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This is what is known as Jelly Tooth fungus (Pseudohydnum gelatinosum), in honour of it’s toothy underside. This fungus belongs to a fungal group called hydnoid. Agaricales or gilled mushrooms are the most well known of fungi, but hynoids have tooth or spine like structures instead of gills. Spores are produced on these ‘teeth’ and carried away by being knocked and caught on the wind or bugs and animals. This was something that I had been wanting to capture for a while. Most often they are found on rotting stumps in native bush, my luck has always seen them growing in inaccessible locations. This fungus is native to New Zealand, however is found all over the world, as far north as Alaska and as far south as my home town Invercargill New Zealand. . Sony A6000 + E 30mm f3.5 Macro | ISO 640 | f 18 | 1/160 | Custom (+ dying ) lens mounted ring hot light | (at Invercargill, New Zealand) https://www.instagram.com/p/BywvGUWAN9p/?igshid=1hhe9yyh4oqws

Currently it is the middle of a New Zealand winter. In my wonderful country winter varies a lot from north to south. In the south at the moment it has been wet and wild for a good long while, making opportunities for photography a challenge. This flower of a Livingstone daisy from @cardiacsplash and mines garden is a good reminder of the colour and warmth that summer brings. Native to South Africa this plant is a popular feature in many gardens across the world. . Sony a6000 + E 30mm f3.5 Macro| ISO 100 | f 14| 1/125 | +Custom led light ring (at Invercargill, New Zealand) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bye3kKEgIDh/?igshid=1vv3qrqiomte9

It’s Queens birthday weekend, so I celebrated by taking photos. While I process todays catch (horde, collection, album; what is the correct name for a collection of recently taken photos?) I thought I would share a photo from last week. Not only is this my favourite fungus (that feels like weird statement to make) but a fungus that looks like a tiered cake… in celebration of a birthday… see what I di… Cool! This is Podoserpula pusio (possible var. tristis), which I have just found out has the common name Pagoda fungus (I mean I get it, but I personally think it that is lame and it should be called wedding cake fungus). The Podoserpula pusio species is one of those interesting ones that pop up in odd spread out locations. This fungus can be found in, not only NZ but Australia, New Caledonia, Venezuela and Madagascar. The only other recorded fungus in the same genus is found in New Caledonia as well. . Meanwhile I am hungry as I write this, and I have said cake a lot. I’m going to bake a cake. Merry Queens birthday everyone, I hope you all had a good day. . Sony A6000 + E 30mm f3.5 Macro | ISO 320 | f 7.1 | 1/160 | Custom (+ dying ) lens mounted ring hot light | (at Invercargill, New Zealand) https://www.instagram.com/p/ByPYBJWAisM/?igshid=1axcy9rc6zu3z

In an attempt to not bore you to death with my usual fungus photos for the season, I have been trying to get out and take photos of other things. With the current weather in the area, this has been harder to achieve than normal. In this photo though are three angry Variable Oystercatchers. I spent an afternoon at Waituna Beach (Southland, NZ), where there appeared to be turf war going on between a number of individuals. It was hard to tell who was on who’s side, but these three were chasing off another two birds. This species was shot for food until they were protected in 1922, the population is now recovering. Spending an afternoon with @cardiacsplash watching their antics was a lot of fun. . Sony A7RII + FE 70 - 300mm f4.5-5.6 G | ISO 1000 | f 8 | 1/1600 | (at Invercargill, New Zealand) https://www.instagram.com/p/ByHpEWjgjgz/?igshid=qdwz59l3jua

It’s my favourite season, Fungus season (that sounded better in my head). I took a stroll through my favourite fungus fossicking forest, Seaward Bush (Invercargill, New Zealand) today. It’s still a little early in the season, and a fierce weather event have crushed the forest floor. All though there are still some bastions of fungus to be found against old stumps and under old branches. These two Mycena sp. fruiting bodies were found growing on the side of stump that was surrounded by windfall destruction. Vertical growing surfaces allow a fantastic view of the gills and underside detail of mushrooms which I love. I love the angles, and therefore detail that mushrooms growing out from a vertical provide. Unfortunately my scale was not attached, but the fruiting bodies seen here are about 5mm across. . Sony A6000 + E 30mm f3.5 Macro | ISO 640 | f 13 | 1/125 | Custom lens mounted ring hot light | (at Invercargill, New Zealand) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx6qfJ4AMn3/?igshid=gahiy26vj2t8

