New Zealand’s Native Clematis

…in my experience, is usually flowering at the top of a tree….you can see it from afar, but it is too high up to appreciate at close quarters…let alone photograph…

…this lot is growing in sand dunes on low scrub bushes…

…mmm, clematis.

Wassat

…in the water there…

….oh…a bloody great leopard seal……never seen one in the water before…let alone on the harbour side of the spit…and I’m sure the bugger was sizing us up as snacks….

….I think I’ll stick to dodging sea lions on the beach….

…female hauled up beyond big male pictured above after lunch…(his flipper in the foreground)….…or viewing fur seals from above…

….mmmm…pinnipeds.

 

…(if we’d seen a sea elephant we’d have the whole set!).

This One

…or this one?….

…I can’t decide….

…and where’s my tripod?

Aramoana Sunset

…the sun going down behind Mt. Cargill…

…and Dee standing in it…

…listening to the young mullet (we think) jumping to catch bugs….

….like standing in the rain without getting wet…

…then a royal spoon bill flew low in line with the other side of the inlet all lit golden like a painting on silk….

…shit.

Spoon Bill

…ooo!!!

…spoon bill with crab lunch.

It Is Written On The Stars

…both sides…

…it’s also in the numbers on the pinnipeds….

….and the way the sand lands…

…we thought we saw the signs… …and now the signs are up!

…(….on a salt marsh, on a harbour mouth far, far away….)….

….(if you have the time, check out….

http://naturewatch.org.nz/projects/aramoana-biodiversity

…mmm…biodiversity!)

Aramoana

…sand….

 

…small female sealions…

 

…bloody great male sealions…

…small birds…

 

…and two carloads less crap….

Holiday Snaps

…I meant to put these up on Sunday, but was extra busy in the shop…

…snow forecast for today…so no so busy today!….

…always holiday prepared…(especially if you’re still carrying that cold)….

 

…take plenty of recycling….(and booze)

 

 

….and sustenance….

 

…because your hostess may have cleaned (out) the fridge…

 

…and only left you a fluffy quince…(without explaining they are supposed to be fluffy)…

 

 

…go outside….don’t forget your gloves….

 

 

…take pictures of nature….

 

 

…and natures residents….

 

 

…get back inside before the weather breaks….

 

 

…had a wonderful time…

…wish I was back there now!