Views of Southern Alps across coastal native forest and lagoon near Okarito, Westland Tai Poutini National Park, West Coast, UNESCO World Heritage Area, New Zealand, NZ

It’s strange, but for some reason, wetlands are rather forgotten places of a general interest, yet, they are the home to probably more creatures then any other environment. Sadly, over the centuries, the vast majority of these essential habitats in New Zealand have been drained in the sake of “human’s development”.
Fortunately, a few of these wetlands manage to survive under protection of national park status, such as this, in the Westland Tai Poutini National Park.

Photographing in these places is hugely rewarding, since wetlands offer endless opportunities for wonderful photographs to be made.
This image has been photographed on an early morning, just when the sun appeared over the Southern Alps.
There was a morning mist over the lagoon of the wetland near Franz Josef Glacier, and as the sun climbed higher and higher on the sky, its morning light was defused by the mist and illuminated the scene with beautiful warm tones, lending the image wonderful airy mood.

What a wonderful morning it was, with the Tasman Sea crashing behind my back and Mount Tasman, 3,497m, the second highest mountain of New Zealand on the horizon.

For more images with similar theme, please visit COASTAL IMAGES.

Thank you.

Alpine sunset viewed from Mt. Fox with Cook River and Tasman Sea in distance, Westland Tai Poutini National Park, West Coast, UNESCO World Heritage Area, New Zealand, NZ

Continuing with the theme of “my golden 20 minutes”, this image was made not too far from Fox Glacier, high up in the alpine environment, when the end of the day light was dressing up the scene with a wonderful golden glow.

This is one of my favourite locations where I love spending my time; exploring and amalgamating with the environment, looking and planning for new photographs.
What’s remarkable about this alpine place is that the Tasman Sea, visible on horizon, is barely 10km away and you’re already around 1600m asl.

I’ve been in this spot many times before, observing angles of the light, compositions, simply chasing photography opportunities. Among other images, I have always been attracted to the rock stacks scattered all around this alpine terrain, with these rocks in particular. They offer wonderful angle toward the sea on horizon, while incorporating the Cook River draining the Fox Glacier into the sea. All I needed was to be there in right time, when the setting sun was at the right angle and a suitable amount of clouds, or, rather lack of it, enabled the light to cast its wonderful warm hues across the landscape.

For more images with alpine theme, please visit ALPINE IMAGES.

Thank you.

Soft colours of twilight over Southern Alps with two highest peaks in New Zealand, Aoraki, Mt. Cook 3724m (right) and Mt. Tasman 3497m (left) and Franz Josef Glacier, Westland Tai Poutini National Park, West Coast, UNESCO World Heritage Area, New Zealand, NZ

In a pursue of my images, I try to find new places, locations unknown and not photographed by others to create a new, fresh and appealing frame. It’s not only for the sake of novelty though, rather, to make me happy and excited with new vistas, new discoveries.
Sometimes, however, there are places which demand our high respect, making us to ditch our egos, because of just what they are. One of those spots is a popular lookout from the Okarito Trig, offering spectacular views toward the majestic Southern Alps. And sometimes, all it takes to create a wonderful photograph is to be there in the right time of the day and play it simple. Like in this example, when I took advantage of those gorgeous, soft pastel hues cast over the landscape by the ending of the day. And of course, when pretty, lenticular clouds hung around for a minute, that’s when the image speaks up.
These would be, arguably the most expansive vistas over the Southern Alps, encompassing a few hundreds of km of rangers laid out right in front of you in 180 degree span.
2 highest peaks of New Zealand’s Southern Alps with leafy shaped Mount Tasman on right 3,497m with highest mountain Aoraki/Mount Cook 3,724m right next to it on right. Franz Josef Glacier is just visible below them.
Thank you.

Below, please enjoy few photographs and snaps of our clients on locations we visit.
Thank you and we look forward to welcoming some of you on one of our photography adventure.

Sunrise at Lake Matheson with reflections of Mt. Cook and Mt. Tasman, Westland National Park, West Coast, UNESCO World Heritage Area, New Zealand

Icebergs and ice debris on Hooker Lake with reflections of Aoraki Mount Cook sunrise, Aoraki Mtount Cook National Park, Mackenzie Country, World Heritage Area, New Zealand

Sun falling behind horizon of the Tasman Sea. Watched from overnight Milford Sound boat cruise in Milford Sound, Fiordland National Park, UNESCO World Heritage Area, New Zealand

Native rainforest and tree ferns on the West Coast in Oparara Valley near Karamea, Kahurangi National Park, New Zealand

Looking towards Humboldt Mountains and Mount Aspiring National Park near Glenorchy, UNESCO World Heritage Area, New Zealand

Deep green-blue colours of Hokitika River Gorge, South Westland, New Zealand

Kahikatea forest in fog at sunrise at Lake Wahapo, West Coast, Westland National Park, UNESCO World Heritage Area, South Westland, New Zealand

Thank you and Enjoy!

