New Zealand

[Wolfspirit]

Hi to all.. This is my first post and was looking for a little help? My wife and I will be traveling to NZ for 3wks end Feb into Mar 2005. I was hoping someone could key me into some wildlife hotspots. will be traveling by motorhome except while visiting her relatives on the N island. Will be split for time on both islands. This will be my first trip her 2nd from NewHampshire, USA and greatly looking forward.. Thanks in advance and sorry for the long winded request :)

[NZDoug]

There is 4 million people,90 million sheep and about 30 million cows.
There isnt any native animal that can hurt you.
We have Capt, Cooker wild pigs that are popular for hunting.
Captn, Cook intrduced them.
There a lotsa wild goats and horses,
Most deer are on farms.
Thats about it.
This is the place for landscape, seascape and underwater.

[ballroom_boy]

I lived in New Zealand for 3 years and didn't find much in terms of wildlife (unless sheep count). If you wan't some of most breath taking landscapes on the planet, it is definitely the place to go. I did go whale watching and then swam with the dolphins... an amazing experience!

Have a blast down there... it is a wonderful country!

[Swampy]

I belive these are in New Zealand. Don't ask me where though.
http://theswampbbs.com/h100.jpg
http://theswampbbs.com/h101.jpg

[NZDoug]

Hey, Swampy,
thats mountain goat country!
first shot is of the Southern Alps, which is the spine of the South Island, and the second smacks of Fiordland.
In my attachment,
the first is my neighbours recycle bin after a party.
This is a definite sign of wildlife!
The second image is wildlife in action.
The shocking thing here is that they are all girls! :D

[Swampy]

The shocking thing here is that they are all girls! :D

Even the one in the back right in the second picture????

[NZDoug]

I think so, Swampy.
Dont the Rambos have horns-Im no xpert.
see attached photo. :D

[Wolfspirit]

Hi to everyone and thanks for the reply's. The scenery looks great but think I will watchout for the sheep :rofl: I am looking forward and am sure to add to my files. Keep shooting and enjoy life.. Warren

[NZDoug]

Hey Warren
one thing I do that always works for great shots is book your ferry crossings at low light to catch sunrise or sunset.
If the boats are full, get up early or camp your truck in the ferry boat line up so you get on stand by. That way you get a place to stay for free! Its a bit noisy as they jockey trains all nite at both Wellington and Picton.
The trip thru the Marlborough Sounds at sunrise or sunset is fantastic.Wellington at night from the baot is a treat.
Dont go on the QuickCat Catamaran style boats as there is no open air decks, Go on the older "love boat " stlye roll on roll offs like the Aretere. You get a pleasant 3 hour cruise, nature providing.
Grab a few loaves of bread and you will be the envy of all, as seagulls will becon to your every command, hovering inches away from your camera as you propel thru the exploding colours and fantastic scenes of Aoteoroa!
The shot
A brother -sister doing a Hongi, which is a Maori traditional greeting.
Kinda like the Eskimos stuff.
s2pro 35-70 2.8 asa 200 programme P proply 1/60 f.56 ish
56k. :monalisa:

[NZDoug]

Looking at the Hongi shot above, I remember now that I had an SB-24 on -3 mounted on a Stroboframe, for what its worth....