Photo Blog

Fat chance

Posted on 27 April 2018 Immediately I saw the delicious irony in this scene in Manners Street, my camera came straight out of its bag. © 2018 Ross Collins

Remembering

Posted on 25 April 2018 Henry Moore's 1988 sculpture "Bronze Form" in the Wellington Botanic Garden has been joined by a white memorial cross for each of the 5,270 people from the wider Wellington area who lost their lives in World War One - one of a network of Fields of Remembrance throughout New Zealand. © 2018 Ross Collins

Bookending the season

Posted on 23 April 2018 After being the first cruise ship to visit Wellington this summer on 4 October, 'Radiance of the Seas' completed its sixth visit and the 81st by all vessels to bring the 2017/18 schedule to an end on Saturday, as it cleared Wellington Harbour bound for Papeete. © 2018 Ross Collins

Follow my wake

Posted on 21 April 2018 Already the overall leader at that stage, Sean Herbert from the Torbay Sailing Club, was leading his fleet away from a start at the 2018 Starling National Championships off Worser Bay on Wednesday. Herbert went on to win the championship in a three-way count-back to repeat his win in 2017, and join only three previous two-time winners including Peter Burling (2005-2006). © 2018 Ross Collins

But wait, there's more!

Posted on 19 April 2018 When I read earlier this week that the base of Joe McMenamin's impressive mural up the Kake Tonu Way steps from The Terrace had been expanded, I had to get up there to check it out without delay. And a fine piece of work it is. I posted an image of the original mural back in January here and a gallery of further images here. © 2018 Ross Collins

Good day for it

Posted on 17 April 2018 If the banner hanging from the Worser Bay Boating Club yesterday morning was a reliable indicator, as visitors from the Bay of Islands were preparing their chase boat, the first day of open fleet racing at the 2018 Starling National Championships was shaping up to be a top day. © 2018 Ross Collins

Down and out

Posted on 15 April 2018 As his kea friends were frolicking carefree in their enclosure on Friday, "Murray" was undergoing a health check in one of Wellington Zoo's two publicly-viewable operating theatres at "The Nest", aka Te Kōhanga, where he was found to have a slight heart irregularity but otherwise in good health. © 2018 Ross Collins

Inner secrets

Posted on 13 April 2018 Something deep and meaningful was happening inside this house truck at CubaDupa recently. © 2018 Ross Collins

Doyen of the blues

Posted on 11 April 2018 Marg Layton is unlikely to be slowing down any time soon, if her recent performance for Capital Blues Inc at the Hotel Bristol during CubaDupa is any indication. © 2018 Ross Collins

Pretty in pink

Posted on 9 April 2018 Call me cynical if you will, but there are some telltale signs to me that this recently-installed seating at Karaka Bay was neither designed nor erected by our City Fathers, let alone the selection of the colour scheme. Hopefully they will not find a reason to remove it. © 2018 Ross Collins

Tools of the trade

Posted on 7 April 2018 As the street artists @il_oneart and @trofe.the.great were working on a mural in Melbourne's 'graffiti central', Hosier Lane, when I was visiting on Sunday, their supply of aerosol cans was neatly assembled close at hand. © 2018 Ross Collins

Go tigers!

Posted on 5 April 2018 This charming and much-loved mural by Nick Howson near the Richmond Station in Melbourne titled "Tiger Legend" depicts a depression-era Richmond Tigers AFL player, Jack Dyer, and the Richmond skyline, but was controversially installed in 2014 without official permission. © 2018 Ross Collins

White trash

Posted on 3 April 2018 The modesty of both Kim Kardashian and her pal, model Emily Ratajkowski, has been preserved by street artist Lushsux among the other garbage in Melbourne's Sniders Lane. © 2018 Ross Collins

Revealing human interest

Posted on 1 April 2018 When, from a distance, I first saw the photo potential of this mural in the inner-north Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy yesterday, I was disappointed that most of the foreground was obscured by a large limousine. However, as I approached, the vehicle pulled away to reveal a large wedding party being arranged for a shoot. Eureka! © 2018 Ross Collins

The city awakens

Posted on 30 March 2018 The first rays of dawn were beginning to illuminate the Melbourne skyline when I captured this image from Gem Pier in Williamstown yesterday. © 2018 Ross Collins

Mister Bassman

Posted on 28 March 2018 A cornerstone of countless Wellington groups over the years, particularly in the blues genre, Elliotte Fuimaono tends to be found in a corner of the stage just letting his fingers do the talking. So, as he isn't easy to photograph, I was pleased to capture this portrait as he was performing with the Red Dog Saloon Band at the Hotel Bristol for CupaDupa on Saturday © 2018 Ross Collins

Leader of the pack

Posted on 26 March 2018 Nick Granville was leading a stellar trio with talented up-and-comers Leo Coghini and Sam MacKenzie to complete the Capital Blues Inc two-day CubaDupa programme at the Hotel Bristol yesterday. © 2018 Ross Collins

We knocked the bastard off!

