On a rainy day I walked around the Frankton Arm of Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown. This was in Autumn so the leaves were changing. At the higher elevation it was snowing and this location is at the foot of the Remarkables mountain range. So while it rained here, at higher elevations it snowed such that as the clouds cleared we were treated to pristine snow capped mountains. All in all it was a beautiful introduction to a beautiful country.
New Zealand Alps
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About a year ago I was in a helicopter over the alps of southern New Zealand. It’s been awhile since I posted a photo from there and so it’s time to reminisce the adventure. The alps are nothing short of amazing as you can see. And somewhere up there are surely a few wizards or elfs; such as it is in middle earth.
Under The Tree
Two children playing under a well known tree along the shore of Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown, New Zealand. Actually, I don’t know if the tree is well known, but its my story so I’m sticking with it. I also imagine the tree is quite happy having children play under it and climb its branches. One of those things I can only imagine but never really know for sure.
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Top of the World
I just found this image on my iPhone. While touring the south island of New Zealand by helicopter I must have taken my iPhone out at some point to capture the moment. As I recall this was on top of a Glacier that sloped down and that the ice was quite slippery. I took this and then walked a little beyond where my friend was standing and then realized that if I slipped there was no way to self arrest. That’s when I began taking baby steps backwards until I felt I was no longer in danger. As long ago as this was, I remember it like it just happened.
Sunrise Above Queenstown
One of the last mornings in New Zealand we drove up into the hills above Queenstown to watch the sunrise and then went for a walk down Skippers Canyon. We sat on the side of this mountain taking pictures and waited for the sun to rise which takes a little longer due to the surrounding mountains.
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Mount Creighton
This is the top of Mount Creighton in New Zealand’s southern alps. I used a wide-angle lens, which has the side effect of making the slopes seem less steep. In fact the slopes are more severe and once out of the helicopter, I was careful to watch my step. It is a long way down and I had the feeling it would be a very fast one-way trip. That’s Lake Wakatipu off on the right and Queenstown, our final destination would be left of that. This is one of the last stops as we flew from one mountain to the next checking out the amazing landscape of New Zealand.
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Mount Bonpland
This is taken from Mount Bonpland, high up in the New Zealand alps not far from Glenorchy. We landed on these rocks and clamored about looking for shots but mindful of the engine time on the helicopter. I don’t recall the exact number but it was more than a dozen stops on peaks with views I could only dream of, this being one. This was taken a few days after a snowfall in the autumn of the southern hemisphere.
Alps of Middle Earth
Over the weekend I went to see the final installment of the Hobbit movie. Having been to New Zealand this year I was interested in looking close at the scenery and indeed I did recognize a couple of shots. Of course much in the movie was rendered to look like no place on earth, but this shot I took hanging out of a helicopter comes close. I think I may have a Lord of the Rings Marathon this coming holiday week so that I can see more of the landscape of Middle Earth, otherwise known as New Zealand.
Bendemeer Sunset
This is from Bendemeer which is a residential community just outside Queenstown New Zealand. I was just thinking how this looks just like my backyard, …not! Well, in my dreams this is my backyard and so I go here from time to time in daydreams throughout the day when I should be doing something more productive. But what are we if not for our dreams. So here is a glimpse into my dreamscape, straight from the southern island of New Zealand. Good night and sweet dreams.
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Frankton Arm of Wakatipu
When I first arrived in New Zealand I was a little overwhelmed by the beauty and landscapes. But it didn’t take long for me to snap out of it and start taking pictures of my immediate surrounds, like this one from right in front of our hotel in Frankton. Frankton is a little village just outside of Queenstown proper where the airport is located at the foot of the Remarkables mountain range. It had just rained and if you look closely you can see the snow on the mountains over Queenstown. Anyway, this was taken in autumn just before winter in the southern hemisphere so the trees still had color, but now I imagine this scene looks very different as New Zealand enters summer.
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