Getting Lost - June

Where Did June Go?

I feel like I say this every month… but seriously, where did June go? Maybe it’s a sign of getting older, but 2025 seems to be flying past at record speed.

June is always a full month for me. It’s the time I complete another trip around the sun, and it usually marks the end of Term 2 as well. If you know any educators, you’ll understand that we tend to measure time in ten-week blocks (give or take), punctuated by what we used to call "school holidays." These days, I think of them more as "non-contact time" - because let’s be honest, I often find myself still chipping away at work tasks even during the break.

I can officially confirm that these photos were taken in June - on the very last day, to be exact - even though I’m posting them now. With the month slipping away, I decided to keep things simple and local. All of these photos were taken right here in Rotorua, in one of my favourite places: Kuirau Park.

If you’re familiar with Rotorua, you’ll know Kuirau Park is a bit of a gem - a geothermal wonderland right in the heart of the city, where locals and visitors alike can dip their feet in the hot thermal waters. I gave myself a little creative challenge this time: take all my shots within a limited geographical area. Every photo in this set was captured within the park itself.

A reminder, as always, that you don’t need to go far to find something beautiful. Sometimes, the magic is right on your doorstep.

#1 Get macro and portray the season you are in with just a leaf or flower.
I've long admired these unusual shrubs... and I've often wondered - are they covered in cones or flowers? After snapping a few close-ups, curiosity got the better of me, so I uploaded one of the images into Google Lens. Mystery solved: they’re called Banksia 'Giant Candles'. The name couldn’t be more perfect - tall, striking, and full of character, just like winter’s quiet beauty.

According to Wikipedia: It looks like a shrub, and this form, that is equally broad as tall, can grow up to 5 metres. It is well known for its extremely large flower spikes, which easily can become 40 cm long. They have a habit of drooping or bending occasionally. The flowers are a bronzy-orange and will be showy from late autumn through winter. They grow in most well-drained soils, and will flower best if grown in full sun. 

#2 Leading lines or rule of thirds?
I’ve completed this prompt a few times throughout 2025, and somehow each time I manage to find a fresh way to interpret leading lines. This time, it was the pergola over the bridge that caught my eye. Although… is it still called a pergola when it’s built like this? I’m not entirely sure - but I really loved how the overhead beams echoed the lines of the bridge beneath. The biggest challenge? Trying to capture the shot without a parade of random people in the frame!

#3 Take a photo from the perspective of a flower.
It was a lovely day yesterday—no wind, no rain, and just enough cloud cover to make photographing a dream. The greens felt extra vibrant, almost glowing. But what really caught my eye were the unexpected pops of orange scattered throughout the park. From the Giant Candles I mentioned in prompt #1, to the warm-toned leaves on the trees, and finally this stunning marigold… orange seemed to be the colour of the day.

 

#4 Take a photo of a living thing.
I was actually lining up a shot for prompt #5 when this guy made a dramatic entrance. He was absolutely determined to be seen - strutting all over the statue I’d been eyeing up, preening, posing… basically demanding a photoshoot. So what could I do? I’ve decided to call him Fred. No particular reason - it just suited him. And I think he approved, because he let me get surprisingly close. No macro lens needed for this confident character!

 

#5 Put a frame around a landscape using whatever you find around you.
I spotted this statue while crossing the bridge and immediately noticed the hole in the centre - it looked just like a perfect little window, almost like a porthole. It felt serendipitous that I happened to pull the “frame” card from the deck. As if on cue, Fred (from prompt #4) was still in full photoshoot mode, treating me like his personal paparazzi. He even brought a couple of friends along to make a cameo in this shot!

#6 Drive until you see water and then stop and take a photo of the reflections.
Luckily, I didn’t need to drive anywhere for this one - Kuirau Park is full of thermal pools, and they definitely count as water! Of course, these ones are far too hot to dip your toes in - most average around 100°C. What I really love, though, is the way the wispy steam floats across the surface. It adds such a dreamy, otherworldly feel to the reflections in the water.

