Changing Skies

As I have blogged about previously, I visit the same patch of grass many times each week, and have done for over 6 years since getting my dogs. Try as I may, and I often do, I cannot always see something different in such familiar surroundings, even when using my photographer's eye.
Tonight, after reasonably late work departure, I taxied the boys to the reserve for a quick run as the sun was on its way out for the day. I had my camera in the car, so tried to find that 'something different'.
These pics were taken within a ten minute time frame. They have had very little post processing. While they may not be the most technically brilliant shots, they do show the different moods in the sky, dependent on where I was standing and focussing, in relation to the sun.
Enjoy!

Caught

Caught this dude fishing today... but only just.

The tide was almost in and the water was mill-pond-like. This dude would disappear under the water and re-emerge quite some way away in his quest to find breakfast. After watching him on and off as we tracked a similar path (me on terra firma obviously) I heard a flurry in the still morning air and was just in time to catch him with his catch.

It's days like this I wish I had a bigger zoom. Sadly these are already heavily cropped.

It was an awesome morning to be out to catch photos though. Doing the 100 Days Project is not only making me take my camera with me all the time, but really is making me look out for extraordinary things in my everyday environment. There are special things everywhere people!

How to Warm Up from a Chilly Start

This morning I thought I was mad... up and out the door in the semi darkness at 6:45am on a Saturday for an early morning training session on one of the coldest mornings of the year. 

As I left Leanne's cold-as-?@#$ garage-come-gym (granted, I was well warm by then) I commented on the lovely light that the freezing morning had given rise to, and what a shame it was that I didn't have my camera in the car.

On my drive home, as a reward for my good work, I planned the leisurely morning I felt I deserved, which revolved mostly around hot shower, hot coffee and comfy couch sitting. However when I drove past the local ponds, the frost and mist lured my photographer's eye and I found myself quickly calling in to home to grab my camera, and out to stalk my neighbourhood birdlife once again.

Lurking around the ponds, I patiently waited for birds to swim into the light etc, wishing I had a longer lens... but hey, you make do with what you can afford. As I was leaving, a series of swans and other birds were performing their morning ablutions where the larger pond spilled into the smaller on, creating a lovely reflection of their actions.  I love the 'contortionistic' shapes the swans made as they preened themselves. Far too many of that scene on the memory card, and hard to edit down to favourites.

Well over an hour later I made my way home for that coffee and shower. Despite my sodden feet and the fact I had had the flimsiest of coats on, I didn't feel the cold at all while I was out there. Funny the things that warm you up.

Auckland Photo Day 2013

What wonderful weather we had in this pretty city yesterday for Auckland Photo Day!

I visited several destinations, mainly keeping it local (South Auckland).

I entered 3 of these... I wonder if you can guess which ones? I am second guessing myself on my selection now, but what's done is done; I can still enjoy them all!

Sunrise, from Wattle Downs

Kauri Point Reserve, Wattle Downs

Botanic Gardens

Netball Courts, Bruce Pulman Park

Artificial ponds, Wattle Downs

Cornwall Park

Nathan Homestead

Eden Park

Eden Park

I thought they were blue?

Early morning appointment this morning, finished by 8 so I thought I would see if there was anything within the local Wattle Downs community worth photographing before I returned home. Whilst it is a pretty little peninsula surrounded by water - as the name peninsula suggests - there really is not a lot of attractive scenery to tempt a photographer.

My little adventure coincided with an early winter frost. Onlookers may have considered me mad as I wandered along what Wattle Downs residents consider a beach... I was disappointed that my general summation of the area in photographic terms was pretty accurate despite the tide being completely in, though a few water birds did catch my eye.

A spied what I believe was an oyster catcher, though my photos lacked the sharpness and proximity to be sure. It flew off as I approached. I was also unlucky with the fast moving and cheeky kingfishers who ceased their dipping and diving as I approached their fishing spot. I stood for quite some time amidst the frosty flora, waiting for them to leave their perches, but alas, they were too smart for me.

I did manage to steal a few photos of a heron. Now I thought it was a blue heron, but when I came home and did my research, turns out it's a white-faced heron.

