photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Richard Martin-Nielsen | profile | all galleries >> Galleries >> New Zealand tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

New Zealand

New Zealand, December 2009 -- January 2010.
previous pagepages 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 ALL next page
1: Pohutukawa tree in bloom at Pine Harbor.
1: Pohutukawa tree in bloom at Pine Harbor.		 2: Walking along the coast at Pine Harbor.
2: Walking along the coast at Pine Harbor.		 3: Pohutukawa flowers from close-up.
3: Pohutukawa flowers from close-up.		 4: Flax in bloom at Pine Harbor.
4: Flax in bloom at Pine Harbor.
5: One of the neater trees on our walk.
5: One of the neater trees on our walk.		 6: Climbing down to the tidal flats, with pohutukawa in the background.
6: Climbing down to the tidal flats, with pohutukawa in the background.		 7: North Island flora.
7: North Island flora.		 8: Janet taking a break from watching oyster catchers.
8: Janet taking a break from watching oyster catchers.
9: Richard, doing the same.
9: Richard, doing the same.		 10: seashells and other goodies on the beach.
10: seashells and other goodies on the beach.		 11: view from the ferry to Waiheke Island.
11: view from the ferry to Waiheke Island.		 12: Devenport, as seen from the ferry
12: Devenport, as seen from the ferry
13: Janet at the beach, just before the skies opened
13: Janet at the beach, just before the skies opened		 14: We were constantly amazed by unfurling ferns.
14: We were constantly amazed by unfurling ferns.		 15: vineyards at the Stonybridge winery, where we ate lunch
15: vineyards at the Stonybridge winery, where we ate lunch		 16: Waiheke Harbor, waiting for the ferry to leave
16: Waiheke Harbor, waiting for the ferry to leave
17: Janet and a firmly snagged flag on the ferry
17: Janet and a firmly snagged flag on the ferry		 18: Richard, still visible under layers of sunscreen
18: Richard, still visible under layers of sunscreen		 19: entering Auckland harbor, surrounded by shipping container cranes
19: entering Auckland harbor, surrounded by shipping container cranes		 20: Piha Beach, which was invaded by wetsuit-donned surfers
20: Piha Beach, which was invaded by wetsuit-donned surfers
21: Piha from above
21: Piha from above		 22: sand dunes at Piha
22: sand dunes at Piha		 23: the view approaching the gannet colony
23: the view approaching the gannet colony		 24: Janet getting a first look before we walked along the visible Path
24: Janet getting a first look before we walked along the visible Path
25: why oh why do we live in a landlocked country?
25: why oh why do we live in a landlocked country?		 26: Gannets! thousands and thousands of them
26: Gannets! thousands and thousands of them		 27: this one looked particularly cold on the cliff face
27: this one looked particularly cold on the cliff face		 28: gannets, gannets, gannets
28: gannets, gannets, gannets
29: they have a wingspan of nearly a meter, and were swooping and sailing all around us
29: they have a wingspan of nearly a meter, and were swooping and sailing all around us		 30: on the lowest shelf, fishermen were searching for shellfish
30: on the lowest shelf, fishermen were searching for shellfish		 31: it was windy and blustery, but apparently perfect flying weather
31: it was windy and blustery, but apparently perfect flying weather		 32: walking at the Miranda shorebird reserve, with the Coromandel Peninsula just visible in the distance
32: walking at the Miranda shorebird reserve, with the Coromandel Peninsula just visible in the distance
33: the track meandered along a mangrove swamp
33: the track meandered along a mangrove swamp		 34: a newly propagated mangrove
34: a newly propagated mangrove		 35: view from the blind, I
35: view from the blind, I		 36: view from the blind, II
36: view from the blind, II
37: Richard folding down the shutters after our second stint at the blind
37: Richard folding down the shutters after our second stint at the blind		 38: the Miranda blind at low tide
38: the Miranda blind at low tide		 39: a waterfall, a picnic table, and fresh strawberries at lunch
39: a waterfall, a picnic table, and fresh strawberries at lunch		 40: we really, really liked the ferns
40: we really, really liked the ferns
41: walking at Aroha Island as the sun began to go down
41: walking at Aroha Island as the sun began to go down		 42: the island is a kiwi habitat, but we did not see any
42: the island is a kiwi habitat, but we did not see any		 43: oyster farms off Aroha Island
43: oyster farms off Aroha Island		 44: Janet and small mangroves as the tide comes in
44: Janet and small mangroves as the tide comes in
45: sunset on Aroha Island
45: sunset on Aroha Island		 46: Manganui scenic drive, far north of the North Island
46: Manganui scenic drive, far north of the North Island		 47: the first of several beaches of the day -- too cold to swim, but gorgeous for walking
47: the first of several beaches of the day -- too cold to swim, but gorgeous for walking		 48: a slightly fuzzy New Zealand dotterel in the surf
48: a slightly fuzzy New Zealand dotterel in the surf
49: the camera, unfortunately, does not capture the turquoise color of the water
49: the camera, unfortunately, does not capture the turquoise color of the water		 50: not too cold for wading!
