'Awesome autumn' photo competition part 1

‘‘Alexandra’s ‘yellow leaf road’, on April 27,’’ writes James Claridge, of Alexandra.

‘‘I readily accept this entry is somewhat ‘off piste’ but it is rather funny. Spotted when we were out dog walking in Baker St, April 27. The colours blend wonderfully and not an everyday sight,’’ writes Ann Wood, of Caversham.

‘‘An autumn view of Wanaka’s mountains, taken from the golf course, on April 28,’’ writes Andrew Swan, of Dunedin.

‘‘This lovely pink-berried mountain ash (Sorbus hupehensis) was photographed on April 27 in Arrowtown, heavily laden with fruit,’’ writes Stella Cullington, of Company Bay.

"Photo was taken in Old Cromwell, by Lake Dunstan during my recent holiday in April,’’ writes Marissa Parker, of Dunedin.

‘‘I took this at Kokonga, Central Otago, near Hyde, on April 21,’’ writes Meg Garner, of Maori Hill.

‘‘A mushroom, taken in our pebble garden at the front of our house, March 31,’’ writes Greg Johnsen, of Concord.

‘‘Magnificent autumn colour mix across the Arrow River at Arrowtown, taken April 27,’’ writes John Avis, of Oamaru.

‘‘Leo the cat, under the oak tree, on April 26,’’ writes Brenda Horne, of St Clair.

‘‘Photo was taken April 23 at Lake Wanaka. What a stunning day on the lakefront, the colours are so vibrant!’’ writes Anna Johnson, of Mosgiel.

‘‘Not exactly the usual autumn colours. More the yellow colour of (very) early spring! Spotted adaffodil out in the garden on April 30,’’ writes Vivienne Donaldson, of Wakari.

‘‘Evening sun. This photo was taken on April 27 from our veranda in Alexandra. We had our first hint of frost today, which is usually the trigger for the greener leaves to change colour,’’ writes Bert Kemp, of Earnscleugh Rd.

"At this time of year the hawthorn and the birch cover our garden paths with a thick carpet of autumn colours," writes Sylvia Clarkson of Careys Bay.

‘‘Photo taken [April 27] outside our back door as the sun was setting behind our house in Earnscleugh. The Lombardy poplars are magnificent but the sprawling Italian poplar on the right has yet to change colour,’’ writes Gavin Dann, of Alexandra.

‘‘A beautiful blue autumn day in Wanaka, taken on Anzac Day morning,’’ writes Susan Mitchell, of Dunedin.

‘‘Autumn reflection, taken in garden at Clyde on Anzac Day’’, writes David O’Brien, of Clyde.

‘‘A beautiful warm, sunny afternoon in the Oamaru Public Gardens on April 27, the colours of autumn - red, yellows and brown - burning in the sun’s glow,’’ writes Dorothy O’Donnell, of Oamaru.

‘‘Here’s my contribution for the autumn colour competition. It was taken on April 23 in the upper Botanic Garden in Dunedin at 3.30pm,’’ writes Ralph-Peter Hendriks, of Sawyers Bay.

‘‘An oak tree leaf in a Maori Hill street, late March,’’ writes Lorraine Ritchie, of Wakari.

‘‘I came across this perfect toadstool [mushroom] amidsta sea of others, while walking down one of the many beautiful tracks around our suburb,’’ writes Marie Cox, of Belleknowes.

‘‘Max Pont (5), Zara Weatherly (9) and Harrison Plusa (12) enjoying a beautiful autumn day at Dublin Bay, Wanaka, on Sunday, April 23,’’ writes Janice Pont, of Mosgiel.

‘‘This picture was taken on Anzac Day on Lake Benmore from our yacht in the middle of the lake on a day that was better for photography than sailing,’’ writes Owen Cambridge, of Green Island.

‘‘After a recent holiday in Cromwell over the school holidays, there are many photos Icould have entered in your competition, it is so lovely up there. This one was taken outside Jones’ Orchard on the way to Queenstown,’’ writes Melissa Rodgers, of Dunedi

‘‘After a recent holiday in Cromwell over the school holidays, there are many photos I could have entered ... it is so lovely up there. This one was taken outside Jones’ Orchard on the way to Queenstown,’’ writes Melissa Rodgers, of Dunedin.

‘‘Taken on Friday, April 28, on the Upper Clutha track,’’ writes Keith Fleury, of Oamaru.

