Memories of Sunnier Summer Days

Brrr! It sure has been cold outside these days! (For those of you who are not in the US, much of the country has been facing some serious ice storms this week). Although I do love the cold - and especially the snow -, I thought it might be a good idea to share some images of a warmer summer day at La Jolla Cove in San Diego. So, huddle up in your warmest layers and join me as I share some images of the incredible marine life of California, including sea lions, pelicans, cormorants, and even an osprey.

Pelicans at La Jolla

There’s something so captivating about the highly contrasted golden light that follows a dramatic sunrise. Following on from my previous post, where I shared some images of the cormorant colonies at La Jolla Cove, this week I want to showcase this stunning light on the local California brown pelicans.

The birding enthusiasts among you will quickly note that these birds are not in breeding plumage. This visit was late in the summer, after the chicks were fully fledged and looking almost indistinguishable from the adults. However, I have plans to return in January next year to see them in all their breeding plumage splendour. Here’s to hoping that the stunning light makes up for their drab feathers this time!

Abel Tasman Surroundings

The Abel Tasman region of New Zealand has many wonderful views to offer - green countryside, perfectly transparent water springs, and orange sand beaches! It is also at the very top of the South Island, meaning it has milder climate than most of the remaining island, and warm summers. Besides, the biggest city in the region, Nelson, has some of the best restaurants and wineries in all of New Zealand. It is no wonder the place is so popular with holidaymakers and retirees!

Below are just a few of my images from my brief visits to the Te Waikoropupū Springs and two of the local beaches…

Pancake Rocks and Their Inhabitants

These rock formations in New Zealand’s West Coast are, of course, named after their looks - they look like stacked rounded layers somewhat resembling pancakes. Pancake Rocks even boasts a suitably-themed pancake-serving café near the entrance to the park. I visited on a stormy evening and, although the weather left much to be desired, the white-fronted terns (Sterna striata) that inhabit this location more than made up for the moody skies.

Memories of a Greek Summer

This week’s blog post is a mishmash of a last few images of the photogenic island of Santorini, in Greece’s Cyclades archipelago. Again, you will find the relatively common white-and-blue theme, and variations on it… Next week, it’s back to the mainland for a final Greek blog post!

The Three Bells of Fira

The Catholic Church of Dormition is another famous spot in Santorini. However, it is located in the village of Fira, where the architecture is a bit more mixed and buildings come in light yellow, orange, and pink shades, besides the traditional white. The image of the church is taken from a very narrow staircase, which makes sunset a bit annoying, as it will involve constantly readjusting your tripod as people need to get through… Still, it is definitely worth stopping by this spot for another must-have postcard Santorini moment.

The Windmills of Oia

Another classic part of Oia’s landscape are its white windmills. They are actually part of a villa which can be privately hired. I presume that the residents unfortunately miss out on the very best sunset view in Santorini - that of the windmills themselves, from a nearby hill!

As we were there in the (pre-pandemic) summer, there were countless other tourists around, and with this being a coveted spot, we arrived at the lookout and set up our tripods about 3 hours before sunset to guarantee the best views. It was worth it, as about an hour later, hundreds of other people started trickling in, many with their own large tripods and cameras that they set up alongside us. So if you ever want to capture this iconic view, make sure you plan ahead and arrive early.

Santorini Seascapes

Santorini is one of the most popular destinations in Greece, thanks to its stunning beaches and architectural style. Over the next few weeks, I will share more images from all over this beautiful island, where we spent four days exploring the different villages and soaking in the sunkissed landscapes. So to start off, here are some beachside photos from Santorini…

In Search of the Sperm Whales

Following a whale-watching flight over the Kaikoura coastline, we also took the opportunity to watch these giants from up close. An early morning cruise with Whale Watch provided several sightings of Sperm whales, the world’s largest toothed predator. These giants of the sea were commonly hunted in the 19th and 20th centuries, which inspired the classic novel Moby Dick. Now the species is protected throughout most of its territory, but there is still work to be done to fully protect them.