Moria Gate, limestone formation in Oparara Valley near Karamea, Kahurangi National Park, Buller Region, West Coast, New Zealand

Many tourists make a mistake of not taking on the northern part of the West Coast. Often, they would travel as far north as Westport, but leaving out Karamea area.
And that’s a mistake as this region is one of marvels the West Coast has on offer.
Oparara Valley is famous for its lush green rainforest and beautiful orange-brown tannin stained Oparara River but particularly for its famous limestone arches and caves.
One of the easily accessed caves is Moria Gate with Oparara River flowing through it.
The arch itself offers endless photo opportunities but using slow shutter speed enables us to capture wonderful reflections of the cave shapes reflecting into the slowly flowing river.

This is a very easy, short walk from the carpark and everyone visiting this are should come and enjoy tranquility of this wonderful location.
Not like in the where sadly, as far as you can see, there is always a pine grove in a view, spoiling these beautiful Sounds. Luckily some great work is being done to eradicate this trees from these hills where they don’t belong.
In Whanganui however, no pines at all. You’re surrounded only by native coastal forest just like what it was hundreds of years ago. …and that’s something we must treasure dearly.

Moria Gate, limestone formation in Oparara Valley near Karamea, Kahurangi National Park, Buller Region, West Coast, New Zealand

Thank you and Enjoy!

Pastel colours of sunset over Whanganui Inlet on west coast with alpine vegetation, Nelson Region, West Coast, South Island, New Zealand

There are many things that I like about this area; total lack of people is one of them.
Apart from a few farming vehicles, it will still surprise you when you meet with another freedom traveller heading towards you on this wonderfully narrow, dusty road.
Another nice thing is a beautiful silence. More often than not, in coastal areas you can hear boats’ engines reeving up but very seldom here…only birds echo through the air. But the main thing I’d like to point out here is my favourite one – it’s all about native bush here.
Not like in the Marlborough Sounds where sadly, as far as you can see, there is always a pine grove in a view, spoiling these beautiful Sounds. Luckily some great work is being done to eradicate this trees from these hills where they don’t belong.
In Whanganui however, no pines at all. You’re surrounded only by native coastal forest just like what it was hundreds of years ago. …and that’s something we must treasure dearly.

Pastel colours of sunset over Whanganui Inlet on west coast with alpine vegetation, Nelson Region, West Coast, South Island, New Zealand

Thank you and Enjoy!

Sample Images from Routeburn Track in New Zealand

Long days of summer have gone now but I’m really excited (as every year) about approaching winter’s short days and its brilliant photography light. Next to this marvellous light, white peaks around us, late mornings (for sleep in) and early evenings (to catch a dinner without a rush) these are some of few things photographers like about making photographs in winter.

I however do like getting around in summer too and this past summer hasn’t been different for me. After 11 years, I re-visited one of the best locations New Zealand has on offer – the Routeburn Track in Mount Aspiring and Fiordland National Park … and what a fantastic trip I had.

It was a photographic bonanza. The weather stayed on my side, giving me plenty of blue skies and suntan, as well as those magical low clouds around Lake Mackenzie . This was really great as it allowed me to photograph an amazing rainforest surrounding it. The only sad thing was that the bush was bone dry, thus lacking that extra juicy kick and the lake was at its lowest everyone I spoke to could have recalled.
Despite this, I’m very happy with few keepers and I got home with.

For those of you who haven’t made it to Routeburn yet, I hope that these sample photos will help you to make up your mind.

Thanks and Enjoy!

Wild Tekano Creek near Douglas Rock Hut in Copland Valley, Westland National Park, West Coast, South Westland, New Zealand

A week ago I spent several days in one of my favourite areas, in Copland Valley, on the West Coast of the South Island in New Zealand.