 

#7 Stop, look behind you and take a shot.
I’ve been listening to Mel Robbins' podcasts lately, and she often talks about focusing on what’s ahead - reminding us that our windshield is much bigger than our rear view mirror. But this prompt had me turning around and taking a moment to look back. I’m glad I did! What I found was this stunning tree, its bare branches perfectly framing the crisp winter sky. The absence of leaves really highlighted the beauty of the season - quiet, still, and full of its own kind of wonder.

 

#8 Use camera blur to make something appear different to what your eye can see.
This was another one of those mystery plants that had me turning to Google Images for answers. It turns out to be Edgeworthia chrysantha Grandiflora - also known as Yellow Daphne or Paperbush. I was really intrigued by the large buds, each with just a hint of yellow peeking through. Using blur gave the image a dreamy softness that made it feel even more otherworldly. This particular plant lives in The Scented Garden, a part of the park designed especially for the blind. I’m definitely planning to return later in the season to see it in full bloom. 

 

#9 Find a busy spot. Set a 10-second timer, and see what wandered into your shot.
This was the one prompt where I was actually hoping for people to show up in the frame. I set myself up well back from the foot baths, hit the 10-second timer, and just let the moment unfold. There were plenty of people enjoying a soothing soak, but I made sure to stay out of everyone’s way. It was a nice change to simply observe and capture the everyday rhythm of the park - no posing, just real life in motion.

#10 Take 3 photos of the same thing with shadows or light changing how it looks.
Over the years, Rotorua has hosted a range of outdoor sculpture installations - some temporary, others becoming permanent fixtures in the landscape. While walking through Kuirau Park yesterday, I happened to notice the way the light was falling across one of the sculptures. The shifting shadows and highlights gave it an entirely different feel depending on the angle. When this prompt came up, the timing couldn’t have been more perfect!

"Kuirau" by Takutaimoana Harawira:

This sculpture is part of the "Sculpture Symposium" installations and is dedicated to Kuirau, the young woman for whom the park is named. It acknowledges the legend of Kuirau and her connection to the sacred waters and geothermal activity of the area. 

 

#11 Take a photo upside down (you or the camera).
I’ve played with this prompt a few times before, and I usually end up pointing my camera up into the trees. There were certainly plenty of trees around in the park, but this time I decided to try something a little different. I focused on some of the stone structures scattered throughout Kuirau Park, flipped my camera upside down - and was pleasantly surprised by the results. Sometimes a simple shift in perspective is all it takes to see something familiar in a whole new way.

 

#12 Close your eyes, spin, stop and shoot.
This is a prompt I’ve done a few times before, and it’s always interesting to see what ends up in the frame - it’s a little like photographic roulette. This time, the camera landed on a sign. What surprised me most was that I hadn’t really noticed it before, despite the fact that Kuirau Park is filled with similar warnings about the hot water and steam. It felt like a timely reminder - sometimes we miss the most important details simply because we’re used to seeing them.

#13 Time to start editing all those photos – head for home.
I have to admit, I was pretty grateful to draw this card - I was done, ready to put my feet up, and definitely curious to see how all the photos turned out on the computer. As I was making my way back to the car, I happened to glance up and spotted one of the many murals scattered around Rotorua. It’s one I’ve driven past countless times and always thought, “I should take a photo of that.” But I never actually did - until now.

The mural features a pōhutukawa flower and a piwakawaka (fantail), both iconic symbols of Aotearoa. The artist, Jonny4Higher, has captured them beautifully. It felt like the perfect image to finish the day - something familiar seen with fresh eyes, much like the whole experience of this photo challenge.

 Here's a full version of the mural from the artists website:

 

Once I got home, it was time to choose one final image for my June title photo - and this one, with its vibrant greens and those gorgeous trees, felt just right. It perfectly captured the essence of the day and the quiet beauty of winter in Rotorua. A fitting way to wrap up another month of creative prompts and local adventures.

