Tony Brunt Photography

March POD’s

By admin | Published: March 3, 2010

A few pictures from my recent early morning walks.

Posted in Christchurch, Landscape, POD's, What's new | Leave a comment

Same again – Milford Track revisited

By admin | Published: February 28, 2010

I just walked the Milford track for the fourth time a couple of weeks back. I had two goals: to spend time with with my neice Alix and her bloke, John and to see a Blue Duck or Whio. Last time I walked the track (in November,) the blue ducks chose to show themselves to bloody Australians rather than me! Bloody cheek!

I was miffed, sulky and sullen, so this time I was determined to see one. (I was a real twitcher, with binoculars and everything)

The Blue duck is unique amongst ducks in that it lives in fast flowing mountain rivers. They are seriously endangered now because of predation by stoats, a nasty little mustelid that was introduced to control rabbits, which were introduced to give the poor farmers something to shoot at way back in the late 1800’s.

Really, really dumb move. Like super stupid – our bird life has been in decline ever since.

Anyway, as you will see from the attached pictures, I saw a Blue Duck. Actually I saw 5!!!! The reason they are doing so well in the Clinton and Arthur rivers is because DOC (Department of Conservation) are setting stoat traps along the length of the track. The reduced number of stoats means the Blue Duck chicks have a better chance of survival.

The other shots are just random ones from the track, including one of a young Australian woman by the name of Steph, swimming in the Mackay falls, I don’t know what the temp was, but it had to be below 10 C!!!!

I am not sure where I will be for my next POD series. I will try and get another one out before I head off to England (leave here 22nd March), but if I don’t, then expect something from another country.

Posted in Fiordland National Park, Landscape, POD's, Tramping, What's new | Leave a comment

Waiting for Summer

By admin | Published: January 14, 2010

Well, there are a couple of reasons for this recent plethora of POD’s. Firstly, Louise abandoned me! (Okay, okay, put your hankies away, I am joining her soon) She has headed back to England to start a new job, so I suddendly have all this time on my hands. Yes, she is swanning around France, skiing in truck deep powder, while I am stuck here .. ah, um … (You will suspect that I am making this up if I say I am working) sort of working, and secondly, before Lou left we did a bit of a road trip across to the Westcoast, up to Karamea, then around to Nelson and Collingwood. So you see, I have all these photos which I am just dying to share. I figure, as I have no distractions, then I have no excuses! If its any consolation to those of you freezing in the Northern Hemisphere we are having a shite Summer, with lots of rain and cold blasts from the southern ocean! Not fair!

Posted in Landscape, POD's, What's new | Leave a comment

Strange Bunch

By admin | Published: January 11, 2010

Hi everyone from the supposedly warmer southern hemisphere. Supposedly, because for the last two days running we have woken up to see snow on the mountains to the west of us. Just so you know, that’s not supposed to happen here in summer. Still, judging from the photos I have seen of England and Canada, I don’t think we really have anything to complain about !

Have attached a funny mix of pictures .. no theme to them, just three pictures I hope you enjoy. The first was taken at the small Gannet Colony on Farewell Spit, at the top of the South Island. The second amongst flowers on a walk on the hill near where I live and the third of a sunset whilst twistiing the camera. Well why not?

Posted in Birds, Image Gallery, POD's, Sunset, What's new | Leave a comment

Milford Track POD’s

By admin | Published: January 3, 2010

Happy New Year!!!

Hopefully it will be a goodie for all and sundry!

In November a group of us walked the Milford Track, arguably NZ’s best known wilderness walk. Well worth the effort if you are so inclined. Numbers are limited to 40 for freedom walkers who must carry all their equipment and food. (Note: Bookings open in July for the summer season and places are quickly taken so be in early if you want to go. Bookings are made through the Department of Conservation). If that sounds like a bit much, then you can take the guided option: Lodges fully equipped, all food supplied, along with bedding and plenty of guides. Ultimate Hikes

Posted in Activities, Fiordland National Park, Landscape, National Parks, Tramping, What's new | Leave a comment

In the Hood – Sunset at Godley Heads

By admin | Published: November 28, 2009

After a day of sitting at my computer editing photos from a recent trip to walk the Milford Track (more on this soon) way down in Fiordland I decided I needed some air. With a nor’wester blowing I was hopeful of photographing a colourful sunset from the nearby Godley heads, but alas a cold front moving up the coast swallowed the sun before it set, thus muting the colours somewhat. Still, I thought the rays of light heading for the horizon added interest to the shots.

Posted in Christchurch, Landscape, POD's, What's new | 2 Comments

Anaesthetists Christmas Party 2009

By admin | Published: November 23, 2009

Update:
Louise has just phoned me to say a few of you have expressed an interest in buying prints.
This is how you can do it.
Firstly make a note of the prints you want (each has a file ref)
Send me an email (tony@tonybruntphotography.com) with the details. i.e. size, number and file ref. Make sure you include your mailing address.
Pay me: You can use a credit card and pay by paypal. Use the paypal widget situated on the right side of the page. Use your name and then write “prints” for the “reason”
Once you click on the paypal logo you will be transfered to a payment form. On this form you can list the prints and sizes you want.

Prices:

6″ x 4″ – $5

5″ x 7″ – $10

8″ x 10″ – $20

Postage and packing $3.50

Anaesthetists Christmas Party 2009

72 Photos

Posted in What's new | Leave a comment

A duck

By admin | Published: November 6, 2009

Mallard or Grey duck, Avon estuary, Christchurch File ref: TB-50D-051109-250.jpg

Nothing too earth shattering today, just thought you might like to see a picture of a duck and its duckling. Yes, that’s it.

A duck and its duckling. There are actually three ducklings, but the other two are hiding on the other side of mum. I was only about 1 metre away, lying on my stomach, comando style when I took this. For some reason mum didn’t seem to be that concerned about my close proximity.

Maybe because I was down wind?
Maybe because I didn’t look threatening?
Maybe because it liked my aftershave?

As to the type of duck, I am not too sure. It’s either a Mallard or Grey duck. Hard to tell as you can’t see the speculum on its wings. Grey have a green one, whilst Mallards have a blue or purple one. Mostly the ducks around here are Mallards, so I am guessing it was a Mallard. If dad had been around it would have been easy, as boy Mallards are quite striking, where as boy Grey ducks look much the same as girl ones.

Posted in Activities, Birds, POD's, What's new | Leave a comment

South Island Tour Itinerary

By admin | Published: November 5, 2009

I have been asked a few times to make suggestions on places to go and things to do whilst travelling in New Zealand. So instead of answering each of these requests individually I have compiled a rambling list of things to do whilst journeying in the South Island. I hope to do a similar thing for the North Island, but I wouldn’t go holding your breath if I were you, considering how long it took me to do the South Island! Hope this helps you to plan a fun trip.