Canada's trees and whales

Sorry it has taken me so long to post these pictures!  These whales pictures are from Tadoussac, in Eastern Quebec.  This was our first blue whale in the distance....

 

But not long afterwards, this 30m whales came and dives just a few metres from the boat! 

This is the best picture I have of the Belugas as they were always far away, but you can at least see how white he is!  The next day I went kayaking and had porpoises and minke whales along side the kayaks!

These photos of the autumn colours are taken in Kenauk Park, near Montebello, on the border between Quebec and Ontario.  We were there to take pictures for Nature Canada as they have just acquired the reserve and wanted pictures for their website/publicity.  Sadly despite the bears, wolves and moose in the park, we didnt see any, but I did get to see a beaver and a chipmunk for the first time!

 Then I had a brief foray into night photography....

 

New Zealand Week 1

After nearly 14 years of studying, I may finally have conquered the question that has constantly eluded me: which seat on the aeroplane minimises the odds of someone sitting next to me.  A complex formula of proximity to the back of the plane, a window and late check in all resulted in a utopian  plane journey where I had either two to three seats to myself for the whole trip.  Once arrived I settled in quickly before starting work the following morning.  

Work at the museum is very cool, and offers a chance to see a whole other side of the scientific world.  I am getting an amazing opportunity to meet all the people involved in both the conservation of specimens and exhibition organisers.   

Our first weekend, we went on a trip North to Tongariro National park, about 3.5 hours north of us here in Wellington.  The weather was incredibly and we climb up through a coll between two active peaks.       

First day we arrived early enough to have a mini walk to see a couple of waterfalls

Next morning we headed out before dawn to get an early start before the crowds (its like Ben Nevis in the summer!).  The mountains are all voclanic, with great craters and lakes dotted in between.

 

This lovely looking late is fitted with sulphur and there were small vents pumping it out, so it certainly looks better than it smells !

If you look carefully you can see that we are essentially being told we are standing next to an active volcano.

However, you only need to look straight up from this sign, to get a good idea of this!

But looking in the other direction, you get the beautiful view of Lake Taupo, the largest lake in New Zealand.

An amazing hike and the best weather you could think of.   It still hasn't rained once since I got here, but I am told this will not last....lets see!