Black Peak, Lake Wanaka

Evening is stealing across the Lake Wanaka basin with its inexorable flight across the western sky mirrored on the placid surface of the lake.  Whispy cloud cover soaks up the fading tones of the sun adding another touch of colour to this striking scene of mountain, valley and water.

I’m at the lakeside to record the passing of day to night and to marvel at the simple beauty of the landscape before me where the lake cuts back through the steep-faced mountains to the Matukituki River mouth and above it the darkening ribs of the Harris Mountains.

This landmark of the Wanaka foreshore is almost 30km distant, as the crow flies, where the notable summits of Black and Fog peak raise their craggy head two kilometers above the valley floor to stare down into Lake Wanaka with her many islets, bays and coves.

Wanaka these days is a frenetic tourist town where buyers and seller meet to exchange cash for wares.  In contract, as the day slips away, the lake resumes a peaceful watch, undisturbed by the wake of power boats, the waters slipping softly on the beach stones.

There’s no better place to watch the passage of night than that beside a mountain lake, be it large or small, just take the time to rest and seek solace on the shore.