our house.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/455/1...26ef2942_c.jpg
Spirit of New Zealand by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

221. Despite it being not as dark here as it was on the South Island, I do love being able to get to nice foregrounds much faster. Rather than having to drive an hour to get to some good foreground landscapes, there are many great places within a 20-min drive here. Like Wenderholm Regional Park.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/410/1...ea17cbc9_c.jpg
Night sky by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

222. And despite it being winter, the weather is really mild.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/426/1...85825f1d_c.jpg
Winter sky by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

223. The Warkworth Radio Telescopes are a popular spot for local astrophotographers. There's active research being done here and it's great to see the huge dishes move.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/527/1...941575f1_c.jpg
Ground Control to Major Tom by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

224. The nearby town of Waiwera (a 15-min drive) is known for its natural hot pools. But I went for the stars.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/274/1...4335a539_c.jpg
Through the gap by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

225. This last picture doesn't have anything to do with New Zealand in particular, but I'm sharing to make a point about astrophotography. One of the more common refrains I hear when people see astrophotography is: "I wish I had a camera that could take pictures like that". In most cases, the answer is, "You already do". So in order to show that, I shot this with my point-and-shoot camera, a Canon Powershot S95, on a static tripod right outside on my front porch/driveway. Yes it's noisy, and no I won't be putting this up on a canvas anytime, but it is still a reminder of what very basic gear can achieve with a bit of patience and processing.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/344/1...52f021d3_c.jpg
Pointing and shooting the Milky Way by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

Really enjoying living vicariously through your shots. Keep em coming and thanks!

Been doing a lot more photography recently.

226. Nearby Shakespear Regional Park is a great place not just as a nature reserve with great open space, but also for views over Auckland.
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3755/...fe2a6d0d_c.jpg
Golden hour over Auckland by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

227. It is a great place to catch the long white cloud (NZ is known as Aoteorea in Maori, Land of the Long White Cloud).
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/463/2...14e8aff2_c.jpg
Land of the Long White Cloud by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

228. The bush is pretty cool. Feels like a dense rainforest, complete with waterfalls. Apparently there are glow worms in this pool -- need to go back in the dark.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/379/1...3e7a28d9_c.jpg
Waterfall Gully | Shakespear Regional Park by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

229. The other day I noticed a light in the sea from the house...
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/326/1...e2437738_c.jpg
Spirit in the sun by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

230. So I had to go down to the beach and explore. It was the Spirit of New Zealand, a sailing ship that is used for youth development programs.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/506/1...71b7a296_c.jpg
Spirit in the sun by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

231. Although I missed the Venus-Jupiter conjunction due to clouds, I was able to capture Comet C/2014 Q1 PanSTARRS (left), Venus (top right), and Jupiter (bottom right).
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/289/1...aac3c3ab_c.jpg
C/2014 Q1 PANSTARRS, Venus, Jupiter by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

232. While the unsettled weather has meant no starscapes, it does make for some dramatic seascapes.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/400/2...7bec7a10_c.jpg
Storm front by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

233. And wildly different conditions from one day to the next.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/489/2...38511e1f_c.jpg
What a difference a day makes by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

234. I've been on a city/urban photography kick recently. First off, managed to finally shoot the Auckland skyline.
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3769/...7d458888_c.jpg
Blue hour over Auckland by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

235. Visited the Glenfield Night Market -- a large market every Sunday night focusing mainly on food (mostly Asian). Feels almost like being in an Asian market.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/286/1...cda58809_c.jpg
Glenfield Market by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

236. The different foods were quite good.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/357/1...d4b1a40b_c.jpg
Glenfield Market by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

237. I'd planned to shoot the skyline from a great location called Sulphur Point. After one failed attempt due to fog, finally made it one evening. Unfortunately, the sea was too choppy for any reflections, but the blue cast from the overcast sky was great.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/342/2...f734a622_c.jpg
Auckland blues by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

238. Went for a walk in the city. Auckland feels more like Denver and less like Chicago (but with a very strong Asian feel). Not very busy on one of the main streets during a weekday.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/452/1...b918277e_c.jpg
Auckland main street by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

239. Lot of tourists around though.
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3721/...98619575_c.jpg
Auckland street by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

240. One thing AKL has going for it is the food -- lots of very good restaurants and cafes, including some awesome Asian ones.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/501/2...0525a6e7_c.jpg
Best coffee in town by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

241. And finally, managed to get up to Mt. Victoria just in time before the end of twilight last night, for a view over AKL.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/376/2...9f520454_c.jpg
Auckland twilight by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

242. Sky Tower was lit up in red for some children's heart foundation benefit.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/365/2...d3849535_c.jpg
Auckland twilight by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

Nice work man. Thanks for the update.

