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Waitemata Harbour, Auckland NZ

© Rona L. Schwarz

Waitemata Harbour, Auckland NZ

Uploaded: December 16, 2010

Description

1/200s @ f/11, ISO 200, Nikkor 70-200 @ 200 mm. (T&P)
Auckland's beautiful Waitemata Harbour. Dead center is the famous Bean Rock Lighthouse.Construction begun on the lighthouse in 1870. The work was completed in 8 months. The design was an open framework with a cottage on top. First iron foundations 10 inches in diameter were driven deep into the rock then wooden kauri poles in a hexagonal pattern were erected around a central column. Lastly, thirty feet above the water the hexagonal cottage was built. The cottage featured a wrap around verandah and the roof was corrugated iron. A fifth order lens manufactured in London was installed which flashed white, red and green to indicate the safe channels.
.Sorry, had to remove to fix a tiny error, thanks Michelle!

Exif: F Number: 11, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/200 seconds, Flash: did not fire., ISO: 200, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 200.00 mm, Model: NIKON D700

Comments

Rona L. Schwarz December 16, 2010

More information...

On 24 July, 1871 16, after a cost of £3000, the lighthouse with its kerosene light of 330 candlepower was lit by Hugh Brown the first keeper. The keeper lived in three rooms in the cottage structure. A living area including kitchen, a bedroom and the ‘long drop’ toilet to the sea below. The keepers families lived in Davenport and transportation to the light was by a small rowing boat. During 1898-99 major repairs were made to the lighthouse.In 1912 it installed its first automatic acetylene light. Plans in the 1970's to replace the lighthouse with a concrete structure was meet with local opposition but by the 1980's the Auckland Harbour Board and Historic Places Trust were seriously worried about the lighthouse as it needed extensive repairs. In 1985 the cottage structure was removed by crane from the pilings and moved ashore for renovation. At the same time the rotted kauri piles were replaced with Australian hardwood jarrah and sunk in a new concrete foundation .During the renovation, they found 20 coasts of paint on one section of the lighthouse, showing how well the keepers had done their job. The lighthouse was also repainted white, it's original colour after being painted yellow since 1956. Five months later the cottage was craned back onto the new pilings and bolted down. In the mid 1990's solar panels were installed to provide the power for the lighthouse.
#1336223

Rona L. Schwarz December 16, 2010

Ellen Hodges

Contact Ellen
Ellen's Gallery
ellenhodges.com

member since: 6/19/2005
Super capture with verrrry interesting info, Rona!!! Th color and comp are gorgeous!
12/15/2010 10:28:36 PM

Michelle Alton

Contact Michelle
Michelle's Gallery

member since: 5/3/2007
A gorgeous shot, Rona! The colors are wonderful! I have been there once nearly 30 years ago. I wish I had the same eye then as I do now!
12/16/2010 3:27:25 AM

Jeff W. Robinson

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Jeff 's Gallery
robinsonphotoart.com

member since: 10/17/2002
Wow Rona - This is Outstanding!! Wonderful pov, perspective and treatment! Jeff
12/16/2010 5:07:39 AM

Leslie McLain

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Leslie's Gallery

member since: 5/7/2007
Amazing capture, perspective and colors, Rona.
12/16/2010 5:35:35 AM

Terry Cervi

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Terry's Gallery

member since: 2/11/2001
The detail is awesome, Rona! Great shot!
12/16/2010 6:16:47 AM

Monnie S. Ryan

Contact Monnie
Monnie's Gallery

member since: 9/25/2008
Fabulous composition and detail, Rona -- interesting information as well!
#9109173

Carol Eade level-addict December 16, 2010

Beautiful detail and POV, Rona, and interesting history! #9109270

Deborah C. Lewinson level-addict December 16, 2010

Fascinating image and info, Rona!

Well done!
Debby #9109736

Karen Celella December 16, 2010

Wonderful work and information, Rona. We didn't see this while in NZ. But we did take two base jumps from that tower in your BG. lol #9109909

Rona L. Schwarz December 16, 2010

Yes, I remember you telling me that Karen when I entered one of those crazy (!) bungee jumpers for one of BP MT's a while back. It's the kind of thing that sticks in my mind...I don't even like to climb ladders! #9110306

Michelle Alton December 17, 2010

I'm with Rona. I get queasy standing on the edge of ANYTHING and just watching the TV broadcast of Bolivia's most dangerous road nearly killed me!
So no bungee jumping for me!

Looks great! #9110633

Anita Hogue December 17, 2010

A beautiful scene with fabulous colors and details, Rona! #9110769

Reynaldo D. Reyes level-classic December 17, 2010

This is absolutely special Rona, love the work you put into this image with the panorama of buildings in the bg and the dramatic cloud formations. The information about the lightfhouse puts it over top and truly makes this structure so remarkable. When I read the information, I'm impressed with the engineering involved and the history behind it, one realizes that it is not merely an image or photo but a landmark. Great shot! #9111302

Rona L. Schwarz December 17, 2010

Thank you Anita and Rey for those kind words! And a double thank you to Michelle for your help with this one! Glad to see I'm not alone in being height challenged! #9111347

Richard B. Hallick December 17, 2010

Really fantastic image. Very nice job on the colors, dramatic sky, and other details. Interesting history. Great job! #9111357

Rona L. Schwarz December 17, 2010

Thank you so much for your enthusiasm on this one, Richard! #9111377

Carol L. Fowler December 17, 2010

Gorgeous scene- love that aqua water #9111875

Patrick Rouzes level-classic December 17, 2010

Spectacular & dramatic-looking sky, tones, colors, textures, clarity, perpsective, comp & mood captured here! Fascinating history also! Outstanding work as always, my friend! WTG, Rona! #9112139

Jean-Pierre Ducondi December 18, 2010

Fantastic capture Rona. That blue water is so beautiful. Thanks for the history lesson as well. Great work as usual.
JP #9112968

Renata Gusciora December 18, 2010

Lovely image,fantastic colos and great composition,Rona! #9113061

Kathy Salerni level-classic December 18, 2010

What a great history you have provided us with on this beautiful lighthouse, Rona! A magnificant capture with great detail, POV and colors! #9113683

Rona L. Schwarz December 18, 2010

Thank you Carol, Paddy, JP, Renata, and Kathy for visiting and for the great comments - I really appreciate them! #9113782

Phyllis H. Burchett December 20, 2010

WOW gorgeous colors and scene Rona, thanks for the info too. NZ is on my bucket list.... #9115971

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