tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1910287372658937592024-03-14T22:26:31.084+13:00The Ruins of the MomentPhotos by Pete McGregor. Copyright of all content belongs solely to Pete.pohanginapetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11463792721091291063noreply@blogger.comBlogger1220125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191028737265893759.post-28330145100000488942018-01-07T19:30:00.001+13:002018-01-07T19:31:16.541+13:00Departure<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UbM-NM9IuNc/WlG6gSsaVRI/AAAAAAAAIWQ/uuciIkD6qToNBCUfjVAeVDf3oPfEkYQkgCKgBGAs/s1600/Kahu_No1Line_4Jan2018_P1040290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="1020" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UbM-NM9IuNc/WlG6gSsaVRI/AAAAAAAAIWQ/uuciIkD6qToNBCUfjVAeVDf3oPfEkYQkgCKgBGAs/s1600/Kahu_No1Line_4Jan2018_P1040290.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
This kahu (Australasian or Swamp Harrier; <i>Circus approximans</i>) flew off from its breakfast of road-killed rabbit after I'd turned the car around further up the No. 1 Line road and had slowly inched back down for a photograph.<br />
Perhaps a photograph of something departing is appropriate, because I doubt I'll continue posting here on <i>The Ruins of the Moment</i>. Despite my irritation with Instagram, I have to admit it's more convenient, and, as far as I know, more people get to see my photographs there — and sharing the photographs so others can get a small insight into the world I'm so lucky to enjoy is, after all, the main reason for putting in the effort. To those of you who've followed me here over the years, and particularly those of you who've made the effort to comment, thank you. I deeply appreciate your support and encouragement.<br />
You can find regular new photographs on my Instagram account, <a href="https://instagram.com/pohanginapete" target="_blank">@pohanginapete</a>, and my main and original blog, <a href="https://pohanginapete.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Pohanginapete</a>, is still ticking over.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">All content © 2018 Pete McGregor</span></span></div>
pohanginapetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11463792721091291063noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191028737265893759.post-32901138563474483292017-08-21T08:25:00.000+12:002017-08-21T08:31:30.276+12:00At the book launch<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i6mZCCPJmzM/WZnxZQB4unI/AAAAAAAAIM0/ZY-wF0kZpxYkCfQN8S5kTPOEjgL5ipBhQCKgBGAs/s1600/TinaHomeLaunchP8110198border.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="766" data-original-width="1020" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i6mZCCPJmzM/WZnxZQB4unI/AAAAAAAAIM0/ZY-wF0kZpxYkCfQN8S5kTPOEjgL5ipBhQCKgBGAs/s1600/TinaHomeLaunchP8110198border.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
A bit over a week ago I attended the launch of <i><a href="http://www.masseypress.ac.nz/books/home/" target="_blank">Home: New Writing</a></i>, a collection of essays by New Zealand writers and edited by <a href="https://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/expertise/profile.cfm?stref=552930" target="_blank">Thom Conroy</a>. As usual at the City Library, where the launch took place in the evening, the lighting was difficult, but I managed a handful of acceptable photographs.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">All content © 2017 Pete McGregor</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
pohanginapetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11463792721091291063noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191028737265893759.post-19143456640993885942017-07-23T15:24:00.000+12:002017-07-23T15:24:13.395+12:00Korimako in tree lucerne<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mBVIN2VjPOk/WXQV5o-cA-I/AAAAAAAAIK4/lY_pDWzKyecGAs6UllUy3sHZiUSChB4TgCKgBGAs/s1600/Korimako_23July2017_P7230923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="1020" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mBVIN2VjPOk/WXQV5o-cA-I/AAAAAAAAIK4/lY_pDWzKyecGAs6UllUy3sHZiUSChB4TgCKgBGAs/s1600/Korimako_23July2017_P7230923.jpg" /></a></div>
This male korimako (<a href="http://nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/bellbird" target="_blank">NZ bellbird</a>) brightened a grey, winter's afternoon. The yellow on his bill and face is pollen from the tree lucerne flowers he'd been foraging among.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">All content © 2017 Pete McGregor</span></span></div>
pohanginapetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11463792721091291063noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191028737265893759.post-41981033208114036012017-06-30T20:42:00.000+12:002017-06-30T20:42:39.823+12:00Mandvi, Gujarat<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LnBpE_nyh-4/WVYNhFcuwrI/AAAAAAAAIIs/vLiAwZ4wGngv7Rz1aGBFDs5-5xpSp7tDQCKgBGAs/s1600/MandviWomen_4Jan2017_1040548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="1020" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LnBpE_nyh-4/WVYNhFcuwrI/AAAAAAAAIIs/vLiAwZ4wGngv7Rz1aGBFDs5-5xpSp7tDQCKgBGAs/s1600/MandviWomen_4Jan2017_1040548.jpg" /></a></div>
