Wellington

The capital city of this small country is one of my favourite places, and I visit as often as I can.
I'd live there if I could. The city is small and intimate, virtually everything interesting is within walking distance, the traffic's not (really) horrendous, and it's a very vibrant, art-filled and interesting place, with an excellent university.


I was there a few weeks ago. As usual, I paid a visit to Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand. It's a stunning building, full of interesting spaces and excellent exhibitions.

In the entrance foyer, there's a huge escapee from the Lord of the Rings movies - Wellington is also the home of Weta Workshops, responsible for special effects for Avatar, Mad Max Fury Road and so many other films - see here.

This enormous artwork greets you at the entrance to the hall of Maori history:

I could spend all day on the top floors, which are given over to art:

 

My other must-visit is to Zealandia, a 225 ha (556 acres) wildlife reserve 10 minutes drive from the centre of the city. The highlight of this visit was meeting a pair of takahe (Notornis) which live there. Takahe were thought to be extinct until being rediscovered in a remote valley in 1948. In 1981 there were known to be only 112 birds; today there are 225. 

Puffin and T2 are now too old to breed, and live happily at Zealandia. In captivity the birds have been known to live over 20 years. Adults can weigh over 3 kg (7lb), and stand 50cm (20 inches) tall.

They are very tame - T2, the male, came right up to me as I sat on a bench.

Some favourite photos from 2013

For Thematic Photographic #275: some times when I was glad I had my camera.

Some kids and their Dad build a new residence on the Petone foreshore, 

Wellington harbour. With seagulls.

The Taranaki coast, one of my favourite bits of the world:

It's one of the best surfing areas in the country -

But it doesn't pay to take it lightly. 18 months ago, two 17-year-old students 

and their Outdoor Education instructor lost their lives when they were swept off the cliffs:

Another beach: Seacliff, in Adelaide, Australia, in the late afternoon light -

For other participants' favourite shots from the year just ended, go to Written.Inc

A Stranger...

Some stranger photos for Carmi's Thematic Photographic 261 

(hastily, in the middle of marking exams...)

It's me (It is I) who is the stranger in their midst, now I come to think of it :)

 

Carpet salesman, Bursa, Turkey

A family fishing while waiting for the Inter-Island ferry, Wellington

 

More fishing - Tauranga harbour

Children on the lakeshore, Wanaka

Lake Wanaka, with ducks and pier

Sunday Snapshot

Early one winter's morning, Wellington Harbour.

A Rainy Monday

Here are some spring pictures for my northern-hemisphere friends. We won't see tulips here until October :(

Botanical Gardens,Wellington, New Zealand.

Have a sunny day where you are!

3 things that make me happy on another Monday

Our new school year has only just officially begun, but already I can feel my shoulders tensing up, and my "to-do" list is of epic proportions. Plus, there are family issues... how old do my kids have to be before I no longer have to worry about them?

So - I'm taking some time out from working and worrying to visit 3 things which have the capacity to cheer me up. Instantly.

#1: Spring flowers

Massed tulips in the Wellington Botanical gardens

#2: Painted skies

Sunset from my window

#3: Water

Well, you know there'd have to be a water pic in there somewhere!

A peaceful, tranquil morning. Not today!

 "Only by learning to live in harmony with your contradictions 

can you keep it all afloat"                                   ~Andre Lord

What are your cures for Monday-itis?

Thematic Photographic 131: Blue

Yay! This week's theme is blue, my favourite colour - except when it's green. Or purple, or yellow....

So many pictures to choose from. I promise that they're not all sea ones ;)

I posted a sepia version of this photo last year, but here's the original version, which I like much better. This is in the Uyuni salt desert in Bolivia. Isn't that the bluest sky you've ever seen?

The decorative 'flower' pods on a Nikau palm, against a beautiful blue sky.

I love tennis. When I went to Melbourne last year it was great to visit the Rod Laver Arena where the Australian open is being held as we speak! This is the Margaret Court court :)

A waterfront scene in our capital city, Wellington

This chap struck me as having a rather wistful air, in spite of his hat almost matching the bin he's leaning on. What was he gazing at? This:

Thematic Photographic happens every week here. Check it out!