zkarj.photo – Page 3

Rays

8 July 2025

They’re a reasonably common sight in the margins of the harbour.

Clear, shallow water with a rocky bottom. Near the center of the image, there is a dark shape that appears to be a stingray or a similar sea creature gliding just above the rocks. The water is calm, with gentle ripples and reflections of buildings or boats on the surface in the upper part of the image. The overall scene is tranquil and sunlit.

You Can’t Beat It

7 July 2025

Rocky shoreline with a tree in the foreground. The tree has a thick trunk that splits into several branches, with sparse green leaves mostly at the top. The water is a deep blue and looks calm, gently lapping against the rocks at the shore. In the background, across the water, you can see a town or city with white buildings nestled among green hills. The sky is mostly clear with a few scattered white clouds. The overall scene feels peaceful and natural.

Gleaming

6 July 2025

You simply cannot appreciate the polish on this aircraft until you have seen it with your own eyes.

Vintage twin-engine propeller airplane on a grassy runway. The aircraft has a polished metal body with red engine cowlings and accents. The words "Línea Aérea Nacional" are written in cursive on the side of the fuselage. The tail features a roundel with a red star inside a blue circle, resembling a classic airline or military insignia. The plane is just lifting off or landing, with its wheels still extended. In the background, there are rows of autumn-colored vines or crops, a fence, and rolling hills. The sky is overcast, and the overall scene has a calm, rural atmosphere.

Royal Pair?

5 July 2025

OK, probably not a thing in poker, but a pair of Royal Spoonbills sure beats a lot of things.

Two white birds with long, curved black beaks and black legs flying in the sky. Their wings are outstretched, and they appear to be in synchronized flight. The background is a clear blue sky with a faint, blurred outline of a hill or landscape at the bottom. The birds are likely a species of ibis, given their distinctive beaks and coloration.

Taking the Turn

4 July 2025

A surfer riding a wave. The person is wearing a black wetsuit and is balancing on a surfboard, leaning forward with one arm extended for balance. The wave is mid-break, with white water splashing around the surfer. The ocean is a deep blue-green color, and the scene captures the dynamic motion of surfing. The lighting is bright, suggesting it is daytime.

Flying under water

3 July 2025

There can’t be many places where you can get 100m above sea level, on solid ground, within 600m of a runway threshold.

Commercial airplane in flight. The image shows an Air New Zealand aircraft, specifically an Airbus A320, flying over a large body of water, likely the ocean. The plane is white with black accents, including a distinctive black tail featuring a white koru (spiral) design, which is a symbol of New Zealand. The landing gear is down, indicating that the plane is either approaching for landing or has just taken off. The sky and sea are both clear and blue, creating a serene backdrop. The words "AIR NEW ZEALAND" are clearly visible on the side of the aircraft.

Wheeler

2 July 2025

A good place to get bird-in-flight shots is right above a fish-and-chip lunch on a windy day.

A single seagull in mid-flight against a clear blue sky. The bird has its wings spread wide, showing off its brownish-gray feathers with some lighter speckling, especially on its back and tail. The seagull’s beak is slightly hooked and its body is streamlined as it glides smoothly through the air. There are no other objects or birds in the image, just the seagull and the sky.

South

1 July 2025

Looking through that gap, left of centre, the next land is Antarctica. Some days, it feels like it around Wellington Harbour.

Pebble beach with scattered seaweed in the foreground, leading to calm, reflective water. In the distance, there are low, dark hills and a small island. The sky above is mostly blue with large, fluffy white clouds, some of which cast shadows on the water and hills. The overall scene feels peaceful and open, with natural colors and a sense of tranquility.

Light Fantastic

30 June 2025

I’m a sucker for pretty coloured lights. It’s one reason I don’t mind going to work in the dark.

A modern outdoor canopy structure at night, illuminated by colorful lights. The canopy consists of large, sail-like fabric panels stretched between tall, angled white poles. The panels are lit with vibrant hues of green, pink, and purple, creating a striking visual effect. Surrounding the canopy are buildings with many lit windows, indicating an urban setting. There are also some covered seating areas with striped umbrellas on the right side, and a few small trees and benches. The sky is dark, emphasizing the glow of the lights on the canopy. The overall atmosphere is lively and contemporary.

