After unsuccessfully trying to hunt an aurora for several years I finally struck gold…and pink and red and green! Never in my wildest dreams did I think this would happen on my own back doorstep so spectacularly! I’m delighted so […]
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Greenhood orchids
New Zealand has over 30 different greenhood orchids, rarely noticed unless you know about them, but often right alongside a track you may be walking. They flower in spring. They have a sneaky way of ensuring pollination, by trapping the […]
Fiordland
Fiordland’s dramatic peaks, valleys, waterfalls and rainforests are gob-smackingly beautiful. They take my breath away every time I visit, as they do for thousands of visitors. The forests are rich in a thousand versions of dense verdant green vegetation, dripping […]
Rivers and waterfalls
On a stinking hot summers day, one of the best places to be is by a river or waterfall, and in some forest shade. Restful, cooling and good for the soul, what’s not to like. Imbibe some tranquility by a […]
White fronted terns
Most people living in New Zealand will be familiar with these elegant little terns that frequent our coastlines and harbours. I call them the black-beret birds for obvious reasons. They are excellent fish catchers, diving for their small fish prey […]
Merry Christmas nature lovers
Tiritiri Matangi Island late spring
I stopped by TiriTiri Matangi recently for a much-needed visit. It wasn’t so productive on the photography front but always a pleasure to be there. Big shout out to the visionaries who dreamt up the idea to rehabilitate the island […]
Ashley River estuary
The Ashley River estuary and river mouth is a hotspot for birds. Thanks to the dedicated work of Ashley-Rakahuri Rivercare Group https://www.arrg.org.nz/#about and others, it is possible to see large numbers of birds gathering here. Here are some images from […]
Ashley/Rakahuri River Wrybills
On a recent trip to Christchurch, I spent an afternoon with Grant Davey from Ashley Rivercare learning about wrybills (Ngutu pare). Wrybills are unique to New Zealand and the only birds in the world with a beak bent sideways (always […]
New Zealand fragrant plants
Most New Zealand native flowers don’t have too much of a fragrance but a little-known unassuming shrub called Alseuosmia really packs a punch. Also known as Toropapa or ‘bush daphne’ its tiny flowers fill the air with a perfume in […]