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
 

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