True, it does have a white face. And general observation shows it really is grey not blue. Except when you photograph it in the silky morning blue-tinged water. I have posted the same photo twice here, one with the water painted in black and white so you really can see that I was right - it is BLUE.  In the first photo anyway. (No post processing on the blue either!)

It was worth a try

Early weekend starts to travel to dog shows recently have allowed me to observe the morning glory of the man-made ponds in Wattle Downs... mist rising... swans gliding... but traveling on a schedule puts paid to stopping for photo opportunities.
However waking ridiculously early has become annoyingly habitual in the one year when I don't HAVE to get up early to go to work. So this morning I decided rather than linger over my morning coffee, that I would get out and take some photos in this spot. Sadly I did not get one shot I was happy with. The mist was sadly lacking this morning, the birdlife decided not to swim into the light for me, and a green slime has invaded the water disrupting any chance of capturing any sort of reflective shots in the still water.
But seeing as I made the effort I thought I had better post a photo anyway... Better luck next time!

The party life's not for everyone...

Well I went to an unusual birthday party today, for Caeser the Border Collie. I did not really know any of the people there, but the boys do rub noses and sniff bums with some of the canine guests from time to time when we're out walking on the Peninsula. It was on a walk meeting that Caeser's owner invited me to this do a few weeks back.
Someone counted 19 dogs, ranging from Chico the chihuahua to Bear the German Shepherd. There were schnauzers, a miniature poodle, cairn terrier,  chocolate lab, golden retriever, bichon, dachshund and many more.
There was absolutely no unpleasantness between the dogs at all. Some enjoyed the canine interactions more than others.  Hugo and Reilly were pleasant to the doggie guests for a while, but their preference was definitely for the human touch, as they moved around the people batting their eyelids and getting continually petted.
Unfortunately, Mr Stirling was a bit overwhelmed. The party life is not for him. He spent most of the time under a chair, on a chair or on someone's lap... Chico the chihuahua was quite persistent in wanting to get to know him, but he was not willing to reciprocate. When Bear the German Shepherd was even in close proximity, Stirling got his big boy bark on. From under the chair. But he did come out to eat cake. At least he enjoyed that part of the celebrations!

365 Week 5

This week's theme was Water.

As my photographic week began in Whangarei, I have a couple of images from there. But I am also lucky to be living by the water here in Wattle Downs, and 3 different waterways are featured: The man made ponds, which are frequently home to miniature motorized and sail boats, the Wildlife reserve opposite these ponds, which is home to many ducks, geese and swans, and the Pahuruhure Inlet, which I walk beside several times a week with my boys. Like this morning, when I took the final photo in this sequence.

The full sized (iPhone) images can be viewed via this link.

PS one thing missing on Camera+ App - a straighten tool!

Any Suggestions?

Posting another dude from the ponds on Sunday. This fella was busy sunning himself in the early morning rays. I think there's something almost comical also (I refer to yesterday's post) about the pic above. Anyone have a suggestion for a caption/thought bubble? Something along the lines of ... "Now which pocket did I put it in?" or....

The other two photos I include just because I like the sequence.

Wait for meeeeeeee!

As I was 'swanning around' yesterday, the funniest sight caught my eye from across the pond. Someone had obviously arrived with a bag full of bread, which quickly had all the birds on the block making a beeline to the car park. It really did look hilarious, and this quick shot does not really capture the humour of the moment... or maybe it does? You tell me.

Sharpen Up

I am by nature a bit of a hoarder. This is not a good thing. I wish I had the ruthlessness of some - it would sure make keeping my drawers, cupboards and wardrobe tidier. When I do have a big hiff out, it's not as though I ever miss the stuff.
Not that I have had a purge today - no, my post is more about my attempts to curb this habit, which has infiltrated my digital storage! I thought I'd start with photos.
My photos take up a lot of file space on my machine, particularly as I shoot in RAW. Whilst I rarely download all that I take, I always end up with more on my machine than I need or like.
I have not been retrospective today, and definitely need to spend a good whack of time going through photos from the past 2 years and having a cull.
BUT so things don't get worse, I have made some new rules for myself today:

• Download only as many photos as you have time to 'fiddle' with in that session
• Shunt any that you really don't like to trash IMMEDIATELY

and the most important - and seemingly obvious -

• Don't keep anything that is not in focus.  Must. Be. Sharp.

