Red Checkers over Lake Rotorua

Kia Ora Fellow Gallopers,

The Red Checkers is the only aerobatic team of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Using Harvards, the RNZAF first flew display aerobatics in the immediate post-WWII years. In 1967, the Central Flying School (CFS) team was officially called the ‘Red Checkers’, the name being derived from the red and white checkered cowls on the five Harvards that made up this team. After being disbanded in 1973, the team reformed in 1980 but this time flying the CT-4B Airtrainer. The first Airtrainer team comprised four aircraft but this was soon increased to the current team size of five. In 1999, the team moved onto the aircraft that is currently used – the CT-4E Airtrainers. The aircrafts used by the team had a nose painted in a red and white checkered pattern but this has now been reduced to a small checkered stripe. Red Checker pilots are senior flying instructors from the RNZAF Central Flying School and the Pilot Training Squadron situated at RNZAF Base Ohakea.

On 9th April, 2013, the Red Checkers performed a 15 minute flying display routine over Lake Rotorua as part of their tour of the North Island. The display comprised of the mirror maneuver (seen below) – a maneuver the team is well known for.

You can see all the images from the 15 minute routine here. Enjoy!!!

Till next time, take care and gallop free.

Karearea – The New Zealand Falcon

Kia Ora Fellow Gallopers,

The Wingspan National Bird of Prey Centre was established in Rotorua, NZ in 2002 and at Wingspan’s core is a commitment to the conservation of the threatened ‘Karearea’ New Zealand Falcon.  Being part of New Zealand’s unique natural heritage, falcons are a taonga (treasured) species to tangata whenua (Māori, people of the land).

A few days ago I visited the Centre to see these magnificent birds. In addition to getting up close with the falcon, the pièce de résistance of my visit was the one hour flying display – that’s held every single day – when one gets to see, first hand, the speed and agility with which these birds fly. The accompanying talk is highly informative and complements the flying display very well.

If you live in Rotorua or happen to be passing through Rotorua and you’d like to see the New Zealand Falcon, then a visit to New Zealand’s first and only Bird of Prey centre is a must. In the meantime, feel free to click here to see all the images from my recent visit to Wingspan.

Till next time, take care and gallop free.

PS: If you’d like to see my latest images including the birds I’ve been studying and photographing of late, why not follow Black Stallion Photography’s Facebook Page…

2012 (Part 2)

Kia Ora Fellow Gallopers,

Another year’s come and gone – a year that was packed with events ranging from the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee to the London Olympics to the US Presidential election. The aftershocks of the economic crisis continued to rock the world economies and the world was to have ended this year.

While being a silent spectator to the atrocities that one fellow human inflicts on another, this beautiful planet that we call Home sent out very clear signals to us, by way of storms and super storms,  that we will have to bear the consequences of our bad and reckless stewardship of her.

Following on from yesterday’s post – 2012 (Part 1) – here are the rest of our most highly rated* images from the past 12 months. Hope you enjoy these images as much as I enjoyed making them:

July 2012:

August 2012:

September 2012:

October 2012:

November 2012:

December 2012:

As we all ‘Gangnam Style’ our way into the Year of the Snake, here’s hoping that it’ll be a good one…

Thank You so much for your support in 2012. We’ve loved having you around in Black Stallion Country.

See you all in 2013.

Gallop Free.

* – All the images in this post were showcased on our Facebook Page as part of our ‘Picture of the Day’ feature and were highly rated by the most important and valued viewer of all – You.

2012 (Part 1)

Kia Ora Fellow Gallopers,

Another year’s come and gone – a year that was packed with events ranging from the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee to the London Olympics to the US Presidential election. The aftershocks of the economic crisis continued to rock the world economies and the world was to have ended this year.

While being a silent spectator to the atrocities that one fellow human inflicts on another, this beautiful planet that we call Home sent out very clear signals to us, by way of storms and super storms,  that we will have to bear the consequences of our bad and reckless stewardship of her.

As the curtains come down on 2012, I thought I’d showcase some of our most highly rated* images from the past 12 months. Hope you enjoy these images as much as I enjoyed making them:

January 2012:

February 2012:

March 2012:

April 2012:

May 2012:

June 2012:

Look out for Part 2 tomorrow…

Till then, take care and gallop free.

