Chasing the Sun

Okarito is a small village on the western coast of New Zealand's south island. People travel here for two reasons, to paddle out by kayak into this pristine estuary and to see wild Kiwis in their natural habitat. Wet, wild and seemingly untouched, this area of New Zealand is a rain forest of immeasurable beauty, solitude and home to some of the most exotic animals on the planet. Almost exactly 3 years ago, my brother and I stumbled onto this place by accident because we saw a sign for Kiwi Tours on the side of the highway. While we waited for night to fall to set out on the Kiwi tour we paddled out into the lagoon and were treated to some of the most amazing colors like what you see here in this sunset picture.

Shot handheld at f/11, 1/250 sec, ISO 400 on November 18, 2008.