New Zealand Blog March 31st, 2016
April 01, 2016 at 10:19 AM
Lake Matheson and trek to Queenstown
We started this morning with a 4 km hike to photograph the reflections at Lake Matheson. The nature trail to the lake was fill with many photo stops as this region has plenty of birds and fauna to photograph. This time of year there is the most beautiful blue mushroom that can be found on the forest floor. There was also this very interesting small bird that flitted around us called a Tom Tit. You will see both the mushrooms and birds in todays photographs.
It takes about four to five hours to travel down the coast from Franz Joseph to Queenston but there was plenty to photograph as we wound along the coast. We took the Crown Rangers pass into Queenston which gives you a spectacular view of the valley below.
Tomorrow we take the 31/2 hour drive to Milford Sound where we will take a boat cruise through the fiords and waterfalls. Enjoy todays selection of photos.
Love this sign ... Kiwi crossing.
Tasman Glacier ... this was the view from hour hotel.
Sanford, Ethel and our Mauri host Pia.
This is a Tom Tit.
Spider web with the early morning dew. Many webs as we hiked along the trail.
Another interesting web with morning dew.
The trail through the forest was beautiful.
These are the blue mushrooms that appear on the forest floor this time of year.
Another one of these interesting blue mushrooms.
A few exposed roots made for good macro conversation during our walk.
One more of the blue mushrooms, they were everywhere.
The reflections of Lake Matheson, the clouds added to the shot.
Another view of the lake.
This bee was busy with these white flowers in the meadow.
This suspension bridge was part of the trail.
Another part of the 4 km trail.
The dense forest made for many interesting shots.
Another view of Lake Matheson as we hiked around it.
You can see the the Fox glacier reflected in the lake.
This is a glacial lake called lake Hawea, more amazing reflections.
A shot along the coastline ... if you sailed straight out you would reach Australia.
This is the top of the Crown Rangers pass, in the distance Queenston.
Another shot from the top of the pass.
The last shot of this evening a B&W HDR reflection shot of lake Hawea.
That’s it for this evenings photos, check back tomorrow for images of the deep glacier park and Milford Sound. Good night from New Zealand.