50: not too cold for wading!		 51: Bougainvillea in full bloom under a nearly-too-bright sun
51: Bougainvillea in full bloom under a nearly-too-bright sun		 52: flowers and small boats in the harbor at lunch
52: flowers and small boats in the harbor at lunch
53: hibiscus bushes dotted the harbor and hillsides
53: hibiscus bushes dotted the harbor and hillsides		 54: our first day on the West Coast of the far north opened to gray skies...
54: our first day on the West Coast of the far north opened to gray skies...		 55: ... but it soon became sunny -- here the sun is hidden behind a giant kauri tree
55: ... but it soon became sunny -- here the sun is hidden behind a giant kauri tree		 56: it is more than 14 m in diameter, 50 m high, and about 1500 years old
56: it is more than 14 m in diameter, 50 m high, and about 1500 years old
57: the sun beaming through a fern tree in the Waipoua forest
57: the sun beaming through a fern tree in the Waipoua forest		 58: the remaining kauri forest is well protected, but we admit nearly more interest in the ferns than the giant trees
58: the remaining kauri forest is well protected, but we admit nearly more interest in the ferns than the giant trees		 59: the forest is also home to manuka bushes, as per the honey
59: the forest is also home to manuka bushes, as per the honey		 60: low fern cover in the Waipoua forest
60: low fern cover in the Waipoua forest
61: among the neater of the trees we pass while walking
61: among the neater of the trees we pass while walking		 62: Janet waiting for Richard, who is happily photographing every plant he sees
62: Janet waiting for Richard, who is happily photographing every plant he sees		 63: epiphytes were abundant in the old-growth forest
63: epiphytes were abundant in the old-growth forest		 64: these fern leaves were well over a meter long
64: these fern leaves were well over a meter long
65: these ferns, among other things, led us to buy Ghosts of Gondwana -- a natural history of New Zealand. More to come.
65: these ferns, among other things, led us to buy "Ghosts of Gondwana" -- a natural history of New Zealand. More to come.		 66: back at our lodge, the sun stayed out long enough for a short forest walk
66: back at our lodge, the sun stayed out long enough for a short forest walk		 67: at the end of a long day, protected from sun and mosquitoes
67: at the end of a long day, protected from sun and mosquitoes		 68: the central courtyard of the Auckland Wintergardens, built in nearly 1920s
68: the central courtyard of the Auckland Wintergardens, built in nearly 1920s
69: inside one of the twin greenhouses, where -- although it is difficult to see -- most plants are in fact potted
69: inside one of the twin greenhouses, where -- although it is difficult to see -- most plants are in fact potted		 70: lilies -- some of them 5 feet tall -- were in full bloom
70: lilies -- some of them 5 feet tall -- were in full bloom		 71: Janet's favorite pink lilies
71: Janet's favorite pink lilies		 72: wacky tropical plant I
72: wacky tropical plant I
73: wacky tropical plant II
73: wacky tropical plant II		 74: wacky tropical plants III
74: wacky tropical plants III		 75: Janet's favorite pink lilies, again
75: Janet's favorite pink lilies, again		 76: these flowers are about an inch across, and were growing in the outside section
76: these flowers are about an inch across, and were growing in the outside section
77: a wider view of the same plant
77: a wider view of the same plant		 78: a pohutukawa in full bloom in the Auckland Domain
78: a pohutukawa in full bloom in the Auckland Domain		 79: New Zealand Christmas tree flowers on Christmas Eve!