Stephanie Sommers, of Roxburgh, took this photo at Butchers Dam, near Alexandra, on March 28, when the trees were still ‘‘turning’’.

Mother Richelle Hampton and her children Ariana and Rylan play in the leaves on the lawnat Otago Museum. PHOTO: MATT MCKAY, WAVERLEY

‘‘A Clutha morning,’’ writes Tim Herrick, of Wanaka, whose photo was taken on Anzac Day morning from Reko’s Point, near Luggate.

The Otematata boat harbour on Easter Monday. ‘‘While we didn’t have the usual crisp, clear blue-sky days over the holiday weekend, the beautiful autumn colours certainly didn’t disappoint’’, writes Kathryn McClea, of Dunedin.

‘‘Golden glow at the Mosgiel rose gardens on April 29,’’ writes Ngairena Hibbs, of Wingatui.

‘‘Autumn curtain - taken on April 19 while I was on holiday in Wanaka. Beautiful weather and gorgeous colours!’’ writes Sue Brinsdon, of Mosgiel.

‘‘Here are some beautiful leaves at the Arrowtown track, taken in late April,’’ writes Samantha-Dawn Simpson, of Queenstown.

‘‘Our beautiful blossom tree in Radius Fulton’s courtyard, in Hillside Rd is sporting its autumnal coloured leaves complimenting our blossoming mothers-to-be [from left] Holly McCormick, Sujitha Pallissery, Katrina White and Jodi Neve,’’ writes Beth Sizem

‘‘Our beautiful blossom tree in Radius Fulton’s courtyard is sporting its autumnal coloured leaves complimenting our blossoming mothers-to-be [from left] Holly McCormick, Sujitha Pallissery, Katrina White and Jodi Neve,’’ writes Beth Sizemore.

‘‘This photo was taken on April 27 at the Clyde walkway which follows the path of the original railway line through Clyde. It is a very popular place to walk or cycle,’’ writes Ted Richardson,of Clyde.

‘‘Autumn colours are mirrored in the still waters of the Clutha River, almost under the Alexandra bridge, onApril 23,’’ writes Sue Noble-Adams, of Alexandra.

‘‘My little neighbour, Emerson Wiel, having some fun with the autumn fallen leaves on the driveway at his home at the ChristianYouth Camp, Waihola, May 1,’’ writes Jean Girvan, of Waihola.

‘‘These two tui were very obliging, arriving at the right time just before the leaves dropped,’’ writes Lorraine Miller, of Owaka.

‘‘Looking down on our back garden, on May 1,’’ writes Anne Stewart, of Roslyn.

Autumn colours beside the Alexandra Bridge on the Clutha River, April 23. PHOTO: KELLY KEAN, OCEAN VIEW

‘‘A Japanese maple at the Dunedin Botanic Garden on April 17,’’ writes Mark McLeod, of Dunedin.

‘‘Photo taken on Old Bridge Road cycle track, April 27, walking with my dog Abbey. A beautiful morning with the sun striking the autumn trees. Magic,’’ writes Christine Martin, of Alexandra.

‘‘Lake Hayes at 5.30pm on Anzac Day. The sun was low in the sky reflecting on to the beautiful golden leaves of the willow, creating colourful rippling reflections on to the lake,’’ writes Kathy Neal, of Arrowtown.

‘‘A street tree in Vogel St, Dunedin, taken April 22,’’ writes Liz Cowburn, of Dunedin.

‘‘A spot of brilliant crimson amongst the gold,’’ writes Jenny Christensen, of Cromwell, of her photo taken at the entrance to the Highland Motor Sports Park on Anzac Day.

‘‘Image was taken on Monday, May 1, on the shores of Lake Dunstan in Cromwell. The lady [in red] was quite a way from me and unidentifiable,’’ writes Val Pohio, of Cromwell.

Lake Dunstan on April 22 at Cromwell, where the Clutha and Kawarau Rivers used to meet. PHOTO: KEVIN BOLAND, CROMWELL

‘‘Leaves of Hamamelis [witch-hazel] ‘Arnold Promise’ floating on water in a ceramic birdbath at Nichols on April 24. Autumnal colours stunning against that cobalt blue background,’’ writes Marian Curzon, of St Kilda.