Posted on 24 March 2018 When I saw this scene at Worser Bay recently, it reminded me of the images of big game hunters standing around the newly-slaughtered carcass of an endangered African animal. © 2018 Ross Collins

Mug shots

Posted on 22 March 2018 This portrait wall is one of many features of Toi Art, the new art gallery extending over two floors of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, which opened on Saturday. Paintings on the wall of particular interest to me include the large "Dr. Featherston and the Maori Chiefs, Wi Tako and Te Puni" by William Beetham, 1857-58 (centre) and "Portrait of Captain James Cook" by John Webber, c1780 (top left), along with a couple of Goldies and Lindauers, among many others. © 2018 Ross Collins

A little naïve

Posted on 20 March 2018 Marine-related imagery impressed on a section of a new seawall being constructed at Karaka Bay looks as though it was commissioned from the new entrant class at the local primary school. © 2018 Ross Collins

Keeping an eye out

Posted on 18 March 2018 When a pair of the local Tuis stopped by in our backyard yesterday afternoon, I managed to grab a shot of one of them before they moved away to check out another neighbour. © 2018 Ross Collins

From the land of the brave

Posted on 16 March 2018 Until last weekend I hadn't previously noticed a Scotland flag hanging from the vintage self-propelled floating steam crane "Hikitea", which has been substantially restored and is moored at Wellington's Taranaki Street Wharf. After a little research, I've concluded the flag must be a nod to the manufacturers of the crane in 1926, Fleming & Ferguson of Paisley. © 2018 Ross Collins

Faces to the sun

Posted on 14 March 2018 While on the Clyde Quay Wharf late on Saturday afternoon waiting to capture the departure of the 'Sun Princess', I turned my camera on this archetypical Wellington scene - the houses of Mt Victoria looking out at Wellington Harbour across the boatsheds and the small boat anchorage at the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club. I previously posted a tighter crop of this scene in monochrome back on 27 July 2016. © 2018 Ross Collins

Casting shadows

Posted on 12 March 2018 While I was at Massey University's Wellington campus yesterday, I noticed some bright orange, so-called "Cyclehoops" and the interesting shadows they were casting. © 2018 Ross Collins

Evoking Lilliput

Posted on 10 March 2018 At yesterday's "Park(ing) Day" in Cuba Street, an installation by the Occupation: Artist collective titled "Exhausted" completely covering a parking space with die cast toy vehicles (aka Matchbox cars) was adjoining another featuring dancers from the Tarrant Dance Studios. This juxtaposition was the result. Park(ing) Day is described as "an annual open-source global event where citizens, artists and designers collaborate temporarily to transform metered parking spaces into living parks". © 2018 Ross Collins

Pensive

Posted on 8 March 2018 I captured this image of singer Lisa Tomlins deep in thought between numbers during her set at the Newtown Festival Street Fair on Sunday. © 2018 Ross Collins

Getting some culture in ya

Posted on 6 March 2018 Transplanted Botswana native, Ras Judah Seomeng, was leading a collective of eleven highly talented musicians performing as the Culture Embassy Band at the Newtown Festival Street Fair on Sunday. Like many others, for percussionist Rafael Ferrer Noel, also shown here, this was just the start of a busy day as he was to also appear later with the Carlos Navae Band. © 2018 Ross Collins

Golden glow

Posted on 4 March 2018 'Ovation of the Seas' was illuminated by the last rays of light as it cleared Point Dorset on departure from Wellington to Napier last night. © 2018 Ross Collins

On the nose

Posted on 2 March 2018 A recent makeover of street art beautifying two electricity substations in Awa Street, Miramar has had the unfortunate consequence of causing discomfort to this shark who appears to be driven cross-eyed by signs balanced on its snout. I posted an image showing the previous art on this particular substation back on 23 July 2014. © 2018 Ross Collins

Heading over

Posted on 28 February 2018 'Carnival Legend' departed from Wellington bound for Melbourne late yesterday afternoon in perfectly calm conditions. © 2018 Ross Collins

Catch of the day

Posted on 26 February 2018 The arrival in Wellington from Singapore of a striking example of one of the largest and most prestigious of the classic executive jets, the Gulfstream G650, this one registered in the Isle of Man to a highly secretive ultimate owner (rumoured to be a Russian oligarch), was a capture worth the effort on Saturday. © 2018 Ross Collins

High life

Posted on 24 February 2018 On closer inspection of the couple emerging from a Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 executive jet which arrived from Melbourne yesterday, I concluded the shoes they were wearing could only belong to showbiz types - but who? © 2018 Ross Collins

Port jester

Posted on 22 February 2018 As is common (often at the request of cruise ship captains, I am told), Centreport's pilot boat 'Te Haa' was demonstrating the manoeuvrability provided by its Hamilton Waterjet propulsion system by turning pirouettes for passengers on the 'Celebrity Solstice' as it was departing from Wellington for Picton last night. © 2018 Ross Collins

