Weather
Tropical Heat
Little did I realise that I would be living in the tropics when I shifted to Matamata. The last week haas seen 90% humidity and temperatures in the high 20’s with the heat index (what it actually feels like) around 35C. This has meant a number of things for us;
However, there are a few upsides;
So, the second list actually outweighs the first!
The image below is of my first flowering frangipani - I am very happy!
- We need air conditioning
- It is impossible to sleep at night
- There are tropical insects everywhere
- The flys are VERY annoying
However, there are a few upsides;
- The garden is flourishing
- I can grow Frangipani
- I can grow Hibiscus
- I can grow Gardenia
So, the second list actually outweighs the first!
The image below is of my first flowering frangipani - I am very happy!
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A Reflected Light
06/10/08 12:47 Filed in: Photography | New Zealand
St David’s Presbyterian Church
Luggate
New Zealand
This little church is at the end of our street and I have often wanted to photograph it but never found the right time. Last Thursday we had the most amazing sunset and I could see the time was right.
I was amazed at the way the light actually reflected onto the boards of the church - almost like the an inner light was emanating from the building itself.
Land for the church was donated in 1931 and the building was trucked from its original site in Hindon to Luggate.
Services are held on a regular basis.
Luggate
New Zealand
This little church is at the end of our street and I have often wanted to photograph it but never found the right time. Last Thursday we had the most amazing sunset and I could see the time was right.
I was amazed at the way the light actually reflected onto the boards of the church - almost like the an inner light was emanating from the building itself.
Land for the church was donated in 1931 and the building was trucked from its original site in Hindon to Luggate.
Services are held on a regular basis.
Green Middle-earth Aotearoa
23/09/08 14:30 Filed in: Photography | New Zealand
Had a great trip to Gore last weekend to talk at the “Books and Bubbles Event” at Paper Plus Gore. A good number of attentive listeners made it a pleasure to talk. The bubbly Kerre Woodham who acted as MC and also gave a wonderful speech certainly made the evening go fast.
The Paper Plus store in Gore (no rhyme intended) is the largest in the country and certainly has a great spread of books (if you are passing).
On the drive back home on Saturday it was really brought home to me how verdant this country is in Spring. Some places stay this colour longer than others - here at Raes Junction green will soon become brown but not before this tree sends out its tendrils.
The Paper Plus store in Gore (no rhyme intended) is the largest in the country and certainly has a great spread of books (if you are passing).
On the drive back home on Saturday it was really brought home to me how verdant this country is in Spring. Some places stay this colour longer than others - here at Raes Junction green will soon become brown but not before this tree sends out its tendrils.
Three reasons I know Spring is on the Way
At this time of the year there is a distinct nature gear-change as the cold winter weather is overtaken by the Spring Equinox. There are three things in Wanaka that tell me it is Spring.
1. The mad-dog nor-wester begins to blow and the rain comes but the south-wester that follows just doesn’t seem to have the polar bite with it. The mountains take on a tinge of green as the spring rain irrigates the tussock for a brief time before the heat of summer arrives.
2. The pale slivers of trees that have stood ghost-like for the last 4 months start to show tendrils of green.
3. The Winter-Rose stands defiantly against any frosts and demands attention from its simple colours of green and white.
1. The mad-dog nor-wester begins to blow and the rain comes but the south-wester that follows just doesn’t seem to have the polar bite with it. The mountains take on a tinge of green as the spring rain irrigates the tussock for a brief time before the heat of summer arrives.
2. The pale slivers of trees that have stood ghost-like for the last 4 months start to show tendrils of green.
3. The Winter-Rose stands defiantly against any frosts and demands attention from its simple colours of green and white.
The First Day of Spring
01/09/08 12:05 Filed in: New Zealand | Photography
The first day of spring has arrived in the Southern Hemisphere. Typical spring weather in Wanaka is north-west winds as the sun moves down to our part of the world. As if on cue this morning I awoke to that “typical” weather.
These two images were taken this morning as cloud formed from an approaching front. As the front edges closer the orographic effect of the Southern Alps means the West Coast receives considerable rain and we receive wind. Edging closer the rain then starts to fall but in that window of fine the most wonderful clouds can appear.
The lenticular billow cloud is a common site in Central Otago. A glider pilots delight - we know rain is on its way.
These two images were taken this morning as cloud formed from an approaching front. As the front edges closer the orographic effect of the Southern Alps means the West Coast receives considerable rain and we receive wind. Edging closer the rain then starts to fall but in that window of fine the most wonderful clouds can appear.
The lenticular billow cloud is a common site in Central Otago. A glider pilots delight - we know rain is on its way.