Poolburn Willows Photo

Photographer’s Note

Hi all A scene common throughout Central Otago, riverbank willows, made especially eye catching by the autumn colours. These are in Poolburn Gorge on the Clyde to Middlemarch rail-trail. (More on this in a later post)
These were most likely originally planted for erosion control but many are self sown now. They follow the rivers and streams creating an endless line of green or gold depending on the season. These willows are an eye catching diversion from New Zealand’s native bush as that is very much evergreen with virtually no deciduous trees.
Central Otago lies in the rain shadow created by the Southern Alps to the west. The rainfall here is about 5% of the 7200 mm that fall on the Fiordland region. Central Otago also has the highest spread of temperatures in New Zealand. The town of Ophur in Central Otago has the record for the coldest air temp in NZ at -21.6 deg C and the summertime temps in the region usually sit in the high 30’s Deg C. Hoar-Frosts are not uncommon here in winter too.
Enjoy, Paul.

gary91, ribeiroantonio, besnard, Floydian, pauloog, papagolf21, Giorgio, Gerrit, Kielia, xuaxo, BelCan75, cunejo200, jafadabret, Budapestman, Clementi, JCG, Docarmo, darek1978, Emile, gracious, AiresSantos, jhm, josepmarin, alvaraalto, Didi, parbo, lucasgalodoido, skippy007, stego, Tue, Angshu has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

gary91 (15321) 2009-06-04 22:29

Hello Paul,
Yes you are right, these willows rows are really remarkable and curious in this very arid and wild landscape. I think we both were there at the best time of the year because the autumn colors all of brown and gold are so beautiful to see.
I was aware that it can be very cold (self experience!) but not that it can be so hot in summer.
Nice composition with this round fugure created by the trees.
Have a nice evening.
Best regards, Christian

besnard (30492) 2009-06-04 22:40

Bonjour Paul
Un très joli cliché de cette nature sauvage net et bien cadré. C'est du bon travail.
Merci pour cette belle image et bonne journée.
Nicole

vmf-214 (1622) 2009-06-04 22:43

Hi Paul,

This image reminds of were I grew up with the willows growing along the river, Beautiful fall colors in the leaves and excellent POV looking out over the landscape with mountains in the background. Very nice colors and sharpness Paul have a good evening.

Best regards
Jason.

ribeiroantonio (21859) 2009-06-04 22:46

That looks really very dry and it is not at all my idea of New Zealand. At least it was all green every where I visited in Sept 2002.
The photo is excellent with a very nice composition and beautiful colours. Well done.
Antonio

emka (21179) 2009-06-04 23:11

Hi Paul, Funny view, we see only the willows and not the river. Nice autumn colours. The landscape here looks arid here.

Warm regards

Malgorzata

danyy (68492) 2009-06-04 23:34

Bonjour Paul,
trsè curieuse mais trsè interessante formation d'arbres et qui plus est, vraiment jolie. J'aime beaucoup ces couleurs arides et sauvages.
Amicalement.
Daniel.

Floydian (30970) 2009-06-04 23:40

Hallo Paul,

I read about this area and his dry weather and when driving here i saw inded a lot of these dark brown colours around me. It's an interesting note that comes with the picture and is essential to understand what's going on here. Light was not your best friend here, it's hard and not easy to control.

Have a nice weekend,

Henk

pauloog (6374) 2009-06-05 0:03

Hello Paul,
A well composed view made interesting by your excellent note.
Regards,
Paul

papagolf21 (56159) 2009-06-05 2:57

Bonjour, cher ami Paul,
Je suis sous le charme et je me réjouis de voir de si belles compositions. Des lieux étonnants, beaux et inquiétants à la fois.
Encore une fois : réussite totale.
Amitiés.
Philippe

Giorgio (8670) 2009-06-05 3:34

- Fun composition with the aid of nature Paul, the mountain scenery is quite funny with the grove that surrounds the rock, the place of curiosity, strength and opportunity to do that in a great photo, bravo!
Have a nice weekend.
giorgio

John_F_Kennedy (31197) 2009-06-05 3:58

This is a wonderful composition like the horseshoe. Wonderful colours too and a good DOF.
Best wishes,
Achim

Gerrit (35593) 2009-06-05 7:45

Hi Paul,
a remarkable fornmation of willows in this aride landscape.
Wonderful autumnal colours.
Regards, gerrit

Kielia (8387) 2009-06-05 10:47

Hi Paul,
a very interesting and fascinating impression of this rugged landscape. The contrast between the riverbed that is so nicely lined by the willows and the wild mountains is amazing. Excellent note that gives me an idea about the natural conditions in this part of our world. TFS!
Warm regards
Harriet

xuaxo (5693) 2009-06-05 11:34

Hi Paul,
My idea of New Zealand, it's a green country, all and always. So, your picture (a good photo!) is very appropriate to teach us about NZ.
Greetings,
Francisco

BelCan75 (2416) 2009-06-05 15:34

Hi Paul,

That's a unique shot. I like how those trees curve away in the distant scenery. Great colours which really stand out and make for a nice contrast with the sky. Great depth and wonderful details. Great work!