Taking flight

Posted on 20 February 2018 The driver of 'The Flying Cat' at the Ribble Street trolley races on Saturday, announced as 'Lucia' and also as not having had the benefit of a practice run, had taken an unexpected 90 degree right turn and was launched off her seat as she struck a barrier amongst spectators. Lucia's physical health did not appear to been impaired and any damaged panels could be replaced at the nearest Countdown, but she did not return to the course. © 2018 Ross Collins

In the land of the setting sun

Posted on 18 February 2018 The Japanese cruise ship 'Asuka II' was greeted with a glorious sunset as it arrived into Wellington Harbour from Sydney last night. © 2018 Ross Collins

Into the yonder

Posted on 16 February 2018 The cruise ship 'Regatta' was sailing into an idyllic late afternoon on Cook Strait as it departed from Wellington bound for Gisborne last week. © 2018 Ross Collins

Outdoor ed

Posted on 14 February 2018 Activities such as were being enjoyed by students at Worser Bay last week were never available in my day! © 2018 Ross Collins

White on white

Posted on 12 February 2018 The Interislander ferry Aratere slipped into Wellington Harbour on Saturday afternoon just as a heavy sea mist was arriving and began causing considerable disruption at the airport. Moments later the fog had descended right down to sea level. © 2018 Ross Collins

Just popping out for a bit

Posted on 10 February 2018 As I was returning to my car after a pleasant breakfast with some friends at the Spruce Goose in Lyall Bay this morning, Sir Bob Jones's more luxurious transportation was departing from Wellington International Airport bound for Nelson, then on to Queenstown. © 2018 Ross Collins

Ready to rumble

Posted on 8 February 2018 Some of the boys participating in the all-school kapa haka performance were getting ready to front the crowd at the Kotahi Music Festival at the Kahurangi School in Strathmore on Waitangi Day. © 2018 Ross Collins

Au Revera

Posted on 6 February 2018 Built in 1990 when it was known as Hitachi House, and most recently home to the Education Review Office, parts of the Defence Force, and the Walking Access Commission, it's the beginning of the end for Revera House in Mulgrave Street as its demolition gets underway at present. The heritage building next door housing the Cook Islands High Commission has fared rather better, dating from 1876 with no end of life imminent. © 2018 Ross Collins

Swanning around

Posted on 4 February 2018 Passengers were lining the decks to take in views of the Wellington skyline as the 'Norwegian Jewel' pulled away from Aotea Quay at the end of a day's stopover to cross Cook Strait to Picton late yesterday. © 2018 Ross Collins

Gone fishing

Posted on 2 February 2018 As a kayak fisherman was moving his location near the Point Halswell lighthouse last weekend, his progress (and perhaps his renewed prospects) were being closely followed by a pair of shags. © 2018 Ross Collins

The lonely potter

Posted on 31 January 2018 This scene amongst the derelict former defence establishment buildings at Shelly Bay seemed somewhat pathetic when I spotted it on Sunday. © 2018 Ross Collins

Steam gives way to sail

Posted on 29 January 2018 I was passing Seatoun Wharf on Saturday morning as the arrival of the East by West ferry and the embarkation and disembarkation of its passengers were being delayed by a group of young sailors making their way from Seatoun Beach to Worser Bay. © 2018 Ross Collins

And it's goodnight from him

Posted on 27 January 2018 The view from high above Moa Point looking across Cook Strait to the South Island as the sun was going down on Thursday night fully repaid the effort to get there. © 2018 Ross Collins

Agility

Posted on 25 January 2018 In addition to the benefit of being able to count your fellow passengers in the low hundreds rather than in the many thousands, smaller cruise ships such as the 'Caledonian Sky' which visited Wellington yesterday (carrying up to 114 passengers and 75 crew) can gain access to otherwise inaccessible places - such as here at Queens Wharf, just across the street from the heart of the city, and seen shortly before departure for Napier late yesterday. © 2018 Ross Collins

Spot the sneakers

Posted on 23 January 2018 I noticed this block of art deco apartments in upper Abel Smith Street shortly after shooting the image in yesterday's post, and immediately envisaged a monochrome treatment to accentuate the architectural lines and features. © 2018 Ross Collins

Dropping the defences

Posted on 21 January 2018 Demolition of the former defence headquarters building on Aitken Street, also known variously as Defence House or Freyberg House, was well advanced when I dropped by to take a look on Friday. © 2018 Ross Collins

Flying wireless

Posted on 19 January 2018 One benefit (to me, at least) of the recent removal of trolley bus wires throughout the city, including at Evans Bay, is that arrivals of Singapore Airlines widebody B777-212(ER) aircraft from the north can now be photographed without the distraction of the wires - this last Friday. © 2018 Ross Collins

Built tough

Posted on 17 January 2018 I found it mildly amusing this morning to see a retaining wall at Worser Bay being reinforced with large concrete blocks while Sir Peter Jackson's wooden boatsheds have survived recent storms without damage. © 2018 Ross Collins

