"Popping Up"

The warming, humid weather of late winter caused a sudden sprouting on my lawn... Photo details: Canon 350D, ISO 200, 1/125th second exposure with a Canon EF 35mm lens @ f-4.5.

Image taken August 27th 2008

"They're Off!"

The Hawke's Bay spring racing carnival gets underway with a flash of colour and the thunder of hooves. Photo details: Canon 350D, ISO 400, 1/640th second exposure with a Canon EF 135mm lens @ f-5.6.

Image taken August 30th 2008

"Broken Home"

It was once a home of warmth, laughter and dreams, but today it stands cold, silent and empty. Who lived here, and what became of their dreams? If only these walls could talk... Photo details: Canon 350D, ISO 400, 1/200th second exposure with a Sigma 28-300mm lens @ f-8 + polarising filter.

Image taken August 3rd 2008

"Hard & Soft"

This feather washed up on the shingle beach, seeming to state the absolute contrast between these objects: The light and the dark, the wet and the dry, the hard and the soft. Photo details: Canon 350D, ISO 400, 1/250th second exposure with a Sigma 28-300mm lens @ f-6.3 + polarising filter.

Image taken May 17th 2008

"Ghostly Path"

Oak Avenue, Hastings, takes on an eerie mood under moonlight and fog. Photo details: Canon 350D, ISO 800, 10 second exposure with a Canon EF 15mm fisheye lens @ f-2.8.

Image taken May 20th 2008

"Icy Sky"

Justin Matulich pauses to enjoy the view of high ice clouds glowing in every colour of the rainbow. Photo details: Canon 350D, ISO 100, 1/1000th second exposure with a Sigma 28-300mm lens @ f-8 + polarising filter.

Image taken August 1st 2008

"Kaweka Mist"

A clear night in the Kaweka Forest Park was made even more scenic, when a cool breeze carried in this fine moonlight mist. Photo details: Canon 350D, ISO 800, 25 second exposure with a Sigma 18-200mm lens @ f-3.5.

Image taken September 22nd 2007

"Face Off"

The New Zealand Maori Rugby team, challenges Japan with a traditional Haka prior to kick off at McLean Park, Napier. Photo details: Canon 350D, ISO 800, 1/250th second exposure with a Sigma 28-300mm DC lens @ f-6.3 + polarising filter.

Image taken June 28th 2008

"Stone Sanctuary"

In 1935, the first stones were laid for the 'Church Of The Good Shepard.' There was no shortage of building materials, as the church was constructed on the terminal moraine of Lake Tekapo's ancient glacier. Each stone was selected for size and shape so that no cutting was required. It was a jig-saw puzzle thousands of years in the making. Photo details: Canon 350D, ISO 200, 1/500th second exposure with a Sigma 20mm lens @ f-10.

 Image taken May 23rd 2008

"Spectacular African"

Just one of many African Cichlids housed at the National Aquarium of New Zealand, in Napier. This male mouth-brooder was easy to sex by its egg-spots on the anal fin. These are used during mating to make the female open her mouth (already containing the unfertilized eggs) so the male can fertilise them. Photo details: Canon 350D, ISO 400, 1/60th second exposure with a Canon EF 50mm lens @ f-4.

Image taken July 18th 2007

"Canterbury Skyline"

Cathedral Square, Christchurch, bathes under moonlight on a calm autumn evening. Photo details: Canon 350D, ISO 100, 1.6 second exposure with a Canon EF 15mm Fisheye lens @ f-5.

Image taken May 21st 2008

"Misty Mirror"

Frosty mist begins to lift from the surface of Lake Tekapo. Photo details: Canon 350D, ISO 400, 1/1250th second exposure with a Canon EF 15mm fisheye lens @ f-14.

 Image taken May 27th 2008

"Edge-On Galaxy"

You may be forgiven for thinking this is a shot of a near-by spiral galaxy, seen edge on. In some ways you would be correct. It is in fact a wide angle shot of our own galaxy, the 'Milky Way.' The constellations of Scorpius and Sagittarius lay towards galactic centre near lower left in this image. Some of the stars of the southern cross are at top right. Photo details: Canon 350D, 15 x 2 1/2 minute exposures with a Canon EF 15mm fisheye lens, ISO 800 @ f-3.2.

 Image taken May 30th 2008

"Two Giants"

At the heart of the Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, lies a relationship of giant proportions. The statue of Sir Edmund Hillary stands gazing up at his mountain, a tribute to the achievements of man with a huge heart & vision. Sadly, the man now rests, but the mountain continues to echo with his memory and the sound of roaring avalanches. Photo details: Canon 350D, ISO 400, 1/200th second exposure with a Sigma 28-300mm DC lens @ f-8 + polarising filter.

