view across Lake Hawea, New Zealand, just before sunset. I had hoped for some nice reflections here but the wind was just too strong.

Canon EOS 40D, Sigma 10-20.

Early morning at Saint Bathans, New Zealand. I processed this as an HDR to get a bit more pop from the sky.

Canon EOS 40D, Sigma 10-20, Photomatix Pro 3.0

A classic shot of the gannet colony at Auckland's Muriwai beach. About 1,200 pairs of gannets nest here from August to March each year. Each pair lays one egg and the parents take turns on the nest. A few weeks after hatching, the chicks begin to exercise their wings in preparation for the one-shot jump off the cliff. Once airborne, the young gannets leave the colony and cross the Tasman Sea to Australia. A few years later, surviving birds return to secure a nest site at the colony.

Canon EOS 40D, Sigma 10-20, Singh Ray Reverse GND, Adobe Photoshop CS3.

I took this back in November 2008 and it's still one of my favorite shots. This is a sunset at Auckland's Muriwai beach, a beautiful but rugged beach and a popular spot for local photographers.

Canon 40D, Sigma 10-20, Hitech GND filters, Adobe Photoshop CS3.

The Otuataua Stonefields are a reminder of Auckland's volcanic past, full of stones flung out in successive volcanic eruptions. I was lucky enough to experience a beautiful sunrise there and captured this shot just before leaving. (And yes, these were the actual colours).

Canon EOS 40D, Sigma 10-20, Hitech GND filters, Adobe Photoshop CS3.

Sunset at one of Auckland's west coast beaches.

Canon EOS 40D, Sigma 10-20, Hitech 1.2 GND, Adobe Photoshop CS3.

Playing around with water drops. Ingredients: water, milk, food colouring, patience.

Canon 40D, Canon 24-105L, 430EX Flash.

Nothing special, just something clean and green.

The Grove Reserve in Golden Bay, New Zealand.

St Bathans, New Zealand.

Canon 40D, Sigma 10-20mm.

Taken at the Riwaka Resurgence, New Zealand.