Islands in the mist

Posted on 15 January 2018 The rugged west coast winds north from Makara Beach with Mana Island and Kapiti Island further in the distance in this shot from the West Wind Wind Farm recently. © 2018 Ross Collins

The calm before

Posted on 13 January 2018 It's somewhere I've seldom been but, before the long spell of fine weather turned to custard a fortnight ago, Makara Beach was looking like I've never remembered it before. © 2018 Ross Collins

Ugly duckling

Posted on 11 January 2018 The seemingly endless construction of the architectural abomination that will be the new air traffic control tower for the Wellington International Airport, located in the adjacent Lyall Bay shopping precinct, appeared to be nearing its end earlier this week as window panes were being set in place by workers high up on a giant cherry picker. © 2018 Ross Collins

Moving on

Posted on 9 January 2018 The cruise ship 'Maasdam' was approaching Point Halswell en route to Akaroa as the sun was setting on Greta Point in Evans Bay last evening. © 2018 Ross Collins

Tide, wind, action!

Posted on 7 January 2018 Sir Peter Jackson's boatsheds at Worser Bay came under attack again yesterday by the combination of a king tide and the tail of the recent southerly storm. I've previously posted an image captured in similar circumstances back on 18 November 2016. © 2018 Ross Collins

Stripped back

Posted on 5 January 2018 When I saw this group of windswept, silvery and, quite possibly, dead Macropcarpa trees against a stand of pines at Makara recently, I envisaged an image with the background de-emphasised. One thing led to another and a full-on monochrome happened! © 2018 Ross Collins

The times they are a-changin'

Posted on 3 January 2018 The former defence facility at Shelly Bay will change, but what will it become? Hopefully, while the buildings and wharves continue to decay, the legal action later this year to challenge the cozy arrangement between a developer and the Wellington City Council will result in better outcomes, both for the use of the land and for the long-suffering ratepayers. © 2018 Ross Collins

Perfectly formed

Posted on 1 January 2018 The second of two cruise ships to arrive at Wellington this morning, the French-owned vessel 'L'Austral' may have a displacement of only 10,700 tonnes and carry just 264 passengers and 136 crew, but it looks a class above many of the floating white resorts that ply the New Zealand coast at this time of the year. © 2018 Ross Collins

Cheek to cheek

Posted on 30 December 2017 'Norwegian Jewel' and 'Celebrity Solstice' were moored at adjacent berths at Aotea Quay yesterday. © 2017 Ross Collins

Stone walls no longer a prison make

Posted on 28 December 2017 Although the former Wellington Prison (aka Mt Crawford Prison) was mothballed and ceased to house inmates from late in 2012, it still looks as imposing as ever, and with the appearance of algae and rust on the walls only adding to its austere appearance. © 2017 Ross Collins

Rude awakening

Posted on 26 December 2017 When I looked more closely at this image of 'Radiance of the Seas' passing Point Dorset as it departed Wellington Harbour earlier this month, I discovered a person in the bottom left hand corner stepping across rocks at Breaker Bay and about to get a shock on realising a 90,000 tonne vessel is so close. © 2017 Ross Collins

A little mix up

Posted on 24 December 2017 This Buddha was looking a little confused as he sat on the verandah of a local house last week. © 2017 Ross Collins

End of the golden weather

Posted on 22 December 2017 The sight of Pohutukawa flowers littered across a local intersection on Monday morning after overnight storms signalled that many weeks of continuous beautiful weather had come to a shuddering halt. © 2017 Ross Collins

Yum!

Posted on 20 December 2017 These handsome creatures appear to be contemplating the taste of pedestrians in the Newtown business area from their vantage point on the side of a block of shops. © 2017 Ross Collins

Tits and bums

Posted on 18 December 2017 Strange graffiti has appeared across some of the many concrete blocks stockpiled at the southern end of the Wellington International Airport. Though not publicly-visible, it includes some unusual questions. © 2017 Ross Collins

Please refrain from expectoration

Posted on 16 December 2017 ... while you are in Melbourne's Flinders Street station. © 2017 Ross Collins

Roadside

Posted on 14 December 2017 I spotted this couple engaged in an animated conversation as life went on around them during the lunch hour in King Street, Sydney last week. © 2017 Ross Collins

Smug mugs

Posted on 12 December 2017 Yesterday I tracked down this giant 2016 mural by the Glasgow-based, Australian street artist Smug (real name, Sam Bates) on a wall of the former Spencer Street Power Station on the edge of the Melbourne CBD. It depicts his grandparents in a photo-realistic style, and has since been joined by a number of other equally impressive portraits on other walls of the building. © 2017 Ross Collins

Staying positive

Posted on 10 December 2017 I saw this pair struggling in a light breeze created by passing traffic to capture images with these inflated letters outside a hotel in Market Street, Sydney on Friday. © 2017 Ross Collins

Steam and sail

Posted on 8 December 2017 'Radiance of the Seas' was passing a small fleet of yachts from the Worser Bay Boating Club as it moved down the Wellington Harbour on departure to Akaroa late yesterday afternoon. © 2017 Ross Collins