Erect-crested penguin (Eudyptes sclateri) – This is a photo of a unique penguin, looking like no other in its species. As can be seen in the background, the others of the colony have a fully black back and black flippers. The main subject of this photo is an Erect-crested penguin with a difference. It has a mutation that gives this penguin oddly coloured flippers (almost see through) and half its back is white, making it stand out amongst its pairs. The team and I were rather lucky to be at the Antipodes at the same time as this little dude turned up. Erect-crested penguins are endemic to southern New Zealand, breeding almost exclusively at the Antipodes and Bounty islands. Like many ocean going species, climate change and other marine pressures are weighing on these penguins. . Info Links; About the Erect-crested penguin - http://nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/erect-crested-penguin Antipodes Eradication; http://milliondollarmouse.org.nz/ Department of Conservation, Antipodes info; https://bit.ly/2Te2zSW. . Sony A7RII + FE 70-300mm G f4.5-5.6 | ISO 400 | 265mm | f5.6 | 1/1600 | . This is a continuation of my amazing experiences on a recent trip to the remote Antipodes Islands. As part of my job I was lucky enough to travel, via yacht, 760kms to New Zealand’s Antipodes Islands. These islands, with New Zealand’s highest form of land protection, lay south east of mainland New Zealand. Landings here are limited to specific management and research purposes only. (at Antipodes Islands) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvGeBJIlUYg/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=t2ivuo2idk8k

Kekeno/New Zealand fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri) – You may notice, that this post does not have a bird, it’s time for a deep dive on the New Zealand fur seal. It is an odd feeling being spied upon from above… by seals. In New Zealand fur seals can be found on the mainland, Rakiura, Chatham Islands, and the NZ Subantarctic Islands (including Macquarie Island). They prefer rocky shores, but can sometimes be found at sandy beaches. They can be found as far away as Tasmania, as well as South and Western Australia. NZ fur seals feed mostly around continental shelves typically targeting squid and small mid water fish. During their feeding they can dive up to a depth of 238m making them the deepest diving fur seal. . Info Links; About the New Zealand fur seal - https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/marine-mammals/seals/nz-fur-seal/facts/ Antipodes Eradication; http://milliondollarmouse.org.nz/ Department of Conservation, Antipodes info; https://bit.ly/2Te2zSW. . Sony A7RII + FE 70-300mm G f4.5-5.6 | ISO 160 | 72mm | f4.5 | 1/1600 | . This is a continuation of my amazing experiences on a recent trip to the remote Antipodes Islands. As part of my job I was lucky enough to travel, via yacht, 760kms to New Zealand’s Antipodes Islands. These islands, with New Zealand’s highest form of land protection, lay south east of mainland New Zealand. Landings here are limited to specific management and research purposes only. (at Antipodes Island) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu8HcXbFW7g/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=13xd823p5m015

Antipodes Parakeet (Cyanomorphus unicolor) – New Zealand, over many millennia, has evolved some amazingly unique fauna. A number of these unique animals are parrots, and this the Antipodes parakeet is no exception. It is big, only found on a remote island in the southern ocean, lives amongst penguins, and is omnivorous. The pictured bird was having a feed on the remains of a penguin carcass within an Erect Crested Penguin colony on main Antipodes Island. The Cyanomorphus genus contains 8 living species found from New Caledonia to as far south as the Auckland Islands. The Antipodes parakeet is the largest of them all. The species was first described in in 1831, when a live bird was returned to the Zoological Society Gardens in England. The location of this birds origin, however, was never recorded. It was not until 50 years later that the location and mystery of this species whereabouts was rediscovered as the Antipodes Islands. . Info Links; About the Antipodes Island parakeet - http://nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/antipodes-island-parakeet Antipodes Eradication; http://milliondollarmouse.org.nz/ Department of Conservation, Antipodes info; https://bit.ly/2Te2zSW. . Sony A7RII + FE 70-300mm G f4.5-5.6 | ISO 400 | 30mm | f5.6 | 1/1600 | . This is a continuation of my amazing experiences on a recent trip to the remote Antipodes Islands. As part of my job I was lucky enough to travel, via yacht, 760kms to New Zealand’s Antipodes Islands. These islands, with New Zealand’s highest form of land protection, lay south east of mainland New Zealand. Landings here are limited to specific management and research purposes only. (at Antipodes Island) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu0Y61dl4tk/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=l94dt2io923h

