Here are the photos I printed for the 2025 Kapiti Coast Arts Trail
Astrophotography
Solar storm over Paekākāriki: The largest solar storm in two decades struck the Earth on 11 May 2024. From Raumati South, I captured this panorama stretching from due east all the way to Kāpiti Island
Milky Way over Kāpiti: We are fortunate to have relatively dark skies over Kāpiti, that give us views of the night sky not seen by most people in the world. Here the Milky Way reaches north over the Kāpiti Coast. A car illuminates the road to the Paekākāriki Hill lookout.
Milky Way over Paraparaumu: This photo from the top of Nikau Reserve needed two exposures 15 minutes apart to avoid the smothering light pollution over Paraparaumu.
Beach
Kāpiti Island in the blue hour: A girl contemplates reflections in the hour after sunset
Kāpiti surf: An offshore breeze lifts waves in the late afternoon light
Sunset in Paradise: A bank of clouds hovered over Paekākāriki allowing the golden light to stream in. Low tide provided a nice reflection
Walking the dog: Paekākāriki beach during a foggy sunset.
Kina: From Paekākāriki beach
Kina papa (sand dollar): From Paekākāriki beach
Early morning surf: A gannet flies over rolling surf at dawn. Myall Beach, NSW
Birds
Kotuku in morning light #1: Early in the morning, a few days before Christmas, I watched a kotuku catching inanga in the shadows of Waimanu Lagoon, Waikanae. It then stepped out into the sunlight to preen its feathers and the light radiated out
Kotuku in morning light #2: Early in the morning, a few days before Christmas, I watched a kotuku catching inanga in the shadows of Waimanu Lagoon, Waikanae. It then stepped out into the sunlight to preen its feathers and the light radiated out.
Breakfast: A pair of white-fronted terns (tara) feeding their chick. The early morning sun warmed this family at Waikanae Estuary, contrasting the brown chick with its monochromatic parents.
Tara in flight: A flock of white-fronted terns (tara) in flight above Waikanae estuary
Affection: Black-browed albatrosses pair for life – affection is key to a long marriage. Falkland Islands.
You’re late! A female imperial cormorant seems to scowl at its mate, who seems rather unperturbed. Falkland Islands.
Looking at you! This black-browed albatross, in the Falkland Islands, glanced at me the moment a gust of wind came from behind, ruffling its otherwise smooth plumage.
Life and death: A glossy tui perches on a dead harakeke stalk
Flight: An egret launches into flight (multiple exposure). Daintree River, Queensland
Forest
Enchanted path #1: Paekākāriki Escarpment Track
Kohekohe flowers: Dappled light from a setting sun illuminated the foliage behind these kohekohe flowers on the Paekākāriki Escarpment Track
Enchanted path #2: Paekākāriki Escarpment Track
Sunlit glade: Nikau Reserve, Paraparaumu
Sunsets
Crescent moon over Marlborough Sounds
Quiet sunset triptych: The left photo looks southwest from Paekākāriki over the Marlborough Sounds, the right photo towards Kāpiti Island and the middle one, well, in the middle
Early flight: A flock of gulls start the day in front of a setting full moon.
Matariki over Marama: Looking west from Paekākāriki in autumn
Quiet sunset #1: Peaceful, wind-still sunsets are common in winter. Looking southwest from Paekākāriki towards the Marlborough Sounds.
Quiet sunset #2: Looking west from Paekākāriki
Quiet sunset #3: Looking northwest from Paekākāriki towards Kāpiti Island.
Vistas
Slumbering giant: Mt Ruapehu stirs while Kāpiti is still asleep. From Paekākāriki Hill Road lookout
Kāpiti evening vista: A glorious view northwards towards Mt Ruapehu, as Kāpiti settles down for the evening
View from Kime Hut: A unique view of the Hutt Valley, Wellington and its harbour, and Tapuae-o-Uenuku and Manakau in the South Island. You can even see the Kaikoura Peninsula!
