My falconer friend Tomas Kunca in his most dynamic pose of the day.

Nice Coleoptera spp. of some kind.

Looking out over the Marlborough sounds near the Queen Charlotte Track on a cloudy day. Although you can't see them in this photo, there are scores of black swans on the water, and I saw several sting-rays as well.

Typical view of Sauvignon Blanc vines in the wairau river valley, looking south.

The road through this section of the Buller River Gorge was literally blasted through the cliff face.

Half way between the towns of Greymouth and Westport on the west coast of New Zealand's south island are these interesting limestone structures, affectionately called "Pancake Rocks."

"Pancake Rocks." With a lot of imagination, these limestone structures look a bit like huge stacks of pancakes.

A view of the west coast of the south island, just north of the town of Greymouth.

Sunset in Greymouth, on the west coast. I spent a night on this beach last week and the waves were huge when I woke up.

Just before sunrise on the Kaikoura coast. Northeastern shore of New Zealand's south island.

Nice Schnozzle...

Fur-seals have got it made.

Livin' the life on the shoreline of Kaikoura.

Kiwi dosh...

the fun side.

The flip-side.

Current Favorite Song...

I'm a big fan of John Mayer because he's my age and writes a lot about the kinds of things that I spend time thinking about. His newest album, "Continuum" is fabulous, and I've been totally hooked on one song in particular. Had to share the lyrics here;

Click on "comments" below and add your favorite lyrics if you feel so inclined.

Stop This Train

by: John Mayer

No I'm not colorblind, I know the world is black and white.

Try to keep an open mind but I just can't sleep on this tonight.

Stop this train, I want to get off and go home again

Can't take the speed it's moving in.

I know I can't, but honestly, won't someone stop this train.

Don't know how else to say it - don't want to see my parents go.

One generation's length away from fighting life out on my own.

Stop this train, I want to get off and go home again.

Can't take the speed it's moving in.

I know I can't, but honestly, won't someone stop this train.

So scared of getting older. I'm only good at being young.

So I play the numbers game to find a way to say that life has just begun.

Had a talk with my old man, said "help me understand."

He said, "turn 68, you'll renegotiate, don't stop this train,

don't for a minute change the place you're in,

and don't think I couldn't ever understand,

I tried my hand, John honestly, we'll never stop this train."

Once in a while when it's good it'll feel like it should

And they're all still around, and you're still safe and sound.

And you don't miss a thing, 'til you cry when you're driving away in the dark,

singin'...

Stop this train, I want to get off and go home again.

Can't take the speed it's moving in.

I know I can't.

Because now I see, I'll never stop this train.

New Zealand's National symbol...

The silver fern.

A dream come true...
New Zealand brown trout, in hand!

The biggest brown of the trip (so far).

Great spot to catch a great fish!

Miles with a beautiful brownie!!!