Time for another update...

243. The North Island is quite warm, with very mild winters.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/641/2...4fd44ac3_c.jpg
Pasture path by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

244. Clear days like this can be quite chilly though, mainly due to the often strong breeze.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/670/2...a1e9c097_c.jpg
Lone tree by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

245. This is a popular spot for photographers. I can't get here in time for blue hour just yet (have to wait for later sunset), but wanted to check it out to for a proper shoot.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/780/2...a6bd8585_c.jpg
Electric Avenue by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

246. Went on a weeklong vacation to a place called Mount Maunganui. It's a beach town popular for vacations, but not very crowded now due to it being the off-season. Pretty place nevertheless, with Mount Maunganui quite prominent at the end of town.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/727/2...a3276331_c.jpg
Fire on The Mount by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

247. A quick 40-minute walk up the Mount provides fantastic views. Parts of the walk feel very Mediterranean, as if you're in Italy.
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5760/...b4c9b30a_c.jpg
Mount Maunganui by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

248. Lots of walking tracks all through the sheep farms on the Mount.
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5818/...71bbe439_c.jpg
Summit views by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

249. It's a big boating area as well.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/636/2...03b248f1_c.jpg
Into the storm by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

250. Maunganui is known however for its surf (the local schools having surfing classes). Unfortunately, the sea was absolutely calm when we were there. Not that it wasn't still beautiful, but there were practically no waves.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/604/2...be91f547_c.jpg
Summit views by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

251. Did get a beautiful sunrise.
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5766/...4915af7e_c.jpg
Sunrise at The Mount by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

252. The morning we left, the wind picked up and there were some stronger waves. The water was still very cold.
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5809/...2960ae21_c.jpg
Storm surf by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

253. While we were there, we made a side trip to Matamata, to visit Hobbiton. Peter Jackson created the whole village on a farm outside Matamata for the LOTR trilogy. After filming was completed for that, the set was taken down. But so many fans came by to look at the place, that when the time came to rebuild Hobbiton for the Hobbit movies, the farmer asked Jackson to make it permanent. So now you can tour Hobbiton exactly as it was used in the movies. The amazing thing is that the "set" is all-encompassing. There is no "backstage". You can turn around 360 degrees and all you see are hobbit holes and no traces of modern life (e.g. roads, powerlines, etc.). And the level of detail and realism in every single aspect is just stunning. And unlike movie theme parks, they're not replicas, they're the real places and things used in the movies. If you're a LOTR fan (as I am), it is a magical place -- feels like you're really in Hobbiton.
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5801/...26351744_c.jpg
Gandalf's Cutting by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

254. The view from outside Bilbo's house looking over Hobbiton. This is the view that Gandalf and Bilbo enjoyed while blowing smoke rings in Fellowship.
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5657/...00e37878_c.jpg
Party Tree and Party Field by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

255. Bilbo's house in Bag End.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/659/2...5f72dece_c.jpg
Bilbo's house, Bag End by Faisal Syed, on Flickr

Absolutely beautiful, Fuzz. You're one lucky SOB.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by smmokan

Absolutely beautiful, Fuzz. You're one lucky SOB.

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Yes, yes I am. :-) Who knows how long we'll stay here, but it's been great experiencing this fantastic tiny island nation -- the people, the lifestyle, and landscape.

Fuzz this photo blog is awesome. Almost overwhelming. Talent and beauty. Thanks for updating.

Always look forward to these updates, Fuzz. Thanks for sharing.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GBB

Always look forward to these updates, Fuzz. Thanks for sharing.

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What GBB said.. don't ever stop posting your pics

Quote:

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Originally Posted by uglymoney

Fuzz this photo blog is awesome. Almost overwhelming. Talent and beauty. Thanks for updating.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by GBB

Always look forward to these updates, Fuzz. Thanks for sharing.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by up an down

What GBB said.. don't ever stop posting your pics

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Thanks, guys. NZ does not seem to feature that much in a lot of the rest of the world's photography (or that I had seen before moving here), despite the beauty of the landscape. So it's been great to experience, capture, and share it. And I feel like my photography has improved quite a bit in the last couple of years as well, since I've gotten to practice it more often.

GBB douche your box or better yet shoot me your email re ski headboard


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

Fuzz - the wife and I are headed to the South Island the last week of November and first week of December. Mind if I shoot you a PM for some recommendations??

This thread is incredible!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ridinshockgun

Fuzz - the wife and I are headed to the South Island the last week of November and first week of December. Mind if I shoot you a PM for some recommendations??

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Absolutely. Will try to share what I've learned.