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
From the heavens: At one point the 11 May 2024 aurora sent beams down from directly overhead. The spectacle was clearly visible and I expected orchestral music!
Kāpiti Island aurora: The aurora of 11 May 2024 reached north of Kāpiti Island and coincided with a setting crescent moon. I reduced the saturation of the print as it was too gaudy out of the camera!
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 paddler: The end of a beautiful day as a paddler hauls their kayak out of the water and gentle waves ripple over the shore
Kāpiti Island in the blue hour: A girl contemplates reflections in the hour after sunset
Yellow umbrella: Two women walking on the beach south from Paekākāriki, mirrored by the two Norfolk pines on the left. The dreary day was brightened by the yellow umbrella, in this otherwise monochrome print.
Approaching storm: A fierce southerly front swept up the coast, with Kāpiti Island still in sunshine. Moments later, the deluge caught me!
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
Paekākāriki portrait I updated my Paekākāriki portrait after Miriama Grace-Smith painted a wonderful mural on the old Holtom Building.
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.
Reflective spoonbill: I disturbed this royal spoonbill (kotuku ngutu papa) deep in thought at Waikanae estuary in the early morning light.
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
Marching home: A group of gentoo penguins march back home on Sealion Island, Falklands after a successful day fishing.
Black on white: Cape petrels are common in the waters around South Georgia. This one flies up the flanks of an iceberg
Surfing a frozen wave: Snow petrels wafted delicately on South Georgia gales, and with some patience I captured this bird in front of an iceberg
Forest
Kohekohe flowers: Dappled light from a setting sun illuminated the foliage behind these kohekohe flowers on the Paekākāriki Escarpment Track
West Coast waterfall: A gentle waterfall on the first day of the Paparoa Track
Reaching for the light: Miro leaves on the Milford Track (very similar matai leaves are blunt at the tip).
Sunlit glade: Nikau Reserve, Paraparaumu
Sunsets
Crescent moon over Marlborough Sounds
Quiet sunset #1: Peaceful, wind-still sunsets are common in winter. Looking west from Paekākāriki
Quiet sunset #2: Peaceful, wind-still sunsets are common in winter. Looking northwest from Paekākāriki towards Kāpiti Island
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.
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!
Ti kouka in a nor‘wester: A cabbage tree braces against the wind along the Escarpment Track
Golden beams over Kāpiti: View from the top of Mt Wainui, behind Paekākāriki.
Others
Nor’wester at Cape Terawhiti Strong wind create lenticular clouds over the Makara wind farm
A break in the weather: In Milford Sound
