Oriental Bay Views - Cam Theme - 16

"You can't beat Wellington on a good day."

So the saying goes and I couldn't agree more.
Enjoy the last PetesCam views for 2006 from my favourite Wellington spot...

The CAM takes a break for a few weeks - until early 2007.

I hope you have enjoyed seeing the updates as much as I have updating the pics.

Here's to a wonderful Christmas and a great New Year...

The Pohutukawa (New Zealand Christmas Tree) are all in bloom at the moment and nothing says "Merry Christmas" quite like the vivid red flowers. So here's some blooms for the homesick Kiwi's in the northern hemisphere.

There are 11 pics in this week's "CAM". Click on the image for a larger view.

Previous posts can be viewed by clicking on the "Archives" section to the right.

This is my 'special' panorama shot of Wellington, New Zealand.
If you click on the photo it will open up to a large pic so you can (I assume...) enjoy and appreciate the scene in more detail.
This is looking from Oriental Parade on the left, to the central city and around to the 'cake tin' of Wellington's finest stadium on the far right.
You just can't beat Wellington on a fine day...

View from Oriental Parade looking over Oriental Bay and up to Mount Victoria.
The rotund building on the 'beach' is The Fisherman's Table restaurant.

The view from Oriental Parade across the bay to the central business district of Wellington City.
I found out yesterday that the fountain was gifted to the city by one of its passionate citizens.
Wellington's tallest buiding, The Majestic is on the far left. The second tallest building is the black one to the right of centre. I recon they should paint a huge silver fern along the facade...

The view from Oriental Parade across the bay to the north west of Wellington City. The "beehive" building in the centre of the photo is the New Zealand parliament and office of the Prime Minister.

And now for something completely different...

Architecture detail - on Oriental Parade, Wellington, New Zealand
When I was taking the picture I heard someone comment, "It looks like a palace..."

If money didn't matter I would definitely put in a firm offer to the owners of this 'block' on Oriental Parade.

My personal verdict of this Oriental Parade apartment block is still out...

Oriental Parade apartments all over the place.
Each one unique and all have the same fantastic Wellington views in common.

Oriental Parade - stacks on the mill... but it still looks good - especially the views from the windows out over Oriental Bay and across the city of Wellington

Oriental Parade - it's nice to see some of the older style houses still surviving the demands of modern architecture. Even more interesting when colour is added...

Foxton, New Zealand - Cam Theme - 15

Foxton, close enough to Wellington to be featured here.
It's small-town New Zealand and like other small towns, definitely worth a visit.
Having only spent the weekend there we did not find out a lot about the town.
That journey will be saved for another trip ...
We still have the river and beach to explore and I still want to find the Clydesdale's Tram...

Do a Google search on "Foxton" and many pages come up - these being the one's I recommend:

About Foxton

From the NZ Encyclopedia

NZ dot com

There are 11 pics in this week's "CAM". Click on the image for a larger view. Previous posts can be viewed by clicking on the "Archives" section to the right.

Next CAM update will be 17/18 December 2006 - and you won't want to miss that one...

Foxton 'De Molen' Windmill - this image is probably the town's most well known icon...

I was quite taken by the Foxton Municipal Chambers building for some reason. The best photo I have is of the doorway and awning but I have refrained from putting it on here. Someone told me to show buildings in the context of their surroundings and save the close-ups for another theme. Wise words indeed...

Foxton, New Zealand - Main street from a different angle.

Main Street, Foxton, New Zealand.

I took many photos of the main street. Viewing them all in a thumbnailed page, this one stood out the most, so that's why it's on the CAM...

Reminders of the past can be seen dotted along the main street of Foxton by these billboard size paintings. Each one depicting some activity or industry that kept this town going in the 'old days'...

CONTRAST - that would be my description of the Gimbletts pharmacy building, Foxton, New Zealand.

On the one hand it's, "OMG! what have they done to the old building?", and on the other it's, "That's fantastic making it stand out like that".

And to keep the 'confusion of contrast' going, there is a very olde worlde mural painted on the side of the pharmacy building...

Gimbletts pharmacy, Foxton, New Zealand - first floor detail...

One of the many churches in Foxton. I took quite a few photos of this particular church and feel this is the best of them. Still got a bit more to learn about lines and composition...

I'm not sure what this place is, or if the buses are even in use. Walking down the main street of Foxton I happened to see these buses down a drive and thought there was a picture to be had there...
Before I could take a look at the signage, something else caught my eye and I was off to view another potential "petescam" photo.

The Foxton windmill from another angle...

And finally, this is the image from space of the "de Molen" windmill, Foxton - thanks to Google Earth.

