Taupo Countryside

Peaceful landscape around Taupo (and in fact, all over New Zealand).

Location: Taupo, New Zealand.

PhotoID: B_20110317_29277

Aratiatia HDR

Water flowing out from Aratiatia Dam into the Aratiatia Rapids.

Location: Taupo, New Zealand [S38 37.046 E176 08.242]

PhotoID: B_20110317_29272

Huka Falls (2) - HDR

Huka Falls is an 11 metre waterfall north of Taupo. The actual height of the waterfall varies slightly depending on the data source. Wikipedia states: "The drop is technically six metres (cliff beneath the water) but the water flow raises the level to 11 metres."

Upstream, the Waikato river narrows from roughly 100 metres to a narrow 15 metre wide granite canyon. The surging water apparently reaches a volume of 220,000 litres per second. The wildly churning waters gets its beautiful colour from the reflection of the sky, lightened somewhat by the bubbles, resulting in an unusual light-blue shade.

This image has been processed in HDR (High Dynamic Range).

Location: Huka Falls, Taupo, New Zealand [S38 38.977 E176 05.363]

PhotoID: B_20110317_29225

Huka Falls

Huka Falls is an 11 metre waterfall north of Taupo. Upstream, the Waikato river narrows from roughly 100 metres to a narrow 15 metre wide granite canyon. The surging water apparently reaches a volume of 220,000 litres per second. The wildly churning waters gets its beautiful colour from the reflection of the sky, lightened somewhat by the bubbles, resulting in an unusual light-blue shade.

Huka Falls is a favourite spot for joggers and trampers (hikers).

Location: Huka Falls, Taupo, New Zealand [S38 38.977 E176 05.363]

PhotoID: B_20110317_29230

The Champagne Pool

Champagne Pool is a prominent geothermal feature within the Wai-O-Tapu geothermal area in the Bay of Plenty Region of the North Island of New Zealand. The terrestrial hot spring is located about 30 km southeast of Rotorua and about 50 km northeast of Taupo. The name Champagne Pool is derived from the abundant efflux of carbon dioxide (CO2), similar to a glass of bubbling champagne. The hot spring was formed 900 years ago by a hydrothermal eruption, which makes it in geological terms a relatively young system.

The orange colour originates from deposits of arsenic and antimony sulfides.

Location: Wai-O-Tapu, Rotorua, New Zealand [S38 21.545 E176 22.138]

PhotoID: B_20110316_29186

Artist's Palette

A view of the Artist's Palette and the steaming Champagne Pool in the background.

Traces of mineral deposits overflow from the Champagne Pool creating coloured streaks caused by wind, thus giving the name "Artist's Palette". There aren't any noticeable colour streaks in this photo unfortunately, however the yellowish hue is indicative of a higher concentration of sulphur/arsenic.

Location: Wai-O-Tapu, Rotorua, New Zealand [S38 21.545 E176 22.138].

PhotoID: B_20110316_29180

Rotokakahi

Rotokakahi is the Maori name for the Green Lake. It is located next to the Blue Lake in Rotorua. This lake was named by the Maori for its abundance of shellfish (kakahi). It is larger and oblong in outline than the Blue Lake. It appears emerald green in colour from the air due to a shallower, sandy bottom.

Rotokakahi is 1,302 feet above sea level and 69 feet below the level of the Blue Lake.

The lake is sacred (tapu) to Maori so retains its peaceful, undisturbed beauty.

Location: Rotorua, New Zealand [S38 12.506 E176 20.199]

PhotoID: B_20110316_29139

Tikitapu

Lake Tikitapu (The Blue Lake) is named as the place where a Maori chief's daughter lost her tiki (greenstone treasure). It is roughly circular in shape, and has no apparent tributaries or outlet.

It is a volcanic caldera (collapsed crater) formed during eruptions around 20,000 years ago, hence, it is deep. This lake is the watersports centre for the Rotorua district and it is also the home of the legendary Taniwha (lake monster).

The turquoise blue seen from above is due to reflection from white rhyolite and pumice at the bottom of the lake.

Location: Rotorua, New Zealand. [S38 11.548 E176 19.854]

PhotoID: B_20110316_29127

Redwood

Redwoods of Whakarewarewa Forest, rendered in mono and cropped 1:1.

Location: S38 09.619 E176 16.145

PhotoID: B_20110316_29103

Bluesky Morning

A lovely bright blue sky after weeks of gloomy weather.

PhotoID: SGS2_20120105_093741

Lego Buggy

This dune buggy was built (or rebuilt) out of leftover pieces from two 25-year-old Lego sets (hence the unusual combination of colours). The ultimate goal was to every single brick available in the construction... and here's the result.

The rear wheels are supported by springs and the steering is fully functional. That's not much compared to modern Technic and Mindstorms sets, but 25 years ago, this buggy was cool!

I had oodles of fun with my Lego sets. True to its slogan, I had a new toy every day.

Ten and Twenty

A 10 sen and 20 sen coin (Malaysian currency, if you must know), shot using a Samsung Galaxy S II, and post-processed with Camera ZOOM FX.

My laptop has been sent in for a warranty claim, so this post was done entirely on my SGS2.

The Black-Billed Gull

Black-billed Gulls at the southern end of Lake Rotorua, New Zealand (at the Lakefront Reserve, accessible by car via Queens Drive)

Location: Lake Rotorua, New Zealand [S38 07.780 E176 15.828]

PhotoID: B_20110315_29076

The Blue Pool

More commonly referred to as the bluey because of its blue colours and in former times was used as a bathing pool. This large Pool collects outflows from the geysers. It is very alkaline and usually 30-40°C with a subterranean drainage into the Puarenga stream. Small mounds along the Northern and Western sides are the sinter - encrusted stumps of manuka trees (Leptospermum sp.) which once grew here.

Location: Te Puia, Rotorua, New Zealand [S38 09.822 E176 15.034]

PhotoID: B_20110315_29049