Central Plateau, North Island

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

Sunday 1 September 2013

Northern travel

 

We are having  a night at Rotorua, a very welcome visit to our family, photo catch up time, and also to collect the next item for my  Diploma study. A computer desk, from Trade Me. Super size, room for my sewing machine in the hard drive compartment, 3 drawers, and a keyboard tray perfect for my laptop when I need to do some fabric cutting. Lucky Me !!!

First stop was coffee break, at a shady place along the Desert Road. It had been showery for some time, and a  very cool breeze.

Here is the man, with his very original covered in trailer. I have shown it in old fashioned print colour, reminiscent of the olden days. We had coffee sitting inside, snug out of all cold wind and rain that was almost sleet,

Hugh's trailer 

The tree is a “ Lucerne tree” grown specially for the Wood Pigeons, they feed off the  flowers and leaf buds. The Kereru feathers shine.

NZ Kereru at Rotorua

My challenge for this week was to take a photo in “ Bokeh”, this is the blur or the aesthetic quality of the blur in out-of-focus areas of an image. So the twigs and buds needed not to be in focus. I leant over the deck railing, and the magnolia buds were there waiting.

Magnolia bud

George had his eyes on the pigeon, but it was too fast!! He isn’t the best when scaling trees, and getting down is always difficult. After looking carefully, he clambered down slowly.

George leaping

Quotation of the day from Albert Einstein

“ Rejoice with your family in the beautiful land  of life”

Greetings from Jean

10 comments:

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

I love the covered wagon and sitting in there having coffee sounds nice on a chilly day.

Love the Bokeh photo, you did good.

Have a lovely week ~ FlowerLady

Carol Mattingly said...

Loved this story Jean. Greetings from Carol.

TexWisGirl said...

happy travels!

Barb said...

Hi Jean,
Still looks cool there, but that bud means your spring is surely on the way. (My fall is breathing down my neck!) Hugh is ingenious - you could live in that little shed (well, maybe not...) Hope you're both feeling well and ready for your warmer weather.

Razzle Dazzle Quilter said...

You were brave to stop on the Desert Rd yesterday! It was such a cold day here. You were right the rain was almost sleet . Brrrrrrrr

Superb photos,

Linda

Julie Fukuda said...

FUN!

Nancy J said...

Hi to you all, two very long travel days, 300km each way, so a quick catch up and more pics tomorrow, clear skies on the way home today, and it looked like some fresh snow overnight. Yes Linda, freezing!!! in Taupo on Sunday. The desk is wonderful. Very heavy, and the wagon, well, I'm happy with it too. Cheers to all, Jean.

Jim said...

Jean, Hugh is a regular 'pioneer' isn't he! Great looking wagon!
Isn't bokeh the best?! Nice shot!
We had a black cat for about 14 years. She was a beauty like your George. Her name was Polo.

Here I Am Carrie said...

Great capture of the cat mid air. Spray some water on your subject and background often helps to bring out the bokeh. Guess you are taking the class now as projects are being readied by you. You go girl. Maybe I can find the time this winter. First I have to learn just all the ins and outs of the new camera.

KB said...

Very nice bokeh! And, I love Hugh's covered wagon. I'm glad you're having fun!