Living at the edge

Weekly Photo Challenge: Edge

Brilliant things: Lions at Wellington Zoo

I love how easy it is to get to Wellington Zoo. While it isn’t quite an inner city, it’s probably only a 15 minute drive from the CBD. Those living at the edges of the Zoo apparently can hear the lions roar! This is one of the two male lions at Wellington Zoo (I can’t tell the difference between Malik and Zulu!!). I find it fascinating to visit the lion habitat when I’m at the zoo. Mostly because they pretty much behave like my cat, but much bigger. Also, it was very educational doing the lion encounter (but not a close encounter) to learn about the conservation efforts and also how Wellington Zoo treats their lions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Curved heritage

Weekly Photo Challenge: Curve

Brilliant things: Heritage buildings

This is the Public Trust Building not far from where I work. It’s one of my favourite heritage buildings in Wellington. It is a beautiful building and I’m especially pleased that beautiful buildings like this are preserved and earthquake strengthened (despite the cost) rather than just bulldozed to make way for something new.

I love that Wellington is a beautiful mix of old and new buildings.

Olive grove at dusk

Weekly Photo Challenge: Earth

Brilliant things: Sunsets

I was recently in the Wairarapa for a weekend with some friends to attend a wedding. We decided to make a weekend on it and rented a holiday house which was set among an olive grove. It was a stunning location.

(at least) 52 Brilliant Things

I turned the big four-zero not long ago and thought I would like to do something to mark the milestone. I know turning 40 is not that big a deal, but I am very much aware that there was a point where I wasn’t sure I would get here in one piece or even get here at all.

I saw a play not long ago entitled ‘Every Brilliant Thing’ (see a review here). It’s a brilliant and funny play which revolves around the topic of depression. But most important, the main story line of the play is about the main character making a list of what makes life brilliant. So I thought I’d do a pictorial list of brilliant things for the next 52 weeks, and at the same time, challenge my photography skills by connecting it with photo challenges. And hopefully have some fun along the way!

In the deep end

Weekly Photo Challenge: Depth

I heard there was a skateboarding competition in town called Bowl-a-rama so I decided to check it out and see what kind of shots I could get. I know nothing about skateboarding and neither am I a skateboarding enthusiast by any means, but I actually did enjoy being there and watching the talent in front of me.

I took this shot during a break where people were practicing or having a run. According to the announcer/commentator, she was the only girl in the event. She looked pretty young, maybe about 12 or so. She didn’t do any fancy tricks like the others but then again, she was also probably the youngest one there. But she could go up and then down the almost vertical walls in the deep end of the bowl. Most importantly, she was confident and brave enough to do this (several times) in front of a crowd and other older skateboarders who were doing all sorts of fancy tricks.

And how can you not love those pink shoes!

“A bruise is a lesson… and each lesson makes us better.” George R.R. Martin

In for the ride

Weekly Photo Challenge: Serenity

I visited Wellington Zoo for the first time last Saturday. It really is the best little zoo in the world. It’s not very big, but nicely laid out, has enough variety of animals and has some really good messages on conservation and environmental issues.

This is my favourite animal there – the Bolivian Squirrel Monkey. That is one content looking baby.

“You were my home, Mother. I had no home but you” Janet Fitch, in White Oleander 

Warm enough

Weekly Photo Challenge: Warmth

It is officially summer in New Zealand but it doesn’t necessarily mean it is going to be really warm. I was out on the south coast of Wellington and spotted these revellers making the most of the milder weather. It was about 19ºC that day and overcast. Due to our temperate climate and being quite far south, the waters around Wellington can still be quite chilly in summer, though one would not realise that watching these people jumping into the sea over and over again!

“What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.”  John Steinbeck

Definitely gone, definitely not forgotten!

Weekly Photo Challenge: Gone, but not forgotten

Spotted at the museum in the weekend. Apparently this is a cast of the most complete T-Rex skull discovered to date.

Dr. Ian Malcolm: God creates dinosaurs. God destroys dinosaurs. God creates man. Man destroys God. Man creates dinosaurs.
Dr. Ellie Sattler: Dinosaurs eat man. Woman inherits the earth.
– from Jurassic Park (1993)

Point of view

Weekly Photo Challenge: Angular

Off the side of the Wellington City Library on a stunning Wellington day. I’ve walked past this many times, but never noticed the amazing reflections.

“If every library is in some sense a reflection of its readers, it is also an image of that which we are not, and cannot be.”  Alberto Manguel

Above the long white cloud

Weekly Photo Challenge: Achievement

This week, show us a photo that says “achievement” to you.

This is not exactly a personal achievement, but I am grateful for the incredible achievements of others which has enabled us to take the convenience of jumping on a plane for granted.

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“To accomplish great things we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.” Anatole France