After Sunset - Karekare Beach

Another picture from Karekare beach. This one was taken after seeing a magnificent sunset. I was just on the way back to the car when I saw the reflection of the rock face in the stream that enters the sea here. The dying light and it colours are plain to see, as well as some cloud in the distance. I'm a sucker for a good reflection and I'm pleased with how the shot turned out.

Piha

Stunning views of Piha can be obtained before you drive down the valley to the beach. This place is famous for it's wild surf (big surf competitions take place throughout the year) and the rock you see before you. 'Lion Rock' is an iconic sight - and one you can climb ! The community in Piha has it's own radio station because being out on the West coast is not conducive to connectivity. Leave the mobile phone at home ! It's time to unwind and enjoy nature when you get to Piha ! As you can see (looking at the trees in the picture) it was a windy day. This is not an unusual event. This landscape has been shaped by wind and other elements for millions of years.

Ping Chau Guide

Hong Kong's auditions for X Factor were hotly contested this year, but these guys didn't make the final 10! In real life the gentleman with the megaphone is a tour guide on a trip I undertook to 2 of the islands that lie to the very North East of Hong Kong. This shot was taken in Tung Ping Chau famous for strange rock formations and lovely sandy beaches. The name "Ping Chau" means "flat island" in Chinese. Though I didn't understand a word spoken, the rest of the tour party listened intently as our guide explained a little about the history of the Island. I subsequently discovered that Ping Chau has a dark history. Guns and opium were once smuggled from here, and during the Cultural Revolution many of China's mainlanders swam through shark-infested waters in hopes of reaching Ping Chau and the freedom of Hong Kong.

West Coast Shell

A simple shot taken at Karekare beach. This picture captures the black, volcanic, magnetic sand against the whiteness of a West coast shell. The clarity of the shot is down to the macro facility on my camera.

Take Me To The Peak

Wonderful Hong Kong! If you feel it's impossible for a city to be thing of beauty, I implore you to take a trip on the tram (or by bus) to the dizzy heights of The Peak. Sure, it's Hong Kong's number one tourist attraction and can be a busy place night and day, but the views this location afford are simply stunning! Night time is best in my book (see top of page), but a visit in the day will leave you with a sense of wonder too. If you opt to take a trip to The Peak by tram then prepare to experience a 45° climb to the summit! The fabulous vista was further enhanced (in 2006) by the Peak Tower. For a close up of Hong Kong why not take a view through the telescope? City life never seemed so big and beautiful.

Lucky Find At Karekare

Sometimes you get lucky ! On a trip to Karekare beach I noticed some sticks planted in the sand. No need to stage anything, just a question of finding the right angle. It was late afternoon and I wanted to try and retain the shadows the sticks made. As you can see the wind - coming off the Tasman Sea - leaves its own imprint in the black sand.

Auckland At Sunset

Auckland at sunset. This picture was taken from 'Mount Victoria' in Devonport (North Shore). I wondered if I'd get a decent shot as the day had been very cloudy. Thankfully late evening saw the grey clouds disappear as the sun came close to setting. One of these days I plan to catch Auckland at sunrise ! Getting out of bed this early has proved impossible so far !

Mangawhai Shells

The beach at Mangawhai Heads is a fantastic place for a long walk ! White sand turns to shell as you head North. Strange rock formations and pools make this an interesting place to explore. The picture (right) captures a small number of the shells on display here. Rather than stand on em', I decided to take a picture of em' :)

Bodmin Moor

This picture was taken at Bodmin Moor (In Cornwall). Bodmin Moor has been officially designated an area of outstanding natural beauty. During the Bronze Age, the moor was densely populated and many prehistoric stone's remain. It's a place well worth exploring ! This picture was taken on a very windy and wet afternoon. I guess this particular shot is moody because of the bad weather friends and I were experiencing at the time. Even though it was wet, I decided to get on my hands and knees in the name of art :)

Karekare Beach

More from Hong Kong soon, but now to New Zealand and Karekare Beach, my favourite place on the planet (apart from my bed) ! This picture was taken late afternoon in December. The black sand, pounding waves and largeness of landscape get me every time. As soon as I land in New Zealand, my first thoughts usually involve getting back to Karekare and the Waitakere Ranges. This picture features Paratahi Island.

