A Day at Fox Peak

 

Saturday 11th January -  

Doug, Suezette, Norma, Pat & I left early to have a day at Fox Peak

- the idea being to photograph the Alpine flowers, mainly the white daisy celmisia  and whatever else presented itself.  Well, what choices we had. 

As we ascended the road, we were shrouded in mist which in itself gave us plenty of moody atmospheric images.  Then as we emerged from the cloud into brilliant sunshine looking down onto the clouds of "candy floss" - breath taking! 

 Our host, Roland Dale welcomed us to his batch with a very late morning tea before we tramped across the golden tussock to the South Basin.  The views were again breath taking. 

 A late lunch at 3pm was enjoyed, then Roland took us to some of his favourite spots, which are seen below. 

Our most enjoyable day concluded with drinks and dinner, before capturing the late sunset enhanced by the unfortunate fire on the island at Lake Tekapo.

 

There were drifts of celmisia everywhere as we
started to climb the hills



The fog added lots of mood and atmosphere
 

Likened to match sticks in the background - an awesome sight
 

Another take on the one above

 

Then, we drove above the clouds - wow!!
"Stop the car" was the shout!!

 

Many images taken - how could you not!!

Sun rays, blue sky, and candy floss clouds

a clump of celmisia

Roland's pride & joy

The view from Foxhole - along with "the room with a view"

 

 

After some refreshments we went walking mountaineering

 

This tiny wee plant I found in a crack in the rocks

 

Ever so tiny found in natures rock garden

 

Growing from the rocks

 

Flourishing

 

Another smaller species of celmisia

 

celmisia underside

The team - Norma, Suezette, Pat, Me

 

The clouds kept rolling in and away all day

 

These are the larger variety....

 

...and were in very good condition

 

We've all got one - a backside!!





A bit of mono arty farty



Prickly & lethal - don't mess with these, they leave their mark

 

The Speargrass/taramea were flowering and
making quite a statement



 

Along came a wee bug for his moment of fame!

  

Dried celmisia seed head

 

Roland took us to this very pretty spot.....

 

.....where the blooms were exquisite

 

This reminded me of the Plitvice Lakes & waterfalls, Croatia

 

Native flax flower - colours incredible

 

Flax silhouettes

 

The team - Pat, Doug, Roland

Me, Norma, Suezette

 

Days end, an ocean of clouds.
 The golden colour is smoke from the fire on Moturiki Island, Lake Tekapo
 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Ross River, Townsville

Kermit, not actually at Ross River, outside looking in on the window

We were a little disappointed that the water lilies weren't flowering
but the buds were looking very elegant - a little bonus was the blue dragonfly 



I've looked in Aidan's bird book - this maybe a Darter

Ross River is known for its smallish turtles - I love the look in this wee ones eyes.

Australian White Ibis/Black-Necked Ibis -
Mr and Mrs preparing their nest.

The upturned lily pad - amazing "tributaries"

McKenzie Basin/Lake Tekapo

A recent trip to Lake Tekapo in the McKenzie Basin, South Canterbury, NZ

We visited Balmoral Station which is just a little further west than Lake Tekapo.

As you can see the weather was primo, the clouds putting an amazing display.

A small tarn, loved all the colours 

Lake Tekapo - the village is unseen from this vantage point

Taken from the same spot as above, looking south 

Its more about the sky in this one.  The slither of teal
is Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo, in the distance is world famous
Church of the Good Shepherd

Balmoral Station

Friendly Alpacas at Balmoral Station

Wrinkly Merino Ram

Making Hay while the sun shines
Balmoral Station

Braemar Rd, Balmoral Station to the left
Army land to the right

The Southern Alps looking very naked without much snow

Lake Tekapo again

Summer Storm

We were buffeted with hail, rain, thunder, lighting last evening and this weather pattern has continued on and off most of today also.  As I type, I can hear thunder but not right above like last night.

I was petrified and after the loudest clap of thunder right above our house, and lightening coming  into our lounge, that was enough for me....I went into the pantry until the worst had passed.
As quickly as it came it departed leaving the water saturated and flooded land bathed in sunshine but emphasising the incredible clouds and rainbows.
We thought it had passed but again just on darkness in it came again with more or the same.
The storm seemed to be rather isolated as we have been speaking with other folk that don't live that far away and they had very little rain (no hail) but could hear all the commotion.

The hail stones hitting the vehicle

Not very sharp as taken through our window looking out to
the sea which is not visible.

Imagine the energy in this cloud, she (obviously, because she is a beauty)
was amazing, and we watched as she moved out to sea.

Then again just on dark, in they came again.  Thunder, lightening
and a heap more rain.

Waitaki Valley

Flooding of the Waitaki River

With over a half of metre of rain falling on the main divide over the last week has caused considerable flooding of the major rivers of Canterbury, namely the Rakia, Rangitata and Waitaki Rivers.  Because of the huge amount of water filling the lakes it has been necessary to release water resulting in magnificent flows coming over the spillways.
Today Doug and I went for a drive to take a look up the Waitaki River valley where there are three dams spilling water,....Waitaki, Avimore and Benmore.   The most impressive is the Benmore Dam.

Benmore Spillway - Where water meets cloud, incredible amount of water and spray.  Had to keep a safe distance

Summer water skiing in Loch Laird, with spillway in distance.
Notice how high the Loch is with the trees being submerged.

I have only seen this once before, many years ago, when we were enjoying summer water sking

The view from the top of the earth dam (built about 1960), what a vista.
Loch Laird is to the right where the water branches off making for a calmer water.

Waitaki Dam, the first dam built on the Waitaki River.  Started building this in 1928,
the building structure is a giveaway of its age.

The spillway at Benmore dam, looking down towards Loch Laird.

A Walk Around The Wetlands & South Beach

 Thursday 4th January 2013

Christmas & New Year done and dusted.  After the families headed off this morning to their various destinations, Doug and I needed some "us" time to get out of the house and clear our heads.

We headed to the local Wetlands, a haven for many birds which has many walking or biking track through it.  We often bike through, but today we felt in a much more leisurely mood. We were astonished how low firstly Saltwater Creek, then the actual wetlands were.  The mud was a maze of cracks and the shorelines showing different colours as the water has depleted.  We then walked South Beach, taking time to sit and take in the splendid sea view.  A lovely way to fill in a morning.

Salt Water Creek

The vibrant flax flower.....not a tui to be seen

This shows how low the water is.

The clouds put on a show, the wind was brisk....Pacific Ocean to the left, Wetlands to the right.

The Yarra flower in all it glory.  I liked the layers of textures & colours here

Moth or butterfly...no idea, but he sat for a moment sunning his pretty wings.

Overview of the wetlands

A display of wildflowers to enhance this amazing cloud.