Light Interference – Buy
Light Interference by Rebecca Baumann at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery,
10 December 2022 – 7 July 2024
More From The Dunedin Coastline
The Dunedin coastline at Lawyers Head – Buy
Here’s another image from the rugged Dunedin coastline. This time Lawyers Head which sits between St Kilda and Tomahawk Beaches.
The Dunedin Coastline
The Dunedin coastline at Tunnel Beach – Buy
Along the beautiful Dunedin coastline among the wonderfully rugged sandstone cliffs sits Tunnel Beach.
KiriKiri Bay (Useless Bay)
Kirikiri Bay, Cape Palliser – Buy
Sometime around the year 1827, French Explorer Dumont d’Urville named this location ‘Useless Bay.’ On account of the fact that at the time he was unable to go shore due to heavy seas. To some degree he was correct, as there is a long list of shipwrecks and stories of boats sinking after striking rocks along the rugged and dangerous coastline. These days, it’s better known as Kirikiri Bay and is right next to the Cape Palliser Lighthouse.
The Esplanade With Textures
The Esplanade with textures – Buy
Once again I went idly wandering and aimlessly strolling. This time on ‘The Esplanade’.
Butchers Dam Near Alexandra
Butchers Dam Near Alexandra – Buy
Butchers Dam was built between 1935 and 1937 as part of a works project during the great depression. At the time, the reservoir was created to supply water to the nearby town of Alexandra however these days it is used for irrigation purposes. It’s also a great place to wander and explore on a lazy summer’s afternoon.
Watching The Immortal Beach
Watching The Immortal Beach – Buy
Well, it’s fair to say that on this occasion I hadn’t really been staying in one spot for very long until the sun dropped below the horizon. Not being able to settle in one spot, the scene of a low skyline with the silhouette of the hills in the distance formed in front of me. It was then that I found a place to stop for a moment.
Idly Wandering With Textures
With Textures – Buy
With a bit of time to spare and not having to be in any specific place for the time being, I went wandering. If you haven’t spent time idly wandering and aimlessly strolling through a city, then I strongly suggest you do. There’s nothing like letting your soul be carefree for a while and your thoughts drift where they may.
St Clair, Dunedin, New Zealand
St Clair Sign – Buy
Distracted for a moment by light, colour and shape on the Esplanade at St Clair.
Carnegie Courtyard
Carnegie Courtyard – Buy
I was going for an aimless stroll, drifting from place to place in central Dunedin with no real purpose when I came across the Carnegie Centre on Moray Place. Noticing a door was open, I wandered inside for a look before spotting an arrow on the floor pointing down the stairs that seemed to be made of masking tape. Taking it as a beacon of light that needed to be followed, I headed down the stairs before finding my way into a sunlit courtyard. Not knowing if I was now officially trespassing or not, I decided it was probably best that I retraced my steps and beg forgiveness if questioned.
Invercargill City Tramways, Tram No. 15
Invercargill Tramways No 15 – Buy
These days Tram No 15 spends its day rattling around Christchurch City carrying passengers around the CBD. However, it started life 14,526 kilometres away in the sheds of Philadelphia in 1921. Designed in the USA in 1915, once constructed, thousands of these trams were exported all over the world including nine that were imported into New Zealand. Of those nine, six went to Invercargill and three headed for New Plymouth. Commencing operations on the streets of Invercargill on 20 December 1921, it stayed in service for more than 30 years until 31 May 1952. Sold off to private buyers, Tram No 15 stayed in the wilderness until 2009 when Christchurch City Council went in search of Trams for the tramway extension fleet. Lovingly restored, Invercargill Tramways Tram No 15 now spends its days carrying visitors around Christchurch as they hop-on and off seeing the central city sights.
Stunning Smails Beach
Breaking at Smails Beach – Buy
It’s been one of those stunning days here in Dunedin where all you want to do is be outside in a garden, at the beach or anywhere that you can enjoy the sunshine. I spent time at Smails Beach where people were surfing, swimming, there were Fur Seals scattered along the beach and families enjoying playing in the sand dunes. Roll on summer.
Golden Bay On Stewart Island
Golden Bay – Buy
The walk from Oban on Stewart Island to Golden Bay is worth the effort. As Stewart Island isn’t that big, you can walk most places if you’re feeling energetic. Located on the eastern side of the Island, water taxi’s leave Golden Bay for Ulva Island which is another remarkable place worth visiting.