Image taken May 26th 2008

"Rusted Paradise"

I love the colour contrast of lush west-coast farmland with the rusted iron and red paint of these tattered sheds. Photo details: Canon 350D, ISO 800, 1/250th second exposure with a Sigma 28-300mm lens @ f-6.3.

Image taken May 22nd 2008

"Magic Mirror"

Lake Tekapo shines like a gem under clear winter skies, while the snow-capped peak of Mount Edward reflects in the blue-green waters of this magnificent glacier lake. Photo details: Canon 350D, 1/250th second exposure with a Sigma 28-300mm lens, ISO 400 @ f-10 + polarising filter.

 Image taken May 27th 2008

"An Imperfect World"

Science once held that the universe outside our world was a perfect one, with all objects out there being a glorious testament to the divine creator. That idea came crashing to earth in 1609, when Galileo Galilei pointed his home-made telescope at the moon and found it was a rugged, mountainous and cratered world. The illusion of perfection was shattered. Photo details: Canon 350D, ISO 400 @ prime focus through an 80mm Vixen refracting telescope, 1/320th second exposure.

 Image taken May 13th 2008

"Small Magellanic Cloud"

While similar in size to the Large Magellanic Cloud, the SMC appears smaller and fainter, due to its greater distance. It resides approximately 195,000 light years away in the constellation of Tucana. A reasonable sized telescope will reveal a myriad of wonders, including one of the best globular clusters in the whole sky. Known as 47 Tucana, this glob contains in the region of 100,000 stars and can easily be resolved. Photo details: Canon 350D, 10 minute exposure with a Sigma 70-200mm lens, ISO 400 @ f-2.8.

 Image taken October 19th 2006

"Man's Best Friend"

The association between humans and dogs goes back to a time when the first tribes moved onto the grassy plains of Africa. Brought together about the safety of camp fires and food, wild dogs became guards and eventually, companions. The very social 'pack' nature of dogs, allowed them to quickly adapt to a life of serving and benefiting from human fellowship. Buddy, pictured here, may be a far cry from a wild African dog, but with a face like this, who could resist his friendship? Photo details: Canon 350D, ISO 1600, 1/10th second exposure with a Sigma DG 20mm lens @ f-1.8.

Image taken April 24th 2008

"Family Fireworks"

Children and big kids alike, love the spontaneous fun of a family firework night. Photo details: Canon 350D, ISO 400, 1.6 second exposure with a Canon EF-S 18-55mm lens @ f-4.

Image taken November 4th 2006

"Living Fossil"

With it's origins dating back more than 220 million years to the time when the dinosaurs were emerging, this lizard-like creature has deep roots in our planet's history. The only surviving member of the sphenodontid group of reptiles, the Tuatara has remained virtually unchanged for vast periods of time - with good reason. The Tuatara is beautifully adapted for it cold blooded life in the temperate climate of New Zealand. It is an active hunter, but is in no big hurry, and takes all the time it needs... After all, when you live for between 60-100 years, there is no need to rush. Photo details: Canon 350D, ISO 1600, 1/100th second exposure with a Canon EF 50mm lens @ f-2.8.

Image taken March 22nd 2008

"In Your Face"

Paora Winitana, Hawke's Bay Hawks guard, gets up close and personal with Wellington Saints forward, Marquis Webb during round robin play in the New Zealand Basketball League. Photo details: Canon 350D, ISO 1600, 1/400th second exposure with a Canon EF 85mm lens @ f-3.2.

Image taken March 27th 2008

"Monet Sky"

The low evening sun paints the western sky with all the beauty of a watercolour. Photo details: Canon 350D, ISO 400, 1/200th second exposure with a Canon EF 15mm Fisheye lens @ f-7.1.

Image taken April 1st 2008

"Ebb & Flow"

The time of solar minimum is that of a star with a split personality. Magnetic sun-spots from the old, dying cycle can overlap with new cycle spots. The three groups in this image are all from old cycle number 23, and will possibly be some of the last we will see - NASA scientists predict the new cycle number 24 will begin to be felt before this year is out. Photo details: Canon 350D, ISO 400 @ prime focus through an 80mm Vixen refracting telescope fitted with a solar filter, 1/1250th second exposure.