As I walked back to my room in Mandvi, I got a cheery greeting from these women—yet another example of the welcoming attitude of so many people I met in this small, coastal town. By all means visit Mandvi to see the hand-built wooden ships under construction, but the town has far more to offer.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">All content © 2017 Pete McGregor</span></span></div>
pohanginapetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11463792721091291063noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191028737265893759.post-28727802130354198612017-06-25T18:27:00.001+12:002017-06-25T18:27:13.661+12:00Winter morning, Pohangina Valley (2)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="1020" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BuAoUO9W42o/WU9WbE5kntI/AAAAAAAAIFM/DPbxm-oOemYtO3G5AAWJ5JC3M6mHXPDwwCKgBGAs/s1600/PohanginaValleyJune2017P6190251.jpg" />Another view of the valley across the paddock from my verandah.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">All content © 2017 Pete McGregor</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
pohanginapetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11463792721091291063noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191028737265893759.post-59369635517402402512017-06-18T08:16:00.002+12:002017-06-18T20:50:44.819+12:00Winter morning, Pohangina Valley<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="1020" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4s1ryN2a4lE/WUYtpb11vhI/AAAAAAAAIEg/S0C6xlA4pX0bYf1Ouml0GlGPub_iFheigCKgBGAs/s1600/Winter_P6161459.jpg" /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A few days short of the shortest day, this was the view from my verandah.</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">(<i>I still can't work out why blogger insists on enlarging my photographs and destroying the sharpness, even though I've specified 'Original size'. The original of this is beautifully crisp. Sigh.</i>) </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />
All content © 2016 Pete McGregor</span></span></div>
pohanginapetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11463792721091291063noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191028737265893759.post-16615728570504522832017-06-03T20:08:00.000+12:002017-06-03T20:08:11.472+12:00Cat on a [warmish] tin roof<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="1020" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C6WScQecXzE/WTJtswNOc6I/AAAAAAAAICw/grJOVziH_e416oWdYc7PWZvdqvQINa5vACLcB/s1600/Cat_on_a_%255Bwarm%255D_tin_roof_P6031265.jpg" /></div>
The day was hardly warm, but one of the cats next door knew where to get the last of the afternoon sun.<br />
<br />
I love the way a cat can bring a scene to life.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">All content © 2016 Pete McGregor</span></span></div>
</div>
pohanginapetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11463792721091291063noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191028737265893759.post-86581716578848336942017-05-28T17:49:00.001+12:002017-05-28T17:49:38.408+12:00The piwakawaka visit my verandah<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="1020" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FOx4gNeoWwg/WSpkFcp7eUI/AAAAAAAAICg/n5A06n9ccKMsk9DguBVU2zPsTF0t8FM2ACLcB/s1600/Piwakawaka1020.jpg" /></div>
Recently, a gang of about four to six piwakawaka (New Zealand fantail) have been doing laps around the house, taking advantage of various perching places at both ends of the verandah to scout for insects. I can't say how much of a delight that is to me.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">All content © 2016 Pete McGregor</span></span></div>
</div>
pohanginapetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11463792721091291063noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191028737265893759.post-10786358833403319142017-05-13T15:16:00.000+12:002017-05-13T15:16:29.646+12:00Queen Anne's Lace<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qON3SLsg4cI/WRZ0i2HUTyI/AAAAAAAAICA/k-lPj7J2bqotRFrIDzZsk9Lllb2YFiSeQCLcB/s1600/QueenAnnesLace%255B1020%255DP5090650.jpg" /></div>
<a href="http://www.terrain.net.nz/friends-of-te-henui-group/weeds/wild-carrot-daucus-carota.html" target="_blank">Queen Anne's Lace</a> (Wild carrot; <i>Daucus carota</i>) is a common weed around here. The intricacy and form of the flower heads fascinates me.<br />
<br />
The dark object on the left of the flower head is the bum of a <a href="http://naturewatch.org.nz/observations/1201292" target="_blank">striped dung fly</a> (<i>Oxysarcodexia varia</i>).<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">All content © 2016 Pete McGregor</span></span></div>
</div>
pohanginapetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11463792721091291063noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191028737265893759.post-61036228115510719672017-04-22T13:16:00.000+12:002017-04-22T13:16:11.886+12:00Coot chick<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vC3-o_qSvzg/WPqtMzzkmNI/AAAAAAAAIBo/PVzWJnzCd_ktjb3aZO7Zt79p9A9AvE07ACLcB/s1600/CootChick_22April2017_P4220961.jpg" /></div>
At the Vet pond at Massey this morning, a pair of <a href="http://nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/australian-coot" target="_blank">coots</a> were being pestered by their two chicks. (And yes, I know, and I'm waiting for the wisecracks.)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">All content © 2016 Pete McGregor</span></span></div>
</div>
pohanginapetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11463792721091291063noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191028737265893759.post-43870895033269489592017-04-16T07:34:00.002+12:002017-04-16T07:34:41.962+12:00Early morning starling<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-naiVfr_OGv8/WPJ1GEhy4WI/AAAAAAAAIBY/7oA78Hdwjnca3ZFHBIlokBunqlD3Dt-8gCLcB/s1600/MorningStarling_P4160675.jpg" /></div>
In the early morning before full light, while a little colour remained in the sky, a starling perched in the old plum tree.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">All content © 2017 Pete McGregor</span></span></div>
</div>
pohanginapetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11463792721091291063noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191028737265893759.post-68575203603201339362017-04-02T16:26:00.000+12:002017-04-02T16:26:22.801+12:00Miromiro (tomtit), No. 1 Line track<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5V0PpcEAsPI/WOB75cDsLsI/AAAAAAAAIBE/WHT5NL0uCwApWsnDHNVSSsa8ps-nDYSDQCLcB/s1600/Miromiro_No1Line_1April2017_P4010199.jpg" /></div>
<a href="http://nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/tomtit" target="_blank">Miromiro</a> (not to be confused with <a href="http://nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/grey-warbler" target="_blank">riroriro</a>) are currently easy to see on the No. 1 Line track. Photographing them's another matter, but this bedraggled little female posed nicely for me yesterday — but only for a few seconds. I managed several photographs as she flitted about and paused to pose, but she quickly lost interest. The whole encounter was over in less than a minute.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">All content © 2016 Pete McGregor</span></span></div>
</div>
pohanginapetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11463792721091291063noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191028737265893759.post-74748322034869433972017-03-29T07:56:00.002+13:002017-03-29T07:56:52.910+13:00Riroriro (grey warbler), No. 1 Line track<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XTWiz3IN2KE/WNqwhmdwNDI/AAAAAAAAIA0/-I4UUtY085spvHQm3OwkYm1V23Zr0Lm6wCLcB/s1600/P3050081.jpg" /></div>
<br />
I find <a href="http://nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/grey-warbler" target="_blank">riroriro </a>one of the most difficult birds to photograph. They seldom pause for more than a second, and they're usually flitting around among a tangle of twigs and branches and foliage. Often they're high enough in the canopy so I have to deal with bright patches of sky in the background, while the bird's in shadow. This time I got lucky.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">All content © 2017 Pete McGregor</span></span></div>
</div>
pohanginapetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11463792721091291063noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191028737265893759.post-89907532277951082292017-03-11T20:27:00.002+13:002017-03-11T20:27:50.792+13:00Corner, Cafe Royale, Palmerston North<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xWMnKz3aWQ8/WMOlbqyVTMI/AAAAAAAAIAg/aVO45tKyFcsZ6EiX3pL-IVFiyYQajhFPACLcB/s1600/Corner_CafeRoyale_P3100112.jpg" /></div>
I was sitting in <a href="http://www.caferoyale.co.nz/" target="_blank">Cafe Royale</a> with a coffee, writing about photographing, and I looked up, and this was one of the things that caught my eye.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">All content © 2016 Pete McGregor</span></span></div>
</div>
pohanginapetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11463792721091291063noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191028737265893759.post-89191697398831888442017-03-01T18:34:00.001+13:002017-03-01T18:34:49.574+13:00The miromiro welcomes me home<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qaROhks6rZA/WLZcNkzRFeI/AAAAAAAAIAQ/nf98CbCa6GY6QhGygya5_xF8SYoXVQ3ewCLcB/s1600/MiromiroNo1Line1Mar2017%255B1020%255D-3010293.jpg" /></div>