Now you might say that today's pic is a little blurred in places, and you would be right.  However I quite like the movement shown by the less-than-sharp wings and feet. BUT the head and neck are uber sharp, so I have not broken my newly established, self imposed rule...

Taken back at the Wattle Downs ponds this morning when I found myself up nice and early, so went off 'swanning around' again...

Where's Home?

It's hard to answer this question for me.
I live in Auckland. I am 'home' as I type. My things are here, my dogs only know this place as home. When I head for this place, I say I am going home.
But I also say I am going home when I am headed here, to Mum and Dad's. Who knows for how much longer; it's an extensive  property and not matter how fit my parents are, it won't be a home destination forever. Just thinking about that makes me sad.
And then there's this place in the photos. Other than my family home above, it's really the only house that's felt like home to me. Whilst I don't think I will ever live in it again, it's hard to let go of. Hence, I still own it. And the city it's in feels so much like home that I take it personally when a bloody great ship grounds itself out from the coast, potentially sullying my 'home'.

Putting the Wattle in Wattle Downs

Look out hay fever sufferers...

Slightly blurry photo courtesy of my little iPhone

Old place, new eyes...

As regular blog visitors will know, 'the boys' and I frequent Kauri Point Reserve on average about 5x a week. Multiply that by over four years of going there and you get a fair degree of familiarity with the environment.
Recently however, I discovered that there was a hidden path down from the Reserve to a part of the 'beach' I had previously never gotten to - though I suspect it is one of the paths Hugo takes when he disappears for a while. Tonight I ventured down with the camera to see what I could see.
This is taken as the last rays of sun glanced upon the Pahurehure Inlet at full tide, looking out to the Manukau Harbour.

As an aside, in our break from the habitual, poor little Reilly Boy did not know where I had gone and was frantically looking around the reserve for me when I emerged!

Gidday (Cobber?)

There was a large 'installation' to greet us when we arrived at Kauri Point Reserve this afternoon. Wattle Downs is beneath the flight path to Auckland International Airport so I can only guess that someone is being warmly welcomed.
Upon close inspection I deduced that the visitors are coming from across the Tasman, as each of the letters are adorned with green kangaroos and yellow lettering representing each of the Australian states.
Someone had gone to a lot of trouble, as the grass surrounding the message had been mown and and effort had been made to cordon the area off.
Another dog walker commented to me that he wondered how long they would last, citing vandals as a possible problem. Not to mention inquisitive little dogs looking for a place to pee.

Just Me and My Shadow

The late afternoon autumn sun was throwing long shadows on my walk back home with 3 dogs on extendable leads. Suffice to say trying to capture all four shadows on my iPhone as was my intent, proved nigh on impossible... So it's just me :)

Nice Day for Ducks

Not much good for anyone else today!

Ducks are commonplace in the enclave that is Wattle Downs. Attracted no doubt by several artificial 'wetlands' such as this. I understand that they are protected here too. It's all very good when they stay where they are meant to be, here in their manmade oasis, but when they venture to the end of the peninsula where our school is located, they become Public Enemy Number One.
The first mother ducks, and often there are two or three, usually arrive shortly before the September holiday break. All very cute with their downy little ducklings trailing behind them throughout the school grounds. Until they start terrorising the children that is. Not content with the scraps of food that are inadvertently (yes, and deliberately) left on the ground for them, they literally steal lovingly packed lunches from the hands of five-year-olds,  and even venture into unattended school bags for a snack. They get so bold as to enter classrooms on occasion, leaving their calling cards wherever the 'need' demands.
Gradually the number of ducklings dwindles off - not quite sure what the attrition rate can be accredited to, but we did find one in the toilet once, and another with quite a tangle around its leg. One did run into my foot once when I was on duty (actually that was a mother not a duckling...) Seems that the school grounds are not safe for the students OR the ducklings.
Our Principal tried several avenues for having them removed a couple of years back, to no avail. These days we find that they have actually moved on after the summer break - food supply dried up and ducklings flown the coop so to speak.

Mother ducks, know your place. It's so much better for all in the long run. And your place - see above - is lovely for you on a day like today. Not me though. I knew my place - on the couch watching tennis.