Piha Beach

First photo of the black sands of Piha Beach only 40 kilometres from Auckland on the Tasman Sea.  On a hot day you can't walk on these sands without footwear.

The surf coming through the cleft appeared to be at a higher level than we were.

The surf was impressive! Understandable why this is NZ premier surfing beach and home to national and international surfing competitions.

This photo was taken from over 100 meters away using the telephoto

I climbed Lion rock.The white spots are people on the beach.

This is looking south from Lion's rock.  We walked to the beach head in the distance. We got our exercise for the day.

This is what 6 hundred millions years of erosion will do.

The black volcanic sand mixed with lighter coloured  sand made sculpted patterns in a stream bed.

February 14th Valentines Day.  Elder Mike Wilkins chose to celebrate it with his own sand art.   Much appreciated by Diane!

We were here in the forenoon, with very few people present.  A most pleasant way to spend a Saturday morning.