Kotuku Breeding Colony

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The Kotuku, or White Heron (Egreta alba modesta), is commonly found across Oceania and Asia. However, they are not usually seen in their plumage, where they gain exaggerated wing feathers and a blue tint to their faces. There is only a single breeding colony of White Herons in New Zealand, located in the Waitangiroto Nature Reserve. Access is only possible with a guided White Heron Sanctuary Tour, as the land is under protection of the Department of Conservation. The tour is certainly worth it, as it is a pretty guaranteed way to view dozens of Kotuku pairs courting, nesting, and tending to their chicks. We were there during peak courtship time, and so also caught the full spectacle of the species’ breeding plumage. Our visit took place in mid-morning, meaning light was a bit harsh, although that did make for some very dramatic images.

Cute Little Visitor

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Female tomtits have adorable disproportionately large heads for their minscule bodies. I was fortunate enough to spend some days living right next to a pair of these beautiful birds during my visit to Franz Josef village, and the female would often bring about new nesting material. Watching her hop from tree to tree through my telephoto lens was a great way to spend a lazy afternoon!

A Tale of Two Glaciers

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The reason my travels through the West Coast are some of my favourite memories of New Zealand are views such as these. Within a short helicopter flight, we saw two glaciers (Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier), rivers, waterfalls, and had a clear view of the ocean! This flight included a short landing atop Franz Josef Glacier, where we could walk on the fresh soft snow. What a stunning little corner of the world that is.

Franz Josef Surroundings

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The region surrounding Franz Josef Glacier on the West Coast of New Zealand is not to be missed. On a rare clear day, the scenery is truly astounding. Today’s blog post highlights only a couple of locations in the area: Peter’s Pool and Lake Mapourika. Stay tuned for more features of this amazing corner of the world in the coming weeks!

Lake Matheson Reflections

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Lake Matheson is an especially reflective lake due to the dark sediments in its water, which create a perfect mirror on a still day. But beware: even the tiniest bit of wind will cause ripples on the surface of the lake and ruin its picture-perfect reflections.

I must admit that, during my recent trip through the West Coast, I fell in love with this location and this is probably my favourite place in all of New Zealand. I visited this stunning location not once, not twice, but on three separate occasions. Funnily enough, my best images of the lake were all from my very first visit, on a cloudy but still day, both before and during sunset.

A Drive Past Haast

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The drive through Haast in the West Coast of New Zealand offers some really stunning scenery, such as the dune walk at the Tauparikākā Marine Reserve and the views from Knights Point Lookout. Perfectly clear skies are rare in the region, which is known for its rainy weather, so the timing of my visit was extremely lucky.

A Morning Swamp Walk

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The images featured in this week’s blog post are from a very early morning walk around the swamps of Tauparikākā Marine Reserve in the West Coast of New Zealand. The soft morning light really transformed this magical place and really brought out all the details in the landscapes…

West Coast Waterfalls

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The West Coast of New Zealand is brimming with beautifully wild landscapes. Among them are dozens of incredible waterfalls nestled in among vibrant forests. Here are just three of my favourites - Roaring Billy Falls, Thunder Creek Falls, and Coal Creek Falls.

Sunrise at a Marine Reserve

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The Tauparikākā Marine Reserve lies in the West Coast of New Zealand, on the way between the cities of Wanaka and Queenstown and the Franz and Fox glaciers. Although I had been planning to visit for some time, I must admit this spot completely surpassed my expectations. In only a few short walks, it guides you through a stunning beach, a gloomy swamp, and surprising views over the wetlands. It’s almost like someone decided to take a selection of New Zealand’s stunning scenery and collapsed it into a single location. Well worth a visit!

Deer Park Heights

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In addition to the stunning views of the mountains that I shared in my previous blog post, Deer Park Heights is also home to several herds of deer. They roam the area freely, serving as an intriguing foreground to the Queenstown landscapes below.

Remarkable Queenstown

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One of the best places to catch spectacular sights of The Remarkables mountain range in Queenstown is Deer Park Heights. This lesser-known spot just recently reopened after several years out of operation. It is a photographer’s dream, and also full of famous locations from the Lord of the Rings movies. More information on the locations and how to book your visit can be found here.

A Visit to Diamond Lake

Diamond Lake, in Wanaka, has a glass-like quality and deep blue waters. It is a beautiful walk up to the view of the lake, and following on a little further, you can also see the hills and views of the town and surroundings. It really showcases the beauty of Otago, which I find to be one of the most beautiful regions in New Zealand.

A Very Merry Keasmas

It is my favourite time of the year, so it only makes sense that I would share some photos of one of my favourite animals. Kea call the snowy mountains of New Zealand their home, and don’t they look stunning amidst their snowy surroundings! Please sit back and enjoy these images of some of the world’s most charismatic birds. I wish all my readers a happy festive season and a relaxing break over the holidays.

Let it Snow!

Winter is a beautiful time in New Zealand, and I was lucky to see plenty of snow on my last roadtrip. Unlike my last visit to Lake Tekapo, the Church of the Good Shepherd was not covered in snow, but it was a beautiful sight nonetheless. The remaining images are of Lindis Pass, along the road that connects Queenstown to the east coast.

Another Visit to Wanaka

The last time I was in Wanaka, it was in the peak of summer, and the tree was still intact. I re-visited Wanaka last winter, and although the tree has seen better days, the lake was still absolutely stunning. The snow-capped mountains certainly added some magic to the landscape, as did the low afternoon light.

A Warm Summer's Day

Today, I am sharing a few more images of the New Zealand kea. There’s nothing these alpine parrots love more than taking a bath on a hot summer’s day. They are totally comfortable in the water - they forage, play, and fight in it. Sometimes, the light is just right and it makes for beautiful photos!

A Rambunctious Bunch

Kea are a species of alpine parrot endemic to New Zealand. They are a charismatic and mischievous lot, with larger than life personalities to match. I have been working with a special group of kea at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve for a few years now, and occasionally find the time to take some photos of them. Here are some images from a recent photoshoot in the aviary.

A New Day in Rio

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Sunrise is often the quietest time in any big city, and in Rio de Janeiro it feels a bit odd and wonderful to have the landscapes to yourself, before everyone else wakes up. The unusual serenity of the sunrise often brings with it some stunning light, especially on mornings with clear skies. Below is a collection of some sunrises I captured in Rio, from several locations. In a country like Brazil, I strongly recommend photographing at unsociable hours only if you can do so as part of a larger group - going alone can be dangerous depending on the locations you visit.

Sunset at the Sugar Loaf

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One of the most popular tourist attractions in Rio de Janeiro is the Sugar Loaf (Pão de Açucar), where you can take a series of cable cars between the mountains and see the city from above. A few years ago, I visited this spot at sunset and came out with several images I am very fond of.