Aoraki
The Guys and Mount "Cook" over their right shoulder. The Maori call this Aoraki.
Respite at Queenstown
This beautiful lake after a day in the car was a welcome dip. An icecream, earrings and a new dress for mom were our contributions to the local ecomnomy.
Driver's perspective
It is really beautiful countryside with peaks jutting out of the valleys like Colorado, Montana and other parts of the west. It is the occasional totara tree or tall fern that reminds us of our southern location.
Ancient forest
The evening of our second day we ventured up to a 1000 year old forest to wak through a glen of totara trees. It was wonderful and the sounds of the birds were outstading.
Ancient Totara
One of the very old trees in the forest
South to Stewart Island
The view over Te Waewae bay towards Stewart Island.
Penguins Crossing
This is the first sign of its type that we had seen. We were also curious about the meaning of the adjacent sign?
Trail Head
Hump Ridge Track
A series of Photographs in the Hump Ridge track first hour. Unbelievable ferns and foliage.
Lush foliage
Verdant Light
MIddle Earth
Adventure through Middle Earth
Portrait of a fern
Mouth of the forest
The passage from the forest to the ocean
Swing Bridge
When we finally got to the beach, this marvelous if not tramulous bridge awaited us.
Next Stop Antarctica
IF you look closely you can see Murdo Station.
More Ferns
Dad and a Tree
Quinn captures dad in rapture
Fern Trio
Fern Heads
The trip back was as glorious as the walk there. This was a striking fern.
Our Silver Fern
Griffin and the fern feather in his cap.
Lake H sign.
The Hauroko Trailhead
Hauroko Hike
A beautiful pool that fed into the lake. It was replet with algae and serenaded by birds.
The misty lake
Lake Hauroko from the highest point of our climb. From about 1000m we ate lunch gazed down on the lake and did not miss the black flies.
Moss up close
The minature world that were abundant in the woods were intriguing. Here is a few square cm up close.
Very closeup
An even closer examinatin of the green life on a nurse log.
Curious bird
A very friendly and curious bird tha befriended Griffin.
Motel
Lake Manapouri from our motel room.
Amazing moss
Another closeup of the moss on the trail.
Pause on the trail
The crew takes a breather in the forest.
Green on green
There are now words to describe the layers of color on these trees and carpeting the floor.
Another escort
Another very friendly bird. Word has gotten out and Griffin is being visited by every manner of bird on these walks.
Lush Glade
Another one of the views that met us at every turn.
Moss and Fern
A pair of ferns bracketing a mossy tree.
Quinn Portrait
Griffin's portriat of Quinn on the trail.
Family and Lake Manapouri
Quinns Portrait on Lake Manapouri
Photo boy
A hiker who honors "take nothing but photographs" with 35mm and digital media.
Gently down the Stream
Griffin can't look, mom is holding on, dad is grunting and only Quinn is calm enough to snap this photo in our boat across the river styx.
Self Portrait in Dingy
Quinn's portrait of self in Rowboat
Lake Manapouri
Early Morning on Lake Manapouri as we prepared to head to Te Anau
Glow Worm Cave
This is the entrance to the Te Anau Glow Worm caves
Lake Te Anau
After the Glow worm caves the sky was just beginning to break and the fog was all around us.
Sunset
Pamela and Griffin watch the clouds part on lake Te Anau
Layers
The rising mist slowly reveals layers of the Murchison Mountains.
Roteburn track sign
Lush
Hiking towards the Key Summit was through lush rainforest
Trail Pals
Griffin (aka Mr. Green) led the entire 5 hour hike, giving hiking pointers and nature tips along the way.
Tree Beards
The trees on the forest were covered with moss and ferns.
Cloud Sculpting
By the time we reached altitude the coulds were doing amazing things.
HIgh mountain portrait
The views in all directions were stunning.
Lunch at the top
Having reached the top, we all paused for a marvelous lunch and look around the summit.
HIgh Mountain Quinn
Reflecting Pool
At the top of the summit was a pool that provided life to the a variety of alpine animals and plants.
Another view
Smaller plant life
At the summit there were a wonderful variety of smaller plants. This photo is about .5 meters across
Mountain shrubs
Reflecting pool
To the south the sun was behind us and the reflections were amazing.
alpine berries
small berries at the top. Photo is about .2 meters
Moss
This is a photo of moss up very close. about 6cm across
Microworld
This microworld is about 4cm across.
Darran Mountains
As the day grew later, the shadows lengthened.
Milford Sound
Quinn poses for a photo at Milford Sound with Mitre Peak in the background
Adventurer
Our ship the Adventurer
Bowen Falls
Right in Milford, this is one of the permanent waterfalls in the area.
Mitre Peak
From the boat, a vies of the famous 1900 meter peak rising out of the fiord.
Black Coral
SOme of the unique coral in the underwater viewing station.
Coral up close
This coral was just about to reproduce
Fiord Animal LIfe
Waterfall
This is the fall that they brought the boat up to and that drenched those up front.
Water and light
Cascading
The largest of the permanent waterfalls was hundreds of meters high and sent a powerful spray of wind and water across the lake.
Dolphins!
Quick-handed Quinn snapped this photo of the dolphins alongside another boat.
dolphin
closeup of Quinn's dolphins.
Milford
Looking back at Milford from the fiord.
Bowen Falls 2
The falls from another angle.
Family and Falls
Here we all are at the edge of Bowen falls and you can get a sense of the size of the falls.
Fern
Another Fern Mandala
Canopy
The canopy above the forest in Milford.
Photo dude
Griffin's photo of dad in the woods. HIs camera was still a bit wet from the falls.
Takahe
a photo of the rare takahe bird (it is about knee high and flightless)
Kea
A New Zealand parrot called the Kea, a smart and mischievous bird.
Look, Sheep
From the beginning to the end of the trip we were amazed by the number and type of sheep.
Quinn and Aoraki
Griffin's portrait of Quinn in front of Mt. Cook.
homeward bound
moisture everywhere, here is the morning evaporation in the southland.