Golden Path

In 1951, Buddhist preacher Yuet Kai founded the 'Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery'. Despite his old age, Yuet Kai (along with various disciples) carried the building materials personally from the foot of the mountain to build this holy place in the hills of Shat Tin, Hong Kong. It took 8 years to complete the monastery and a further 10 to finish the 12,000 Buddha statues found here! A small selection are photographed. This picture shows the start of the path that leads to the temple door. It's easy to lose count of the golden Buddha's you encounter along the way.

Trees In The Wicklow Mountains

Yes I know they're just trees, but I love the shadows they throw and I've always liked this picture. Maybe the reason I love it so much is because it reminds me of a special day I shared with my Brother on a very cold afternoon in the Wicklow Mountains (surrounding Dublin). The whole area is much frequented, especially at weekends by Dubliners. This region offers a multiple choice of things to do, including fishing, rafting and hill walking. This picture was taken late afternoon when the light was spot on !

Mangawhai Heads

Mangawhai Heads is an unspoilt beach North of Auckland on the East Coast. Many holiday makers head this way in Summer. The beach is a strange mix. As you walk Northward the white sand under your feet suddenly turns to shell (see listing above). I love the rock formations here (I wish I was a geologist because then I'd attempt to sound knowledgeable about them - haha). I like this image because it looks somewhat unreal. It's as if I've been transported onto the moon. This place lends itself to cloudy weather. As a result the picture (above) is both moody and otherworldly.

Gannet At Muriwai

I've visited Muriwai and the 'Gannet Colony' many times in the past. To be close to nature is always special, but I was in for a treat when I saw them December 2006. Usually these amazing creatures are viewed from a platform. For whatever reason (possibly because it was a wet day) a few of these magnificent birds came to inquire what I was up to (and also find materials for their nests). This gannet was particularly inquisitive - hence I managed to get this photograph at close range. Note the fisherman on the rocks below.

Late Afternoon At Karekare

This picture was taken at Karekare Beach on a late Winters afternoon. The black sand helped me in my quest to capture the reflection of the clouds. This place and the surrounding rain forest has had a turbulent history. Man's quest for Kauri Tree's was unquenchable at one point in time (for building homes and spars for sailing ships). The rain forest that surrounds this spot was almost completely destroyed in the 1800's. Since those dark days the forest has been left to regenerate. Today Karekare is part of the Waitakere Regional Park...

Gannet At Muriwai

Another picture taken at Muriwai Beach. A close up of one of the gannets that populate the area. As explained in a previous posting, it was a wet day and for some reason the birds seemed oblivious to me pointing my lens at them. As you can see, I've just captured the head of one bird while it's fellow colony comrades are out of focus on the nesting ground below.

The Peak

Hong Kong at night - taken earlier this month (December). Evening or night is probably the best time to view the city from 'The Peak' (less haze than in the day). FYI Hong Kong is a shopaholics paradise ! I've never seen so many ardent shoppers. Nathan St in Kowloon is at the heart of the action. Can be 11am or 11pm, the streets are always jammed with people looking for the latest bargains. More photographs of Hong Kong coming soon. This picture was taken without a flash. Always take photographs using 'available light' if possible. The results are usually far better.

Muriwai Sunset

The sun has just set at Muriwai beach. The waves undaunted continue to lap the shore like they've done all day. The colour of the sky and the way the waves caress the black sand below my feet prompt some camera action ! This picture makes me feel restful and reminds me of a beautiful evening spent at this special place. Though you can't see them, surfers ride the larger waves further out.

Sunset At Piha

Another sunset shot. This was taken at Piha, a stunning place on the West coast of Auckland. Famed for it's surf, it's a place many Aucklander's retreat to in summer for rest and relaxation. The tides can be treacherous, but the sunsets are wondrous ! A great place to explore. If you love walking you can do the 'Coman's Track' (North Piha). A walk up 'Lion Rock' (which is on the beach) is a must ! This shot was taken on a cloudless evening.

Arataki

Before heading into the heart of the Waitakeres you should head into the Arataki Visitor Centre. It's a great place to discover more about the ranges and the unspoilt beaches that lie ahead ! A mine of information is readily accessible. You can also undertake a fantastic 1 hour nature walk to experience the surrounding rain forest at close range ! 360 degree views await you. This picture was taken at the front of the Arataki Visitor Centre. This 11 meter high Pou (guardian post) represents ancestors of Te Kawerau a Maki and is one of the largest of its kind in New Zealand ! Check out the link list on the right to discover more.