Aoraki Mount Cook

It has to be a relatively clear day for anyone to be lucky enough to see the peak of Mount Cook. It is the highest mountain in New Zealand which is reflected by the Maori name for it; Aoraki or Cloud Piercer.
It is seen here from the shores of Lake Pukaki, a stunning alpine lake whose turquoise colour is created by "rock flour"; rock which has been ground to fine dust by the glacial waters. These particles suspended in the water and combined with sunlight give the lake it's unique colour. Quite simply breathtaking.

Blue Pools

The one thing that I've always said about NZ is that there is a "WOW" round every corner. Well, there really is! This is the magnificent Blue Pools near Haast on the West Coast of the South Island. Just a short walk from the road through some native bush and you are met with this stunning sight. The crystal clear waters of the Makarora River are really quite something!

Clouds

Aotearoa - Land of the Long White Cloud. This the name given to New Zealand by it's first settlers, the Maoris. No-one is exactly sure how the name came about but Aotea translates as Long and Roa as Cloud and it is thought that this is what the first Maoris to settle on the land saw when they arrived, a long cloud covering the land.
This I can relate to, after living in NZ for 7 years I witnessed some of the most amazing cloud formations that I have ever seen. It's not hard to understand why the first settlers would name the country after a cloud.

Beach Shacks

This shot is taken in a place that will always be special to me. I spent my childhood holidays here and have lots of great memories. This beach is in Southwold on the East coast of the UK,  it truly is a beautiful part of the world. These beach shacks line the shore and are all painted in bright colours...quintessential British seaside!

Ripples

I've always loved beaches. The sand, the waves, the smells, the rockpools, the seaweed and most of all exploring for hours on end for shells. I just feel at peace on a beach. I don't remember where I took this photo, but it sums up for me the "Essence of" a beach.

Lone Sailor

A lone catamaran leaves Port Douglas for a day of exploring the Great Barrier Reef.

Frosty Mornings

Lake Wanaka always made a fantastic backdrop for frosty mornings during the winter. With the low cloud settling just above the lake and the early morning ducks taking a leisurely swim along the shoreline.

Watching the sun rise above the mountains on a morning such as this was always breathtaking.

Brown Tree Snake

There was much excitement in our household the other night when we found this gorgeous fellow hunting on our pool fence. It is a juvenile Brown Tree Snake, also known as a Night Tiger. 

Cane Toads

Being a resident of Far North Queensland, it would be quite odd if I didn't have at least one photo of a Cane Toad! Actually, I have many. In fact I find them to be quite fascinating creatures. Most people find them revolting, I think they are pretty handsome (in a warty toady kinda way!!!)
For those of you that don't know, the Cane Toad (Bufo marinus) was introduced to Far North Queensland in 1935 in a failed attempt to control cane beetles. The cane toad has rapidly spread throughout Australia and it is now considered to be a threat to the environment.

Cane toads have a large toxic gland situated behind their ear, this toxin is believed to have contributed to the deaths of many native animals who have attempted to eat them.