Hi Everyone,

The last few months have seen a varied array of trips undertaken by us, to various far flung locales in the South Island of New Zealand.

First off, in late December 2011, we visited Waimate, and the Wataki area for a few days camping, and as usual the cameras came along too! We found ourselves heading across to Kurow, and up through the Hakataramea Valley “Up the Haka” as the locals call it, and over Meyers Pass, back into Waimate. It was a longish day for the kids, but they handled it pretty well.

Next was a few days family camping at Mt Somers, inland from Ashburton, and nestled at the base of the Southern Alps. Superfluous question! Of course the cameras went too! And, well, yes, the kids came too! We visited the Ashburton Lakes area, as far as the Rangitata River system, and the entrance to the Erewhon Station.

More recently I managed a trip to Kaikoura, and had a successful outing with Whalewatch Kaikoura.

Thanks guys! Got some great photos of the Sperm Whales’ tails as they prepared to dive. These amazing creatures can grow up to 18 metres long, weigh as much as four elephants, and dive up to 2000M off the Kaikoura Coast!

Last, but by no means least, we’ve been experimenting with a torch, and some long slow exposures on the camera. Some surprisingly cool results too!