Chthonic Wildlife Ramblings

New Hominin Species to be announced from South Africa

Brendan Moyle • Sep 09, 2015

• evolution,
• fossils,
• human evolution

Image linked to Wits University Wits University will be streaming a major new discovery on Thursday.  It is from the “Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site”.  Other than that, we’ll all have to wait. The streaming will begin at 10.30, 10 September, South Africa time. Read More

Sunday Seascape 10

Brendan Moyle • Sep 05, 2015

• Ahuriri,
• Napier,
• NZ photos,
• seascape

This scene is from Ahuriri in Napier.  I was over in the Hawkes Bay last week, and had packed some camera gear.  Originally I was supposed to be in China.   The mission to investigate the illegal market in bear-bile however, is suffering a few delays.  On the plus-side, the environment is much nicer in the Hawkes Bay than China. Read More

Friding in Auckland

Brendan Moyle • Aug 25, 2015

• Auckland,
• cycling,
• Friding

Cycling isn’t the most popular travel method in Auckland.  If I mention I cycle to or from work, or for recreation, there tends to be a moment of silence, followed by some comment about risking life and limb.  It isn’t quite that dangerous.  I do wish motorists were a little more aware of me still. Cycling though has a number … Read More

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Auckland nature reserves: Paremoremo

Brendan Moyle • Aug 24, 2015

• Auckland photos,
• Auckland waterfalls,
• Paremoremo Reserve,
• stream photos,
• waterfall photo

There are a good number of local forest reserves around the North Shore.  These are nice to escape into, and for a while, be among native birds, trees and other natural goodness.  So feeling the desire, on Sunday afternoon I went out to visit the Paremoremo Reserve.  It was also a chance to give my Minolta 17-35mm G lens a … Read More

The Waterfalls of Auckland

Brendan Moyle • Aug 19, 2015

• Auckland waterfalls,
• Kitekite Falls,
• long exposure,
• NZ photos,
• Piha Regional Park,
• waterfalls

Auckland is actually a fascinating city.  With the Waitakere Ranges to the west, the Hauraki Gulf and numerous other landscapes, there’s a lot to explore.   One of my goals of late has been to take more and more of the waterfalls around here.  It intrigues me that we are surrounded by so much, yet I encounter so few of … Read More

The Esplanade Hotel: Happy Hour

Brendan Moyle • Aug 11, 2015

• Auckland photos,
• Devonport,
• Esplanade Hotel,
• NZ photos

There is a building in Devonport I quite like.  It is the Esplanade Hotel. I tried photographing earlier in the year (with a 20mm lens), but the amount of lens-flare caught in the image, ruined it for me.  This time, I hoped things would be different. I’ve got a new Lee Lens Hood, which combined with the filters, should produce … Read More

Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.

Brendan Moyle • Aug 06, 2015

• Auckland,
• cycling,
• nz

I’m cycling again. Let me clarify. I never stopped. But I did slow down a lot over winter. Things have changed. I’ve gone from using a mountain-bike, to using a road-bike. Somethings are immediately obvious. A mountain bike is a gentle creature, its wide tires, shock absorbers and good seat, provide a more comfortable ride. Its gears go down really … Read More

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The Bangle Distraction

Brendan Moyle • Jul 20, 2015

• China's demand for ivory,
• elephant poaching,
• Hong Kong Ivory Market,
• ivory smuggling,
• ivory trade,
• wildlife trade

One of the recent reports on the illegal trade in ivory has implicated Hong Kong as a smuggling node into China.  The claim is that Hong Kong is failing to impact the illegal trade, and this is contributing to the demise of elephant populations in Africa. The level of retail trade is indicated by the number of items available … Read More

Sunday Seascape 9

Brendan Moyle • Jul 19, 2015

• Auckland photos,
• NZ photos,
• seascape,
• Stanley Bay

What I like about the sea, is that it is always different.  The weather, the tides, a shift in location, all can mean going back to the same sites can produce a different image.  The challenges can sometimes be though, staying dry and keeping the gear clean of spray. One element I like to exclude from scenes is people.  This … Read More

Sunday Seascape 8

Brendan Moyle • Jul 06, 2015

• Auckland photos,
• Hauraki Gulf,
• long exposure,
• NZ photos,
• seascape,
• Torbay,
• Waiake

Ok, it isn’t Sunday anymore, but what with taxes and other things, Sunday seemed to get away on me.  Also, it was more fun watching The Hobbit with children last night.  Is it churlish to mention I didn’t find the third movie to be as entertaining as the first two?  Seemed to have too much time devoted to fighting, and … Read More

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