Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Whatipu Reserve, New Zealand

We have a new missionary couple, the Ereksons, and Saturday we showed them a couple of our favorite places.  This is one of them, on the west coast about 45 minutes away from where we live in Takapuna.
To meet Elder & Sister Erekson, click HERE.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Here's My Good Side

Taken in Christchurch Botanical Gardens

Monday, September 26, 2011

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Friday, September 23, 2011

Coromandel Sunset

It was a beautiful day and a beautiful drive.  We were on our way home and made one last stop to enjoy this lovely golden sunset.  I was trying to find a photo op in this scene when a family walked into my view.  At the same time the sunbeams found a break in the clouds and streamed directly down on them.  I snapped my picture.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Quite a View

FROM OUR HOTEL
This is the view from our hotel in Wellington.  We were on the 25th floor in a city that unlike Christchurch, is familiar with earthquakes. 

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

WELLINGTON New Zealand SEASCAPE



Wellington's Rugged Coastline

We are back in Wellington on another assignment for several days.  It has been windy and pouring down rain for most of the time we've been here.  Yesterday we finished our assignments around 1pm and decided to have lunch on the wharf with our fellow travelers.  The sky cleared, and it was beautiful and we had a delightful time.   I had some great fish and chips, (or as we often hear, fush and chups).  We then dropped our companions off at the airport, (we don't fly out until tomorrow).  After that we drove to our favorite little TipTop Dairy (tiny little corner market), each bought a double scoop of ice cream (hokey pokey and gold rush are our favorites), then spent late afternoon watching scenes like this one!  Lest you think our mission is one big photography vacation, we've been in Wellington this time for three and a half days and have been busy with our Public Affairs assignments for all that time, with the exception of these few hours of rest and the only time I had to take photos for pleasure.

Friday, September 16, 2011

We Interrupt Everything Else You May Be Doing.........


...........to go wild and crazy for the next 6 weeks as New Zealand hosts the Rugby World Cup.  There are flags, banners and crazy people with painted faces, and tons of partying and drinking to celebrate this event that seems to be everyone's priority here......  except for the one guy who put up this billboard:


In our missionary blog I mentioned that we covered several rugby games a few weeks ago,  (another new experience......being a sports photographer.  See story & photos HERE).  Of course, we could not figure out what the rules are, but came away thinking that American football players are wimps when we saw the beating these guys take without wearing protective equipment.  Anyway, we watched the World Cup opening ceremonies on TV, which were outstanding, and then saw the fireworks from the balcony of our flat.    

As I have said before, photography is art, and a photo is the artist's interpretation of what he sees or doesn't see, just as a painting is an interpretation of what the painter sees....how to compose, what to leave in or out of the scene, the coloring, the mood, etc. etc.  I don't think photographers are required to say or justify what they do to produce their work,  but I'm going to with this photo because I've altered this scene so much.  The fireworks are real, but the reflections are added.  The black part is actually the top of an office building that is in front of our balcony, but we still can see the Auckland skyline over the top.   

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Phun Phriday

While in Christchurch we took a drive to a little village by the ocean and decided to eat lunch at a cute cafe right on the beach.  We got a kick out of the seagulls picking up every last crumb off of unattended tables.


Inside we saw this sign tacked on the front counter.  Evidently not everyone is amused by the hungry seagulls!

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Akaroa, New Zealand

Beautiful Late Afternoon Light in Akaroa




Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Shocking Reminders!



In our recent visit to Christchurch, there is still devastation every where we looked.  It will take decades for this city to recover.  When I glanced up and saw this I was horrified.  I wondered if anyone was killed in this house, or someone who might have been below it.  What a sobering sight.

Monday, September 12, 2011

Early Spring Landscapes






While in Christchurch on assignment we took a day off and took a drive to enjoy the first signs of Spring. 

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Almost Spring in New Zealand (Part 2)





Beautiful Camellias
I've never seen so many varieties of camellias.  They have been stunning bloomers all winter and are still blooming strong.  

Friday, September 9, 2011

Almost Spring in New Zealand!

We've been down in Christchurch on assignment again.  One day we had some time off so we went to the botanical gardens.  Christchurch is known as the 'Garden City' because so much land is dedicated to  green space and gardens.  After seeing the devastation of crumbled buildings and rubble everywhere you look from the earthquakes, it will be so nice to see spring bringing some beauty back to this city.  I'll post some 'it's almost spring' photos for the next few days.




The magnolia blooms are beautiful and prolific and come in many different sizes, shapes and colors.

Friday, September 2, 2011

Kute Kiwi

I had to add a new post quickly after the previous one, and this is about as opposite as I could find.  We were watching this darling little girl play on the beach while we were enjoying an afternoon in Mission Bay a couple of weeks ago.  The sun was bright, the sand was light, she had beautiful porcelain skin, all perfect for a vintage wash look.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

An Early Halloween! Look If You Dare!

While we were in Wellington we took a short drive to a nearby suburb to visit the home of Weta Productions.  This is a world famous creative design production company.  They are responsible for producing the props, sets, and creatures for such movies as Lord of the Rings, King Kong, Chronicles of Narnia and Avatar.  This is only one of the creative 'arms' of this company.  They have a small 'showroom' for tourists where they have some of their creations on display.  I took a few photos.  Look at them if you dare...........