Today I finally felt well enough (and had the time) to take a gentle walk partway up the No. 1 Line track. The animals were pretty quiet, but after I'd been sitting quietly for a few minutes, this little miromiro (tomtit) turned up. It looked as if it had recently fledged, and it had almost no fear — a couple of times it came close to landing on the lens. I felt welcomed home.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">All content © 2016 Pete McGregor</span></span></div>
</div>
pohanginapetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11463792721091291063noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191028737265893759.post-79174548643425609712017-02-15T23:27:00.001+13:002017-02-15T23:27:53.702+13:00The Western Ghats of India: Top Station, Munnar<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1rJrjwDmHVc/WKQqonazZLI/AAAAAAAAIAA/8dDeyKjpGIwiT-gTITsoFfV8j2NSgvVOQCLcB/s1600/MunnarTopStationRain-04-1020x678.jpeg" /></div>
The Western Ghats in southern India are famous for several things, and this is one of those: rain. It was more like drizzle than proper rain, but I still enjoyed it after more than three months of seeing no rain other than a few light spots in Sikkim. This was the second time I'd visited Top Station; the first was the previous day when the almost cloudless sky allowed me wonderful views. Nice to see the place in such different conditions.<br />
<br />
Back To Delhi early tomorrow; a day there, then the long journey back to Aotearoa/New Zealand begins. Almost six hours to Beijing, a thirteen-hour layover, then just over twelve hours to Auckland. Then I have to catch an overnight bus to Palmerston North -- and I'm still not back in the Valley.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">All content © 2016 Pete McGregor</span></span></div>
</div>
pohanginapetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11463792721091291063noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191028737265893759.post-56864074304267368962017-02-02T23:53:00.000+13:002017-02-02T23:53:21.290+13:00Tea tasting, Darjeeling<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zEufLrt48Cw/WJMOnyHIRTI/AAAAAAAAH_k/fX8Zn7H0I6A4hEzjKF_cynGnKckrsc7kwCLcB/s1600/DarjeelingTeaTasting-01-1020x679.jpeg" /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
The views of Kangchenjunga weren't the only reason I wanted to visit Darjeeling. I drank a lot of tea during my time there, and this was an example of a tasting of four second-flush Darjeelings. I had a distinct preference for the one on the far left: the Castleton 'second flush tippy clonal'.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">All content © 2016 Pete McGregor</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
pohanginapetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11463792721091291063noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191028737265893759.post-41066515872286833302017-01-30T17:30:00.000+13:002017-01-30T17:30:00.248+13:00Kangchenjunga from Pelling<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T1_yVSzjmJQ/WIx7-GH1ejI/AAAAAAAAH_I/Occ5RKNmcZMRM1eYoxA2068P40PZ900TwCLcB/s1600/PellingKangchenjungaDawnB%2526W-01.jpeg" /></div>
<br />
The evening I arrived in Pelling, West Sikkim, after a long and very rough ride involving several changes of jeep, Kangchenjunga and the adjacent mountains hid behind cloud. By morning, though, most of the cloud had cleared, and I'd had a good enough sleep to get out of bed and walk down the road to watch the sunrise on these spectacular mountains.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">All content © 2017 Pete McGregor</span></span></div>
</div>
pohanginapetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11463792721091291063noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191028737265893759.post-20607112413221217022017-01-28T00:46:00.000+13:002017-01-28T00:46:27.500+13:00Sunrise at Darjeeling<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MJuq1ehrWb0/WIsu5_xXX2I/AAAAAAAAH-4/Vb37FeD5d3MUoDc-ZrfnYx-dWODFKQuegCLcB/s1600/DarjeelingSunrise-01.jpeg" /></div>
I've posted some photographs of Kanchenjunga, the world's third highest mountain, at sunrise and sunset on <a href="https://instagram.com/pohanginapete" target="_blank">my instagram page</a>, but Kangchenjunga wasn't the only mountain in the view from the rooftop of my hotel in Darjeeling. If anyone knows for sure which mountain this is, please let me know.<br />
<br />
I arrived today in Pelling in Sikkim, much closer to Kangchenjunga, but the mountain's remaining stubbornly hidden behind cloud and the first light rain I've seen since early November.<br />
<br />
[On another matter, last night I posted <a href="http://pohanginapete.blogspot.in/2017/01/return-to-india.html" target="_blank">another installment of the travel log</a> on <i>Pohanginapete</i>.]<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">All content © 2016 Pete McGregor</span></span></div>
</div>
pohanginapetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11463792721091291063noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191028737265893759.post-27961045686184878002017-01-15T18:01:00.000+13:002017-01-15T18:01:10.351+13:00Wallah at Josimath, Uttarakhand<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IpUsE3duFCQ/WHsA5tzmrwI/AAAAAAAAH9A/28qsiNoVPo8sZc4oQ2woprQN8qsjrTJvgCLcB/s1600/WallahJosimath-02-1020x763.jpeg" /></div>
