Finger-width holes on tidal mudflats are the handiwork of the tunnelling mud crab (Helice crassa), and you might see these tiny grey-green crabs scuttling back into their tunnels if you pass too closely by these nervous creatures. They have reason to be nervous, they’re food for wading birds, gulls, kingfishers, fish… it’s a long list. [...]
Places
The walk up to Wainui Falls runs alongside the Wainui River, which flows through granite bedrock. While lots of pictures get taken at the falls upstream, there’s not so many taken of spots downstream. There are good access points down to the riverbed along the way, ideal swimming spots for a hot day. The forest [...]
In 1900, the New Zealand government ordered the Janie Seddon for use as a mine laying vessel to defend against the Russians. Built in Scotland, she was delivered in 1902 and served in the First World War. Her role was limited, though, as she carried very little coal and so had a short range. In [...]
This photo taken from the outskirts of Motueka shows the late day sun picking out the foothills of the Arthur/Wharepapa Range, which dominates the skyline west of Motueka. Great spotted kiwi/roroa (Apteryx haastii) live in those mountains, due to the efforts of the Department of Conservation and the Friends of Flora. Predator control has been [...]
What looks like dead wood that’s been spray painted is actually caused by a fungus called Chlorociboria. The blue-green stain is a metabolite called xylindein. Historically, wood stained green by Chlorociboria has been valued for inlaid woodwork. This American Scientist article on The Fine Art of Decay talks about woodworking with fungal pigments.
Near the end of the Harwoods Hole track, the Gorge Creek track branches off and snakes up the hillside. The top of the hill is covered in sharp, fluted marble and you can see out over Gorge Creek and the Takaka River valley. Gorge Creek originates from the underground river that flows through the Starlight [...]
About 20 km from Takaka along the road that goes to Totaranui, the walk up to Wainui Falls is just half an hour and well worth the stop. Because the waterfall is both spectacular and close to the road, it’s a popular walk with visitors to the region. Start or finish with a drinks and [...]
This is Alphonso and he’s the loneliest duck in the world. He’s a Mandarin duck (Aix galericulata) and he turned up at Lake Rotoiti in the Nelson Lakes National Park in the spring of 2014, origins unknown. Mandarin ducks aren’t native to New Zealand, there isn’t an introduced population and it’s unlikely he found his [...]
The Moutere Hills lie west of Mapua and Ruby Bay and the Moutere Valley is one of the sunniest parts of New Zealand. The area has been popular for apple growing, forestry and, in recent decades, grape growing. These grape vines are at Neudorf Vineyard in the Upper Moutere Valley.
Harwoods Hole near Takaka is New Zealand’s deepest vertical shaft. It falls about 183 metres and connects to the Starlight Cave system. An underground river flows through the cave system and then out into Gorge Creek and the Takaka River.
