Going South

Well, I've finally finished working in the Wairarapa, and what better way to celebrate than going on a holiday on New Zealand's South Island? I'm so very exited to finally see again what made me fall in love with this country in the first time. 

As for my pictures: I have finally given in to the pressure! As of this post my pictures are no longer completely unedited. I have given myself a push and switched my camera to the RAW format and I have started to get familiar with Lightroom. However, the only editing I do is minor adjustments to exposure and framing. My pictures are still, and always will be, as natural as possible! No fake objects or colours, I promise! :)

I don't think I'll ever get used to the amazing green colour of the native bush...

And here we have a female Rifleman, which is New Zealand's smallest endemic bird. So named as it's plumage resembles the uniform of the colonial New Zealand riflemen.

Here we have a Grey Warbler

Another early morning for me, but very worth it, as always!

One last trip to the Putangirua Pinnacles.

One little butterfly.

I've really come to enjoy the company of Fur Seals. Apart from their interesting social structure it's also quite amazing to see the rather plump animal on land become an agile and deadly predator in the water.

A suckling pup

A "regular" pied Fantail.

And here it's black colour morph. About 4 percent of the South Islands fantail display this colour.