Central Plateau, North Island

Central Plateau, North Island
View from a friend's farm

Tuesday 3 September 2013

Driving Home

 

Monday dawned fine, the air was cool, the sky was clear, and all was good for home  travel.

The Central Plateau was stunning, as late spring snow covered the tops of all the three mountains.

Mt Ruapehu, 2797 m altitude, (9177 feet)  where most of the North Island skiing is held, had some cloud skimming across the top.

I did some processing, and here it is in sepia tones, reminiscent of the early 1900’s before colour photography  progressed to how it is  today .

Sepia Central Plateau

Mount Ngauruhoe , 2291 m . (7516 feet)  also had some cloud, and Mount Tongariro,  1978 m (6490 feet) the northernmost, had some steam coming from the vent on the very northern side, obscured as we drove further south.There wasn’t any safe place to stop for photos ,  we waited till we reached a wide pull off area.

Large parts  of  the lower areas are covered with tussock grass , and there are larger areas of volcanic  rock , where nothing grows. This area can get up to/ or more than 270 ground frosts a year, with  altitudes of 600m and up to 100m, asl, (2000 ft, to 3,3000 ft), The land is mostly uninhabited, apart from Waiouru, where the Waiouru Military Camp is based, 163,000 acres, or 63,000 hectares of barren land, used for the camp base, and  military training,

Mt Ngauruhoe and tussock grass

The night sky showed prospects of a fine day on Tuesday, with frosts, deep red clouds against grey/blue.

Night sky in the West, September 2013

This morning was zero Celsius at 6 a.m.!!! Fire lit, coffee ready, and warmer clothes before I venture outside.The sun’s rays  started to show across the lawn, and lit up the green conifer tree. And the little parrot tulip had very slight frosting , barely visible in the photo,  on the pink petals.

Morning frost in September 

Parrot tulip

Quotation of the day, author unknown

“ Good things might be 'round the next corner, so keep on walking”

Greetings from Jean

16 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

your cooler temperatures sure sound refreshing to me!

Jim said...

Jean, I must say you two are such adventurous sports! These photos are lovely.....the snow-covered mountains are beautiful. Is that mountain still 'active'?
It's been months since we have seen a tulip around here! Now I can look at yours for a while till ours return next May.
Have a wonderful week Jean.

Linda said...

Hi Jean, your photos are so lovely!!! The quote is much needed, too.

Nancy J said...

Cool this a.m. zero Celsius,(32F) fresh snow about an hour from us, and yes Jim, Mt Ngauruhoe is an active stratovolcano, last erupting in 1977, Mt Tongariro erupted in August and November, 2012, closing the very popular "Tongariro Crossing" for nearly 6 months. Mt Ruapehu, at the very top, has a crater lake that fills between eruptions, and when this erupts, and overflows, a lahar can occur, as on 24th December 1953, when 151 lives were lost when the Tangiwai railway bridge collapsed, and there was a massive train disaster. I'll post some pics of some spectacular photos of smoke, ash and plume from later eruptions. Greetings to all, as always, thanks for your comments, making my day so much happier.

camp and cottage living said...

Jean
It is so pretty were you live.
Soon there will be many tulips,
I hope.

Susan Heather said...

As usual wonderful photos.

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

What lovely photos and adventure!! I wouldn't mind a little cooler air here, or even a spring flower--but I will wait, patiently! :-)

Carol Mattingly said...

That snow capped mountain, wish I was there.

Nancy J said...

Hi all, the little tulips might all turn out to be dwarfs!!!Some late skiing for the sports minded, more snow down south tonight, and north of us tomorrow.Lawns are mown, washing all dry, a perfect spring day. Greetings to all, Jean.

fromsophiesview said...

Love the mountain pictures, there's just something awe-inspiring when viewing mountain ranges/valleys and barrens. I just love it. Your world has everything, I am really in awe.
The frost is still close by not relinquishing it's hold I see. Our tulips never see frost because they blown so much later than other plants.
Love the early morning sun licking the tree.

Mmmm!

Ron

Michaele said...

Such interesting landscapes. Love your travels.

Barb said...

You're at the cusp of a new season, Jean - snow and flowers co-mingle! Stay warm!

Here I Am Carrie said...

What beautiful country side you must be traveling through with such a simple way to travel. I haven't even been camping yet this summer here. Hope to get away soon. Just told hubby let's just take the tent and car and forget about the motorhome. It just sucks gas and then it has to be insured. Yes maybe it's time to travel light again. Thanks for making me realize I can still do that. Hugs and happy rest of the week to you.

KB said...

It sounds very cold. I love the morning frost photo and the flower after it. Of course, I love the mountain too! Wonderful!

Nancy J said...

Travel today might have been very different, snow flurries where we stopped, more snow about an hour from us, cold southerly wind. Yes, we do have so many wonderful places, and the mountains always show their beauty, winter or summer. Thanks to all for lovely words, Jean.

Tanya said...

Your photography is beautiful! Are you using that tripod? I've never been able to get the hang of using one. I'm afraid one of the legs is going to give out (and they do sometimes... buy mine is a cheapy.)