79: New Zealand Christmas tree flowers on Christmas Eve!		 80: Johann demonstrating plush reindeer antlers
80: Johann demonstrating plush reindeer antlers
81: our double cabin at Tree Dimensions, situated in an orchard valley
81: our double cabin at Tree Dimensions, situated in an orchard valley		 82: bathing suits, fresh from the Tasman Sea, drying on our line
82: bathing suits, fresh from the Tasman Sea, drying on our line		 83: lemons ripe on the tree at the farmstay
83: lemons ripe on the tree at the farmstay		 84: plums, most definitely not yet ripe
84: plums, most definitely not yet ripe
85: Tree Dimensions grows over 100 varieties of apple
85: Tree Dimensions grows over 100 varieties of apple		 86: beehives near the river ford at the bottom of the property
86: beehives near the river ford at the bottom of the property		 87: Janet with George the farmstay cat who thought he was a dog
87: Janet with George the farmstay cat who thought he was a dog		 88: George (named after one of the Weasley twins from Harry Potter) followed us all around, and enjoyed our smoked mussel pate
88: George (named after one of the Weasley twins from Harry Potter) followed us all around, and enjoyed our smoked mussel pate
89: inside and ready for dinner in Kate and Johann's half of the cabin
89: inside and ready for dinner in Kate and Johann's half of the cabin		 90: low tide at the beginning of our first walk in Abel Tasman National Park
90: low tide at the beginning of our first walk in Abel Tasman National Park		 91: Coquille Bay from above, with manuka trees along the coast
91: Coquille Bay from above, with manuka trees along the coast		 92: Kate and Johann after swimming in the sea
92: Kate and Johann after swimming in the sea
93: our water taxi hitched to its amphibious tractor, early in the morning
93: our water taxi hitched to its amphibious tractor, early in the morning		 94: feeling peppy before the walk
94: feeling peppy before the walk		 95: the silliness of tractors driving into the sea
95: the silliness of tractors driving into the sea		 96: the morning started with heavy cloud cover, but we did not get rained on
96: the morning started with heavy cloud cover, but we did not get rained on
97: quite enjoying the water taxi ride
97: quite enjoying the water taxi ride		 98: Kate and Johann sitting at the back of the boat
98: Kate and Johann sitting at the back of the boat		 99: nearly an hour later, quite blustered by the wind
99: nearly an hour later, quite blustered by the wind		 100: the view of Tonga Island from the taxi
100: the view of Tonga Island from the taxi
101: at the drop-off point, kayakers were also beginning their day
101: at the drop-off point, kayakers were also beginning their day		 102: the walk took us along the coastline, through forests and on beaches
102: the walk took us along the coastline, through forests and on beaches		 103: this was our first title crossing (we were slightly before low tide)
103: this was our first title crossing (we were slightly before low tide)		 104: just before taking off our shoes to walk through the water
104: just before taking off our shoes to walk through the water
105: a variable oystercatcher
105: a variable oystercatcher		 106: the beach where we stopped for lunch under what became a very hot sun
106: the beach where we stopped for lunch under what became a very hot sun		 107: Janet, after lunch, dressed in Canadian gear (MEC and Tilley)
107: Janet, after lunch, dressed in Canadian gear (MEC and Tilley)		 108: a glimpse of the sea after a long trek in the forest
108: a glimpse of the sea after a long trek in the forest
109: secondary growth (after a fire?) close to the coast
109: secondary growth (after a fire?) close to the coast		 110: a Bridge walkway over a gorge, with a maximum capacity of five people at a time
110: a Bridge walkway over a gorge, with a maximum capacity of five people at a time		 111: a gorgeous sandbar after a very long uphill section