Greetings,
Ann

berek (28849) 2009-06-05 21:56

Hi Paul,
beautiful landscape fro your beautiful country. I love line up trees and pastel colours.
Have a nice Weekend.
Burak

Graal (57647) 2009-06-05 23:14

Hi Paul,
unusual landscape. Amazing wild nature. Good POV and well presentation. I like it. Good photojob.
Gr., Aleksander

aadilj (17950) 2009-06-06 3:03

I like the colour combination here and all those lovely tones and textures as they form and have been captured Paul. A nice and intense visual

cunejo200 (7157) 2009-06-06 3:45

Hello Paul,
A high quality image with good exposure. I do like the u-shaped tree arrangement. A mighty fine fall scene. Best regards...
Danilo

jafadabret (39357) 2009-06-06 5:33

Bonjour Paul.
Bien vu cette écharpe aux tons d'automne. Elle suit le cours d'eau et contourne le relief. L'automne est une belle saison pour les photographes.
Bon WE !
Jacques

Budapestman (41576) 2009-06-06 8:04

Hi Paul,
You took a beautiful photo of this romantic country with spectacular composition. Splendid pastel colours and details, the misty distant mountains are spectacular likewise. Tfs! Have a nice weekend!
George

Clementi (43659) 2009-06-07 2:17

Ciao Paul,
splendid hilly landscape, very beautiful the warm colors, I like a lot the pov
have a nice Sunday
Giorgio

JCG (25147) 2009-06-07 3:23

Hello Paul,

Indeed this formation of willows is curious and really very original. The body of a large snake would be said… Your country has very astonishing landscapes. Very beautiful and interesting photograph, thank you Paul for the instructive note.

With all my friendships and very good Sunday,

Jean-Charles

Davidwh (3652) 2009-06-07 6:36

Hi Paul,
A real rugged and barren landscape you've captured here. Somehow I wouldn't connect this with views of New Zealand. Reminds me a bit of our NorthWest tip in summer....brown and sun parched. We currently have a reality program on here call "Run for the Million" and the final is taking place in NZ.....so I get the chance to see some impressive views of your country known for its beauty. Take care mate!
Regards, David

Docarmo (8820) 2009-06-07 6:41

Hi Paul,
It is a very particular view! The POV gave a good sense of depth.
Thanks for sharing,
Docarmo

darek1978 (11165) 2009-06-07 12:07

Hi Paul,
This is very interesting place, so thanks a lot for your very informative note. Truly autumn colours on this picture and this bushy curve in the foreground looks like fisheye effect. Well done!
Regards,
Darek

stego (22350) 2009-06-07 12:26

Hi Paul,

It looks quite arid, it doesn't conform the image I have of NZ, but after all, I have seen very little of that amazing country.

I like much the POV and the compo, which makes good use of the curves and the brown colours of the terrain.

Regards,
José

jmdias (19071) 2009-06-07 15:35

paul

very interesting and beautiful scenery. I liked the golden colors of the tress matching well with the brownish colors of the hills. It is a nice alive curve. beautiful light, this pov and framing. the compo is very beautiful and well done. congratulations

hugs

jorge

Emile (19883) 2009-06-07 19:47

Hola Paul.
Very interesting to see a dry place like this one but following the river path the nice golden colors of autumn trees. Even it's a dry area it really looks interesting to visit despite this changes in temperature between summer and winter time.
Very good note and also great shot.
TFS.
Best regards and wish you a nice week ahead.

gracious (20017) 2009-06-07 21:21

Hello Paul,
Thank you so much for this landscape from Central Otago! very specticular and beautiful ! here we see something a bit different landscape from other part of NZ!
thanks for the informative notes
take care and sincere regards
Tony

AiresSantos (41866) 2009-06-07 23:24

Hi Paul
Fine view of this mountains and forest. There are no green
Beautiful contrast with the blue sky and dry vegetation
I like your POV
Have a nice week
Aires

jhm (82201) 2009-06-08 2:38

Hello Paul,

Nevertheless the perfect F/10 and 1/250 is the picture not perfect sharp.
But this subject gives certainly a very good image about the place.
Fine and soft picture, you play nice with light and shadows.
Well presentation. TFS.

Best regards,
John.

Flavia (10202) 2009-06-08 7:57

Hi Paul,

Great POV! Compo and colours are also nice.

Its funny how the trees go perfectly around the hills while all the rest of the area is low vegetation! Thanks for the note explaining this 'fenomenon'.

