MikeHawkey.com

photos and other things…

recent posts

about

  • Maukatia (Maori Bay)

    Maori BayTodays shot is of the southern side of Maori Bay (more properly titled Maukatia). Shot from the souther hilltop of Muriwai, Maori Bay is a popular stop for surfers, offering nice waves and little of the swimming crowds that places like Piha (another west coast beach) offer.

    I tried to look into the history behind Maukatia/Maori Bay and its name change, but didnt really find much. For those of you reading from overseas, you may have noticed from time to time I discuss New Zealand and its dual names of places – owing to the fact we have three official languages (Maori, English and Sign). I found record of some treaty settlements in recent history that rename Maori Bay back to its likely original name of Maukatia. Im not sure on the definition/translation of Maukatia. My usual dictionary does not list it. I can only assume it was called Maori bay from some observation of locals way back in the past?

    With the car park high above the beach, surfers and visitors alike get some amazing views out to sea. Visit at low tide and you can also explore the natural tunnel on the northern end of the beach.

    So thats Maikatia/Maori Bay. Some more from the Muriwai area tomorrow.

     

  • Muriwai Looking North

    Muriwai looking NorthShot from the southernmost cliff of Muriwai Beach, todays image sees us looking to the North. With over 50km (>30Miles) of uninterrupted beach, it disappears from sight as the camera focuses up into the mist of sea spray.

    As with many beaches on the west coast around Auckland, Muriwai is a black sand beach – given the name simply for the larger traces of volcanic iron sand in the area. I recall as a child (and every summer see many more kids and adults) running as fast as I could in bare feet, but never quite making the water before grimacing in pain at the amazing heat retention of that sand. On a really hot day, the black sand really is quite horrific for softer soled feet!

    Moving inland, beyond the beach are the sand dunes. Fenced off around the popular car park areas, there is an ongoing effort to assist flora to grow and demote the ongoing erosion of the coastal dunes. High volumes of visitors, particularly in summer have a lot to answer for in respect to damaging dunes by not keeping to the recommended paths.

    As with all of this Muriwai series, shot on the Sony Nex.

    Another Tomorrow!

     

     

  • Muriwai South

    Muriwai SouthI was speaking to someone the other day, mentioning mikehawkey.com and the (to date) daily photo post. They asked the simple question ‘how do you find something different to take a photo of each day?’. Prior to this site, I also completed a few Photo 365 projects, so I guess I have had some practice, but the plain answer is ‘easily at times, difficult at others’. There are days I dig into the archives, not always because I have not taken a shot that day, but sometimes because I have been uninspired. As with many of us, some days and weeks all roll into one, revolving around work and sleep. These last few weeks, aside from my Hamilton run, have felt a little like that of late.

    Determined to break my creative lull, I managed to get out this morning and drive far from home, and into some nature, my relaxation release where I can unwind and take photos. I headed to Muriwai. If memory serves, the last time I went there I managed to get a few shots off just before a storm broke. Todays forecast was not much better, but aside from a short shower, the weather was cloudy, but acceptable.

    Over the next few days I’ll share some of my shots, perhaps with a bit more information about this west coast beach/area.

    Todays image ‘Muriwai South’ is from the southern most point of the beach, looking down the coastline.

    Shot on the Sony Nex with cropping and sizing in Gimp.

     

  • Down Low

    down in the green

  • Rural Morning

    Rural MorningAnother shot from the Hamilton visit, Rural Morning.

    Living in suburbia in ‘the big city’, I find it calmly refreshing out in the more rural districts. Long fields of grass, neighbours close enough if needed, but far enough away not to be looking in your window. I think it also the flat open landscape that you can stare into the distance of. Auckland in general is fairly hilly, so you need to be at a high point to see so far at ground level.

    Shot on the Ricoh GRD IV