111: a gorgeous sandbar after a very long uphill section		 112: the second title crossing, this time at truly low tide
112: the second title crossing, this time at truly low tide
113: our water taxi waiting to whisk us back to the road access point
113: our water taxi waiting to whisk us back to the road access point		 114: much more tired, but very satisfied
114: much more tired, but very satisfied		 115: Neufeld winery on a cloudy morning
115: Neufeld winery on a cloudy morning		 116: the vineyards at Tussock -- idyllic
116: the vineyards at Tussock -- idyllic
117: view of Rabbit Island from the smokehouse restaurant
117: view of Rabbit Island from the smokehouse restaurant		 118: the Motueka Valley and fruit orchards from high up in the hills
118: the Motueka Valley and fruit orchards from high up in the hills		 119: the Valley after a short viewpoint walk
119: the Valley after a short viewpoint walk		 120: the beginning of our forest walk, after 11 very slow kilometers of twisty gravel roads
120: the beginning of our forest walk, after 11 very slow kilometers of twisty gravel roads
121: it was the beginning of summer, but these red leaves coated the forest floor
121: it was the beginning of summer, but these red leaves coated the forest floor		 122: the hike rewarded us with this view of the Takaka Valley (as well as NZ robins, tomtits and riflemans)
122: the hike rewarded us with this view of the Takaka Valley (as well as NZ robins, tomtits and riflemans)		 123: the climb to the view was over stable but deeply crevassed rocks
123: the climb to the view was over stable but deeply crevassed rocks		 124: the cliff fell straight down -- definitely not a walk to do with small children
124: the cliff fell straight down -- definitely not a walk to do with small children
125: Janet quite pleased with her balancing abilities
125: Janet quite pleased with her balancing abilities		 126: Richard, demonstrating his obsession with spotting the elusive New Zealand falcon
126: Richard, demonstrating his obsession with spotting the elusive New Zealand falcon		 127: a brief respite from the hands-and-knees descent
127: a brief respite from the hands-and-knees descent		 128: the top of the caving hole -- we did not venture any closer
128: the top of the caving hole -- we did not venture any closer
129: when we arrived at Puhua for our swim, the beach was inhabited by a solitary red tractor
129: when we arrived at Puhua for our swim, the beach was inhabited by a solitary red tractor		 130: it was soon put to use to pull a boatload of scallop fishermen in
130: it was soon put to use to pull a boatload of scallop fishermen in		 131: New Year's Eve set up at Puhua beach
131: New Year's Eve set up at Puhua beach		 132: this was the road we climbed back out of Takaka Valley
132: this was the road we climbed back out of Takaka Valley
133: our 'quick swim' in Abel Tasman was complicated by the tide
133: our 'quick swim' in Abel Tasman was complicated by the tide		 134: a very happy white-faced heron intent on dinner
134: a very happy white-faced heron intent on dinner		 135: our New Year's Eve dinner, first course (smoked mussel pâté, baguette, cherry tomatoes)
135: our New Year's Eve dinner, first course (smoked mussel pâté, baguette, cherry tomatoes)		 136: preparations for courses three and five
136: preparations for courses three and five
137: Johann and Richard looking cheerful despite the sand flies
137: Johann and Richard looking cheerful despite the sand flies		 138: course three (course two -- shrimp -- was devoured too quickly for the camera)
138: course three (course two -- shrimp -- was devoured too quickly for the camera)		 139: salad, cheese, and baguette
139: salad, cheese, and baguette		 140: Pavlova with fresh local fruits being assembled on the counter
140: Pavlova with fresh local fruits being assembled on the counter
141: with whipping cream, for good measure
