Pukekura Park

After chasing a reflection at Lake Mangamahoe and driving through Te Henui cemetery, the clouds were rolling in but it was still too nice a day to be inside.  Pukekura Park is just around the corner from where my daughter is living at the moment, so I headed there, to the little cafe in the park, for my lunch.

A stroll around the grounds is always a delight.  The colours of spring were everywhere and, to add to my pleasure somehow or other a group of four high school boys came to be walking along with me.  They came up behind me on a pathway and when I moved aside to let them go by, one said they weren't in any hurry and they slowed their pace to walk alongside me, and for a few magical minutes we chatted so easily and happily, I was left feeling elated.  If the youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow, our future is in safe hands.

FSO - My town at night

It's no good sitting here bewailing my lack of night shots.  If I'd taken more, I'd have more.  Of course, that would involve being out after dark and that doesn't happen all that often.  Normally if I step outside at night all I see is darkness.  Fabulous night skies, of course, with no light pollution but I wouldn't dream of trying to capture that magnificence.  

We did, however, have a huge bonfire for New Year.

When I was in Taranaki for Christmas, my daughter took me and my grand-daughters out to see the Pukekura Park Festival of Lights.

Two hearts beating as one.

I don't know how this one happened.  (Exposure 2s, F3.4, ISO 640)

I was in Auckland and out and about one evening in early December.  Folk were heading out for the night, or maybe they were on their way back home as I was. 

I was almost happy with this shot, just couldn't stay in that squatting position long enough to line it up properly. 

Next time I'm in town at night, I will try again.  I'd like to have a go at traffic trails.  I'm sure one of the team will have some fine examples for us.  They will be here, pop over and have a look!

FSO - Water in Motion

Water tumbling over rocks was what I asked to be shown when I visited Taranaki earlier this week. I knew my daughter wouldn't have to take me far to find it - Mt Taranaki is the source of over 50 rivers and streams. It was just a matter of crossing a bridge and stopping to take a photo.

Little did I know that one of the bigger streams to flow down out of the mountain is on my daughter's neighbour's property and the lovely friendly family allow her free access. Here we could walk right down to the water's edge.
 

I admit I handed the camera to Justine and asked her to step out on to the rocks to take this one.  Just as well as the rock moved under her feet and I probably would have lost my balance and been the one tumbling in the stream.

 
I took dozens and dozens of photos of water, playing with the camera settings so most of them are utter crap but there were a few results that pleased me.  

Although I wish I had pressed the shutter just a fraction of a second quicker with this one:

I wouldn't be a good tourist if I didn't show you a few shots from Pukekura Park, a must see for anyone who visits New Plymouth:

It has a very obliging waterfall, just press the button for the action:

I found that a really fun topic.  I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's water in motion shots and don't envy Peggy her job of picking the spotlight photos for this week.