Wordless Wednesday

Advertisement

Nandina light

Winter sun, winter berries

Winter is definitely here.   So little sun today and bad weather approaching.    Freezing cold wind, blackened twiglets but firey red in the Nandina berries.

Birds in the winter garden

Tauhou enjoying banana, Blackbird looking to me in the hope of food, Tui singing at full throttle in the afternoon sunshine.

 

Friday Feeders

Tauhou, silvereye

It is busy in the garden with large numbers of Tui and Tauhou seeking food.

It has been bitterly cold for a week, although it has been a little warmer over the past 48 hours. So the birds are working very hard to maintain their nutrient levels and strength.

Down but not out

Two days of relentless gales had flattened my newly flowering daffodils.

I rescued what I could and bought the flowers inside to enjoy.

I see today that the remaining leaves and damaged flowers have almost returned to their previous height. Winter is very much with us still despite these early spring flowers showing a brave face to remind us of things yet to come.

Sitting near the dock of the bay

A visit to Makara Beach

In keeping with my recent posts of rugged coasts in my home region, here is another beach that is rugged, wild and beautiful.

This Department of Conservation website gives more information about Makara and includes a map showing that the deep arcing Ohariu Bay and the beach are not too far from the most south western point of the North Island.

This is another west coast beach.   The very small settlement can be reached from either Johnsonville or Karori (both suburbs of Wellington). Either route is a narrow winding road with rural views, plenty of surrounding steep hills and roads that require careful attention and care.

After reaching flat, more open land the road suddenly offers a view of the bay. On the day we visited the day was crystal clear. The night before a southerly storm had raged but this beach is relatively sheltered from that wind and these high hills sheltered us from the icy wind that was still blowing.

The surf was heavy but not as dramatic as it would have been on the South coast.

The beach here is rocky.

Banks of these rocks shelve steeply

and the undertow is sharp and strong.

This is never a safe swimming beach. The sound of these rocks being dragged back and forwards with each breaker was deafening but exhilarating.

A narrow walking track at the base of the high hills offers views back up the coast to the north and here, in the distance, you can see Mana Island and beyond it, the peak of Kapiti Island. The photo bombing bird is a Cormorant!

When the predominant north-westerly wind howls this bay will take a pounding. Vegetation reflects the harsh, salt-laden, tough conditions. Flaxes, tufty grasses and Taupata do well but are stunted.

Ocean currents bring huge logs and tree stumps on to the beach.

Rock pools offer hidden delights but close supervision of children is needed at all times, given the strength of the sea.

With so much natural energy via the wind in this remote landscape, there is a controversial wind farm now on the hills and from different parts of the settlement the blades of the turbines are visible. Up near this wind farm on the high hills are recreational options for the fit and energetic.

I admire the local residents who live in such a remote and harsh environment. Their senses would be sharply alive all the time. I love visiting such wild spots with the exhilaration and beauty they offer but I much prefer a more moderate place in which to find my permanent home.

Wordless Wednesday

Diamonds on velvet

Another hardy Pansy has popped its velvety face to the light today after keeping safe through the past week’s snow, sleet, hail, rain, bitter temperatures and howling winds.

Gentle rain fell here overnight and in the still conditions, post storm, the raindrops clung like diamonds to velvet.