Mixed orders

Posted on 6 December 2017 Until yesterday I'd not previously noticed this work of art on the wall of St Anne's School in Newtown, attributed to "Em Wafer 2016". My immediate reaction was that the image had a distinct likeness to Suzanne Aubert (aka Sister Mary Joseph or Mother Aubert) from the Sisters of Compassion, who is best known for starting a home for orphans and the under-privileged at Jerusalem on the Whanganui River in 1885. However, I thought it more likely to represent and pay respect to the Sisters of Mercy who founded the parish which built the original school 1893. But, on further research, I found my first instinct was correct as the painter's Facebook page confirms the painting is, indeed, of Suzanne Aubert. So the nature of any connection between Suzanne Aubert and St Anne's School remains a mystery to me. © 2017 Ross Collins

All that jazz

Posted on 26 April 2018 Nick Granville, Tom Warrington and Lance Philip presented a programme of top drawer jazz to students, faculty and visitors at the New Zealand School of Music at Victoria University on Friday. © 2018 Ross Collins

True to form

Posted on 24 April 2018 Warren Maxwell was fronting Rio Hemopo and Ben Wood, and with a guest appearance later by Riki Gooch, as Trinity Roots packed out the Rough Peel Music record store in Cuba Street on Saturday for Record Store Day. The group performed numbers from their seminal 2001 album "True" to celebrate its release on vinyl. Live music doesn't get much better than this! © 2018 Ross Collins

Hitting the wall

Posted on 22 April 2018 There was just enough surf at Lyall Bay yesterday to add interest to Surf Life Saving New Zealand's IRB Selection Trial, at which one male and one female crew member were to be selected to represent New Zealand at the Lifesaving World Championships in Adelaide in November. © 2018 Ross Collins

Meanwhile, in the east

Posted on 20 April 2018 I didn't expect to be back at the Wahine Memorial Park at Tarakena Bay on Wellington's South Coast so soon. However, when I saw the sky changing late yesterday, I knew something special was happening so I rushed over there. But while there was some searing colour in the west, the real interest (for me) was in the east. © 2018 Ross Collins

Take a seat

Posted on 18 April 2018 I had a feeling there might be some nice light to be found at sunset last night, and I was rewarded at my old stomping ground at the Wahine Memorial Park at Tarakena Bay on Wellington's South Coast. © 2018 Ross Collins

Given the bird

Posted on 16 April 2018 I was finishing up shooting the local marina and the Melbourne skyline at sunrise from near Ferguson Pier in Williamstown when the scene unexpectedly delivered me this pelican. What could I do but keep shooting? © 2018 Ross Collins

Showing off

Posted on 14 April 2018 While I was watching this native kea at the Wellington Zoo yesterday, it flexed its wings to reveal the magnificently coloured plumage beneath. © 2018 Ross Collins

If I had a spanner

Posted on 12 April 2018 Every day thousands of commuters pass this quirky signage on the frontage of a light engineering business in Vivian Street, but few see it as it is obstructed from view from cars travelling along the one-way street system. © 2018 Ross Collins

Odd couple

Posted on 10 April 2018 "Steampunk" has never made any sense to me, so what chance did I have of comprehending this other character on the first day of this year's CubaDupa? © 2018 Ross Collins

Down under

Posted on 8 April 2018 While I was waiting in the Air New Zealand lounge at Melbourne Tullamarine last week, this Emirates A380 was towed to its gate outside the ground level window in readiness to depart as EK405 to Singapore. © 2018 Ross Collins

Pots

Posted on 6 April 2018 The colours and textures of this line of chimney pots on a group of three terraced houses in Cremorne, Melbourne caught my attention. © 2018 Ross Collins

Long live the king

Posted on 4 April 2018 What would appear to be a very recent portrait of the late rapper Notorious B.I.G. by street artist Mallybro, still in largely unmarked condition, was at the centre of interest by visitors to Hosier Lane, Melbourne on Sunday. © 2018 Ross Collins

Everything it's cracked up to be

Posted on 2 April 2018 Controversially depicted naked by Scott Marsh, aka 'Lushsux', before clothing was later added (including a bra for 'Yeezy'), this mural in cremorne, Melbourne showing rapper Kanye West in bed with Taylor Swift and wife Kim Kardashian still manages to feature 'that' famous posterior. © 2018 Ross Collins

Keeping an eye out

Posted on 31 March 2018 This striking example of street art has appeared in central Melbourne since I was last here. © 2018 Ross Collins

Growing into the role

Posted on 29 March 2018 Sandwiched between a row of Maori women in front and a row of even larger and noisier Maori warrior-types behind, this young girl was studiously emulating the actions of the wahine at the opening event for CubaDupa on Saturday. © 2018 Ross Collins

Pulling power

Posted on 27 March 2018 Bill Hickman drew a big crowd to San Fran on Saturday for his late afternoon solo set for CubaDupa. © 2018 Ross Collins

Heads

Posted on 25 March 2018 While sitting on the steps of his house truck waiting for customers for his wares at the first day of the CubaDupa festival yesterday, this gentleman was very happy to let me capture his portrait. © 2018 Ross Collins

Little boxes

Posted on 23 March 2018 The Tiffany Singh soundscape "Total Internal Reflection" on show in Te Papa's new art gallery, Toi Art, reflects changing colour palettes across the floor selected in real time according to the visitors in the room or manually selected by visitors. © 2018 Ross Collins

Pipe banned?

