I think technically these are white flamingo’s – pink ones being a lot pinker. Shot on the Sony Nex at Auckland Zoo.
Interesting fact – sadly earlier this year the oldest believed flamingo died at the Australia zoo – 83 years old!!!
photos and other things…
The old phrase ‘red sky in the morning, shepherds warning’ (or sailors depending on your upbringing and geographical location) appears to be ringing true today as I await the cyclone that is Lusi on its way to New Zealand.
We have been told to cancel upcoming weekend activities outdoors, prepare for a king tide, massive coastal weather, possible flooding, high winds and power cuts. Its always so surreal when a large storm approaches. The air changes. Things go still. Most animals seem to know something is coming.
I enjoy weather extremes. Within limits. All going well, I will try to get out in some of it and take in the amazing power that is mother nature. Going not so well, I’ll stay inside.
As I write the breeze is mellow. News reports its already picking up at the top of the country, so its just a small wait now…

An early start to get supplies for the week took me past Auckland’s Lake Pupuke. Standing on the eastern side, the sun was just entering the sky for another glorious day.
To take his chorus line, I found Lou Reed’s lyrics floating in my mind as I walked along the lake side:
Oh, it’s such a perfect day
I’m glad I spend it with you
Oh, such a perfect day
You just keep me hanging on
You just keep me hanging on
More tomorrow
Im lucky enough to live next to a nice sized park and bush walk. The above image being one I have shown at some angle or another int he past. As with all parks, often various social and club games are played. Here its generally Football/Soccer in one season and Cricket in the other. At the moment, cricket.
Armed with my Sony Nex and Jupiter 8, I grabbed several shots whilst out for a small walk. After arriving home, I processed the three all a little differently. For the head image in B&W I pushed it quite hard to get some heavy light contrasts. The second image, just above had a minor yellow tone applied to give a slightly dryer look than the rain all night may suggest. For the final image below, I didnt really do anything other than a slight straightening before framing and resizing.
Occasionally when I have time to kill and am online, the ‘things’ photographer in me enjoys viewing ‘Whats in my Bag’ posts. You-tube is full of them, as are general online blogs (Japan Camera Hunter being a great one).
On those lazy image days (e.g. today), I though I’d share my ‘bag’. As I have several cameras and image taking devices, I’ll span them out over various posts now and then. For me, I don’t have a specific, all-time set up. It depends on the day, the mood and what (if anything) I have planned to shoot.
With the absolute standardising of smart devices on the market/that people carry today, my ‘Lite edition’ may well be similar to so many photographers and non-photographers alike. For this ‘Edition’ I leave the bag behind – its comparatively cumbersome and gets in my way. All I need is a pocket. I think I have spoken before about choosing to not use a smartphone anymore, but, I do still have my iPod touch. Certainly not the most amazing camera around, but for the ultra slim size, and ability to edit and post on the run, its my favourite choice when I don’t feel like carrying much. Linked with my leather card holder, and trusty Victorinox Tinker, it’s ultra light, and good to go.
Although nothing to do with camera’s, I almost always have my Swiss Army Knife on me. The ‘toolkit in your pocket’ comes in handy more than one would think, and being Victorinox, is a well crafted and reliable tool.
Thats all for today. Next time I feature ‘Whats in my Bag’, I might even have a bag!