Castle and Cloud

Castlerock, near Lumsden in Southland. Today. New Zealand

Turning

During a local walk on 12 March I took photos of anything autumn-y that got my attention. Tapanui, West Otago, New Zealand.

Beauty of Backlit Leaves

Variegated elm foliage. Public garden, Alexandra. Central Otago, New Zealand. 29 January.

Bolder Than Blue

In summer, red hot pokers quickly send up tall sturdy flower heads that demand all attention for themselves. They're completely unfazed by the big blue sky above, doggedly growing taller so they can 'own the blue' and boldly take advantage. Viewed against a cloudless, summer-blue sky their brilliance is brightest. West Otago, New Zealand. 29...

Stop for a Red

These fabulous red hot pokers required I ask Nigel to turn around and go back.. Kniphofia come in a range of colours but these are the true sizzling red-hot flower heads that look like they'd burn you! They were growing in front of a farm paddock near the gate, and right by the sealed highway....

Late Summer Colour

Getting close to autumn now and there's a colour shift in the landscape (e.g. some poplar trees are already yellow, other species are still green). Here are some native plants (not the rosehips!) that I enjoyed photographing on Saturday 25 February at Commissioners Track near the Roxburgh dam. Central Otago, New Zealand. Native flax with...

Leaf Me Alone

We were returning along a walking track today, I was following behind Nigel. I glanced upward and spotted this bright yellow leaf caught in dense shrubbery, well above head-height. I stopped to take some photos and as I took the first shot Nigel quips, "Leaf me alone!" ... 🙂

Blanket Flowers

Such bright, cheerful flowers! Gaillardia or blanket flowers. I took these photos when we visited the public garden at Alexandra on 29 January. The bumblebees love them too. Central Otago, New Zealand.

Colour Contrast

Magenta flowers blooming out of a patch of leaves covered in rusty, red, roadside dust. Photo by Martin @micron@mastodon.social

Pink Smoke Puffs

Cotinus coggygria. Smoke tree or smoke bush. Just up our street, photos taken 31 January. Tapanui, West Otago, New Zealand.

All on a Sunday

When we visited Alexandra public garden on Sunday, I found the smoke tree foliage beautiful as I gazed at the leaves against the summer blue sky. Alexandra is in Central Otago, New Zealand. Today I was delighted to find a wonderful hoar frost photo taken in Germany, also photographed on Sunday! A battered old sunflower...

Bright Sparks

Bright blooms I couldn't miss, I took these photos at Alexandra public garden on 29 January. It was a very sunny, summer day and a beautiful day to be there but challenging for taking photos! Loved all the bright colours and the variety of plants in all shapes and sizes. Plenty of bumblebee buzz. Central...