Having just returned barely 2 weeks ago from my month-long wander through the incredibly beautiful and diverse terrain that is New Zealand, I remain in awe of everything there is to discover in this relatively petit country. New Zealand holds a special place in my family's heart... beginning when my mother lived there as a child, we've repeatedly returned to continue a discovery of it's many cultural and geographical wonders. So, when my brother shared the news last fall that he would be moving to New Zealand, I quickly promised to visit as soon as possible - a promise I most definitely intended to keep. I could think of no better excuse to re-visit one of my favourite countries in the world. In keeping with my usual habit of traveling light, I selected just one lens as my companion for adventuring through this marvelous land. With a mind for exploring the landscape photographer within (hardly!), I opted to ditch my usual 50mm lens and bring along a new favourite... the 35mm. A slightly wider frame complete with beautiful detail and exceptional crispness, I was instantly happy with my choice when I touched down in what's now famously known as "Middle Earth". It's a world of black sand beaches, kaleidoscopic sunsets, icebergs floating in glacier lakes, rainbows appearing like clock-work, mountains jutting dramatically out of watery fiords, captivating nighttime skies, seals sun-bathing along the coast, breathtaking peninsulas created by volcanic eruption, and more sheep than people. A place no lens is wide enough to truly capture.

Here's a quick abbreviated collection of a few highlights, with more (hopefully) soon to come!

NORTH ISLAND - CAPE REINGA NORTHERN MOST POINT OF NEW ZEALAND

NORTH ISLAND - WAITAKERE RANGES KARE KARE BEACH

NORTH ISLAND - WAITAKERE RANGES KARE KARE BLACK SAND BEACH

SOUTH ISLAND - AORAKI MT. COOK NATIONAL PARK TASMAN GLACIER LAKE

SOUTH ISLAND - FIORDLAND MILFORD SOUND — SOUTH ISLAND - FIORDLAND MILFORD SOUND

SOUTH ISLAND - FIORDLAND GLACIAL RIVER — SOUTH ISLAND - FIORDLAND GLACIAL RIVER

SOUTH ISLAND - LAKE TE ANAU — SOUTH ISLAND - LAKE TE ANAU

SOUTH ISLAND - QUEENSTOWN NIGHT SKY MILKY WAY

SOUTH ISLAND - FOX VILLAGE LAKE MATHESON — SOUTH ISLAND - FOX VILLAGE LAKE MATHESON

SOUTH ISLAND - FOX GLACIER CREVICE — SOUTH ISLAND - FOX GLACIER CREVICE

SOUTH ISLAND - KAIKOURA RAM SHEARING — SOUTH ISLAND - KAIKOURA RAM SHEARING

SOUTH ISLAND - KAIKOURA SUN-BATHING SEAL