‘‘Paddle boarders on the Clutha River approaching the Albert Town bridge on April 18,’’ writes Laurel Teirney, Wanaka.

‘‘Sunrise over the harbour on April 27,’’ writes Peter Cotter, of Macandrew Bay.

‘‘An early morning autumn sunrise contrasting with a heavy morning dew. Taken looking towards Teviot Valley while on our last fishing trip for the season to Lake Onslow on March 30,’’ writes, Phil Trochon, of Alexandra.

‘‘I took this night exposure at Lake Wanaka on April 27. I love the glow of the poplar trees all resplendent in their awesome autumn yellows,’’ writes Scotty Ogilvie, of Christchurch.

The Bannockburn bridge is framed by autumn colours on Lake Dunstan on May 1. PHOTO: DOREEN BOLAND, CROMWELL

The beauty of Lake Hayes last month. PHOTO: OLIVER BOMBARD, QUEENSTOWN

The Remarkables from Frankton, on April 28. PHOTO: ANDRINA GRIGG, FRANKTON

Bannockburn Inlet, from the Bannockburn-Cromwell river track, April 22. PHOTO: BOB MCCALLUM, CROMWELL

‘‘Tilly Christian frolicking in the autumn leaves in beautiful Naseby on a crisp sunny day in April,’’ writes Lara Christian, of Dunedin.

Arrowtown colours in late April. PHOTO: MICHELLE PATERSON, MOSGIEL

Colours on Three Mile Hill Rd, April 27. PHOTO: MATT CORBETT, MOSGIEL

‘‘Autumn leaves, taken on March 31 outside the old railway station in Ranfurly,’’ writes Paul Allen, Dunedin.

‘‘This photo was taken at Conroys Dam near Alexandra on our way back to Dunedin after a long Anzac weekend in Wanaka,’’ writes Carolien Blair, of Saddle Hill.

Queenstown colours in late April. PHOTO: REECE HALLUM, QUEENSTOWN

View on Lake Wanaka near Dublin Bay, on April 16. PHOTO: OLIVIA FRANKLIN (14), OF FAIRFIELD.

‘‘Cotinus ‘Grace’ (the smoke bush) at sunrise on April 21, the sun behind highlighting the colourful translucent autumn leaves,’’ writes Dianne Gillett, of Helensburgh.

Amy Whelan, of Dunedin, has entered this photo of her sons Mason Abbott (6, left) and Harper Abbott (8), taken at Brewery Creek, Cromwell, on April 26.

‘‘Looking over the Bannockburn Inlet on Anzac Day,’’ writes Lorraine Osborne, of Bannockburn.

‘‘Japanese maple in May,’’ writes Raimo Kuparinen, of Dunedin, of this photo taken at the botanic garden on May 2.

‘‘Awesome colours, awesome day, awesome autumn!’’ writes Joy Bennett, of Alexandra, of her photo looking up through the golden leaves, on the walking track just south of the Alexandra Bridge on Anzac Day.

‘‘Hobbits on bikes in the autumn,’’ writes Anne Connelly, of Alexandra, of her photo showing grandchildren Brady and Alice Connelly resting during their bike ride along the Clutha River last month.

Dave Cannan

There's been a fantastic reader response to The Wash's 'awesome autumn' photo contest, columnist Dave Cannan says.

Entries closed at 4pm on Thursday, but not before the ODT’s illustrations department and myself almost disappeared under the sheer weight of numbers.

At last count, we received more than 170 entries in the friendly "Show us your awesome autumn colours’’ competition since launching it last week. Who would have thought the prospect of winning a chocolate bar could prove so enticing?

From memory, in the six-year history of ‘‘The Wash’’, this has been an unprecedented response. The only comparable reader reaction in that time has been the donation of more than 3000 ties in 2015 for Oamaru grabatologist Irene Sparks.

So, a huge ‘‘thanks’’ to everyone who has entered and especially to those who heeded my initial plea for ‘‘innovation and excellence’’ when taking their photographs. There have certainly been plenty of those dropped in my overflowing email inbox in the past few days.

Such a huge number of entries, unfortunately, creates some logistical challenges for us in terms of finding sufficient newspaper space to display them all.

A selection of entries have been published in the ODT and on the paper's website (parts 1 and 2) , as well as being shared on Facebook.

Contact The Wash

Email: thewash@odt.co.nz

Facebook: www.facebook.com/thewashodt

Comment now