Reflections and a Wedding

I'm sure you'll agree, the Mackenzie Country holds a special place in many people's hearts. So, it was no surprise when Bernie's daughter Renee and her fiancé, chose to get married in Twizel, a little alpine village in the Mackenzie district. 

However, it was a surprise when they asked me to take their wedding photos.I love taking photos (at an amateur level) but have no experience in wedding photography. I guess they had more confidence in my ability, than I did. 

Driving from Nelson to Twizel took a good chunk of the day and it was early evening when I finally arrived. I headed to Lake Ruataniwha, hoping to get a few sunset photos but there was a slight breeze over the lake which wasn't ideal for reflections. So I drove to Wairepo Arm (beside the Ohau B canal), thinking it might be sheltered.  

 

On the eastern side of Wairepo Arm there didn't appear to be a breeze. The hills were bathed in a soft golden light, which complimented the viper's-bugloss growing along the foothills.

Knowing I only had a small window of time when the light was soft and golden, I rushed to find a spot beside the lake to get some photos. I can see why photographers scope out an area before hand. However, I hadn't had that opportunity so I drove back to SH8, crossed the road and parked beside Kelland Pond. Then walked across to Wairepo Arm (this time I was on the west side). 

I got as close to the lake edge as I could without slipping in! Being a wetland, it was grassy and spongy, making it uneven underfoot. There were a couple of times when I was close to getting wet!

 

In a world where everything is so fast paced (maybe my perception), I treasure moments of solitude in nature. There's no pressure, no comparison, no expectations, no rush ... just time to appreciate one's surroundings.

After awhile I started to feel the affects of being around all the dry grass. My eyes started itching and my eyelids felt like grains of sand were floating around beneath them. 

Years ago,I wouldn't have gone anywhere without anti-histamine tablets. However, nowadays hay fever is a distant memory, so I was surprised when it came back. I was hoping a pharmacy would be open the next day.

Taking photos with itchy eyes might not make for the best wedding captures. 

I could easily have sat there until dark but I didn't have my phone with me and knew Bern would be trying to contact me. Wouldn't it be amazing if somehow you could capture the sounds and smells when you take a photo. Maybe one day, that might happen.

And as I mentioned earlier, the reason for the trip to Twizel was for Renee's wedding. It was a fabulous day and despite my jitters about taking the photos, I really enjoyed it! 

Hiding behind a camera really does have its perks, especially for an introvert like me.

Ant & Renee
'The Happy Couple' 

The First Sunrise of 2023

The alarm went at 5am - I wanted an early start for the 10 hour drive ahead (Twizel to Nelson). I'd also planned to be near Lake Tekapo at sunrise and was looking forward to taking photos of lupins during the golden hour.

My first stop was at Irishman Creek. The early morning light was just touching the top of the hills, turning them a pastel peach colour.

Irishman Creek was the birthplace of the Hamilton Jets and as a youngster, my Mum lived there for a couple of years when her father worked for Hamilton Jets as a mechanic.

After taking a few photos I continued on towards Lake Tekapo. A few days ago when I had been driving in the opposite direction, I'd seen a field of lupins. I'd wanted to stop, but there were cars behind me and I couldn't see anywhere safe to pull over. 

But now, as I looked in the rear view mirror, I was pleased to see there wasn't a car in sight.  Now there was time to look for a spot to park and I was rapt when I noticed an open gate leading to the lupins!

As it was early morning, there wasn't anyone else about. Just me, amongst all those gorgeous lupins.

It did feel a little odd not having the dogs with me. They're usually always by my side and with all the rabbit holes and tracks, they would have been beside themselves with excitement!

The surrounding hills were bathed in a gorgeous golden glow and before long the lupins were also covered in the first rays of light. 

Credit for this beautiful scene goes to Mother Nature and also to Connie Scott of Godley Peaks Station, whom back in the late 1940s purchased lupin seeds from a local stock agent with the intention of making the region more attractive. And I'm sure you'll agree, Connie achieved her goal.

What a fabulous start to 2023!

Lake Ruataniwha

Lake Ruataniwha is a picturesque turquoise man-made lake located in the Mackenzie Basin - just 2 kilomtres south of Twizel.

This artificial lake was formed as part of the Waitaki hydroelectric project. Lake Ruataniwha is fed from Ohau A power station's output.

Ohau A power station is operated by Meridan Energy. 

The penstocks to The Ohau A power station are fed with water from Lake Ohau and Lake Pukaki along man-made canals.

The water spills into the artificial Lake Ruataniwha. The canal leading away from the power station is popular for fishing.

Here's the canal flowing into the head of Lake Ruataniwha.

Lake Ruataniwhai was named after the large sheep station 'Ruataniwha Station' in the area.

The 4.5 kilometre lake has a world standard rowing course and is the main rowing venue in New Zealand.

New Zealand rowing championships are held every second year, alternating with the national secondary school champs.

While we were there the Meridan Otago Secondary School Championships were being held. Cars and camper vans were parked alongside the lake - great entertainment and what a view!

Further along the road is a freedom camping spot, overlooking the lake. Self contained vehicles can stay a max of 3 consecutive nights and no camping 20 metres from the lakeshore. Also, no camping is allowed between 23rd Dec to 2nd Monday in January.

From the camping area, which is on the top of a ledge, there's an easy walk down a narrow, gravel road to the lake.

There's lots of space for all size campers. The Ohau A Power station is only a short distance further up the road and the canal leading from it is popular for fishing.

Captivated by Lupins

Breathtaking carpets of pastel hues made an eye-catching view as we entered the MacKenzie district. Russell lupins lined road edges and many paddocks had large areas covered with this beautiful flower.

A warm breeze carried the sweet fragrance the lupins emanated. It was paradise.

The Russell lupins (Lupinus polyphyllus) are a perennial herb originally from North America. During November to January the Mackenzie district attracts flocks of tourists armed with cameras ready to capture the iconic high country flowers.

Back in 1949 David Scott helped his mother Connie Scott scattered lupin seeds along the roadside. Connie Scott of Godley Peaks Station purchased lupin seeds from a local stock agent with the intention of making the region more attractive.

The explosive seedpods allowed lupins to grow and spread quickly. Lupin seeds are long-lived and able to tolerate wind, poor soil, warm or cold temperatures and grazing.

Environmentalists and ecologists believe Russell lupins are an environmental weed as threatening as broom and gorse. Lupins can prevent native plants establishing and are known to alter the shape of riverbeds.

Not only do clumps of lupins cause sand and gravel build-ups resulting in erosion and flooding, they’re also responsible for the prevention of some river birds from nesting.

New Zealand river birds such as kaki, wrybill, black-billed gulls, back-fronted terns and banded dotterals nest in open riverbeds. The openness allows them to see predators such as cats, stoats, ferrets and hedgehogs.

Russell lupins provide protection and an environment to hide for such predators.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom. Merino farmers in the Mackenzie region have seen value in cultivating Russell lupins. AgResearch scientist David Scott believes lupins are an exciting pasture plant. Russell lupins are long lived and nutritious sheep feed that requires little fertilizer.

Lupins are high in protein, nitrogen, sulphur and alkaloids. This combination improves animal performance such as an increase in wool and body weight increases quickly. Plus they provide cover during lambing.

Although there are two sides to the MacKenzie lupins, I’ve loved being amongst them. 

It’s something I’ve wanted to see for a long, long time and they were definitely worth the wait.