 

Looking back, I’m so glad I decided to stay local for this month’s challenge. Kuirau Park offered more than enough inspiration - with its steamy thermal pools, quirky sculptures, unexpected bursts of colour, and familiar sights seen through new eyes. It reminded me that creativity doesn’t always require travel or grand scenery - sometimes it just takes a camera, a curious mindset, and a willingness to look a little closer. June may have raced by, but this photo walk helped me slow down, take notice, and appreciate the beauty right on my doorstep.

Thank you for stopping by my little corner of the internet.
Until next time,
Shelley 

Getting Lost - May

It’s hard to believe how fast this year is flying by — somehow, we’ve already landed in June. These photos were actually taken last weekend, on the 24th of May, during a little day trip to Whakatāne. There was a quilt show on, so I convinced Mum to come along for a mix of photography, visiting a quilt show, and a relaxed lunch. It turned out to be a beautiful day filled with inspiration, good company, and a few unexpected photo opportunities.

Mum and I met up at The Hub in Whakatāne and decided to leave her car there — it’s so much easier to find parking for one car, and let’s be honest, it’s nearly impossible to have a proper chat when you’re driving separately! Mum drew the first photo prompt card, and we made our way down to The Heads to kick off our photography adventure.

There was just one small hiccup — once we arrived, Mum realised she’d left her camera behind in her car! As it turned out, that little mishap worked in my favour. Without her own camera to focus on, she became my creative sidekick, offering ideas and pointing out all sorts of interesting ways to interpret each prompt. It ended up being a fun and collaborative start to the day!

#1 Cloudy day, head for the coast.  Sunny day, head inland.  Although the weather in Whakatāne was beautiful on Saturday, there were just enough clouds drifting across the sky to give the day a soft, overcast feel — perfect for photography. It had been quite a while since either of us had visited The Heads, so it felt like the right place to ease into the day and see it with fresh eyes.

 

#2 Drive until you see water and then stop and take a photo of the reflections. There was no need to go searching for water — we were already right at The Heads, with the river and harbour all around us. In fact, we didn’t need to drive anywhere at all during our photo session. There was so much to see and capture right where we were. One of my favourite moments was spotting these stunning reflections of the rocks in the water, with the Whakatāne township rising quietly in the background — a perfect blend of nature and community in a single frame. 

#3 Spell your name by photographing items that start with that letter. This was a brand new prompt for me — I’d never tried it before, but being down at the harbour sparked a bit of creative inspiration. I decided to spell out my name using natural materials, which felt especially fitting given that my name is Shelley! Mum and I had a great time fossicking along the shoreline, gathering bits of driftwood, shells, and stones. It was such a simple idea, but really satisfying to create something so personal using pieces of the environment around us.

 #4 Leading lines or rule of thirds?  I’ve tackled the leading lines prompt before, but since Mum was in charge of drawing the prompt cards today, we went with it — and honestly, it couldn’t have been easier in this setting. The line of rocks stretching from the harbour out toward the ocean created a natural, perfect example of leading lines. To top it off, a scattering of seagulls perched along the rocks added just the right touch of interest and movement to the scene. Sometimes the simplest prompts yield the most striking results. 

 

#5 Take a photo upside down (you or the camera) This was another prompt I’ve explored before — and true to form, I found myself drawn to trees once again. There’s just something about them that always captures my attention. This time, what really stood out was the tree’s exposed roots, almost suspended in the air, clinging on as if defying gravity. It’s incredible how nature finds a way to survive — even thrive — in the most challenging conditions. A quiet reminder of resilience, right there in the sand and rocks.