141: with whipping cream, for good measure		 142: the Christchurch Rose Garden on a glorious sunny day
142: the Christchurch Rose Garden on a glorious sunny day		 143: Janet wishing that her rose garden in Budapest looked this good
143: Janet wishing that her rose garden in Budapest looked this good		 144: the Christchurch botanical gardens are spread through a large wooded park
144: the Christchurch botanical gardens are spread through a large wooded park
145: this flax flower was one of the strangest of the trip
145: this flax flower was one of the strangest of the trip		 146: stopping for breakfast on the Canterbury plains
146: stopping for breakfast on the Canterbury plains		 147: beginning to climb into the Southern Alps, stuck behind a very slow convoy of Land Rovers
147: beginning to climb into the Southern Alps, stuck behind a very slow convoy of Land Rovers		 148: stopping by the rail bed, and worrying that the skies were about to open
148: stopping by the rail bed, and worrying that the skies were about to open
149: very unsure about the weather, but willing to pose without a brolly
149: very unsure about the weather, but willing to pose without a brolly		 150: clouds low on the hills at the start of the Dobson nature walk
150: clouds low on the hills at the start of the Dobson nature walk		 151: the sun prevails! -- and the walk proceeded perfectly, until the trail ran into a flooded basin
151: the sun prevails! -- and the walk proceeded perfectly, until the trail ran into a flooded basin		 152: Richard standing among tussocks and Mount Cook lilies
152: Richard standing among tussocks and Mount Cook lilies
153: Mountains! Absolutely terrific!
153: Mountains! Absolutely terrific!		 154: the Alpine wildflowers were in bloom, including these pond plants
154: the Alpine wildflowers were in bloom, including these pond plants		 155: hot enough for sunglasses and hats -- we hadn't realized the track was not a loop, and ended up walking back along the road
155: hot enough for sunglasses and hats -- we hadn't realized the track was not a loop, and ended up walking back along the road		 156: the Death Valley overpass, constructed very recently
156: the "Death Valley" overpass, constructed very recently
157: note the water diversion and the tumbling rock catcher
157: note the water diversion and the tumbling rock catcher		 158: not only do the New Zealanders put rail tracks through single lane bridges -- they also put them across roundabouts
158: not only do the New Zealanders put rail tracks through single lane bridges -- they also put them across roundabouts		 159: a kea posing on the roof of our rental car
159: a kea posing on the roof of our rental car		 160: Janet's second favorite sign of the trip, on the West Coast north of Graymouth
160: Janet's second favorite sign of the trip, on the West Coast north of Graymouth
161: the 'pancake rocks', in the mist and rain at low tide
161: the 'pancake rocks', in the mist and rain at low tide		 162: the erosion is very impressive, as is the water surging between columns
162: the erosion is very impressive, as is the water surging between columns		 163: there is little wonder Peter Jackson was able to turn New Zealand into Middle Earth
163: there is little wonder Peter Jackson was able to turn New Zealand into Middle Earth		 164: the southernmost growing palm tree, displaying its flowers
164: the southernmost growing palm tree, displaying its flowers
165: the West Coast rainforest looking eery in the mist
165: the West Coast rainforest looking eery in the mist		 166: yet another road closed on our lost day
166: yet another road closed on our lost day		 167: Ship's Cove, just north of Haast -- it was even too blustery for birds
167: Ship's Cove, just north of Haast -- it was even too blustery for birds		 168: I think there is one two-lane bridge in the whole country. This is not it.
168: I think there is one two-lane bridge in the whole country. This is not it.