Image taken March 29th 2008

"National Treasure"

This is a rare glimpse into the nocturnal world of the flightless North Island Brown Kiwi. These amazing and very unusual birds have become the symbol by which New Zealanders are commonly know, when travelling overseas. Like many native species, the kiwi are under heavy pressure by habitat loss and introduced pests. Their numbers have fallen to low levels in the wild, and now breeding programmes and safe off-shore islands are being used to ensure their survival. Photo details: Canon 350D, ISO 1600, 1/3rd second exposure with a Canon EF 50mm lens @ f-1.8.

Image taken March 22nd 2008

"Orion - King Of Nebulae #2"

M42, the Great Orion Nebula is a thing of breathtaking beauty. The object is so bright that the greatest challenge in photographing it, is not over exposing the delicate wisps of cloud that fill the central regions. This image was shot from Possum Observatory, Gisborne. Thanks must go to John Drummond & John Burt for their equipment and expertise. Photo details: Canon 350D, ISO 800 5 x 2 minute exposures at prime focus through a 16" telescope.

Image taken October 6th 2007

"Hunter On The Water"

Orion, the hunter, reflects nicely in the surface of Lake Tutira. This area was a traditional hunting site for local Maori, who depended on food provided by the vast bird-life that once resounded in the dawn chorus. Clearing of the forests for farmland almost silenced the birds, but now the trees are making a comeback, and so are the birds. Bring on the chorus! Photo details: Canon 350D, ISO 400, 12 1/2 minute exposure with a Canon EF 15mm Fisheye lens @ f-2.8.

Image taken February 8th 2008

"Electrical Storm"

February 9, 2007 was a hot Hawke's Bay day, and some active thunder storms soon formed. Only one of them lasted until after dark, but it gave me my first opportunity to shoot some lightning. Photo details: Canon 350D, 20 second exposure with a Sigma 18-125mm lens, ISO 100 @ f-8.

Image taken February 9th 2007

"Sailor's Moon"

A full moon rises above the sleepy inner harbour, Napier. Photo details: Canon 350D, ISO 800, 4.5 second exposure with a Sigma 18-200mm lens @ f-10.

Image taken November 25th 2007

"Pac-Man"

This partial solar eclipse was widely seen from New Zealand. Taken near the time of maximum coverage, the sun looks like an early computer game icon. Photo details: Canon 350D, ISO 400 @ prime focus through an 80mm Vixen refracting telescope fitted with a solar filter, 1/800th second exposure.

Image taken February 7th 2008

"Spring Glow"

Spring morning sunshine over Stonehenge Aotearoa. Photo details: Canon 350D, ISO 400, 1/400th second exposure with a Sigma 18-200mm lens @ f-11 + graduated filter.

 Image taken September 8th 2007

"Still Waters"

The crystal water of the Tuki Tuki River flows slowly in mid-summer's heat. Photo details: Canon 350D, ISO 400, 1/125th second exposure with a Sigma 18-200mm lens @ f-11 + polarising filter.

Image taken January 11th 2008

"Evasive Maneuvers"

It turns out I hadn't tightened the camera knuckle properly, resulting in the camera slowly tilting during the exposure, resulting in the weirdest star trail image I've ever seen. Photo details: Canon 350D, ISO 800, 68 second exposure with a Canon EF 15mm fisheye lens @ f-2.8.

Image taken January 13th 2008

"Milky Way Rising"

Stardate 2008 was one to remember, with 5 consecutive clear nights. In this image, the southern Milky Way rises above the lecture hall while solar lanterns light the walkway. Photo details: Canon 350D, ISO 1600, 44 second exposure with a Canon EF 15mm Fisheye lens @ f-2.8.

Image taken January 12th 2008

"Passage Of Time"

The heavens sweep through time behind the 6" F-18 refractor housed at the Phoenix Observatory near Carterton, New Zealand. This fine telescope once belonged to Peter Read, who for many years presented a popular and very educational astronomy TV show. The telescope is now owned by Carter observatory and is on long-term loan to the Phoenix Astronomical Society, where it has access to near pristine night skies. Beautiful to look at, and beautiful to look through. Photo details: Minolta camera, 1 hour exposure with a 20mm lens @ f-3.8, Fuji Provia 400F slide film.

Image taken March 12th 2005

"Light & Dark"

The brilliance of distant stellar fires, contrast strongly with a vast, dark cloud of gas and dust in the constellation, Crux. Photo details: Canon 350D, ISO 1600, 2 1/2 minute exposure with a Canon EF 135mm lens @ f-4.5.

Image taken December 31st 2007