Sunrise On The Kilmog
Sunrise on The Kilmog – Buy
About 20 kilometres north of Dunedin, State Highway 1 crosses over a hilly area known as The Kilmog. At the top of The Kilmog is a cemetery called Merton cemetery which among other things is a great place to catch a sunrise.
Twilight On Lambton Quay
Twilight on Lambton Quay – Buy
Twilight on Lambton Quay as the day departs and evening takes hold on in central Wellington.
Beyond Owaka
Catlins Valley Road – Buy
I want to say this is part of the Catlins Valley Road beyond Owaka, near Tawanui and in the Catlins. However, I’m not 100% sure. I definitely took it on my way to the Tawanui Campsite and the start of the Catlins River walk but then again it might be Catlins Road, Morris Saddle Road or Catlins Valley Road. I wish I could remember.
The Mystic Beauty Of The Hinterland
Mid July in the hinterland – Buy
Mid July in the hinterland, heading up along one of the tracks that leads into the hills above Butchers Dam near Alexandra. Around these parts in July, the days are cold, the evenings are bitter and the mornings are painful. Yet, the air holds a mystic beauty. Isn’t it strange how these things work.
The Port Hills
The Port Hills – Buy
Somewhere on the way over the Port Hills, heading towards Lyttelton I stopped. Well, actually I stopped many times so it’s hard to recall the exact place. However, on the way the mist and clouds that were covering the Port Hills were constantly changing and shifting quite quickly so everytime I stopped it looked a little different. On this occasion it reminded me of a scene you see in the Scottish Highlands.
Return To Martinbourgh
The former Martinbourgh Post Office & Store – Buy
I thought I’d quickly detour back to Martinbourgh to follow up on a post I did the other day about the Martinborough Hotel. Well, literally just across the road on the corner of Kitchener Street and Memorial Square is the former Post Office and Store. To this day it remains another fine example of the building and architecture from the pre-1900 era.
The streets of Martinbourgh
“Wanting to pay tribute to the city of London, all the streets leading out from the main square were planned and built in the form of a Union Flag.“
Farm Field In South Canterbury
Farm Field In South Canterbury – Buy
Here’s an image from South Canterbury that I couldn’t ignore and that I thought you might enjoy.
The Martinborough Hotel
The Martinborough Hotel – Buy
If you’re going to name a town, why not name it after yourself! That’s exactly what Irish settler John Martin did in 1879. After arriving in the South Wairarapa District from Wellington in the North Island of New Zealand, John Martin purchased a large sheep station with plans to develop a town in the area. Wanting to pay tribute to the city of London, all the streets leading out from the main square were planned and built in the form of a Union Flag. In 1882, three years after John Martin first purchased the land where Martinbourgh would be developed, on the corner of the town square the grand Martinborough Hotel was built. At the time, so impressive was the Martinborough Hotel, the proprietor boasted that it was ‘the finest hostelries ever erected in any inland town in New Zealand’.
Of Light & Lines
Of Light and Lines – Buy
Eventually I made my way to a nearby car parking building. Which, I must admit, are really interesting places if you’re looking for some creative inspiration or mental stimulation. They provide all sorts of views across the tops of buildings, from all kinds of angles. You can also find some fun textures and lines if that’s what you’re looking for.
The Wanderer
Escalator in centre Dunedin – Buy
I went wandering through centre Dunedin not looking for anything in particular. While I was in the process of looking for some mental stimulation I came across an escalator close to the central Library. I spent the next few minutes riding it in both directions trying to decide where to go next when the escalator itself became of interest.
Dunedin’s St Paul’s Cathedral
St Paul’s Cathedral in central Dunedin – Buy
I called in to St Paul’s Cathedral in central Dunedin for a bit of a look around and a little creative inspiration. It so happened that the next day they were holding a concert in the Cathedral and while I was there they were holding an open practice. One lady who was playing the piano was very good while the man that followed her seemed to need a little more practice. Having said that, if you consider the fact that I can’t play the piano at all, they were both actually very delightful to listen to.