* – All the images in this post were showcased on our Facebook Page as part of our ‘Picture of the Day’ feature and were highly rated by the most important and valued viewer of all – You.

Merry Christmas

Kia Ora Fellow Gallopers,

Season’s Greetings from our new home, Aotearoa…

Enjoy the festive season and stay safe.

Gallop Free.

Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2012

Hello Fellow Gallopers,

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2012, the world’s largest art festival, concluded in Scotland’s capital city on the 27th of August 2012.

The Festival – which caters for everyone and includes theatre, comedy, dance, physical theatre, musicals, opera, music, exhibitions and events – takes place every August for three weeks. One of the best spots to visit, over the Festival period, is the Royal Mile where hundreds of performers congregate daily to promote their acts as well as to offer sneak previews of their shows.

Showcased below are images captured on the Royal Mile:

A performer from a dance and physical theatre drama called Echo and Narcissus, part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2012, promoting her theatre’s act on the Royal Mile, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Echo & Narcissus – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Echo & Narcissus – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Echo & Narcissus – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Echo & Narcissus – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Echo & Narcissus – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

A performer, on the Royal Mile (Edinburgh, Scotland), getting ready to promote her act: More Light – A lyrical piece that combines art, love, violence, beauty, sacrifice and cannibalism – part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2012.

More Light – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

More Light – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Kris & Alix…

Kris & Alix – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Kris & Alix – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Plastic Beach…

7,200 yellow rubber ducks fall into the ocean, spreading like confetti. Inspired by true events, Plastic Beach follows the story of Ebbis, a lonely beachcomber who devotes his life to tracking where these friendly floatees have come to shore.

Plastic Beach – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Soldier…

Soldier follows one young man’s journey from the violent gangs of the ghetto to the discipline and comradeship of the military, and explores the ideas of love, sacrifice and redemption.

Soldier – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Soldier – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Eye of a Needle…

IndigoCo return to Fringe 2012 breathing life into one family’s dramatic story. A fascinating, emotional, thought-provoking musical set in a Midlands village whose needle-makers conquered the world. History with a modern twist.

Eye of a Needle – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Not My Cup of Tea…

Flashback to the psychedelic summer of 1970. Roland leads his four friends in the creation of a commune. With no money but lots of free love, the characters in this black comic drama question society’s need to dream.

Not My Cup of Tea – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Not My Cup of Tea – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Hanafuda Denki…

“Hanafuda Denki (A Tale of Playing Cards)” – set in a funeral parlour in the beggars district of Tokyo during World War I, complete with lively singing and colourful kimonos, the question is asked, ‘Are you a winner or loser in this life-and-death game?’

Hanafuda Denki – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Hanafuda Denki – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

In addition to the hundreds of performers promoting their acts on the Royal Mile, one gets to see a number of very talented professional Street Performers (folk who make a living from performing on streets around the world) such as this Contact Juggler from the US…

Contact Juggler – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Contact Juggler – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Facehunters…

A tragedy about love, loss and the beauty of youth.

Facehunters – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Facehunters – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Facehunters – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Facehunters – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Built for Two…

In a flat made for two, but shared by three, the shower’s not the only one getting a lot of action…

Built for Two – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Built for Two – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Built for Two – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Built for Two – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Don Juan…

Witness the sensual escapades of the infamous womaniser in this darkly comical retelling of a timeless legend.

Don Juan – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Don Juan – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Don Juan – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Spring Awakening – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Eurydice…

How do you say goodbye to yourself?

Eurydice – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Eurydice – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Eurydice – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

The road that wasn’t there…

This is a story about a girl who followed a map off the edge of the world…

The road that wasn’t there – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Nothing Is Really Difficult – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Street Performer – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Anna…

Anna. – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Beth – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Edinburgh Dungeon – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

The Last Fairytale – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Macbeth…

Macbeth – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Macbeth – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Machinal…

Machinal – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Machinal – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Minotaur – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Oedipus The Hour…

Oedipus The Hour – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Oedipus The Hour – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

The Rabbit and the Rose – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Romeo & Juliet…

Romeo & Juliet – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

A Servant to Two Masters…

A Servant to Two Masters – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

A Servant to Two Masters – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

The Tempest…

The Tempest – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

The Tempest – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Unknown Act – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

The Yellow Wallpaper…

The Yellow Wallpaper – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

The Yellow Wallpaper – Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Till next time, take care and gallop free.