Antipodean Albatross (Deomedia antipodensis) – This photo shows a pair of Antipodean Albatross, the male sitting on a nest with a female to the left of the image. This was such a magnificent bird to behold, their size on the ground is mind boggling, and having one fly over you is awe inspiring. While we all know albatross are big, actually seeing one up close in the wild always takes my breath away. There are two subspecies D. a. gibsoni which breeds at the Auckland Islands and is larger & paler than its counterpart which (D. a. antipodensis) breeds on the Antipodes Islands. It’s conservation status in New Zealand is Nationally Critical and as such is the focus of a research program to learn more about and monitor this species. . Info Links; About the Antipodean Albatross - http://nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/antipodean-albatross https://www.doc.govt.nz/news/media-releases/2018/time-running-out-for-antipodes-island-wandering-albatross/ Antipodes Eradication; http://milliondollarmouse.org.nz/ Department of Conservation, Antipodes info; https://bit.ly/2Te2zSW. . Sony A7RII + FE 70-300mm G f4.5-5.6 | ISO 320 | 170mm | f5.6 | 1/1600 | . This is a continuation of my amazing experiences on a recent trip to the remote Antipodes Islands. As part of my job I was lucky enough to travel, via yacht, 760kms to New Zealand’s Antipodes Islands. These islands, with New Zealand’s highest form of land protection, lay south east of mainland New Zealand. Landings here are limited to specific management and research purposes only. (at Antipodes Island) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuqGOuiFdmV/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=497s2rt5avr5

Antipodes Island Snipe (Coenocorypha aucklandica meinertzhagnae) – This is a subspecies of the Subantarctic snipe along with the Auckland Island snipe (C. a. aucklandica) and the Campbell Island snipe (C. a. perseverance). The Snares has it’s own species (C. huegeli), as does the Chatham Islands (C. pusilla). With the moniker, Galapagos of the Southern Ocean, the Subantarctic Islands of New Zealand along with our other remote islands are a good example of allopatric speciation. Or speciation created by geographic isolation. The native snipe of New Zealand are a good case study for this and well worth reading up on. Differences of the Subantarctic subspecies and information about the Antipodes Islands can be found at the links below. . Info Links; Antipodes Eradication; http://milliondollarmouse.org.nz/ Department of Conservation, Antipodes info; https://bit.ly/2Te2zSW About the Subantarctic Snipe - http://www.nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/subantarctic-snipe . Sony A7RII + FE 70-300mm G f4.5-5.6 | ISO 320 | 300mm | f5.6 | 1/1600 | . This is a continuation of my amazing experiences on a recent trip to the remote Antipodes Islands. As part of my job I was lucky enough to travel, via yacht, 760kms to New Zealand’s Antipodes Islands. These islands, with New Zealand’s highest form of land protection, lay south east of mainland New Zealand. Landings here are limited to specific management and research purposes only. (at Antipodes Island) https://www.instagram.com/p/Buia6eCFY3l/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1q74g5lfwm4gi

Reischek’s parakeet (Cyanoramphus hochstetteri) - This parakeet is only found on the Antipodes Islands which it shares with a cousin, the Antipodes parakeet. This Reisheck’s is sitting atop the spent flower head of an endemic megaherb having a feed on the left over seeds. In the last couple of weeks I was lucky enough to travel, via yacht, 760kms to New Zealand’s Antipodes Islands. These islands, with New Zealand’s highest form of land protection, lay south east of mainland New Zealand in the famous roaring forties. Landings here are limited to specific management and research purposes only. I'm lucky that as part of my job I get to visit these and other Subantarctic islands. My next few posts will be a collection of awesome experiences I had over a two day visit to this magnificent island. Info Links; Antipodes Eradication; http://milliondollarmouse.org.nz/ Department of Conservation, Antipodes info; https://bit.ly/2Te2zSW About the Reischek’s parakeet - http://nzbirdsonline.org.nz/?q=node/486 (at Antipodes Island) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuasYa0Flew/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1prthgbktjyi7

