Oamaru/Kakanui/Moeraki/Shag Point..........(& lots in between!)

January 23rd, 24th, 25th - 2009

I was very lucky to join Alice & Pat along with a Pam, Carl

& others from Nature Photography Club at Christchurch.

We stayed in Oamaru, but spent from dawn to dusk
photographing birds, boulders, flowers, skys etc.etc.

(& numerous coffees!!)

Shag Point.....a very very hot Saturday morning......











Still at Shag Point, (& suffering from heat exhaustion)
we stopped for coffee at this 'little slice of paradise'
......they were a very hospitable couple, and offered
their terrace area to eat our lunch....we accepted.





After refreshments, we 'mountain goated' a narrow
track down the cliff face to some more Boulders.....more

spectacular than the Moeraki variety I thought.

This half boulder clinging onto the cliff

The shape/designs were worth recording

This is taken from the top of the cliff looking down on the boulder

Some self timing photography.....

A quaint colourful crib at Shag Point



High & dry at Moeraki.




A pleasant walk into Trotters Gorge got us
out of the heat for a while

An evening walk to the boulders, the light & the
tide weren't that great but we did have a lot of fun......

scroll down....

Self timing shots.....many hysterical moments.....

Pam, Carl, Alice, Lorraine & Pat

This fellow was lounging amongst the rocks & waves at Oamaru

Waves crashing over the rocks - Oamaru Harbour

Moeraki Lighthouse

We were very privileged to observe the penguins
and there babies

"lets take a walk"

Tourists!!....who is that?

A shag colony near Kakanui.....

Parched paddocks south of Oamaru

Saturday morning produced a "absolutely amazing" sunrise....

unfortunately, we were not there to record it!!

However, we did make an effort on Sunday - certainly

not as good, but recorded it just the same.

After taking the sunrise, I turned around and

captured this one .....nice colours

This shot, taken just after sunrise, in the Oamaru Heritage area

The sunflowers weren't quite at their best,

and the wind proved to be rather pesty!!

.......thats when the Lensbaby come into play!

A paddock of Borag took our eye as we travelled from

Moeraki to Oamaru in the late evening.......

- we called there early the next morning.

The following images are taken with a Lensbaby & a dream filter

................thanks Alice & Pam

"The Month After Christmas!"

This caught my eye, and is worth a read....now I'm not suggesting it relates you???

T'was the month after Christmas,

And all through the house,

Nothing would fit me,

not even a blouse.

The cookies I'd nibbled,

the chocolate I'd taste

At the holiday parties

had gone to my waist!

When I got on the scales

there arose such a number!

Then I walked to the store

(less a walk than a lumber).

I'd remember the marvellous meals I'd prepared;

The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared.

The wine and the rum balls,

the bread and the cheese

and the way I'd never said,

"No thank you..., please..."

As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt

and prepared once again to do battle with dirt...

I said to myself, as I only can,

"You can't spend a winter,

disguised as a man!"

So, away with the last of the sour cream dip,

get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip.

Every last bit of food

that I like must be banished

till all the additional ounces have vanished.

I won't have a cookie, not even a lick.

I'll want only to chew on a long celery stick.

I won't have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie.

I'll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.

I'm hungry, I'm lonesome,

and life is a bore...

But isn't that what January is for?

Unable to giggle, no longer a riot,

Happy New Year to all,

and to all.........

a good diet.

Out & About - Wanaka/Arrowtown

These wild flowers took my eye on the shore of Lake Wanaka.











Modern sculpture in Arrowtown






















This jolly fellow was painted on window





















Arrowtown, we walked up to the
lookout for panaoramic views, the
weather however was a little disappointing









The following four images were taken between Arrowtown & Queenstown




























































Like all good tourists, a visit to a winery (or two!)
















The following few images were taken as we walked the Tobin Track.......

Wow!! that sky






















The weather lent
to outdoor dining......

Plantings in the village were

very colourful

Queenstown was loaded with visitors - we didn't stay long.

However, this church (or was it the lavender) took my eye.

Arrowtown -

These churches & buildings were built in 1873 or there abouts

This quaint cottage was in the church grounds, originally used as a school ......