New Zealand - Punakaiki: Pancake Rocks

The Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki really are a spectacular sight.  The layers were caused by dead marine creatures settling on the seabed 2km (1.25mi) below the ocean surface, along with with mud and clay.  The weight of the water gradually compressed the sediment into hard lime-rich layers and softer mud layers.  

This layering and compressing continued, and the formations were eventually raised above sea level by earthquake activity over a great period of time.  Once exposed, wind, rain and waves eroded the soft layers, leaving the aptly-named pancake stacks.

This shot was taken at the other end of the bay from the Pancake Rocks trail.  The sun peeked through clouds and lit up the cliff face, giving a better idea of the size of the formations.

For more in the New Zealand series, click HERE

New Zealand Weka

Our second day in the South Island saw us heading from St. Arnaud to Westport, hoping to get photos of seals at Cape Foulwind.  Unfortunately it was raining and blowing a gale (go figure) but I was treated with a weka which allowed me to get quite close.  These birds are around 55cm (22in) in length and are one of the many flightless birds native to New Zealand.

For more in the New Zealand series, click HERE

New Zealand Pukeko

It's fairly well-known that New Zealand has some unique and, well, downright odd-looking birds.  Not least of which is the pukeko.  Standing at around 50cm (19in) high, they can be spotted in paddocks and along the roadside pretty much throughout the country.

This guy below was in a less-travelled area and was not all that keen on my interrupting his breakfast.  The white feathers you can see under his tail are flashed to other pukeko as a warning of danger.

For more in the New Zealand series, click HERE

New Zealand Fur Seals

Apparently it's International Day of the Seal today in the USA.  So in honour of that, here are some photos of the New Zealand Fur Seal.  Enjoy!

This little guy above was a little nervous about how close I was getting.  But not to worry - mum (below) has an eye on things.  Taken north of Kaiapoi, on the east coast of the South Island.

A likely bunch!  After having sunned themselves silly, these nine seals decided to pass out in the shade.  Taken in spectacular Milford Sound, west coast of the South Island.

For more in the New Zealand series, click HERE

New Zealand - Huka Falls, Taupo

Lake Taupo is the largest lake in New Zealand, located in the middle of the North Island.  The outflow of Lake Taupo is the beautiful Waikato River, which flows north and powers much of the North Island with nine hydro-electric power stations along it course.  Starting before Lake Taupo, the Waikato flows through it and continues for another 425km (264mi) to the Tasman Sea, south of Auckland at Port Waikato.

After exiting Lake Taupo, the Waikato River narrows from around 100m (328ft) to only 15m (49ft) wide, forming the Huka Falls.  Running for 8m (26ft) and ending in an 11m (36ft) drop, it is not a particularly tall waterfall, however the appeal it has is the sheer volume of water that forces its way through this small channel.   At 220,000 litres (7,769cu ft) per second, the water is irrepressible and continually wears at the hard granite rock, undercutting the canyon below the waterline.

This first shot is taken from a footbridge which spans the channel about halfway along the Falls, allowing visitors to view them from both sides.  The concrete and steel bridge vibrates continually, giving you an idea of the power of the water as it pounds against the canyon's granite sides.

Notice the colour of the water after the first little drop.  The brilliant turquoise is clearly seen for the length of the Falls, ending in a spectacularly vibrant display in the turbulent pool at their base.

The photo below shows the final 11m drop, which is formed by a 6m (19ft) cliff in the granite bed.  The full height of the waterfall is due to the volume of water, which roughly doubles the height.

For the first article in the New Zealand series, click HERE

New Zealand - There's No Place Like Home

Two a.m. this morning saw me straggling in after a fabulous trip home to New Zealand with my wonderful husband.  We spent three weeks in paradise: 10 days on a whirlwind tour of the South Island and the remainder with family in my hometown region of Hawke's Bay.

We had a blast and it was well worth the plane-swollen ankles and jet lag.  Waking this morning, however, it seemed like a dream and I wondered if it had really happened.  Not to worry - I have the photos to prove it!

I'm going to run a series of posts documenting our trip to Godzone and to kick things off, here's a sneak peek of what's to come:

Photo Shoot - Cumming GA Newborn Photographer

Here she is at last!  Our little angel from the sneak peek (click HERE).  She was wide awake and oh-so-curious when we started the session, but by the end she was tuckered out.  And sleeping, well, like a baby!