Regards,

Flavia

josepmarin (33785) 2009-06-08 8:59

Hi Paul,
Interesting composition. This landscape is almost desert, very dry, but these trees that wind across a water-course and that attract our eyes give a nice touch with its autumnal colors.
The image has a good contrast and a great depth, with the mountain range in background.
Good work.
Friendly regards,
Josep

molla (6883) 2009-06-08 11:54

Hejsan Paul
They often say that south Island have a lot in common with Northern Europe...
that always puzzles me though you have the "fjords" for me the landscape is much more dramatic , arid earthy and colorful where there's a complete new scenery behind every corner. you showing that in a great way, the mixture of the wide landscape and the narrow.
Anders in Summercold Sweden

alvaraalto (5229) 2009-06-08 13:36

Dag Paul,

Amazing scene with all the yellow-brown trees meandering through this deserted landscape.
This ribbon of trees has something artificial and therefore remind me to a some of the installations of Cristo.

Groet Rob

Bluejeans (32021) 2009-06-09 8:57

Ola Paul,
Muito interessante esta cena de natureza onde passa o rio tem árvores , ficou linda a linha de árvores ao londo do rio , gostei muito das cores de outono , boa profundidade de foto, parabéns !!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

Waylim (10741) 2009-06-09 9:18

Hi Paul,
Not a typical image of NZ that we general people associate with. The NZ we know is green hills and pristine beach, majestic snow mts, lakes... What is this? Anyways, thanks for showing the other less known area and a differen face of NZ. We learn so much here. This resemble much of the beauty of the dersert here in the U.S. Beautiful falls colors with a more subdue golden tone. I like the natural light and tone, not overly saturate or contrast. Beautiful as it is.
Way

Didi (35998) 2009-06-09 19:22

Hi Paul
Interesting curve of bushes, this savage view looks original.
Excellent not also.
Best regards

parbo (10966) 2009-06-10 18:39

Hello Paul,

Line of trees on fantastic curves are amazing. Their colors and dried surround makes your skilfully build and well captured scene an attractive photo. I liked also your way adding next silhouettes of mountains under thin blue sky and haze, congratulations. I can not imagine such a this cold weather, incredible!

Friendly Regards,

Ertugrul

lucasgalodoido (16583) 2009-06-15 9:19

Hi Paul,
interesting landscape here and mountians in BG. The colors of vegetation is curiosity, maybe because the station of year. Great job, my friend.
Regards,
Lucas

skippy007 (6963) 2009-06-15 18:53

Interesting landscape Paul, well captured, nice golden tones all over but especially in the curious winding row of willows. I can imagine this scene would take a completely different look in the warmer months when they turn green. At the moment a very desolate looking scene. Amazing the contrast in Temp.
Thanks
Regards
Santo

siolaw (25720) 2009-06-16 10:19

Hi Paul,
I like the autumn colors and the topography of this place is quite special with all these trees surrounding the central hill. Good framing with just enough sky in it
Greetings
Laurent

dkeus31 (26106) 2009-06-16 12:05

Hi Paul
the curve of trees is special here, but light isn't good ald colors could me more saturated I believe
didier

gildasjan (23645) 2009-06-18 2:02

Bonjour Paul
J'aime beaucoup ce relief et les couleurs de la végétation et le bleu doux du ciel.Un très beau tableau de la nature.
Bonne journée
Cordialement
gildas

Tue (25608) 2009-06-19 3:22

Hi Paul,
You found a great POV for this landscape photo. The autumnal colours are very pleasant, especially in this fine sunlight. Thanks for sharing!
Regards,
Lars

sevy (13272) 2009-06-22 7:06

Hello Paul,

I agree with you that those willows following the rivers are a great photo subject. It breaks the monotony of the bush and underlines the river by smooth curves.
Nice composition using well the curves.

Yves.

Angshu (33551) 2009-06-24 20:35

Hello Paul
Interesting meandering pattern, the reason for which I understood reading your note. In an otherwise arid-ish landscape, these willows with the autumn foliage looks great!
Regards
Angshu

giorgimer (21000) 2009-07-07 4:43

Hi Paul,

very good POV, I like the autumn mood and the shape designed by the trees.

TFS

Gio

bernardec (2225) 2009-07-08 1:50

Paul,

voici une trés belle belle arche végétale
avec des couleurs automnales de toute beauté
décidément la nouvelle zelande me tente bien !
Bernard

pablominto (40402) 2009-10-21 5:11

Hello Paul,

Interesting to see your autumn colours now when we have autumn!
Interesting also to see how the trees follow the river, we have a similar ohenomenon here too with alder popping up on the riverbank...
But the alder never gets colours like this, regretfully..!

Greetings,
Pablo -

bracasha75 (21960) 2009-10-27 23:13

Helo Paul
One wonderful and intresthing nature scene and even so good tree formation around the rock
Extra good picture
YFS
Cheers,Braca