Posted on 21 March 2018 I enjoy the swirl of the pipes as much as anyone and more than most, but I did pause to wonder whether the bars across the doors and windows of the City of Wellington Pipe Band Hall are there to keep burglars out or the pipers in. © 2018 Ross Collins

I think it's a big one!

Posted on 19 March 2018 A family group fishing at the Seatoun Wharf appeared undistracted as 'Ovation of the Seas' made an early departure yesterday afternoon for an overnight run to Port Chambers. © 2018 Ross Collins

Penultimate

Posted on 17 March 2018 'Radiance of the Seas' was passing Churchill Park on Thursday bound for Sydney, before returning once more this season on 21 April - which will be the final of 81 cruise ship visits to Wellington scheduled for 2017/18. © 2018 Ross Collins

Atmospheric smudge

Posted on 15 March 2018 Seven minutes after a much more dramatic display had subsided, this brief show at sunset at Tarakena Bay on Wellington's south coast two Saturdays back provided a more pleasing image for my taste. But then, by another seven minutes later, the sky was once again alive with searing colour. © 2018 Ross Collins

A patient observer

Posted on 13 March 2018 Critically regarded as one of the most important British photographers of the last twenty five years, (Professor) Jem Southam delivered the Massey University 2018 Peter Turner Memorial Lecture last weekend in which he discussed his work and his unique approach to landscape photography. © 2018 Ross Collins

Weird worlds

Posted on 11 March 2018 A Ruth Watson installation comprising four variations of Mother Earth titled "Other Worlds" is occupying the plinths outside Te Papa at present. © 2018 Ross Collins

Looking after the little ones

Posted on 9 March 2018 At the Newtown Festival Street Fair last Sunday. © 2018 Ross Collins

Flash dance

Posted on 7 March 2018 Before the start of a musical performance at the Newtown Festival Street Fair on Sunday, the waiting crowd was treated to some high energy moves by the Solid Gold Dance Crew. © 2018 Ross Collins

Calling the shots

Posted on 5 March 2018 Colourful and popular perennial, Sam Manzanza, was leading his Africa Music Experience at the annual Newtown Festival Street Fair yesterday. This is reputedly the largest event of its type in the country, and the numbers attending this year were at least on a par with those in previous years. © 2018 Ross Collins

Faithful equerry

Posted on 3 March 2018 Centreport pilot boat 'Te Haa' was ensuring Ma'am's safe passage out of Wellington Harbour early last evening as she departed for Tauranga. © 2018 Ross Collins

Moody morning

Posted on 1 March 2018 Low cloud and mist wasn't deterring the regulars along the Seatoun beachfront yesterday morning. © 2018 Ross Collins

You can't beat Wellington on a ...... uh-oh!

Posted on 27 February 2018 The boutique cruise ship 'Azamara Journey' was arriving from Napier at yet another South Pacific tropical paradise on its itinerary yesterday. © 2018 Ross Collins

Getting the shot

Posted on 25 February 2018 These two idiots were taking considerable risk to capture yesterday's swells crashing through and over the Lyall Bay breakwater. © 2018 Ross Collins

They're off!

Posted on 23 February 2018 The first race of a nine race series over four days for the 2018 Zephyr National Championships was leaving the start off Karaka Bay on Wellington Harbour yesterday afternoon. © 2018 Ross Collins

Loving the light

Posted on 21 February 2018 Shortly after the Japanese cruise liner 'Asuka II' moved out of strong backlighting as it began its departure from Aotea Quay last week, a very pleasing (to me, at least) bleached-effect colour palette revealed itself which I had a few moments to capture. © 2018 Ross Collins

Eyes on the road

Posted on 19 February 2018 A competitor racing "Little Devil" in the Junior section of Saturday's annual running of the Ribble Street trolley races, held in conjunction with the Island Bay Festival, appeared to have the advantage of a sharp-eyed co-driver who was also keeping a close lookout on the road ahead. © 2018 Ross Collins

Not too difficult, really

Posted on 17 February 2018 The sight of an abseiler equipped with all the harnesses and other equipment necessary to meet OSH requirements working on the tree removal project at Worser Bay, juxtaposed with a gull perched nonchalantly on the top of an adjacent power pole, was a photographic opportunity too good to ignore yesterday. © 2018 Ross Collins

Stripped

Posted on 15 February 2018 Work has been proceeding this week to remove most of the mainly macrocarpa and pine trees growing on a reserve opposite Worser Bay which are said to be a safety risk, and which later will be replaced with native species. The tree from which a much-loved swing is suspended (see the rope at the right of the image) is to be retained at this stage. © 2018 Ross Collins

