3: Sunset at Okains Bay

People hoping for some flounder- sunset at Okains Bay

On January 3, I drove to Okains Bay for a few days camping with friends. The colours at sunset this evening were delicately beautiful, and it was peaceful near the sea. I quite liked the way the people were 'almost' silhouetted' in this shot. (I will put a selection of other photos on my Kiwi Nomad blog later.)

Taken 9:22pm 3.01.2011;     Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

Shutter: 1/125     Aperture: f/4.0     Focal length: 16.45mm     ISO: 160

Off to Okains Bay

I joined my friends in Christchurch for a couple of days, and saw signs of earthquake damage at their home, largely due to soil liquefaction. Here is my wee doll Arohanui checking out their garage which has to be demolished and replaced.

Soon it was time to be off to Banks Peninsula for camping at Okains Bay. 

It took no time at all to sink into that relaxing feeling.... These next three photos from the sunset that evening.

 

These two oystercatchers are part of a group  of three I saw often along the beach. I think that one is a juvenile. Certainly, one of these three was very belligerent, perhaps protecting the young one. I am much further away than you might think, as this camera has an excellent zoom, but I was dive-bombed several times on various occasions, and saw the same happen to others who inadvertently strayed too close!

It was a peaceful time of evening to take out a flounder net, but I think their efforts only scored them crabs this time....

2: Christchurch

Arohanui examining earthquake damage to my friends' garage in Christchurch

I was keen to see my friends in Christchurch, but not quite so keen to expose myself to possible aftershocks from their major 2010 earthquake. In this photo, my wee doll, Arohanui, who loves to go exploring, is checking out my friends' garage. Because of liquefaction on their property, the garage has been damaged so badly that it needs to be demolished and replaced.

Taken 11:56am 2.01.2011;       Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

Shutter: 1/1250      Aperture: f/2.8       Focal length: 5mm      ISO:125

1: NYD-Kaikoura

 

Seagull drinking from puddle in carpark at Seal Colony, Kaikoura

I started the New Year morning by spending a couple of hours dawdling around the rock pools by the Seal Colony in Kaikoura. The tide was out and the rock pools were exposed, though only a few seals were around. I took many photographs of algae such as Neptune's Necklace, Hormosira banksii. But in the end I chose to put up this photo of a seagull. At Kaikoura, these seemed to be easy to photograph as they were so tame, very used to humans, who no doubt provided easy pickings for their daily diet.

Taken 9:08am 1.01.2011;     Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

Shutter: 1/500      Aperture: f/5.7      Focal length: 100mm      ISO: 200

Kaikoura- New Year's Day

 I woke early on New Year's Day, slipped out of the backpacker's hostel as quietly as I could, and drove down towards the seal colony. Someone had used stones to mark the onset of 2011....

I spent a whole two hours down at the Seal Colony, before too many other people had even arisen. There weren't very many seals resting here, though this one gave a good yawn; but the tide was low, and the rock pools were exposed.

There was an abundance of Neptune's Necklace (or as I learned in my NZ Flora paper- Hormosira banksii.)

There was an abundance of kelp in the lower tidal area

 a variety of shellfish in the quiet pools,

 and various algae.

And all the time I was aware of the remarkable setting Kaikoura has, with the mountains rising close by.

The previous evening I had enjoyed fish and chips on the beach, and took many photographs of the seagulls that tamely waited nearby, hoping for some throw-outs. The seagulls seem so very used to humans, and don't seem to be afraid of them.

But of all the seagull shots I took, this is my favourite one, in the carpark at the Seal Colony, where this bird was drinking from a puddle on the tarmac.

From Home to Kaikoura

The last day of 2010 saw me rising early for the trip down to Wellington to catch the Interislander, in this case the Arahura, to the South Island. As it turned out, my car - the teal one on the right- ended up right at the front of the back of the ship- if that makes sense- ready for the great drive-off. (Also a good position in which you get salt spray all over your windscreen too as it turned out. )

It was a pretty calm crossing, though the wind was cold at times on the deck in the Strait itself. But here you see people relaxing on the deck in the Marlborough Sounds, just like they portray it in all the Interislander ads, where it seems as if 'rough crossings' never happen.

Once off the ship it wasn't long before I had passed through Blenheim, and was into the dry of the Awatere Valley. It was amazing to think there had been major flooding not far from here just days before.

This is also the land where massive irrigation is used for vineyards.

I had decided to make it a slow trip, as I wasn't sure how my wrist would manage with so much driving, and I don't feel safe if it stiffens up too much. I was only aiming for Kaikoura this day. Turned out to be a great plan, as I ended up stopping off at all sorts of small places I would usually rush by in the car. This is Kekerengu Beach where I had a walk and a little explore.

And near the parking area there were some of the biggest thistles I have ever seen, taller than I am.

 

I was surprised to see cabbage trees growing on such dry hilly land. Somehow I had imagined them only in wetter places. And eventually I reached Kaikoura....

Tui juvenile in the backyard

In the last few days there have been repeated visits onto my backyard flax flowers by a juvenile tui, and also sometimes from an adult tui- and occasionally even the two of them together. The flax bush is so close to my back deck that it even gave me quite a fright to suddenly hear the adult tui singing this morning! I suspect their nest must be quite close, perhaps on a tree at the neighbour's place behind mine.

Here are a few photos of the juvenile tui feeding on my flax flowers this evening. (You can see someone else's shot on this webpage!)

And goodness, I had just finished this post, and two birds flew down together- both juveniles. One was dominant though, and soon chased the other one away... Here is a photo of the one that got to stay....

Christmas Day- Celebration

I spent Christmas Day with friends. No people photos, but here are a few photos that show our lovely celebration meal.

Christmas Morning- Bledisloe Walk

Yesterday morning before heading off to share Christmas Day with friends, I headed for a walk along the whole Bledisloe walkway from Massey up to Old West Rd.

 As I crossed over each of the bridges I saw gentle morning light on the stream.

 

I know I have put up a photo of this gateway before, but I always  love the darkness of the path and fences contrasted with the sunlight on the hills beyond.

 So very pleasing to see that Christmas Day has started in sunshine!

 These crops nearer the end of the track seem very well advanced this year, with all the tropical warmth and wet we have had lately.

And on my way back I stopped briefly at one of the tables along the way to eat a summer peach and drink some water.

Bledisloe Walkway

Since I broke my arm, I have walked around town lots, but have lacked confidence to get out on the more uneven tracks. So today I broke that barrier a little, with a walk up part of the Bledisloe Walkway, starting from near the Massey entrance.

 

One of the things I enjoy on the early part of this walkway is this footbridge that takes you over the Turitea Stream.

The stream was flowing quite forcefully today, after recent rain.

 Once you climb a bit you get some lovely views back across the buildings at Massey, and you can also get some views out to the ranges, like this one.

 I hadn't realised it might be some of the downhill bits I might find more scary, on the way back. But I emerged intact!

 And here are the other two little footbridges that you cross...

The Christmas Story

A group of children from Auckland, New Zealand have put together this version of the Christmas story- heartwarmingly beautiful!~