Gorgeous Copland River runs through this beautiful valley which is penetrated with side creeks of all sizes; and they all have one thing in common – they are rough and wild.
Since these rivers, creeks and streams are in an area where the rainfall can exceed 500mm in 24hrs, one can only imagine the inferno happening when the heavy rain comes down and those massive boulders of bus sizes tumble down these creeks…

But on calm days, these creeks are not only very beautiful alpine gems to photograph but also great to wash down the blood and sweat from reaching them…not mentioning best water to drink!

Tekano Creek with sun rising on The Sierra Range and Welcome Pass behind, Westland National Park, West Coast, World Heritage Area, New Zealand

Taken with Nikon D800E and Nikkor 16-35mm f4 lens and is a stitch of 2 vertical frames.

Thank you and Enjoy!

For more similar images from this area, please visit our online gallery of Rivers and Creeks.

Stock Images from Golden Bay, Nelson Region, South Island, New Zealand

It’s been a while since my last images release last September, yes, time passes by fast, and I wasn’t wasting my time.

Rather, it was the opposite. I spent quite some time on the road chasing the light and visiting many new places, as well as going back to those favourite ones.

New locations in magnificent Mt. Cook National Park has been visited, stunning beach of Totaranui, Wharariki and much, much more fell a target of my camera…and then, long days were spent in office processing and uploading all those image files onto our stock site.

As a result, you can now found several hundreds of new photos added and spread throughout galleries on our website and where they are now all available for licensing.

To view samples of these new images showcasing coastal areas of Golden Bay on top of the South Island, as well as new locations in Mt. Cook National Park and Abel Tasman National Parks , plus much more, please visit our image gallery New Stock Coastal and Mountains Images from Totaranui, Wharariki, West Coast, Mt. Cook and Abel Tasman NP .

All Photos: ©Petr Hlavacek – www.nzicescapes.com

Thank you and Enjoy!

Lets take a look at January.

I’ve been planning this frame of Franz Josef Glacier with daisies in foreground for a long time but never really happened to be able to go for the shoot in the right time of the year.
Last year I decided that I can’t miss mountain daisies on Alex Knob again. Unfortunately, when I got up the top it got quite breezy around the sunset time so it was quite difficult to get sharp image, as the daisies were moving most of the time. The shutter speed was slow in this low light and I had to improvise and shelter flowers a bit with my pack but with no much success. Eventually that evening, I managed to pull of a couple of sharp frames I’m happy with.

Franz Josef Glacier with mountain daisies as seen from Alex Knob, Westland NP, West Coast, New Zealand

February was a similar story.

Roys Peaks were on my list for a long time, as well and is one of locations I haven’t visited before so I was really excited to go up. The views from there are quite extraordinary and are worth of every drop of sweat…and there is quite a few drops one sheds on way up…
This image is a summer version but I do plan going back around winter time to get a bit of the snow on tops. But in this frame, I really like those pastel colours of twilight together with steel blue lake which is being swept by winds, creating nice pattern on its surface.

Sunset over Lake Wanaka as seen from Roys Peak 1578m, Central Otago, New Zealand

March

Last year I visited one location more often then others. It was Punakaiki in Paparoa National Park in northern part of the West Coast. Punakaiki is one of those places where inspiration comes in buckets. Being not too far from my home, only about 3 hrs drive, no wonder I gave this place more attention last year and will continue to do so in the future.
Walking among limestone formations in twilight is truly exciting for photographer and one has to really concentrate on what to photograph. There is image everywhere one points the camera at but when I saw this limestone stack with so much detail in right light, the image was decided for me. Especially, when this photograph isn’t so profound like the others from the area.

Pancake rocks - limestone formations on rugged coast in Punakaiki during sunset, Paparoa National Park, West Coast, New Zealand

For April I had planned my trip to Milford Sound.

It’s been soooo long since I was there last time so one can only imagine my hype when I hit the road. It’s a bit of a drive, around 13 hrs from my place but I decided to break the journey up and stayed a few nights in Te Anau, also one of the long over due location for me.
I stayed about a week in Milford as I wanted to do a few side trips as well. And this image is from one of those – Gertrude Saddle.
An easy hike up the saddle gives you an amazing views not only toward the Milford Sound in distance but also over beautiful Darran Mountains you’re totally enclosed by….what a tent door view…

Sunset over Milford Sound as seen in distance from Gertude Saddle, Fiordland NP, Southland, New Zealand

In May I didn’t have to travel far.

Actually, didn’t have to travel at all as one of the best views of the Southern Alps is only a few minutes away from my home – in Okarito.
Oh boy, how much I love this place. I would go up as often as I can as the views from this popular lookout are just magic. I have many frames from this place but I really like this one. It’s not one of those chocolate box like versions and gives you a chill of that raw wintery evening of the rainforest and mountains after sun went behind the horizon.

