The emptying lake

Tonight's sunset had the makings of a spectacular one, so around 9.40pm we shot down the road to Sunset Point to see the sun go down over Lake Ellesmere/Te Waihora.

I've taken hundreds of frames from around this area of the shore, but yet have I captured it when the lake is open to the sea. The effect on the lake is much like pulling a plug from a bath. As the water makes its way out to sea the shallows are only home to the flows from the culverts and streams on the lake margin and the lake's middle concentrates to a smaller, even shallower area (at most Ellesmere/Te Waihora is only a couple of metres deep when full).

It's great to be able to walk out on the flats though. And to think that not too long ago I would have had wet feet standing in this spot...