Hey DJ
A DJ playing a set at Forsyth Barr Stadium – Buy
Yesterday I spent just on 7 hours at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin. I was covering the WXV 1 matches that were being played in Dunedin this weekend as part of the women’s international rugby calendar. On Friday night, England beat Canada 45 to 12 while on Saturday afternoon New Zealand scored a 70 to 7 win over Wales before the weekend finished with Australia winning 29 – 20 over France. On Saturday, they had all sorts of entertainment playing both before, during and after the matches including this DJ who played an extended set before each match. It was kinda cool as it was something different from the usual Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond or Welcome To The Jungle by Guns and Roses which tend to get over played a bit.
The Marlborough Sounds & Bluebridge
The Marlborough Sounds and Bluebridge – Buy
The peace and tranquillity of the Marlborough Sounds. It’s home to over 200 species of fish and three different types of sea mammals. It has several predator free islands to protect endangered species like the kakapo, tuatara, and giant weta and since 1962 it has been the main route for inter-island ferries travelling between Picton and Wellington.
It’s Okay To Yodel
The Hooker Valley – Buy
I remember reading once that in Greek mythology there was a belief that snow was caused by Zeus who brought it to mankind by means of his arrows. His arrows were believed to be responsible for weather phenomena like snowfall.
Some of the more interesting facts about snow include; snow is not white, there must be pollen or dust in the air to form snow, no two snowflakes are exactly alike, it takes about 1 hour for a snowflake to reach the ground and my favourite, yodelling won’t cause an avalanche. It turns out that there are a number of factors that can trigger an avalanche, but noise isn’t one of them. For an avalanche to happen, a shift in weight or pressure is needed such as a blizzard, high winds, earth vibrations, a change in temperature or even human activity. But, noise won’t create an avalanche, even yodelling. Yodelling was first used by shepherds to call their stock and to communicate between Alpine villages in the Alps in Central Europe. It then became popular in the 1830s as entertainment in theatres and music halls and extended to places such as America, Romania, Bulgaria, Africa, Hawaii, Madagascar and the Solomon Islands however there has never been an avalanche created by yodelling.
So, if you’re ever high in the Alps surrounded by heavy snow, rest assured that a loud burst of terrible singing won’t bring a mass of snow, ice, and rocks falling rapidly down a mountainside.
Spring At St Clair Beach
Spring at the beach – Buy
One of the things you come to expect during Spring in New Zealand, particularly in the lower half of the South Island, is that the weather can be somewhat changeable. Take the last seven days for example. There was heavy rain, then several days of overcast conditions before a few cloudless days with temperatures reaching into the 20’s before the week ends with snow in a few days time.
The Glenorchy Pier
The Glenorchy Pier – Buy
A few years back now, I stayed a few nights in the tiny South Island town of Glenorchy. One morning, waking up early I snuck out for a walk as dawn was starting to break over the lake and the surrounding mountains. I made my way down to the pier at the lakefront as heavy clouds started to clear over the mountains and sunlight started to hit the hills high above the lake. If there’s one thing that is guaranteed to make you feel insignificant, it’s watching the earth wake-up while being encircled in mountain peaks when you’re the only one around.
The Heritage Precinct In Oamaru
Harbour Street in Oamaru – Buy
I recently drove to Christchurch from Dunedin, a distance of some 360 kilometres. On the way I ventured through Oamaru and on a whim I detoured through the heritage precinct situated near the harbour. Made up of several streets, the heritage precinct is a wonderful streetscape of commercial Victorian style buildings that are constructed from local limestone and were built around 1865 to 1885. Needing to stretch my legs, I parked several blocks away and joined the steady throng of people who were ambling around the area. I walked down Tyne Street and turned left into Harbour Street. I was hoping to photograph the outside of some of the historic buildings, however for reasons that can only be guessed the street has been left open to traffic. As I was standing there, I tried to figure out the logic of having a street no more than 100 metres in length, with a width of no more than several cars and buildings over 150 years old that attracts large crowds, and the council allows people to park cars right in front of them. As I moved along the street, I thought to myself there really is nothing like casually strolling from shop to shop, admiring hand crafted facades and having to wait while some numb nut tries to parallel park a Subaru Impreza or for a Mitsubishi Outlander to move because the driver doesn’t want to walk the extra 10 steps to the shop!