Abstract Wellington - Cam Theme - 14

ABSTRACT: of or pertaining to the formal aspect of art, emphasizing lines, colors, generalized or geometrical forms, etc., esp. with reference to their relationship to one another.






There are 10 pics in this week's "CAM". Click on the image for a larger view.
Previous posts can be viewed by clicking on the "Archives" section to the right.

sneek peak at next cam theme...

This is a little glimpse of the pics coming up on the next CAM theme... Foxton, New Zealand.
Check back sunday, 03 December...

Abstract Wellington - wheelchair ramp and railings makes for an interesting composition...

This 'abstract' wasn't an easy pic to capture. This is the best of over 15 pics taken of the same fence...

Could it be abstract?

Thanks to IZZ'S CAM for this semi abstract picture of the entrance to the Terrace Tunnel.

Abstract Wellington doesn't have to be limited to objects with hard lines... Light can become abstract - especially when the photographer can't keep his camera steady. . .

Abstract Detail - this is from some of the many new 'cigarette friendly' rubbish bins that line the streets of Wellington

If you live in Wellington, this 'abstract' might be easily recognisable. Might not mention where this is from and see what comments it generates...

Ok, it's a handrail, not a cycle stand...

Abstract Wellington - manhole, footpath, stones, crushed shells, tar... The everyday ordinary seen as geometric shapes... how arty farty's that?

Detail of abstract on a bus shelter at Oriental Parade... This one depicts the stylised version of a silver fern - symbol synonymous with New Zealand

Guy Fawkes 2006 - Cam Theme - 13

Saturday, 04 November 2006 - the night Wellington's sky and harbour lit up in the fireworks display that is Guy Fawkes. It was also the ending of the Golden Oldies rugby celebrations and a Jazz Festival in Wellington. So what better way to bring all of these events under one umbrella of the Wellington sky and create one BIG public show.

There are 10 pics in this week's "CAM". Click on the image for a larger view.

Previous posts can be viewed by clicking on the "Archives" section to the right. Once I figure out how to name the archive posts you will be able to see each specific post name rather than just dates...

sneek peak at next cam theme...

This is a little glimpse of the pics coming up on the next CAM theme... Abstract Wellington.

Check back on monday 20 November

A perfect night for fireworks. Relatively calm water, just a 'little Wellington' breeze blowing...

View looking north east from the recently re-vamped Waitangi Park. Don't be fooled by the lack of people - by the time the sun set there was a massive swirl of crowd...

Looking north west from the yatch club. Queen's Warf is on the far left.

Last picture of daylight - moon rising over Wellington at Waitangi Park

The fireworks didn't just light up the sky - even Wellington harbour reflected the big BOOM...

Purple Rain - well, that's the song I had 'playing' in my head whilst this was being uploaded

hundreds and thousands being sprinkled over Wellington - that's what these fireworks look like to me... A little 'over exposed' but I like it. Anyone want to add a link to their firework photo's from that night?

I call this one 12 moons... Finally, I could capture a burst of blue colour. All the rest came out fuzzy and blurred...

Nearing the end of the fireworks display - it always seems the best are saved for last...

The final crescendo - an explosion of silvery white

Fauna and Flora - Cam Theme - 12

This week's theme is a little different in that it includes some pics of plants and flowers that have caught my eye whilst out with my camera. Close ups have never been a forte of mine. Sole reason, I don't have a digital SLR, but the camera I use now seems to do a good enough job. I am also not a botanist so, at the risk of offending anyone who enjoys official names of plants, I apologise in advance. If I like it, I photograph it...

Please feel free to comment on the posts relevant to the picture if you know what the plant name is and I will list it for all to see.

There are 11 pics in this week's "CAM". Click on the image for a larger view.

Previous posts can be viewed by clicking on the "Archives" section to the right.

Once I figure out how to name the archive posts you will be able to see each specific post name rather than just dates...

Check back on Monday 13 November for the next update - Guy Fawkes over Wellington harbour 2006.

Waterlily and reflection - in the hot house at the Botanic Garden, Wellington

Tulips on Fire - taken at the Wellington Botanic Garden. One of my all time favourite photo's...

I'm pretty sure these are Manuka blossoms, but am quite happy to be corrected on that. If Botany was my subject - I'd fail miserably... Enjoy the image, forget the name.

update: Yes, these are Manuka blosoms - official name leptospermumscoparium.
Many thanks to Brenda for the info - here is the link to some of her pictures:
Manuka by Brenda

Seed pod on bark...

As far as I know these are Iris leaves. Was enjoying the light/shadow play to use as a possible painting.