TonyP Loc: New Zealand

Just a very common NZ Sparrow (I think) but sat beside me and watched a farm shoot as if he wanted his pic taken as well. So I did and now he/she's immortalised.


Enojoy hanging around Racing Stables, sort of specialised 'street photography'. This guy is a trainer awaiting the call to go out on the track.


A Maori Meeting House in original condition. Most are upgraded with wooden flooring, windows, lights etc. Hard pic to take as didnt want to use flash so went for long exposure with camera on a makeship support.

TonyP Loc: New Zealand

This has become a bit addictive for me.
Will make this my last set :oops:

McLaren Falls - Rock Pool


Kawakawa, North Island NZ. Home of Hunterwasser toilets and the train sharing the road with cars.


Some New Zealand Coastline. Te Kaha, Eastern Bay of Plenty. Where to go if you want fishing - from Schnapper to Crayfish.


Country & Western Riding. Event Day.


Lady in Green. Street Pic.

Frank 2012 Loc: Olathe, Kansas

There is nothing spectacular to photograph in Kansas unless someone is interested in miles and miles of Wheat, Corn and Milo fields. The East Central region of Kansas has a large area of rolling hills, about 200 miles north to south and 50 to 75 miles wide called the Flint Hills which is usually occuppied(May thru Sept.) by vast herds of Texas cattle and a few herds of Bison. Beautiful to look at the whole scene from high ground, almost impossible to photograqph. However, if you are driving through Kansas, the highway system is second to none.
There is a lot of beautiful national parks in Utah. Monument Valley in Arizona and the Grand Canyon. Utah and Arizona are very hot during June, July and August.
Yellowstone Park is in Wyoming with Teton N.P. just a short way to the south. Check the weather for these two parks because it is winter here for 7 to 8 months of the year.
Then there are great National Parks on the East and West Coast. Parks are crowded during the summer months, but when kids head back to school, family vacations are over, then
not quite so crowded. I hope you can make the trip for a visit.

vicksart Loc: Novato, CA -earthquake country

Enjoyed the new pics - they're all wonderful. What I found interesting...we're not so different except for the Maori meeting house.

TonyP Loc: New Zealand

I have both Yellowstone and Teton on my list. I visited Grand Canyon some years ago. Had a very 'hairy' flight in a rather old DC3 from Las Vegas. Wished we could have got down in to the Canyon but time didnt allow. Still have a coupe of touristy nick nacks we bought from some Indians on the side of the track and some pics I took of them. We got there a bit late in the afternoon but the colours were just spectacular.
We still plan to have one more trip to the States and would love to do it by Motorhoming or Campervanning.
Cheers

TonyP Loc: New Zealand

Hi vicksart, No, we are very similar in many ways.
And I guess our Maori aspect is the equivalent of the American Indian.
99% of NZ Maori are just the same as the European New Zealander. Live in similar houses, eat the same food and do the same sort of work.
And of course, all speak English.
We have a resurgence of interest in the Maori language and many NZers are learning or speaking Maori. Its also taught in many schools.
Rural Maori have a much more traditional family bias and the Maraes are well used as the focus of their leisure life.
I wont post any more pics here, but have a file of Maori focused images.
Their traditions and culture do get a bit controversial at times due to the 150 (approx) year old treaty that the British signed way back when they colonised Aotearoa (Maori for New Zealand - means land of the long white cloud).
Here endeth my history lesson :)
Best wishes

Penny MG Loc: Fresno, Texas

I know what you mean! But its fun and informative! Its an innocent addiction to have and harmless.

TonyP Loc: New Zealand

Hi Penny, it's probably been done before, but someone should start a new post going, asking who finds it addictive, how long is spent on UHH, is it a daily thing or a weekly visit etc.
I used to read the NZ Herald newspaper on the iPad first thing each morning.
Now I go straight to the UHH email and read latest subjects!
By the way, is your avatar you with a mc in a workshop?
Regards

Penny MG Loc: Fresno, Texas

That one was at a motorcycle show in Dallas a few years ago. I feel in love with that bike and could not find another just like it. They wouldn't sell that one as it was the last one on the floor and they wanted to keep it for show. By the way, I agree that it would be interesting to know how much time everyone spends on UHH. It is the first thing I do before starting my workday.