New Zealand in HDR!!!

You should click on this picture to get the full effect.

This is a picture that I took about an hour north of Auckland. Yes, it really is a picture. It has been significantly enhanced using a program called Qtpfsgui. This program creates an HDR image. HDR stands for High Dynamic Range imaging. It is NOT the same as High Definition (HD), as commonly seen on televisions.

HDR images are kind of trendy right now, so I figured I'd give it a try. The sky came out a little pixelated, but I think it still looks kind of cool.

Click here to see the original image that was used to create the posted image. ...it isn't quite as impressive.

Moonlit Bay

Taken from the Aroha Island Ecological Centre in New Zealand.

Mataka Station

Image living here. You could! For millions of dollars and a your signature on a very strict contract, you could live in this gorgeous part of New Zealand!

Yes, believe it or not, this is a "subdivision." It is called Mataka Station and has significant historical and natural significance. The Europeans first met the indiginous Maori near this site. It was commonly used by the Maori and is a fantastic archaeological site. It is also a rich habitat for the country's official bird: the Kiwi. So why isn't it a National Park? Apparently, the Dept. of Conservation didn't want to pay the 14 million dollars to purchase the land. I don't know why.

Now homes are being built on this site. However, there are some VERY strict regulations for the residents. Homeowners are not allowed to own dogs are cats because they threaten the Kiwi. The residents must pay an annual sum to plant native species and help preserve the natural resources. The residents also sign strict contracts that prohibit them from harming any of the natural resources and restrict what kinds of houses they can build. This subdivision is an example of the private sector marketing conservation with scenic views to maximize profit. They have actually done a pretty fair job of protecting and increasing habitat. One could argue they do a better job of managing and protecting land than a government agency/ministry.

Of course, there is no good public access. They do allow ecologists and archaeologists on the land with permits. ...but it is basically preserved for the native species and the rich. Is this a good or bad thing???

Bay of Islands

New Zealand: Sheep and Green Hills

New Zealand has approximately 43.1 million sheep. That means there about 12 sheep for every one human that lives in New Zealand. When you drive through the country, you see a lot of scenes like this...dotted with sheep. To be fair, there are a lot of cows as well.

You may have to click on the picture to see the sheep clearly.

This picture was taken on the North Island in the Far North District.

Colorful Sydney

Summertime! Down under in the southern hemisphere, February is summer...and it was hot in Sydney. Sarah and I both got nice sunburns. We had a day to spend in Sydney due to the fact that our flight to New Zealand was two days after we arrived in Australia from Hawaii.

The city is quite lively and colorful. Lots to see and do. It was kind of a shame that Sarah and I were both exhausted by the time we got there. However, we forced ourselves to play tourist, rode some ferries, and saw the sights. Good times.

We are now actually in Auckland, New Zealand, but we have been too busy to even take one picture of the country...

(My favorite part about the southern hemishere is that the moon is "upside down.")

Snow Cones!

We went up to the top of Mauna Kea on Tuesday to get a first hand look at the snow. Mauna Kea is 13,796 feet high (from sea level). The mountain was a perfect place to go sledding with body boards...lots o' fun. However, the oxygen was a little thin at that elevation, so hiking up the hills was exhausting after a while.

Snow in Hawaii

This picture of Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawai'i was taken on the roof of Sarah's family's house. This is a rare clear view of the mountain with snow.

Married!

We'll be married on 2/2

February 2 is just a few days away... Life has been very busy, but California is still treating us well. Good Ol' Fontaine came down to visit and took this picture while we were in Santa Barbara. Good times.

LAX

Ojai Valley

The rains here in Southern California have temporarily stopped and revealed snow on the mountain tops. It is most beautiful here...I fear that I may want to live here at some point. A scary thought because of the high cost of living in this general area.

Pictured is the Ojai Valley. The mountains are part of Los Padres National Forest. This picture was taken quite close to where Sarah and I are staying.

California Sunset

Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park in California was far more striking than any picture could ever depict. The Colorado Desert and the Mojave Desert meet in the middle of the park, so there are two distinct ecosystems in the same park. My favorite part of the park was the Cholla Cactus Garden. I am standing next to a Cholla in the third picture. The first picture features a Joshua Tree...imagine that. The second picture was taken at Key's View, where one can actually see the San Andreas Fault. The winds at Key's View were sustained at about 50 mph. It literally took my breath away.

Hueco Tanks State Park

Hueco Tanks State Park was a quick stop just east of El Paso, TX. The land was attractive to early native people because the rocks have bowls carved in them that retain precious drinking water. There are several places where ancient pictographs can be observed. Unfortunately, many of these areas that are still open to the public have been severely vandalized... It was really sad. Pictured is Sarah next to one of the tanks and an ancient pictograph.

Carlsbad Caverns

After camping in the Gaudalupe Mountains, we visited Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico. It was, by far, the most impressive cave I have ever seen. We were even able to enter the cave through the natural entrance and hike deep into the mountain, rather than taking an elevator.

Featured in this picture is the "Big Room."

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Sarah and I camped out at Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Texas...and we FROZE! We were up 4000 feet, the temperature was about 24 degrees, and the wind was blowing. We made it through the night and went for an awesome hike in the morning. Pictured is a small spring in the desert with El Capitan Mountain in the distance.

Austin City Limits

Sarah and I have successfully reached Austin, Texas! We spent the night before in Lafayette, LA where we enjoyed good food, good company, and a brief motorcycle ride. Tomorrow we head to Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Carlsbad Caverns. Unfortunately, we will not make it to Big Bend National Park. We decided it was too far out of the way.

Pictures featured:
The Texas State Capitol Building
Looking at Austin from the Congress Avenue Bridge
Sarah in her hostel dorm room

Jackson Square

Sarah and I have been in the New Orleans area for two weeks. We will be leaving soon for our trip to California. We went to the French Quarter one last time on Saturday evening to say goodbye to the city...

Happy New Year!

This is my aunt's new house near Lake Pontchartrain. Her old house on the same property was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Yeah...her new house is now on 12 foot pilings.