Stray Possum Lodge

The Stray Possum Lodge at night on Great Barrier Island. I stayed here during my field trip to the island. Note the Southern Cross constellation in the center of the photo.

Hauraki Sunset

Sunset over the Hauraki Gulf near the Noises Islands.

Great Barrier Island

Here are a few pictures from Great Barrier Island.

Port Fitzroy

Taken from the Glenfern Sanctuary near Port Fitzroy on Great Barrier Island.

Tip of the Coromandel

Pictured here is the very northern tip of the Coromandel Penninsula.

Dolphins!

I took these pictures from the ferry in the Hauraki Gulf on my way to Great Barrier Island. They came right up to the boat and demanded our attention. There was also a whale out in the distance, but it was too far to capture with the camera.

Sea Creatures

Auckland City

Auckland as seen from the top of Rangitoto Island.

Ascending Among Green and Blue

Rangitoto Wharf

Sarah's dad came to Auckland this week because he had to pick up a plane that was undergoing maintenance here in New Zealand. (He is a pilot for Hawaiian Airlines.) We all had a free day to spend together, so we decided to hike to the top of Rangitoto Island. Pictured is the wharf where the ferry dropped us off along with the top of the volcano seen in the distance.

Spirit of New Zealand

I took this picture of Rangitoto Island from a ferry. The Spirit of New Zealand barquentine ship can be seen as well. The Spirit of New Zealand is a training vessel for teenagers.

Columns Revisited

Old U.S. Capitol Building columns now located in the National Arboretum in Washington, D.C. (I took this picture about a year ago, but I recently got new photo editing software and liked the way this one came out...)

Taupo Waves

Lake Taupo

This image was taken in Taupo looking toward snow-covered Mt. Ruapehu during a field trip for our Resource Management class. We had a great time. The scenery was beautiful, the talks were very informative, we travelled by bus along New Zealand's largest river (the Waikato), and learned all about New Zealand dairy farms and how they impact the environment. I only wish we could have spent more time around Taupo. While looking toward Mt. Ruapehu, we caught only a glimpse of an amazing World Heritage site. We'll definitely have to make every effort to get back down there!

Almost Achromatic

Piha Sunset

Fighting the Ocean

Ocean Mist

Beach Play

Piha Beach

Piha Beach is great for surfing. The long waves, dark green Waitakere mountains, and black sand make it pretty nice, too. It is only about an hour's drive to the west from Auckland.