#6 Put a frame around a landscape using what ever you find around you.  I’ve done this prompt before — though I’ll admit, I’ve usually taken the lazy route by simply finding something naturally framed, like tree branches arching overhead. But this time, I decided to put in a bit more effort and actually create my own frame. I used pieces of driftwood balanced on rocks as supports, and to my surprise, it stood tall for quite a while before eventually tumbling down. Luckily, it held up just long enough to capture the shot I wanted — complete with a shag perched perfectly on a nearby rock, right in the centre of the frame. It was one of those rare moments where everything just came together.

 #7 Take a photo of a living thing.  This prompt was an easy one — mostly because I was already determined to get a better shot of the shag from Prompt #6. I quickly swapped to my long lens and adjusted my settings, hoping he’d stay put just a little longer. Thankfully, he did! The calm water created some lovely reflections that added a peaceful, almost painterly feel to the image. Sometimes it’s those spontaneous moments that turn out to be your favourites.

 #8 Use camera blur to make something appear different to what your eye can see. While I was lining up the shot of the shag, something else quietly caught my eye — a lone seagull standing perfectly still, intently watching a fisherman and his dog across the mouth of the river. I quickly adjusted my settings, took the shot, and crossed my fingers. Luckily, the photography angels were with me that day, because this ended up being my Shot of the Day!

What I love most about it is the subtlety — in real life, the fisherman, his dog, and the background were all clearly in focus. But thanks to my settings, they appear almost ghostlike in the final image — present, but just out of reach. It gives the photo a dreamy, storytelling quality I hadn’t even planned for.

 #9 Use a camera setting you wouldn't normally use for this type of photo.  I’ve been a beachcomber for as long as I can remember. Every family trip to the beach would end the same way — me heading home with pockets full of tiny treasures: delicate shells, smooth bits of driftwood, and just enough sand to drive Mum mad when it came time to do the washing! That little treasure-hunting habit has definitely passed down through the generations — my kids inherited it, and now my granddaughter is a proud beachcomber too.

On this trip, I’d found a particularly beautiful shell I wanted to photograph, so I carefully balanced it on a rock to get the shot just right. The next thing I know, Mum comes along and casually dumps a few more shells right beside it. I was about to protest — after all, I’d placed mine so precisely — but I had to admit (quietly, of course) that her additions actually made the photo much more interesting. Just don’t tell her I said that!

 

#10 Take 3 photos of the same thing with shadows or light changing how it looks.  It always amazes me how simply shifting your position — just a few steps this way or that — can completely change how the light falls and how a subject appears through the lens. Lately, I’ve been reading a book called The Resilience Project, which touches on this very idea: how looking at the same thing from a different perspective can open up a whole new world of understanding. It’s a concept that resonates not just in photography, but in life.

But before I go wandering too far down that philosophical path, here are my three photos for this prompt — each one showing how a small change in viewpoint can reveal something entirely different.

 #11 Take the number of photos you took yesterday, photograph a letterbox with the same number. This was another first-time prompt for me — and I’ll admit, I took a bit of poetic licence with it. Technically, I had already taken more than one photo the day before… but when I spotted this absolutely awesome letterbox, how could I resist? Some things are just too fun to pass by without a snap. Rules are made to be bent now and then, right?

 

#12 Stop, look behind you and take a shot. Of course, I’ve done this prompt before — and it usually delivers some great results — but this time felt different. I’d already photographed around this rock for a few other prompts, but stepping up onto the roadside offered a completely new perspective.

As I mentioned earlier, I’ve been reading The Resilience Project, and this image — a lone tree seemingly growing straight out of solid rock — couldn’t have been a more perfect visual metaphor for resilience. It’s strong, steady, and thriving in the most unlikely place. I loved it so much that I’ve decided to print it out and use it as a bookmark — a daily reminder of strength in unexpected places.

 

The final prompt card Mum selected was 'Time to start editing all those photos - head for home'. What a perfect way to wrap up a couple of hours of photography. Of course, we didn’t head straight home — the day was far from over! From The Heads, we made our way to the quilt show (a feast for the eyes in a completely different way), followed by a relaxed lunch, a bit of shopping, and then finally made our way home.

