A Gold Hour and Red Tarns

​"You're never going to arrive, make it fun while you're in the moment " 

The night before I had decided I wanted to do this for sunrise, the last time I was here - I had missed out totally on sunrise because I had slept in, so this time I was sure to wake up early, or would I?? The sky was already starting to burn orange. 

Mt Cook: Living in the dream

I was yet again in danger of missing the gold lit view from the red tarns. Three quarters of the way up, on these incredible rock stairs leading up to the tarns - the light and colour was already starting to go off. I decide to stop and setup there to capture it, and I was glad I did - this was the best of the light. When I was almost at the top - the subject focus changed totally as I heard the loud screeching noises - the Kea. I had seen them before on previous trips very briefly, though this would prove to be a much unique experience. I ended up firing so many frames because I thought they wouldn’t stick around long. I approached them and discovered more of them, at one stage I counted eight and they were surrounding me. It felt unnerving at one stage. 

Hopping, skipping and dancing!

They were noisy, curious, fighting amongst each other. They are the only mountain parrot in the world. I've read that they are the most intelligent birds in the world. They are big, robust birds, their beaks are sharp as one tries to pick the boardwalk steel mesh. At this stage I totally forgot the incredible landscape I was in - in the backdrop Mt Cook, the valley below with the village just about to wake up. I didn't know how long the Kea would stick around - so I just started firing off lots of frames. They would stick around for a long time! Too long for me to get bored! Of course, we know the birds for their beautiful green colour, but they also have brilliant fiery orange colour under their wings - I wanted to see if I could capture this. 

The tarns early in the morning

​After completing a loop of the tarns, which didn't feel as impressive this time. I made my way down - bumping into a family who were making their way up - the kids were speeding up the stairs without even puffing - how do they do it! I completed the nature loop at the bottom. It was a fantastic way to start the day, clear the mind - the fresh alpine air, the scenery, the Kea, the whole experience.