Birdwatching at Sea

During a whale-watching cruise in Kaikoura, I photographed a number of seabird species that inhabit these coasts. Some of those migrate long distances each year, going as far as Antarctica. Here, I share some images of the Cape petrel, Northern giant petrel, Southern giant petrel, and the Subantarctic Black-browed Albatross. You can find more information about these birds at the Albatross Encounter Kaikoura website.

Kaikoura Seascapes

This weekend, I’m sharing a few relaxing images of the mountains and ocean on Kaikoura's coast. I hope these serve as a welcome reminder of times with unrestricted travel and a more carefree existence. I can’t wait to explore the wider world outside of New Zealand in search of more spectacular landscapes, when it is possible to do so.

Sunset at South Bay

Despite the fact that my inadequate footwear kept me mostly stranded in the middle of South Bay, having to take all photos from pretty much one single location, this was still one of my favourite sunsets I have seen in New Zealand. The golden light rolling over the hills bounced off the coarse beach gravel, giving it a sparkling quality. The low mist added some drama to the scene, blurring the trees behind. This is one of my fondest memories of the sleepy coastal town of Kaikoura.

Afternoon at the Beach

Kaikoura, only a couple hours’ drive from Christchurch, is one of New Zealand’s best kept secrets. The town and its surroundings are full of unexpectedly beautiful landscapes. During our visit, we stumbled upon this bit of coast along Beach Road. As always, I like to think that the images speak for themselves!

Fur Seal Colony Kaikoura

The Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway is a great place to spot kekeno, also known as New Zealand fur seals. These are easily some of my favourite (and in my opinion, most photogenic) marine mammals. I hope you enjoy this selection of fur seals basking on the white rocks of the Kaikoura coastline.

Where the Mountains Meet the Sea

Kaikoura is another one of New Zealand’s hidden gems. It is less popular than other nearby tourist destinations, but is nonetheless a fantastic place to visit. This is one of the few places in the world where you will see a snowy mountain chain as a backdrop to a white sandy beach. Here are some of my favourite images of my first day on the beaches, capturing some of this unique landscape.

Dunedin's Wildlife

One of my favourite places in the South Island of New Zealand is the city of Dunedin. In my opinion, this is the country’s prime location for wildlife photography, particularly seabirds and marine mammals. There is no shortage of opportunities here, from fur seals and sealions to the only mainland colony of royal albatrosses in the world. Alongside the local fauna, the landscape is also a unique mix of farmland and pristine beaches. It is a really special place.

Lighthouse on a Hill

Nugget Point Lighthouse is another iconic location along the South Island’s rugged coast. It is one of New Zealand’s better known lighthouses, as it is perched on a picturesque hill overlooking the ocean and the “gold nugget” rocks, named by Captain Cook. The skies here did not help much with the sunset, as it was heavily overcast, but even so it was worth a visit!

Arrival at the Catlins

The next step in the South Island roadtrip was the Catlins Forest Park. This was a long drive down from Te Anau, stopping by the peaceful Fortrose Beach before a relaxing sunset over the bay near our accomodation. The Catlins is a less popular tourist destination in New Zealand, but as you will see from my next week’s blog post, it is vastly underrated. The region is brimming with majestic waterfalls and luxuriant forests which remain undiscovered by many.

Cape Carvoeiro

Cape Carvoeiro sits at the westernmost point of Peniche, perched over the Atlantic Ocean. We visited this spectacular location on the way to Peniche, and then again on the way to the Berlenga Islands. The wind was suprisingly calm on that day, which provided an excellent opportunity to fly the drone over the area and get a bird’s eye view of the place.

An Evening at Azenhas do Mar

Azenhas do Mar is a stunning seaside village north of Lisbon. It boasts two excellent seafood restaurants and two hotels, even though its population is of only about 400 inhabitants. It makes for a great overnight stay on the way from Lisbon and Sintra to the beaches further up along the coast. We spent only one night there, and made sure to stop by the lookout to watch the sunrise. It proved a worthwhile visit - we stayed for a while and watched as the colours of the sky changed dramatically over time.