Full noise or no noise

Posted on 13 February 2018 Closer inspection of an image of drummer Rick Cranson performing with the Tyson Smith Group at the Kotahi Music Festival on Waitangi Day revealed some interesting wording on one of the cymbals he was using. © 2018 Ross Collins

Because it was there

Posted on 11 February 2018 When I see a sky like the one I saw from Seatoun Beach on Friday morning, I just need to photograph it - even when there's little else of interest in the frame. © 2018 Ross Collins

Forecourt concierge

Posted on 9 February 2018 One of two RNZAF NH90 helicopters which called at Wellington International Airport yesterday was being refuelled at the RNZAF Air Movements Rongotai facility before both aircraft left with a large number of visitors who, it appeared, were being hosted by the Chief of Defence Staff who was also on board. © 2018 Ross Collins

The people's music

Posted on 7 February 2018 With music stalwart Warren Maxwell out front, headline act Trinity Roots was pumping its reggae-infused beats to an enthusiastic crowd comprising the broadest possible cross-section of demographics celebrating Waitangi Day at the annual Kotahi Music Festival at the Kahurangi School in Strathmore yesterday. © 2018 Ross Collins

Balls up

Posted on 5 February 2018 New Zealand's top player and ranked 5th in the world, Paddy Chapman was competing in the 2018 World Association Croquet Championships at the Wellington Municipal Croquet Club yesterday, ending the day as one of only two unbeaten players in the tournament after the first two days. © 2018 Ross Collins

Move over Pania

Posted on 3 February 2018 A shirtless man who I think may be a local Breakers Bay resident had apparently swum out to rocks near the shore to take in the view. © 2018 Ross Collins

Waiting

Posted on 1 February 2018 After I had noticed, from a distance, the interesting postures of two commuters waiting on Seatoun Wharf for the Monday morning ferry, I hurried into a position to get this image before they had moved. © 2018 Ross Collins

I wish

Posted on 30 January 2018 The 40.35 metre German-built super yacht "Be Mine", which had an extensive refit in Whangarei last year and is reported to be owned by "a mystery European businessman", was departing from Wellington Harbour yesterday after a four night stay, bound for Auckland. However as she headed straight through Tory Channel and the Queen Charlotte Sound to moor at the upmarket Bay of Many Coves Resort where she has remained overnight, there is obviously no rush to reach her next port of call. © 2018 Ross Collins

Them and us

Posted on 28 January 2018 Passengers were moving about on an upper deck while a local was getting on with her weekend chores as the cruise ship 'Norwegian Jewel' was entering Wellington Harbour at the end of our street yesterday morning. © 2018 Ross Collins

The more things change ...

Posted on 26 January 2018 The sight of Singapore Airlines B777-212(ER) aircraft turning off the runway to taxi to the terminal at Wellington International Airport four times each week, as this did last Sunday, will continue despite the SIA announcement this week. It's just that, from May, the flights will transit to and from Singapore via Melbourne, not Canberra. © 2018 Ross Collins

Chips with everything

Posted on 24 January 2018 Wellington's Cuba Quarter is well-known as being a colourful and cosmopolitan place where anything goes, but when I saw this in Cuba Mall yesterday morning, I knew I needed to make an image. © 2018 Ross Collins

A touch of class

Posted on 22 January 2018 When I returned yesterday morning to check progress with creation of the Joe McMenamin mural on The Terrace, I was not only surprised to see the work was already complete, but also most impressed with way the art had beautified the previously grungy walkway. © 2018 Ross Collins

Blank canvas

Posted on 20 January 2018 Preparations were underway yesterday at the entrance to Kake Tonu Way, which leads from The Terrace to the Boyd Wilson Field, for a mural designed by Joe McMenamin to be created over the weekend. © 2018 Ross Collins

Under cover

Posted on 18 January 2018 Better known for leading his own group, Miles Calder and The Rumours, accomplished Wellington singer/songwriter Miles Calder has been seen frequently in recent times performing covers including early rock 'n' roll standards. Last week he was part of Vincent Vega & The Hateful Eight at the Wellington Botanic Garden. © 2018 Ross Collins

With a little help from my friends

Posted on 16 January 2018 Two Centreport tugs, Tapuhi (seen here) and Tiaki, were standing by as the giant cruise ship 'Ovation of the Seas' moved into its berth yesterday. Neither tug was needed to bring her alongside, but they were used to hold her against the wharf while the mooring lines were secured. © 2018 Ross Collins

Giving peace a chance

Posted on 14 January 2018 When I noticed this woman meditating cross-legged on a bench in a sheltered corner of Worser Bay, I had plenty of time to get this shot from a discrete distance. © 2018 Ross Collins

The curtain comes down

Posted on 12 January 2018 Demolition of the earthquake-damaged former Statistics House on the Wellington waterfront was well advanced and continuing in the rain when I checked on progress yesterday, with the low cloud around the city adding to the gloomy scene. © 2018 Ross Collins

