Chthonic Wildlife Ramblings

A trip to Fairy Falls

Brendan Moyle • Oct 25, 2015

• Auckland,
• Auckland waterfalls,
• Fairy Falls,
• NZ photos,
• Waitakere Ranges,
• waterfall,
• waterfall photos

My last two attempts to photograph the Fairy Falls (in the Waitekere Ranges) were thwarted by the weather. On the first occasion, bright sunlight blew out the highlights on the water. On the second occasion, it rained. On Wednesday we had rain and bouts of bright sunshine. But the bits in between worked out okay. I have discovered that most … Read More

Counting Ivory: Does it add up?

Brendan Moyle • Oct 22, 2015

• black-market for ivory,
• elephant conservation,
• elephant poaching,
• Hong Kong Ivory Market,
• ivory carving

The publicity the illegal trade in ivory gets is at the moment, running high.  By way of background, the estimated numbers of elephants being illegal killed in African range states, ranges from 25,000 to 35,000 a year.  That means- roughly- there is about 250-350 tons of raw ivory being harvested by poachers annually.  The average weight of a tusk is … Read More

Surviving a stranding: NZ80 at Hong Kong

Brendan Moyle • Oct 05, 2015

• flight cancellation,
• hong kong airport,
• nz080,
• nz80

Many hours ago, I’d raced across Munich airport to make my Lufthansa connection to Hong Kong. The arrival of my flight from Vienna left me with just enough time to make it. If I’d known what was coming, I might have taken it a bit more slowly.  I was on NZ80 to fly back to Auckland on 3rd October. Read More

Sunday Seascape 12

Brendan Moyle • Sep 20, 2015

• Auckland photos,
• hauraki,
• NZ photos,
• NZ seascapes,
• seascape

This is an early morning photo taken at Waiake Beach, on the Hauraki Gulf.  It’s one of the nicest beaches on the East Coast Bays.  A good morning on the Hauraki Gulf is a very special moment. Click for original image Photo taken with a Sony a900 and Minolta 17-35mm f3.5 G lens. *Please visit my photo website … Read More

Hawkes Bay Waterfalls: Maraetotara

Brendan Moyle • Sep 19, 2015

• Hawkes Bay,
• Maraetotara Falls,
• Maraetotara Waterfall,
• NZ photos,
• NZ waterfalls,
• waterfalls

I think I am getting more efficient with my waterfall photography.  The car boot almost always has a tripod, some rope, and some hiking gaiters ready.  Then it’s just a matter of bringing a camera and some appropriate lenses.  In August, I was over in Napier.  With my afternoons free, it was a chance to do some exploring. One of … Read More

Sunday Seascape 11

Brendan Moyle • Sep 13, 2015

• Auckland photos,
• NZ photos,
• seascape,
• seascape photos

This scene is from Browns Bay.  I like to find areas where there is something interesting in the foreground, and in this case, the rocks and pools drew me to this position.  Rangitoto is always a good element to have on the horizon.  Despite the grey skies, there was enough going on in the sky to make the shot worth … Read More

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

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