But before we left, I paused for one last shot — this one for my monthly title image. It was taken from almost the same spot as the previous prompt, but this time I turned my lens up the coast toward Matatā. A fitting final frame for a day full of creativity, connection, and unexpected inspiration.

 

Thank you for stopping by my little corner of the internet.
Until next time,
Shelley  

Getting Lost - April

Today has been a really special one... not only is it ANZAC Day but it is also the first time my granddaughter has taken part in a Dawn Service and parade.  Earlier this year Chloe joined Brownies and I've been taking her to her weekly Brownie meetings.  

We both look forward to our Nana/Chloe time at Brownies and she's carrying on the family tradition of being involved in the Guiding movement.  I was a Brownie and a Guide as was my second sister.  My third sister was a Brownie and my mother was 'Tawny Owl'.  Krystal joined both Guides and Venturers... and now Chloe is the fourth generation from our family to join. 

Yesterday afternoon Chloe and I took our gear down to the Guide hall and set up for our overnight sleepover.  I can tell you now that air pump beds and Nana's sore knee don't really go together... especially when the air slowly leaks out of the bed and by 2am there is little to no air left in the bed... but we stayed over together and that was the main thing for us.

The alarm went off at 4am and Chloe really was a bright little button... all excited for what lay ahead.  By 5.15am we were down at Ohinemutu  for the Dawn Service... followed by McDonalds for breakfast and then the Civic Parade.  

I am very proud of Chloe and looking forward to watching Te Karere later this afternoon to see if I can spot her on TV! There don't appear to be many people in this photo but there was a LARGE crowd there this morning.

Since it is ANZAC Day I decided to focus on the two areas we were at this morning... Ohinemutu Village and the Government Gardens... and I also decided to take all my April Getting Lost photos in black and white.  Krystal came with me to take photos today and she offered up a different perspective on the photos and prompts so here goes:

#1 Camera in manual - head north, in automatic, head south.  I had my camera in manual this morning so we headed north after parking the car and Krystal spotted something she thought would look interesting - especially in black and white.

#2 Stop at the next signposted attraction and take 10 photos.  Definitely not a hard prompt in Rotorua... there's tourist attractions all over the place... and Ohinemutu Village was literally 150m from where we were.  Somehow I managed to cull down 30+ photos to just these 10:

 

#3 Take as many steps as you have battery percentage left and frame your shot.  I had a full battery on my camera... and we both felt a little tired so we used the battery from Krystal's phone which had 32% for this one.

#4 Take a photo upside down (you or the camera). I always like doing this prompt because you get such interesting photos.

#5 Drive until you see water and then stop and take a photo of the reflections.  At this point we headed to the Government Gardens... and we were rewarded by spotting a seagull down by one of the ponds.

#6 Take a photo of a living thing.  We'd seen a few seagulls around and spotted some goldfish in a pond but the water was a bit murky and then we spotted some pūkeko which was serendipitous since I am the leader of Te Roopu Pūkeko at my school. 

#7 Take a photo from the perspective of a flower. I really wanted to capture some of the ANZAC wreaths today and this was the perfect prompt to do exactly that! Yes I did get down on the ground for this photo... but it was so worth it!

#8 Early birds head east, night owls head west.  I've always been an early bird... not usually 4am early!  We headed east on foot and bumped into this... very appropriate given the theme of the day.

#9 Follow a bee and take a photo of it on a flower that it lands on. When you're taking photos in black and white it changes the whole perspective but I'm pretty happy with what I was able to capture.

#10 Stop for a treat (and take a photo of it)... this felt like perfect timing... we were both tired and my feet were aching so we decided to head to one of Krystal's favourite bakeries for a little treat and then head home.  I sampled a sticky date cake and it was delicious!

As always, I wanted a title photo for the month and the entrance way to the Government Gardens worked beautifully:

Thanks for taking the time to stop by my little corner of the internet.  Wishing you all a safe and happy weekend :)

Shelley