<< Previous Next >>

Lower Wai-O-Tapu Valley


Lower Wai-O-Tapu Valley
Photo Information
Copyright: Janice Dunn (Janice) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3274 W: 268 N: 7754] (33070)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-04-24
Categories: Daily Life, Nature, Artwork
Camera: Canon EOS 30D, Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM
Exposure: f/10.0, 1/200 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-04-28 2:36
Viewed: 250
Points: 26
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Panoramic View of a lower Wai-O-Tapu Valley

Wai-O-Tapu is associated with volcanic activity dating back about 160,000 years and is located right on the edge of the largest volcanic caldera (depression) within the active Taupo Volcanic Zone. With the largest area of surface thermal activity of any hydrothermal system in the Zone, the Thermal Wonderland is the most active part of the 18 square km reserve and has at its northern boundary the volcanic dome of Maungakakaramea (Rainbow Mountain).

The uniqueness of the landscape is essentially attributed to land alteration through (1) Steam discharge (2) Acid-sulphate water (3) Alkali-chloride water.

Visitors to the main park have an opportunity to do one or all of three walks, each having its own unique atmosphere.

All the walks have been developed with the concept of providing a natural experience. Throughout the park are a number of graphic displays which provide interesting and easily understood information about volcanic activity, fauna and flora while the visitor guide map provides good basic information.
Quoting:
http://www.geyserland.co.nz/park.htm

In the right foreground is a wall of an old hydrothermal eruption crater.

Behind it is a larger hydrothermal eruption crater with Frying Pan Flat forming its base. Frying Pan Flat is at the southern end of Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, on the Walk 3 loop of the park. Within this section of the park are hot pools, some boiling mud ponds and a sulphur cave.

The beautiful green water you can see among the bushes is Lake Ngakoro, The Grandfather. And yes, it is that green. The outflow of the acid-sulphate waters from the Frying Pan Flat is responsible for the green colour of the lake. The water enters the lake through a narrow gully and down a small waterfall.

Wai-O-Tapu is about half way between Rotorua and Lake Taupo.

Once again – I can recommend this place for a visit if you are ever in this area of New Zealand.
HapiSnapa, Adri, szekelykristof, Royaldevon, Derona, dareco, ubc64, shelbeesmom has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekLens members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekLens members may write critiques.
Discussions
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Adri Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 529 W: 23 N: 1858] (11288)
  • [2009-04-28 2:48]

Hello Janice,

Great view over this spectacular landscape!
Wonderful colors and composition.
The people on this picture show us very clearly how big this area is; wonderful!
I am not sure that I will ever visit your beautiful country; it is very far away....

TFS and greetings from Zealand, Netherlands,
Adri

  •      
  • pozaru Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3565 W: 737 N: 2405] (19076)
  • [2009-04-28 3:07]

Wonderful view of a wonderful place.

thanks,
v

Lovely image Janice...what a great note also as aways. I am now building a list of places to visit if I ever get that far North!

TFS Regards Tracey

Hi Janice,
eautiful panormaic shot of this valley, despite the poor light conditions and the cloudy weather, you managed to take a well-balanced photo. I like the dense green vegetation and the inclusion of tourists that give us a scale how big rocks there are. Fine job, TFS!
Best wishes,
Kristof

  • Great 
  • Dawn Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1134 W: 100 N: 3363] (17532)
  • [2009-04-28 3:42]

Hi Janice..very nice perspective of the area here at Wai-O-Tapu, it certainly is an amazing and beautiful place to walk around.
Great notes...very interesting.

TFS
Kia Ora
Dawn

Hello dear Janice.
Gorgeous landscape down there.
Wonder if Meri's sister and husband have seen that too."
I'll ask them.
The people 'down under', gives good scale to the scene.
Fantastic nature scape.
Cheers from Jan

Hello Janice,

A superb pov, showing excellent details of this unusual landscape. The thread of thermal water leads well from the front to the back of the scene.
The people add interest and also give an indication of the enormous scale of this unique area.

Have a good day,
Bev :-)

  • Great 
  • ayse51 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1705 W: 124 N: 1455] (20570)
  • [2009-04-28 8:38]

Hi Janice,
beautiful panoramic view.Beautiful place and green tones.TFS.Necla.

  • Great 
  • Derona Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 233 W: 147 N: 811] (4866)
  • [2009-04-28 14:14]

Hi Janice

Great POV looking down over this area.
The people really show the scale of the lake.
TFS

Regards Derek

I visited here many years ago with the kids and before my interest in photography, did you visit the Buried Village Janice? Love the composition looking down the valley to the hill in the distance, wonderful colours, it's amazing how the foliage manages to flourish with the influence of all the caustic minerals.

Fantastic vantage point Janice, the people below give a good sense of how high up you are. Very vibrant greens and the crater breaks everything up nicely. Great shot.

TFS,
Scott.

  • Great 
  • dareco Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1717 W: 16 N: 840] (15143)
  • [2009-04-28 22:20]

I think this is my favorite in this series. Such an interesting place. Good pov and lovely detail. TFS My friend leaves for NZ in 9 more days :)

  • Great 
  • ubc64 Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 39 W: 1 N: 76] (352)
  • [2009-04-28 22:41]

Hi Janice,

Breathtaking view! Great detail and colors. It's so interesting that I feel like I want to click on the shot and zoom into some of the areas to get a better look at them. Great info too! You sure know how to put the "Trek" in TrekLens. TFS.

Regards,
John

Hey, can I swim? Nice work on this Janice! I remember you saying this was a stinky place! Looks like you had fun on your trip. I like the inclusion of people in this shot, the person with the red shirt breaks it all up nicely!
B-)
Linda

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF