Carmi's l
atest photographic theme is "Fly", which is rather timely for me as I flew up to Auckland last weekend. I had a window seat on the way home, and I indulged in a little photo-taking with the camera.
Soon after we had climbed out of Auckland airport it was all cloud below- and I didn't think I was going to see very much of interest from my window seat.
However, by the time we had reached the central North Island, much of the cloud had cleared, and Lake Taupo was clearly visible down below. I was mindful of friends who were in Taupo for the exertions of the round-the-lake cycle ride.
At the southern end of the lake, a small part of Ngauruhoe poked its head out from cloud, but nearby Tongariro was largely swathed in white. Tongariro had put the wind up me just a few days before with a smallish unexpected eruption, and I hadn't been sure I would get to/from Auckland. However, all was well in the end. Apparently there were some gas emissions in all that cloud as we flew nearby, but no ash.
Ruapehu was unmistakeable.
Scientists have warned that they are expecting a possible eruption from this volcano in the coming weeks.
The crater lake is looking 'pristine' at present, and the snow is all very white looking. An eruption could change all this...
Once south of the volcanoes, we were flying over the Rangitikei region, and were soon landing down at Palmy airport. I love the view of the cliffs on the Rangitikei River from above.
PS Later in the weekend I might indulge in another Auckland post, with some more photos from the big city.
Ruapehu looks spectacular. Our ABC Radio National's Bush Telegraph has been presenting from NZ for the past week, including from some research facility in Palmy. I've learnt rather a lot from the broadcasts.
ReplyDeleteYes, it always looks spectacular. If it erupts and the weather is clear, we may see the plume from here- we did last time. Several different research places here in Palmy- quite interesting what some people do in their working days.
ReplyDeleteThose are great photos, and the mountains are wonderful. With all that snow and ice around, I would imagine a volcanic eruption would entail a lot of mess! Glad you weren't over it as it erupted!
ReplyDeleteYes, the last few eruptions the snow and ice have been melted, and there have been lahars down the mountain- can be very damaging.
DeleteThe mountain shots are tremendous.
ReplyDeleteI was so pleased when the cloud cover below cleared so we could see them.
DeleteGorgeous shots!. I do feel like I am up there !
ReplyDeleteI was so glad to have a window seat for this journey Kalei.
DeleteWonderful post for Carmi's fly theme! Lucky you!
ReplyDeleteYes, funny how very timely it was, so this time I was quite 'literal' about Carmi's theme. But his themes always seem to spark off some connection in the brain, no matter how 'vague'!
DeleteLove Ruapehu!
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Me too- it is a stunning looking volcano.
DeleteThese are really beautiful, Kiwi - I have had some spectacular flights over these mountains, and over the Southern Alps in the winter, but have never caught any of them as well as you have these.
ReplyDeleteThe flight path is reasonably close to the Volcanic Plateau I guess. Maybe the fact there was a little bit of cloud made it easier to get some detail. I wonder how long it will be before this white snow is covered with ash? Or maybe it will all die away to nothing...
DeleteLovely! Especially the ones of the volcano. We have similar views when I fly to Seattle--sometimes we can see Mt St. Helens or one of the other volcanoes in the area.
ReplyDeleteIt was especially interesting on this flight over the volcanoes sarala. One volcano had had a small eruption just days before I flew- and the biggest of the mountains has scientists closely monitoring it. Apparently the lake temperature is still quite cool but down below it is 800C and they think there is a 'blockage'. Not sure how they know all this, but they think en eruption is imminent as a result.
DeleteWOW ! You got a lovely photo of the crater! We had intended to come over in January but changed plans. Your post jolted me into things forgotten so plans will need to be remade!
ReplyDeleteThe camera has a good zoom on it...It will be interesting to see how long the crater lake remains- because if it erupts, it might all go steaming away soon!
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