Stormy Awhitu

Awhitu Lighthouse, right on the Manukau Heads - with awesome views from Whatipu at the mouth of the harbour, through to Huia and the inner Manukau Harbour.

Camera: Nikon D2Xs, 70-200mm f2.8 VR

New Years Resolution

As life moves on things change and what was once important seems to drift away into memories. Surfing, such as big part of my life for so many years is one such thing that was put on the back-burner for a number of reasons: career, travel, family. Your close friends stop surfing, get married, move away or find other paths and you all loose touch with what you once held so dear. After what seems like an age out of the water and with a change of focus this year I was determined to get back into the surf. The boards where pulled out from under the house and a new coat of wax applied. The wait began for offshore winds and a good swell.

Anniversary weekend finally saw the right conditions hit the west coast. With the car loaded I set off to the coast feeling a little apprehensive after being at least four years out of the water. I wondered if it would be too big or even if I could get out the back with limited paddle fitness. I figured if I could get out and catch three waves I’d be doing alright. The drive down the hill overlooking Maori Bay clearly showed the swell was solid. Clean lines packed up a long way out…not too big though. So down the track to the beach and out.

That first surf was physically tough. A few beatings and rubber arms that didn’t last more than an hour. Mentally though, it was a bit of a wake up call, what had I been doing all those years out of the water? I forgot the peace of mind you get sitting out back waiting for the next set. The scenery looking back on to the beach, the gannets riding the up draft from the waves. Total escapism and I still struggle to find a comparable pursuit that gives as much as surfing does.

I spent the rest of that week chasing a diminishing swell, surfing every day and regaining paddle fitness and not “kooking” out so often. Slowly getting back the connection with the coast and waves. Life is a big road trip, you’ve got to make sure you keep what is dear to you foremost and don’t get lost. It has been said before the only a surfer knows the feeling, make sure you don’t forget that feeling.

Pics: Nikon D300, 300mm F2.8 VR, 1.7TC

Gannet Transition

The gannet colony out at Muriwai has thinned out quite a bit since my last visit. Mostly only juvenile birds are left. They don't make the most attractive of subjects, but it is quite neat to see the transformation they go through from fluffy chick into full adult colours.

ChickJuvenile
Adult

Cyclone Thomas

Had a great morning surf at Te Arai Point thanks to the pulse of swell thrown out by Cyclone Thomas up in the tropics. The wind was a little cross shore but light enough to not mess the waves up too much. Nice 3-4 foot sets with the occasional bigger one to keep you on your toes.

Photos: Nikon D300, 300mm F2.8 VR and 1.7TC.

Pinesong Presentation

Thanks to all the wonderful residents of Pinesong Retirement Village who attended my presentation this week. This was something new for me and was a real success. I think that showing a multimedia presentation of work really allowed me to engage at a more meaningful level with the audience. As opposed to the usual exhibition opening approach in which you only get to speak to a limited number of people attending. Presenting and talking about your work gives an opportunity for the audience to gain some insights into what motivates the artist and tell some of the stories that go into making a number of the images.

Gallery Q

Gallery Q located out at Waimauku is now stocking a range of my framed wildlife prints. Check them out at:

Gallery Q
Waimauku Shopping Centre
411 7292
021 798 271