Mercedes at Puerto Natales

Many people seem to consider Puerto Natales as nothing more than a staging point for visits to Parque Nacional Torres del Paine or Cueva del Milodón Natural Monument, the latter an attraction as much because it was made famous by the book that made Bruce Chatwin famous as for the fact it was once home to the giant ground sloth, the eponymous Mylodon. But I liked Puerto Natales — much of it, at least — for its own sake and stayed a little longer than many visitors. I even thought this was one place I'd like to stay for a protracted period, improving my bad Spanish, writing, wandering, watching the birds, photographing the old boats I suspect the passers-through don't find. Maybe, I thought, if my Spanish improved enough I'd eventually be able to listen to something of the ruins of their moments.

[4 December 2011, Panasonic Lumix GH1, 14–45 mm at 30 mm, ISO 100, 1/160 at f16]

All content © 2013 Pete McGregor

Karearea (NZ falcon) on the No. 1 Line track [2]

This was the other of the two karearea I had the privilege of watching on the No. 1 Line track a few weeks ago.


[14 September 2013, Panasonic Lumix GH1, 100–300 mm at 300 mm, ISO 400, 1/250 at f8. I've cropped this photograph a little more heavily.]

All content © 2013 Pete McGregor

The central Ruahine Range from Top Maropea hut [2]

Top Maropea hut is an historic hut, and when you're there it's hard not to think of the innumerable people who've stayed there, the events that have taken place, the stories told around the open fire. Like Ngamoko and the other Ruahine huts, it's part of the cultural landscape, not merely an object in the physical landscape.


[20 September 2013, Panasonic Lumix GH1, 14–45 mm at 45 mm, ISO 200, 1/50 at f16]

All content © 2013 Pete McGregor