This tarn is just a short walk from Fenella Hut, near Xenicus Peak in the Cobb Valley, west of Takaka. It’s your typical mountain tarn, with no regular inflowing or outflowing stream. The tarn relies on rainwater to fill it and seepage through the rocks below and evaporation to keep the water level balanced. Incidentally, Xenicus is [...]
Places
The tui (Prosthemadera novaseelandiae) on this flax bush at Kina Beach shows off the classic tui colouring. Its dark feathers can glisten with blue-green iridescence in sunlight, while others on its back appear a more chocolate brown. In low light or shadow, tui appear to be almost black. The bright white puff under the throat and the sprinkling [...]
Little owls (Athene noctua) were introduced to New Zealand in the early 1900s to sites in Canterbury and Otago. The idea was that the little owls (aka German owls) would control other introduced birds (sparrows, finches) that were becoming pests for farmers and orchardists. Little owls like it here and are now found throughout the eastern [...]
The orange pore fungus (Favolaschia calocera) is a recent arrival in New Zealand, known here for about 30 years. Because it’s a tropical fungus, its spread in New Zealand may be limited to the North Island and the more tropical-esque parts of the South Island. This particular fungus has taken up residence on the trunk [...]
These plantings near Kaiteriteri are part of an ecological restoration project being run by Kaitiaki o Ngahere. The plastic sleeves project the young plants as they become established. The view is out over Tasman Bay, with Nelson/Marlborough in the distance.
This photo was taken at the end of Tait Street in Ruby Bay, looking up the coast. This placid sea is the same one that swamped Ruby Bay and caused coastal erosion with the massive swell and storm surge from ex-Cyclones Fehi and Gita. Left of centre, an excavator repairs the seawall.
This open air coffee caravan at the start of the Wainui Falls track is a great way to end a walk up to the falls.
This little penguin/kororā isn’t shy, it’s sleeping. In New Zealand, we often call them “little blue penguins” for the colours of their dorsal feathers, although some can be more grey than blue. Little blues come ashore to sleep at night; this one was photographed at Totaranui Beach towards the end of the day. The little [...]
If ever you’re in the South Island bush and you feel like you’re being watched, it’s likely one of these quiet but friendly little guys. South Island robins (Petroica australis) feed on invertebrates and like to have a dig around disturbed earth. So when you’re walking in the bush, they like to follow along and [...]
These guys signal that summer is in full swing. This chorus cicada was photographed on the Wainui Falls Track near Tata Beach on a hot, sticky day in January. The Maori name is “kihikihi-wawā”, with “wawā” meaning to make a loud roaring noise. Yup, that’s them.
