Photo Blog

Last light

Posted on 23 January 2021 After earlier calls at Whyalla and Napier, the log carrier 'Navios La Paix' was low in the water as it was departing from Wellington on Thursday evening, accompanied by the Centreport pilot boat 'Te Haa, bound for Qinzhou Port in Guangxi, China. © 2021 Ross Collins

All at sea

Posted on 22 January 2021 While NIWA's largest research vessel 'Tangaroa' is presently deployed in Antarctic waters, its other large vessel 'Kaharoa' was departing from Wellington on Wednesday towards the waters off the east coast of the North Island. © 2021 Ross Collins

Sticking to the task

Posted on 21 January 2021 Flying a flag to indicate 'keep clear, diver down' the Wellington Police launch 'Lady Elizabeth IV' was back at work off Moa Point yesterday as the search continued for the kayaker missing since Sunday. The boat was holding a stationary position, close to a point marked with a buoy, as news was coming in that the Navy would be arriving with solar equipment to assist in the search. © 2021 Ross Collins

In sync

Posted on 20 January 2021 This pair of pied stilts were pacing up and down a lagoon at the Pāuatahanui Wildlife Reserve like a 'Darby and Joan' couple. Once I visualised the image I wanted, I took a total of 44 shots to achieve both the degree of separation between the two birds and also an interesting leg position. © 2021 Ross Collins

Nice set of wheels

Posted on 19 January 2021 This classic piece of motoring Americana was well loaded with spare equipment on the final day of the 2021 New Zealand Cycle Classic in Wellington on Sunday. © 2021 Ross Collins

Leader of the pack

Posted on 18 January 2021 The fifth and final stage of the 2021 NZ Cycle Classic was being raced as a criterium around (wet) streets in the Wellington CBD yesterday. © 2021 Ross Collins

Faded memory

Posted on 17 January 2021 For some reason unknown to me, this kiwiana 'blast from the past' was flying at a house in Breaker Bay yesterday. © 2020 Ross Collins

And ..... action!

Posted on 16 January 2021 A rear elevation perspective of this death-defying, synchronised leap was being recorded for prosperity at our local wharf yesterday. © 2020 Ross Collins

Rough riding

Posted on 15 January 2021 Two young ladies appeared to be very uncomfortable huddled together in choppy and windy conditions on the Oriental Bay diving platform last week, until their spirits were raised by the sighting of the pod of orcas which was in the harbour. I later saw the women being 'rescued' and brought ashore by two young fellows on surf boards. © 2020 Ross Collins

Kai moana, the traditional way

Posted on 14 January 2021 I had noticed this chap whittling on a stick at the edge of the Hikoikoi Estuary yesterday. The next moment he was coming out of the water with a sizeable but very unhappy eel. © 2021 Ross Collins

50 shades of grey

Posted on 13 January 2021 The distinctive and unusual (to me) colouring on this bird stood out among all the other 'black' swans at the Hikoikoi Estuary as it was proudly preening its coat. © 2020 Ross Collins

Snatching a break

Posted on 12 January 2021 All I could see of this pied stilt when sitting on her nest near the edge of the water at the Pāuatahanui Wildlife Reserve was part of her head including one eye. However, eventually she had to stand up to stretch her legs for just a few moments - but I was ready! © 2020 Ross Collins

Fluff ball

Posted on 11 January 2021 One of the large number of pied stilt chicks at the Pāuatahanui Wildlife Reserve was bravely looking for food on its own, although its parents weren't too far away. © 2020 Ross Collins

Just requires pickup

Posted on 10 January 2021 Seen on my perambulations around the district. © 2021 Ross Collins

Hold everything!

Posted on 9 January 2021 Preparations were proceeding on the NIWA research ship 'Tangaroa' at Burnham Wharf on Thursday ahead of yesterday's scheduled departure on a major 45-day voyage to Antarctic waters, before the departure was suddenly aborted. NIWA's website does not give any reason or even acknowledge the fact of any delay, simply now saying the departure will be 'soon'. However, according to Centreport, the new departure date is 17 January. © 2020 Ross Collins

Up close but too close?

Posted on 8 January 2021 Although there were no vessels requiring pilotage in Wellington yesterday, the lure of a pod of orca (six in this image) appeared to be irresistible to the Centreport pilot crew on 'Te Haa' to the point that the rule requiring no single vessel to be within 50 metres appeared to be completely ignored. © 2020 Ross Collins