Wherever you are in New Zealand you’re never that far from the sea. Sunday was a perfect summer day and I told Nigel how much I’d like to go to Fortrose, about an hour and a half drive from home. On the way I photographed the kniphofias that featured in two recent posts. There’s a lovely cafe at Fortrose and while they prepared our order I wandered over the road to the beach and got carried away with all the interesting things to see!
Click on any photo to enlarge.
Fortrose
Toetoes Estuary at the mouth of the Mataura River (the ocean’s beyond the gap that you can see toward the left).
A couple of lads and an oystercatcher busy in the shallows.
I heard a four-wheeler approaching and got ready to take the shot as it came by. Success, and the bonus of a pet dog that I didn’t know was there until seeing the image on my laptop!
People in a fishing boat turned up on the other side of the estuary, and a duck in the foreground.
Before descending to Fortrose I got a photo of this sign at the top of the hill. Fortrose is the southern gateway to the fabulous area known as The Catlins. The whole area is a scenic wonder of rainforest, beaches, native wildlife, fossils, waterfalls, rivers and stunning coastal views.
Text and photos by Liz; Exploring Colour (2021)
Exploring Colour 
Your mention of the Catlins reminds me of George Catlin, who did many paintings of the indigenous peoples in the United States in the 1800s:
https://www.google.com/search?q=george+catlin+paintings
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Beautiful shots, Liz. I especially love the vibrant blue color of the water. You did a nice job including people in the shots, something that I rarely manage to do.
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Thank you Mike! The weather there is challenging much of the time (cloud, rain, cold, wind) but on a good day it’s brilliant and everyone wants to be out there to make the most of the nice weather!
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A beautiful day out, Liz!
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It was memorable! I think we both can’t wait to return 🙂
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Wonderful!
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Looks heavenly, Liz! It’s a long time since I’ve been able to walk along a beach – you’re making me look forward to being able to spend summer days by the sea again! 🙂
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When you do I hope you’ll share some photos of your beach experience! By that time I’ll be in winter 😦
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