Glow worms abound in New Zealand caves. They hang near the roof and drop a sticky line to catch unwary cave insects, attracted by the phosphorescent light in their tails.
Stalactites and stalagmites are accompanied by helectites. Gypsum flowers, calcite crystals and lovely flow stones are featured. These speleothems are illustrated and the formations described.
Speleologists ("Spelunkers") abseil into the caves on ropes or climb down ladders made of steel aircraft control cable and aluminium rungs.
Entering, photographing.
Small cave formations
Big formations: columns
More New Zealand Caves
Waipuna
cave
The photographs were taken on standard 35mm cameras mounted on tripods using long time exposures. The lighting is from electronic flash using the painting with light technique. Cave photographs were also recorded in stereo and can be seen in the stereoscopic section of this web site. Caves photographed include Waipuna, Fred, Virginia, Self Respect, Taumatamaire and Pueketiti flower cave.
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