Spartan Admiral

29 June 2025

One of the slowest, parked under one of the fastest.

Whale Rider

28 June 2025

This pou at Paparoa Point (north of Kaikoura) is of a man named Tūteurutira, who was a chief of Ngāi Tahu.

Stone statue of a stylized human figure. The figure has a large head with prominent facial features, including deep-set eyes and a pronounced mouth. On top of its head are three feather-like shapes, possibly representing a headdress or hair. The figure is standing with its legs apart, holding a short club or paddle across its lap with both hands. It wears a triangular loincloth adorned with three white triangle shapes. The statue is mounted on a tall rectangular pedestal, and the background is a cloudy, overcast sky. The overall style suggests it may be inspired by indigenous or tribal art.

On High

27 June 2025

Wellington Harbour seen from Maungaraki, at a height of around 239m above sea level.

A wide, scenic view of a bay with deep blue water, surrounded by green hills and islands. In the foreground, there are lush green trees. In the middle distance, two islands are visible: one smaller and closer to the left, and a larger one further back and to the right. The larger island has a mix of forested and developed areas, with white buildings visible. Beyond the islands, the coastline stretches across the horizon, with more hills and scattered buildings. The sky above is clear and pale blue, giving the scene a calm and peaceful atmosphere.

Left A Bit

26 June 2025

A small bird with a greenish-yellow head and white eye-ring is perched on a thin branch. Its body is a mix of white and light brown feathers. The bird is grooming itself, with its head turned to the side and its beak nestled into its feathers. The background is filled with green leaves, creating a natural and serene setting.

Flying Kangaroo

25 June 2025

Large white and gray aircraft on an airport tarmac, viewed from the front left side. The plane has a blue stripe running along the fuselage and an emblem featuring a red kangaroo inside a blue circle, indicating it is associated with Australia, likely the Royal Australian Air Force. The nose landing gear is visible, with yellow chocks securing the wheels and red safety tags attached. Several people, including children and adults, are standing near the aircraft, some looking at it closely. In the foreground, an elderly man with a cane is walking past. The sky is overcast, and the background shows grassy areas and a few vehicles in the distance.

Early Lane

24 June 2025

Chews Lane in the early morning light.

A narrow alleyway with brick paving and tall glass buildings on either side. On the right, there is a storefront with a round sign that reads "MIAN BAR" in bold letters. The sign is white with a red border and features a pair of chopsticks graphic. The entrance to the bar has glass doors with metal handles. The alley is lit by streetlights, and the reflections of lights from the buildings create a modern urban atmosphere. In the distance, there are more buildings and illuminated signs.

Reflective

23 June 2025

Whairepo Lagoon doesn’t disappoint.

A calm body of water reflects the overcast sky and surrounding buildings. On the left, there is a building with a reddish-brown roof and a sign that reads "Mac's Brewery Bar & Restaurant." Next to it, a modern structure with angular, blue-tinted glass panels stands out. In the background, several multi-story buildings, including a grey and white one with blue accents, are visible. The scene is framed by rocky edges along the water and some greenery, creating a peaceful urban waterfront setting.

Jungled

22 June 2025

I have stood directly in front of this scene, in the Knights of the Sky exhibition at Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre and tried to convince myself that jungle is not real.

Wrecked military aeroplane in a jungle setting. The aircraft is old, covered in dirt, moss, and vines, and appears to have crash-landed. The nose and cockpit are mostly intact, but the glass is broken and the fuselage is weathered. One of the engines is detached and lying on the ground, partially buried and surrounded by tropical plants. Thick jungle vegetation, including trees, ferns, and large-leafed plants, grows around and over the plane, giving the impression that it has been here for a long time. There is an informational display in front of the wreck, suggesting this is an exhibit, likely in a museum or themed attraction. The lighting is dim, with spotlights highlighting the plane and foliage.

