2024-08-24FjordlandPanoramaWeb

     Back in August and September, I made a second trip to the South Island of New Zealand. This time I would visit in their winter in the Southern Hemisphere. I met up once again with James Kay for his final tour of New Zealand. I would fly into the resort town of Queenstown. Above the town is the mountain range appropriately named "The Remarkables". 

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     It would then be on to the dramatic scenery at Milford Sound. It is home to some of the largest fjords and waterfalls in the world.  At an average of 268 inches of rain each year, it is also one of the wettest places in the world. It rains roughly half of the year here and it has rained heavily for both of my visits here. 

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     With the abundant rainfall, it also has plenty of rivers with temperature rain forests containing lush vegetation. 

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     Thankfully, it will clear up the following morning for a fabulous helicopter ride above Fjordlands National Park.  Below is Sutherland Falls and Mount Tutuko. 

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     It was a perfect flight with a nice mix of blue sky, sun and snow!

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     I would also visit Wanaka and the world famous Wanaka.  Last time I caught a colorful rainbow over Lake Wanaka so I thought I would try a black and white scene for something a little different.

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     Tasman Lake (below) can look interesting in both color or black and white.  

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     Tasman Lake is located next to the highest mountain in New Zealand (Mount Cook, also known as its native name of Mount Aoraki). Mount Cook/Aoraki was cloaked in clouds for much my stay there but it made a brief but spectacular appearance. 

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