Mt. Tasman and Mt. Cook behind clouds after sunset in twilight, Westland National Park, West Coast, World Heritage, South Island, New Zealand

In June, winter picked up its momentum and good dump of snow covered mountains.

And that’s a great time to visit one my another beloved places – Three Mile Lagoon. This time it was even more urging and exciting to go as this was my first shoot with my new 36MP camera. And how happy a man can be…
I have made a similar image before but in different light and because I love those pastel colours of twilight, I wanted to re-shoot this frame….magical location!

Views of Mt. Tasman 3497m and Mt. Cook 3754m from Three Mile Lagoon Beach during sunset, Westland National Park, World Heritage, West Coast, New Zealand

In July I was on moon hunting.

This image had been some years in making, as there is not too many opportunities to capture full moon next to the highest NZ mountains. Obviously, the weather is the boss here and if it gets stubborn, you gotta wait until next year.
I came in June but the clouds arrived so I packed up and went home…well, of course, I managed to photograph something else but there was no mountains and no moon. And so I went the following month again but this time I was lucky. There was no clouds around and the moon was closest to Mt. Tasman it ever gets. I have a few more ideas about this image so I will definitely be back this year again…

Twilight at Gillespies Beach with moon rising over Fox Glacier and next to Mt. Tasman (left) 3497m and Mt. Cook (right) 3754m, two highest New Zealand mountains, Westland National Park, West Coast, New Zealand

I love going places only a few knows about and not too many people photograph.
Charleston on in northern part of the West Coast was one of those places for me in August.

Time to time you can find a photo of the main bay in Charleston but I haven’t seen many of this southern coastline. I came to this spot several times as I wanted to have sunset and also sunrise versions as they are very different when it comes to light but both have its beauty. To me, this sunrise photograph thanks to the lit up clouds and ruggedness of the coastline in moody dark is the winner.

Sunrise on wild and remote coastline near Charleston near Westport, West Coast, New Zealand

In September I was on a road again.

It’s been 7 years since I’ve been in Catlins last time so I couldn’t wait to get there. This eastern southern coastline lives kinda in a shadow of those hugely popular areas but perhaps because of it, it’s a joy to travel through and meeting with locals. Sitting in the bottom corner of the South Island, Catlins truly has some gems to show and the Nugget Point with its lighthouse is definitely one of them. In summer, the sun rises much more to the right, creating a lot of negative space if the sky is empty but I like its placement here, where it makes for a very pleasing and well balanced composition.

Sunrise at Nugget Point with lighthouse, Catlins, Southland, South Island, New Zealand

With October, I’ll be cheating a bit.

Initially, I wanted to use a different image for October, but then I changed my mind as I wanted to share with you another special frame. And because I’ve been quite busy at the end of last year I thought I could use image I took just on the beginning of November.
On the 1st November I travelled to Mt. Cook National Park to give hand to my friend Colin Monteath with his mountain photography workshop. He’s a fantastic guy and mountain photographer so please check his website at – www.colinmonteath.com
We had a blast and were lucky with weather. One of those nights we spent in mountains and it rained and snowed but it gave us a gorgeous morning where everything was dusted with fresh, thin layer of snow…just magic.

Soft pastel dawn over Tasman Glacier as seen from Ball Ridge with De la Beche 2950m in background with climber giving sense of scale at end of ridge and in foreground, Mt. Cook National Park, World Heritage, Mackenzie Country, South Island, New Zealand

Shortly after I came back from Mt. Cook, in November I hit the road again, this time to the Nelson Region – Golden Bay.

There was one place in particular which I wanted to visit, actually two – Totaranui and Wharariki.
The image below is from amazing Wharariki with its famous arches on the beach. I’ve been here before but it was too long ago – well, 10 years to be exact…and here again, the adrenalin was running up my brain….how great it is to visit old places you love and always find them as new…..

Sun sets on famous arches on Wharariki Beach on west coast of South Island, Nelson Region, South Island, New Zealand

And as a last image for December I won’t go far at all.

I chose to share a view from my lounge when the sun was setting on the boxing day.

Sunset with silhouetted totara tree near Whataroa, South Westland, West Coast, South Island, New Zealand

Lets hope you’ve enjoyed my adventures and I look forward to catching up with you here next year again!
Many thanks for visiting my posts and all the best in 2013!