Summer in the city

Posted on 10 January 2018 Lisa Tomlins was in fine form fronting Vincent Vega & The Hateful Eight through a driving 90 minute set inspired by Quentin Tarantino on the first night of the annual Gardens Magic outdoor series at the Wellington Botanic Garden last evening. © 2018 Ross Collins

Travel disruption

Posted on 8 January 2018 Most flights were grounded while others were struggling with their landings as huge waves were crashing at Wellington International Airport on Saturday. © 2018 Ross Collins

Nailing it

Posted on 6 January 2018 Yesterday's late afternoon Singapore Airlines flight from Canberra had to negotiate low cloud, gale-force winds and driving rain before touching down on time at Wellington International Airport, just minutes after an Air New Zealand aircraft from Queenstown had missed its approach and was forced to execute a go-around. © 2018 Ross Collins

On a clear day

Posted on 4 January 2018 The South Island was outlined amongst a bank of cloud and haze in this view from high above Opau Bay on Wellington's west coast yesterday. © 2018 Ross Collins

Seeing the light

Posted on 2 January 2018 The cruise ship 'L'Austral' was heading out into Cook Strait past the lighthouses at Pencarrow Head last night, en route to the Milford Sound. © 2018 Ross Collins

Be my guest

Posted on 31 December 2017 Not only is it rare that I find a subject willing to have her portrait taken, but even rarer to find one who also lets me take as long as a like. © 2017 Ross Collins

Closing down

Posted on 29 December 2017 This old cash register, apparently destined for the tip, has recorded its last sale. © 2017 Ross Collins

Is there anyone out there?

Posted on 27 December 2017 When I set out to make some images at the water tanks in Centennial Reserve today (in a gusty southerly and between passing, misty showers), I hadn't realised there were so many communications devices mounted on top. © 2017 Ross Collins

Opening gambit

Posted on 25 December 2017 In a break with tradition this year, a "light" lunch preceded the usual fare later in the day. It was tough going! © 2017 Ross Collins

Brand spanking

Posted on 23 December 2017 Still looking in showroom condition after just three months in service, Centreport's new pilot boat 'Te Haa' was laying over at the Seatoun wharf yesterday morning between after delivering a pilot to the incoming tanker 'Matuku' (seen in the background) and before uplifting another pilot from the outgoing log carrier 'Luenho'. © 2017 Ross Collins

Consider a trade-in?

Posted on 21 December 2017 This deal was available in Karaka Bay this morning, well ahead of the upcoming Boxing Day sales. If the reference to "one elderly owner" (albeit with a smiley face) can be believed, the seller might be very happy to accept a zimmer frame in good order as part-payment. © 2017 Ross Collins

Plan B

Posted on 19 December 2017 My plan on Sunday night to capture an aircraft image was frustrated by cloud, but I noticed this generously proportioned fellow was keeping an eye on me from the driveway of a local house. A neighbour told me he is just one of four rabbits living at the address. © 2017 Ross Collins

Heading north

Posted on 17 December 2017 it was the turn of 'Sun Princess' to visit Wellington on Friday, seen here off Karaka Bay approaching Pencarrow Head, bound for Napier. © 2017 Ross Collins

The calm before

Posted on 15 December 2017 'Celebrity Solstice' was accompanied by Centreport's new pilot boat 'Te Haa' while departing from Wellington Harbour en route to Akaroa early on Wednesday evening in light overcast but perfectly still conditions. However, ten minutes after capturing this image, heavy drops of very welcome rain started to fall, accompanied by occasional claps of thunder. © 2017 Ross Collins

Pressing upward

Posted on 13 December 2017 While the Christmas tree in Melbourne's Federation Square is no match for the 297 metre-high Eureka Tower in terms of altitude reached, I felt the two complemented each other well from this perspective. © 2017 Ross Collins

Tucked away

Posted on 11 December 2017 When I poked my nose down a narrow pedestrian laneway connecting Sydney's George and Market Streets, I discovered it provides access to the State Theatre's stage door. © 2017 Ross Collins

Stone rollers

Posted on 9 December 2017 Statues appearing to be loosely modelled on the Terracotta Warriors front a gaming room at Rydges World Square Hotel in downtown Sydney yesterday. © 2017 Ross Collins

Season's greetings

Posted on 7 December 2017 Sir Peter Jackson has illuminated the lights on the large conifer on his Wellington property again this year. © 2017 Ross Collins

Now for all to see

Posted on 5 December 2017 With the recent demolition of the Seaworks and Freight Lines buildings on Waterloo Quay (and with further demolitions ongoing and others yet to begin), the wedge-shaped, heritage-protected Maritime House, built in 1928, can now be seen from the road. Originally built as a port operations administration building when it was known as the King's Wharf Office, it has served many purposes over the years, most latterly housing the New Zealand Harbour Worker’s and the Seaman’s Unions. © 2017 Ross Collins