Out and About in Central Otago

We had a really enjoyable day in Central Otago for my birthday on 31 October 2021 (spring). These are a few of the photos we took, in various locations. New Zealand.

Nature Details

When we take a nature walk there's so much to see although you have to keep your eyes peeled and look around with a sense of anticipation and expectation. Seek and ye shall find! Today's photos all taken by Nigel when we visited Dunsdale Reserve, Southland, New Zealand on 05 Jan 2022. Click on any...

Look into the Bush

When we visited Dunsdale Reserve yesterday there were many ferns and mosses along the way, edging the path, edging the stream, and growing as ground cover on the forest floor. Very pretty, even on a dull day. Hokonui Forest, Southland, New Zealand. ~ photos by me, except for the last lovely pic taken by Nigel...

Back Country Visit

Drove 6km off Glencoe Highway through farmland and forest to Dunsdale Reserve. "A forestry road provides access to this attractive remnant of native forest, characterised by matai and kahikatea." We then walked part of the one hour return walking track into Hokonui Forest. ~05 Jan 2022. Southland, New Zealand This was an off-the-cuff exploration. I...

Curious Cattle

While staying at our cottage getaway, we took a walk in the evening along the local road. We came upon these young cattle who took a great interest in what we were up to. They ambled along behind us and when I stopped at their gate they gathered to look at us. We walked on...

Grasp the Alligator

A fancy fountain from Dunedin Botanic Garden, New Zealand dating back to 1890 when it was "Erected and presented to the citizens of Dunedin by Wolf Harris Esq", not here but at Queens Gardens in the city. It was removed after WW1 in favour of the Cenotaph, then stored until it was resurrected for the...

Bubbles and Leaves

Bubbles because this was our first day at Covid alert level 2, for those of us who live outside of the Auckland region. We're now free to break out of our household bubbles! Thing was though, despite it now being spring we had snow overnight and this morning... so I stayed inside; it was freezing...

Lord and Lady

This Paradise Duck pair were lording it over the Dunedin Botanic Garden main pond when I visited on a dull day on 19 May. These ducks are endemic to New Zealand and are the size of a large duck or small goose. There's no shortage of them, they're the second most common duck in NZ...

Autumn Miscellany

Ten photos taken in Otago/Southland in autumn, with one exception taken in early winter. All pictures I thought I mightn't use if I didn't collect them into a single post and get them online - hope you don't mind some variety! New Zealand. Yellow leaf that I liked the look of. In the tropical part...

Forest Path

Native silver beech forest near our home. Is that Little Red Riding Hood? Oh no, just Liz with red hat and folded down hood with a red liner. Off for a wander on 23 May. Black Gully Reserve, Tapanui, West Otago. New Zealan

River Crossings

I was fascinated with this artwork in the Dunedin Public Art Gallery, viewed on 13 June 2021. With lots of mountains and hills, high rainfall in many places and snow in some, we have lots of fast-flowing rivers which can be extremely dangerous to cross (particularly after heavy rain). In the white settler days drownings...

White Duck Tale

I was walking a garden path toward the main pond at Dunedin Botanic Garden on 28 April when I spotted this white duck with its ordinary duck companions. I hung around getting a series of photos, it was such a pretty and interesting bird. So this is a little story of the white duck, although...