Travel Explore Shoot

29/05/2018

I've long been a fan of bees.

'Cept of course when they bite back, but on the whole I think they job they do for nature, and the flavour their honey puts in my mouth is just wonderful.

This shot is nothing but a common old working bee... uhhh... working... but he was really getting jiggy with that wild lavender! I was almost embarrassed to watch!

That one poor plant got pounded over and over again for it's natural nectar, and once done, polination was definitely completed.

Shot with Canon 24-105mm f:4, 1/250sec at f:4.

See the glorious full size file (the details are immense for only at 24mp camera) as it was meant to be seen over at:

A single bee getting busy with some lavender. Purchase a print, cards, or a full size digital file of this image

29/05/2018

A recent trip to Mexico saw us in the Quintana Roo province and exploring from top to bottom.

We spent some time in Coba, looking at ruins, talking to locals and walking the eerily quiet lakes that surround the little town. (Once the tourists go home the place really cleans out! - Top tip!!!)

One such night I was spellbound at this point on the lake at sunset, standing next to a sign that read "beware el cocodrilo"

Now, I surely wasn't going to go for a swim there, but we did walk to the end of a small wharf and look into the murky depths. In was sure I was going to find a giant man eater just waiting on the bottom, under the wharf.

One thing I couldn't help but wonder, is why all the birds that were sitting in the water were't dinner for "el cocodrilo".

This one smart little bird was perched on a stick, so probably figured in his bird mind that he was a little safer than the rest...

An hour later, still no "el cocodrilo" and I was a little disappointed, but I did manage to get this little chap sitting on a stick, probably also waiting for "el cocodrilo"... He was lucky, I was a little disappointed to be honest....

Shot with Nikon P7700 (Great little travel camera only replaced by the Canon G7X BTW), 1/40 sec at f:5.6.

See the glorious full size (wide horizontal) file as it was meant to be seen over at https://travelexploreshoot.smugmug.com/Animals/i-gbJjB5C

27/05/2018

I love old buildings, and in particular - old churches. A true reflection of the best of design for their generation, penned by often cutting edge architects of their generation.

Not this one though.... This is one of the typical small town churches that are scattered around New Zealand, in every tiny little village.

They were usually built by the flock, using typical New Zealand building materials. In this case I would imagine heart Kauri (a native timber that is almost extinct nowadays).

The size reflects the flock, and this one is no different. Situated on a very remote Western headland South of Auckland. It's hard to imagine a lot of people living here a hundred years ago, but thats the age of this little nugget, so the living would have been hard with little infrastructure, other than farming and friends. A very small town indeed!

It survives thanks to dedicated owners who take the time to restore the building, and now it has turned into a home for one lucky owner, It's days of worship now behind it, and a new life ahead of it...

Shot with Canon G7X (only because thats all I had with me at the time I spotted this unexpected gem!)

See the glorious full size (wide horizontal) file as it was meant to be seen over at https://travelexploreshoot.smugmug.com/New-Zealand/i-N59dzGR

27/05/2018

New Zealand really does have some hidden gems for tourists to explore.

The sister in law showed us this little hidden piece of paradise, on some very remote farmland just outside of Greytown, North of Wellington.

It's a fairly long walk in, and then a solid few hours walking through the long winding chasm, but well worth every minute of the experience. I'd do this again in a heartbeat!

We did it in Summer, and the air was a cool refreshing change from the searing heat, but I could imagine the water would be icy in Winter... and you do get to experience all of it, up to your waist... awesome!

Shot with Canon 5D, and 16-35mm f:4, at 1/60 sec at f:5.6

See the glorious full size (wide horizontal) file as it was meant to be seen over at https://travelexploreshoot.smugmug.com/New-Zealand/i-hMjVPTX

26/05/2018

New Zealand is full of old farm buildings, and some of my favourites are old woolsheds... There's just something about them.....

I stumbled across this one just North of Wellington New Zealand, around Greytown in fact. It's a long way off the sealed road and I wouldn't have even found it if I wasn't looking for something else....!

I think this sums up New Zealand rural life well.... Old farm buildings, sitting almost in the middle of nowhere, just lying in wait for the next shearing season... Often unmaintained, but always just "ready" for work.