<i>Jumping back to much earlier in the journey </i>... In the early morning, this elderly wallah made chai for me at a small dhaba on the main street of Josimath, deep in Uttarakhand. It was cold then; now, it must feel arctic. The next day I was able to give him a print of the photograph.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">All content © 2016 Pete McGregor</span></span></div>
</div>
pohanginapetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11463792721091291063noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191028737265893759.post-69962531135345119032017-01-10T16:55:00.000+13:002017-01-10T16:55:27.756+13:00Early morning in Mandvi, northern Gujarat<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rhw3E3lekmU/WHRaOlO2NCI/AAAAAAAAH8o/oDcoSrhLvg4Y54F4jK4p3UTQU6uAdjLIACLcB/s1600/MandviEarlyMorning-01.jpeg" /></div>
In the early morning, the streets of Mandvi, the small coastal town in Kuchchh, northern Gujarat, where wooden ships are still built by hand, are populated mostly by cattle, birds, and dogs, and few humans.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">All content © 2016 Pete McGregor</span></span></div>
</div>
pohanginapetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11463792721091291063noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191028737265893759.post-1174110424459462442017-01-08T03:29:00.003+13:002017-01-08T03:29:52.251+13:00Street scene, Mandvi, Gujarat<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rEpjKLUBuXo/WHD64v4C3CI/AAAAAAAAH8Y/Z8-Zp2TMiiIBVqTcgEVsxVN960U78yMigCLcB/s1600/MandviCattle-01.jpeg" /></div>
In the back streets of the small town of Mandvi in Gujarat, on the coast of the Arabian Sea.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">All content © 2016 Pete McGregor</span></span></div>
</div>
pohanginapetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11463792721091291063noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191028737265893759.post-69548947876723842372017-01-03T02:01:00.000+13:002017-01-03T02:01:26.417+13:00The White Rann, Kuchchh, Gujarat<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PC-A2mhBy68/WGpNqA0zKuI/AAAAAAAAH78/HL1JvAWUnWU57xRSq3_55z0iNexUsuxzgCLcB/s1600/KutchWhiteRannStone-01.jpeg" /></div>
The White Rann (Desert) is one of Kuchchh's most famous tourist destinations. When I was there on New Year's Day, it was far from deserted. Among the thousands of others, I saw no obvious foreigners other than Kenji, with whom I'd split the cost of the day tour. I'd thought the experience would be appalling, but I have to admit I enjoyed being with so many people having such a good time. I lost count of the number of times I was asked if I'd share a selfie, but I was probably included in more photographs than I made.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">All content © 2016 Pete McGregor</span></span></div>
</div>
pohanginapetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11463792721091291063noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191028737265893759.post-4901158099507094442016-12-30T04:06:00.000+13:002016-12-30T04:06:05.947+13:00Grey-headed canary flycatcher, Jamnagar, Gujarat<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yWvOu74rNFE/WGUkzSL4yNI/AAAAAAAAH6M/Z0_J23btHuEak6vk0-c5FoEAxbFMOiEvQCLcB/s1600/JamnagarGreyHeadedCanaryFlycatcher2-02.jpeg" /></div>
In Jamnagar, a typically hectic mid-sized Indian city, sits a closed-down tea processing factory. The grounds cover 33 acres (according to the caretaker), and the primary occupants are the thorny scrub interspersed with dry clearings, and the birds. It's tranquil, and it's a great place to watch birds of many kinds if you're lucky enough to get permission to visit, as I was.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">All content © 2016 Pete McGregor</span></span></div>
</div>
pohanginapetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11463792721091291063noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191028737265893759.post-83339774422718992382016-12-25T23:28:00.000+13:002016-12-25T23:28:26.024+13:00Tuba wallah, Bundi<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bTmmWm7pRIc/WF-d8qhI2QI/AAAAAAAAH58/Pz7-DgevdscBtfuMc8kVF27Y2-zH9WU9gCLcB/s1600/BundiTubaWallah-01.jpeg" /></div>
I had a great time photographing in Bundi. Sometimes I couldn't get a smile while I had the camera up, but that was because it disappeared as soon as I raised the camera and reappeared afterwards. I think many people have the idea that portraits must be formal and smiling's forbidden.<br />
<br />
Merry Christmas from Udaipur. Tomorrow evening I catch a sleeper bus all the way to Jamnagar in Gujarat.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">All content © 2016 Pete McGregor</span></span></div>
</div>
pohanginapetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11463792721091291063noreply@blogger.com3