Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Wild Bird Wednesday - Coastal birds, New Zealand


Staying on the water's edge at Akaroa, on the South Island
of New Zealand,
we had some visitors to help clean up our scrambled eggs


don't know which gull this is, I just know it is different 
to our silver gulls in Australia


sadly, the next morning we had to leave but at least the 
coastal scenery was beautiful
and all those specks at the water's edge are, surprisingly,
Canada Geese!

Introduced to the country in 1905 as game birds.

Sorry my iPhone could not do them justice.


Linking with Wild Bird Wednesday

Monday, December 28, 2015

OUR WORLD and Nature Notes - Some little wonders in New Zealand


We arrived late and by the time we were out of the airport,
it was close to midnight.
Happily, Darling Daughter had booked us the most 
comfortable king-sized beds at the nearest hotel

After a blissful night, this bumble bee was busy at the
entrance as we waited for transport back to the airport
to pick up our car.


After a few hours of slow driving through flat, rather boring
country, we came upon this marvellous Japanese restaurant
at Ashburton. A find indeed, with authentic beyond delicious 
Japanese food. We were a bit late for lunch but they 
very kindly kept the Restaurant open for us 
so we could fully enjoy our meal.


it was so delicious I did not even think of taking a photo
until we were halfway through our meal.
I stil salivate just thinking about it.


DD, who organised the whole trip, is a seasoned traveller
and knows when to stop an stretch one's legs to ward 
off fatigue

we stopped by a railway line, under some beautiful oaks
and although it was not such a great spot for stretching one's
legs, there was much to discover and appreciate in the grass


tiny lawn daisies


red clover


a sea of baby oaks


some roadside weeds glowing like miniature suns


and this interesting flower which neither of us was 
acquainted with and much much more
(this plant has now been identified by Sweetpea
in my comments. Thank you Christ.))

a short stop, but so refreshing for the soul.


Linking with OUR WORLD

and Nature Notes


Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Wild Bird Wednesday - Chaffinch in NZ


Birding with only an older iPhone is not ideal
but even so, I was happy to nab this cute little chap.

The Chaffinch is an introduced bird in New Zealand 
but, unlike the house sparrow, is such a nice songster 


A few other birds from my trip may follow.

Linking with 


Monday, December 21, 2015

OUR WORLD - Paeonies in New Zealand

Hallo my friends, it has been a long time between 
drinks but it seems that I am finally back

Been home bound for health reasons but can travel again
and have just ( by grace and favour of
spent a week in New Zealand
ticking, for now anyway, fields of
PAEONIES
off my bucket list.


It was the last opportunity before the end of the season
and the growers were apologetic about the fading blooms
but for me, it was like heaven on a stick

 sheer magic!!!


whether mottled pink


rising like a double waterlily


in bud or fading


just mind-blowing beauty


and looking beyond, quietly grazing sheep . . .

I took almost 500 pictures, so be warned
there will be more.

Linking with OUR WORLD

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