SOUTH ISLAND TRIP 2016: DAY 8, 25 JUNE
A quiet day photography wise as we headed north up the West Coast, but we took the time to explore the area on the way.
Boats at rest, Jackson Bay
We got up at 7am to shoot the sunrise; again the conditions weren't in our favour; heavy cloud overhead, clear skies over the mountains and no sign of the sun, From this location at this time of year we were hoping to shoot the sun rising over the sea, to the 'west' of the mountains, but it was not to be
We headed back to the campervan for some breakfast and headed of back north to Haast (a brief stop to buy some fly spray to deal with the sandflies that are now occupying our van), then back on the main West Coast road (SH6) and north to Ship Creek to do 2 walks, one around the coastal dune area and the other into the Kahikitea swamp on the inland side of the road. This was really interesting to see how the landscape of the area was formed, and also the different types of bush and the habitats that they occupied in the area..
The sweep of the coast towards Mt McLean, from Ship Creek
Dune lake, Ship Creek
Back on the road and climbing up off the coastal plains to Knight Point lookout, then back down to sea level at Lake Moeraki.
Moody skies, Knight Point
We had intended to walk to Monro Beach, but we weren't able to get into the carpark because of the height of the campervan, and there were no alternative locations to park. This was one of the few times on the 2 week trip where the size of the van was an issue. So we carried on to Lake Paringa to our camp for the night. We set up (the only ones there at this stage, another 5 campers would roll in before (or after) dark) and had a wander around the camp. This was another DOC campsite, "Jamies Beach" ($6ea / night) with a block of toilets and located right on the beach with a boat ramp.
Our new friend the Fantail, Lake Paringa
The cloud had thinned by sunset so we waded out into the lake, but the sky remained grey and dull. Back to the van for dinner and rest
Lake Paringa
"Lenticular Rise"
Jackson Bay, West Coast, South Island, New Zealand
D800, ISO100, f8, 1/25sec, 160mm