I was just struck by the size of this and the rolling hills around it close to dusk, just before a big rain shower...

Shot with Canon 5D, and 24-105mm f:4, at 1/320 sec at f:5

See the full size file, and maybe buy a print over at... https://travelexploreshoot.smugmug.com/New-Zealand/i-Z8Zn2PJ

24/05/2018

There are day where I dream about something as simple as this...

Just being able to take my little boat out for a spin around the sun drenched islands with abandoned beaches....

Grab a beer and relax on the rocks, just watching the nothingness for a few hours... totally undisturbed...

Thats how I felt when I shot this image on an undisclosed island in the middle of the Pacific, although I wasn't completely on my own... I did feel like I could be though!

Warm sun, warm water, warm sand, and pure blue sky... perfection.

Shot with Canon 5D, and 24-105mm f:4, at 1/250 sec at f:6.3

See the full size file, and maybe buy a print over at...
https://travelexploreshoot.smugmug.com/The-natural-world/i-WMxFHBx

23/05/2018

Long renowned as a surfers beach, some of the smaller bays around Piha on the West coast of New Zealand are the perfect place for one to sit and enjoy nature.

A short 15 minute walk around the headland takes you to this small bay, where on a stormy day you need to be careful you don't get washed away with the breaking waves!

In the far distance you might spot someone alone with their thoughts on the headland, a perfect view to reflect in the wilderness that is the rugged coastlinme

See the full size file, or buy a print here... https://travelexploreshoot.smugmug.com/New-Zealand/i-sV9LmKC

23/05/2018

There are times when I travel I actually miss the raw nature of New Zealand.

Those wild, beautiful hard to find areas that delight in everything Kiwiana: Flax, Ferns, Toi Toi, blue skies, clean blue water - you know - those things we see and take for granted every day, until we travel, and stop seeing them any more...

I was out walking with my wife some time ago, and came across this scene and just knew I would have to have this close to me when I travel next.

It's just a little reminder of what we have left behind when we leave NZ, and I know as soon as I see it I feel "Kiwi" again and can't wait to get back....

See the full size file as it was meant to be seen over at: https://travelexploreshoot.smugmug.com/New-Zealand/i-hCQ5pzP

21/05/2018

A local saying says "West is best", and there are times I might actually agree with this, like at sunset on a West coast beach.

Muriwai Beach is one of my favourite places to be at sunset.

If it's not the native birds nesting on the rocks, then the countless miles of rugged coastline will keep you as long as possible, before heading back to reality and a busy life.

This evening was the middle of Winter last year, and blowing a howling gale. It was however, worth the effort...

Buy a print, or just see the full size file as it was meant to be seen over at: https://travelexploreshoot.smugmug.com/New-Zealand/i-SswRxrw

21/05/2018

The very last few seconds of the sunshine as she slowly slips beneath the horizon, gone until tomorrow...

As is often the case, I was driving back into the city as I just watched the sun create some amazing light on the buildings facing West.

It only took me a few short minutes to drop the car somewhere safe, grab a camera and run into position, and the result is now one of my favourite images from Auckland.

See the full size file in all it's glory, and maybe consider buying a print to support me...
https://travelexploreshoot.smugmug.com/New-Zealand/i-L3nbJxL

20/05/2018

We’re on the road to nowhere….

Just when you think all is lost, there is always something around the next corner… In this case a farm truck with a couple of ewe’s on it, speeding down a rural New Zealand backroad at dusk!

While out walking with my camera one evening at the inlaws Bay of Plenty farm, the sky turned an awesome shade of orange, and the road first went a dark shade of grey, then turned slightly purple in the bluey / orange reflection of the sky.

Summer skies are among the best around… and New Zealand ones are automatically better than anywhere else in the world (‘cept maybe the northern lights…)

Shot with Canon 70D and 16-35mm f:4mm, at 1/80sec at f:5.6 at 30mm.

See the glorious full size (wide horizontal) file, or buy a print over at https://travelexploreshoot.smugmug.com/New-Zealand/i-Mn7Wkbz