Pōpokotea

21 June 2025

It took me many goes to get the pronunciation right. If you prefer, they’re also known as Whiteheads.

A small bird perched vertically on the side of a mossy tree trunk. The bird has soft, pale beige to light brown feathers, with a slightly lighter head and underparts. Its beak is short and dark, and its eye is large and black, giving it a gentle expression. The bird's tail is long and pointed downward, and its legs are thin, gripping the tree bark. The background is softly blurred with green and light blue hues, suggesting a natural, leafy environment with sunlight filtering through.

Moisture

20 June 2025

A serene landscape featuring a calm body of water in the foreground, reflecting the muted colors of the overcast sky. On either side, lush green hills rise steeply, partially shrouded in mist, creating a sense of depth and tranquility. The misty atmosphere softens the scene, giving it a peaceful and ethereal quality.

Jug

19 June 2025

A World War II-era fighter plane inside a hangar. The aircraft is painted in silver with black and white invasion stripes on its wings and fuselage. The nose of the plane features a distinctive black and white checkerboard pattern. The tail number "226671" is visible on the vertical stabilizer, and there is a large white star with a black outline on the side of the fuselage. The plane is parked on a shiny hangar floor, with some maintenance equipment and barrels visible in the background. The propeller is stationary, and the cockpit canopy is closed.

Hole

18 June 2025

Wings of Paradise

17 June 2025

Alternative title: Making a Splash. This male Pūtangitangi doesn’t care which you choose.

A duck standing upright in the water with its wings spread wide. The duck has a dark head and neck, a brownish body, and striking wings with a mix of black, white, and iridescent green feathers. The water around the duck is rippling, and you can see small droplets in the air, suggesting the duck has just flapped its wings or emerged from the water. The background is a soft, blurred golden color, likely reflecting the sky or surroundings.

Aim point

16 June 2025

Flying is so much more fun when you can see where you’re going.

Cockpit view from inside a small airplane. The photo is taken from behind the pilot, showing the back of the pilot’s seat and part of another passenger’s head in the foreground. The cockpit has various instruments, gauges, and screens, including a mounted tablet displaying a map. Out the front window, a runway is visible straight ahead, indicating the plane is on final approach for landing. The landscape outside is mostly green fields with some distant buildings and mountains under a cloudy sky. The overall scene suggests a calm, controlled descent toward the runway.

Waka

15 June 2025

Long wooden canoe with about a dozen people paddling on a calm, blue lagoon. The canoe is orange with black decorative elements at the stern. All the paddlers are wearing life jackets and are seated in pairs, facing forward, paddling in unison. In the background, there are rocks, greenery, and a wooden sign that reads "WHAIREPO LAGOON." Behind the sign, there are two buildings with red roofs and wooden trim, and further back, some hills with houses. The sky is partly cloudy, and the overall scene looks lively and bright.

Depth

14 June 2025

A near infinite depth of field, but also an impressive depth of landscape, seen from the North Island Main Trunk Railway, perched on the edge of the Rangitikei River Valley.

A picturesque landscape featuring a winding river flowing through a lush, green valley. The river is bordered by tall, leafy trees, and the surrounding hills are covered in dense vegetation. A narrow bridge crosses the river, with a white vehicle parked on it. In the distance, a small building is perched on a hilltop, surrounded by trees. The scene is serene and vibrant with various shades of green.

Jonathan?

13 June 2025

“Find out what you already know.”

A seagull is perched on a metal railing, silhouetted against a golden sunset. The sun is low in the sky, casting a warm glow over the scene. The ocean stretches out in the background, with gentle waves reflecting the sunlight. In the distance, there are faint outlines of hills or mountains under a sky dotted with a few clouds. The overall atmosphere is serene and tranquil.

Crash!

12 June 2025

LBJ

11 June 2025

Another photographer introduced me to the term “LBJ (Little Brown Job)”. She used it in reference to a House Sparrow. This is a Dunnock (or Hedge Sparrow).