169: this is Janet's favorite sign. (Third favorite is the kiwi crossing sign)
169: this is Janet's favorite sign. (Third favorite is the kiwi crossing sign)		 170: the forest in Mount Aspiring National Park
170: the forest in Mount Aspiring National Park		 171: walking to see one of many waterfalls -- the tree is both hollow and alive
171: walking to see one of many waterfalls -- the tree is both hollow and alive		 172: Richard, post-picnic and post-waterfall
172: Richard, post-picnic and post-waterfall
173: Ferns covering the forest floor
173: Ferns covering the forest floor		 174: the rain of the previous day had caused extensive flooding and lake water rising, as this tree discovered
174: the rain of the previous day had caused extensive flooding and lake water rising, as this tree discovered		 175: the view just before heading into Wanaka
175: the view just before heading into Wanaka		 176: barren, hot, dry -- and absolutely beautiful
176: barren, hot, dry -- and absolutely beautiful
177: we were warned that it was too hot for any walking
177: we were warned that it was too hot for any walking		 178: Alpine Lupins, in full bloom, were certainly enjoying the heat
178: Alpine Lupins, in full bloom, were certainly enjoying the heat		 179: this stand of Lupins, by a picnic area, ranged from white to pink to purple
179: this stand of Lupins, by a picnic area, ranged from white to pink to purple		 180: driving to Mount Cook National Park -- this is in fact Mount Sefton
180: driving to Mount Cook National Park -- this is in fact Mount Sefton
181: I think one of us wore a Vancouver Olympics T-shirt nearly every day -- they brought lots of comments from Canadians
181: I think one of us wore a Vancouver Olympics T-shirt nearly every day -- they brought lots of comments from Canadians		 182: heading towards Caradhras!
182: heading towards Caradhras!		 183: Mount Sefton from our picnic area
183: Mount Sefton from our picnic area		 184: the cloud falling in over glaciers -- we made it to the mountains just in time to see them unobscured
184: the cloud falling in over glaciers -- we made it to the mountains just in time to see them unobscured
185: this is Mount Cook, seen from the end of our first walk
185: this is Mount Cook, seen from the end of our first walk		 186: walking by the twin blue lakes, which were in fact green
186: walking by the twin "blue lakes", which were in fact green		 187: the Tasman glacier valley, seen from part way up our second walk
187: the Tasman glacier valley, seen from part way up our second walk		 188: the blue lakes from above -- Mount Cook is just to the right
188: the "blue lakes" from above -- Mount Cook is just to the right
189: the gravel-covered Tasman glacier
189: the gravel-covered Tasman glacier		 190: definitely worth the long climb up!
190: definitely worth the long climb up!		 191: the glacial lake was gray, but some of the small ponds were brilliantly turquoise
191: the glacial lake was gray, but some of the small ponds were brilliantly turquoise		 192: a last view from the peak, before climbing back down
192: a last view from the peak, before climbing back down
193: the beach at Birdling Cove, demonstrating why it is unsafe for swimming
193: the beach at Birdling Cove, demonstrating why it is unsafe for swimming		 194: but still great fun for fast-shutter photography
194: but still great fun for fast-shutter photography		 195: we were hoping to see gray warblers in this small scenic reserve, but all we saw were large trees and larger sand flies
195: we were hoping to see gray warblers in this small scenic reserve, but all we saw were large trees and larger sand flies		 196: the absurdly scenic Banks Peninsula drive, looking towards the long harbor
196: the absurdly scenic Banks Peninsula drive, looking towards the long harbor
197: after a month of gorgeous scenery, this drive -- our second last day -- was the icing on the cake
197: after a month of gorgeous scenery, this drive -- our second last day -- was the icing on the cake		 198: look, no sunburns!
198: look, no sunburns!		 199: Looking down the other side of the drive, towards the ocean
199: Looking down the other side of the drive, towards the ocean		 200: flowers in Akaroa, where we had seafood chowder for dinner
200: flowers in Akaroa, where we had seafood chowder for dinner
201: between these flowers and home, we had four flights and over 27 hours in the air...
201: between these flowers and home, we had four flights and over 27 hours in the air...		 202: we were greeted by a sprinkling of snow in the forest across from our house...
202: we were greeted by a sprinkling of snow in the forest across from our house...
previous pagepages 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 ALL next page

comment | share
click on thumbnails for full image