Waiting for sunset. (at Bluff, New Zealand) https://www.instagram.com/p/BskSRgxle9Q/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1xvywuth1ikq5

This old tram bridge is crossing the Granity Creek in the Pourakino Valley. I spent boxing day with my family at the Pourakino picnic area (which sits at the edge of the Longwood Range in Southland, New Zealand). This is a place that I had not been in 20 years. I was hopeful that I would find some interesting new compositions, and to my pleasure I did. Whilst exploring the walking track, which sidles alongside the Pourakino River, I found this awesome view of an old tram bridge in the bush. This photo was taken as a proof of concept. I plan to come back here in the depths of winter. Taking this photo I was submerged at the confluence of the Granity Stream and Pourakino River, this will be fun in the middle of winter. For those photographers out there, what’s your favourite time of the year to take photos? This photo was taken with a Sony A7RII + FE 28mm F2 | ISO 400 | f 11 | 1/15 | 3 frames. An held stable by a Sirui ET 2004 and E20 Ball Head (at Pourakino Catchment Conservation Trust) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsSOO0aFuIe/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1b759g6adli27

Testing out some unconventional, DIY modifications for my macro photography setup. The garden has been graced by another amazing flowering cactus. I thought I'd test out my DIY hot shoe adapter I made to hang my Sony a6000 from an inverted Sirui tripod. Initial results are good photos, but the hot shoe adapter needs to be more stable. Back to the workshop. (at Invercargill, New Zealand) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsPFfjClzX9/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ay15zf5klp1j

When you get up early for that early golden hour of great light at sunrise you get the opportunity to watch wildlife at its best. After sunrise, this White-faced Heron (Egretta novaehollandiae) was hunting for food amongst the rocks at Greenpoint near Bluff (New Zealand). This was taken after a sunset I captured in early November 2018. New Zealand is lucky to have accessible and amazing wildlife. When’s your favourite time to capture wildlife shots? Sony A7RII + FE 70 – 300mm G f4.5-5.6 | ISO 250 | 300mm | f 5.6 | 1/1250 | (at Greenpoint, Bluff) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsNFg3SFk0v/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1cqdvke4q2ted

Bluff, New Zealand taken from Greenpoint. I have been wanting to try some night sky photography for a while now. So, when last night was clear, calm and the moon had not risen yet, I thought I’d go out and give it ago. At 2 in the morning I jumped in the car and drove toward Bluff. Luck, however, was not on my side. Coming in from the ocean was a sea fog which exacerbated the light pollution issue. However not to be dissuaded, I took the opportunity to take some middle of the night moody photos. It was an oddly warm night. Normally, even in the middle of summer you would need to wear warm clothes where I was. So I was rather surprised at being comfortable in shorts and t-shirt. Standing at the water front at 2.45am, it was still 18°C. For those interested on where this view can be found https://goo.gl/maps/S5bwzHDQKjN2 I am going to explore some more low light pollution areas this year, but I’m keen to know where you all think the best night photography is in your area? This photo was taken with the following equipment; Sony A7RII + FE 28mm f2 | ISO 80 | f 2 | 13sec | (at Greenpoint, Bluff) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsH7brJlQI-/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=14w66cr5wzpx3

My first post of 2019 and it’s a Tuesday, so here is two pictures for the price of one. Just before Christmas @cardiacsplash and I had been waiting patiently for this cactus to flower. The cactus in question has not flowered for almost a decade. The flower bud featured in the first photo was massive, and had been growing for around 2 weeks. It became a daily routine, then twice daily and then eventually an hourly routine waiting and watching it open. The flower opened and was on fully display really quickly, the first photo was taken at mid-day and the second early evening. Sony A7RII + FE 28mm F2 Picture 1 | ISO 500 | f 11 | 1/80 | Picture 2 | ISO 200 | f 8 | 1/320 | (at Invercargill, New Zealand) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsFWZ1XlCh6/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1o7lz3zn543lo

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