Kapiti Island Nature Reserve

For the last day of 2013 we decided to go to Kapiti Island which is a Nature Reserve situated about 8km (5 miles) off the mainland.

As we entered the bush we were watched by a Kaka - a native parrot of New Zealand which is enjoying life on this pest free Island.

The view from the top looking towards Australia.

Our lunch companions - the Weka.  A small ground bird who is very keen to steal anything edible that is not guarded.

Coming back down from the summit looking towards Paraparaumu.  What a great walk 521m (1,709ft) from sea level to the top.  We will all be sleeping well tonight.

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Our World Tuesday

Nature Notes

Summer Sky for Skywatch Friday

Somethings brewing...

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Skywatch Friday

Giant Dragonfly

New Zealand's Giant Dragonfly

This beauty was sitting on the drive on Christmas Day.  It is New Zealand's largest Dragonfly.  I have never seen one before, but luckily my daughter had her phone with her and got this picture before he flew off.  They are approx 8.6cm (almost 3 ½ in) long and they have a wingspan of up to 13cm (5 in).  

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Saturday's Critters

A Dog's Story

Honestly, the cat did it!!!

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Wordless Wednesday

ABC Wednesday - W is for....

Water Dogs.

What a wonderful way to end a hot weekend, and not a whine to be heard.

A wade and a splash in the river was welcomed by Luke and Beau.

Wet and happy they wandered home with wagging tails and a woof of joy.

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ABC Wednesday

Post Shearing

Shearing the Sheep.

It all ended up as a bit of a rush job.  The shearer rang to bring forward the shearing date and suddenly it was all on.  We had to draft off the lambs and get the ewe's inside before it rained - which it did while we were still getting them in.

I had plans to take photos along the way but that ended when the weather arrived faster than we were working.  So here we have them next day, reunited with their lambs.

As you can see the lambs are nearly as big as their mothers, who are looking super white now. 

The lambs will be shorn mid January so fingers crossed for some more action photos then.

There was more wool on them this year - we've had a few good growing seasons here.  They were feeling very energetic with the weight off and keen to get up on the hills to eat, eat, eat.  

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Our World Tuesday
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Summer Flowers

The garden is in full bloom and there are lots of yellow flowers on show.

Rose

Dahlia

Daisy

Pansy

Pansy

Tomato

A sunny colour for the summer months.

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ABC Wednesday - V is for...

A Very Important Sheep

This is Molly our VIS (very important sheep).  She is our valuable veteran and verbal leader of the flock.  Her preferred vantage point is one with a view and a variety of vegetarian food at hand.  Her voice can be heard when it is time to vacate the paddock and move on to the next venue.

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ABC Wednesday

Sheep Business

It's been a busy time around here.

Spring has been and gone - wet and warm mostly so lots of grass.  The sheep were in the driveway paddock last week.

As you can see the grass is well up round their bellies - not that they seem to mind.

They had it mowed and any low hanging branches on the trees trimmed within a day.

Then my four legged gardeners were off to tame the next paddock before shearing begins.

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Our World Tuesday
Nature Notes

Dining with Seagulls

We thought fish and chips on the beach was a good way to welcome the start of summer.

From out of nowhere the seagulls arrived.

They walked around us...

And hovered above us, until we could resist no longer and threw them a few chips.

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A Kapiti Sky

A lovely sky...

over our pretty beach and Kapiti Island - which from this angle looks a bit like a sleeping crocodile.

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Skywatch Friday

Singing dog

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ABC Wednesday - T is for...

Toby the Cat

Toby is my Terrific cat.  We got him 6 years ago from the local SPCA.  His mother had been handed over to them already pregnant.  I like to support this sort of organisation as they do a great job rescuing animals who are treated badly or just unwanted.

Toby knows how to relax and when its hot he sleeps on his back.

He is a great hunter and helps keep the rodents under control.  He loves catching rabbits and comes home with a very full belly and sleeps the day away.

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ABC Wednesday

Poppies

A little orange delight.

This gorgeous little Poppy self sows around the garden.

  

It is such a lovely bright cheerful colour I let it have its way most of the time.  

A great sign than summer is knocking on the door!

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Floral Friday Foto
Today's Flowers

Pet Lamb Update

Faces through the fence

Kelly and Harvey the pet lambs are weaned and looking after themselves.  Although they know how to do the "come and play with me" face through the fence when they hear someone nearby.

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Rhododendron

A Rosy pink Rhododendron after the Rain.

Red Admiral Butterfly

 Roaming around the flower garden enjoying the sun's Rays.

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ABC Wednesday

Frogs in the Garden Pond

When you hear the frogs singing you know it's spring and the weather is warming up.

My daughter and I have been trying to photograph the frogs we can hear but they disappear when they hear us coming.

We finally crept up on this one sunning himself in my Mother's pond.  

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Nature Notes
Outdoor Wednesday

Rhododendron season

It's that time of year when the Rhododendron's steal the show in the garden.

They are have a great season here on the farm.

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Today's Flowers

The Wayward Lamb

There is one in every group...

Who decides it's a bright idea to move himself into the next paddock and then yell because he can't get back.

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Friday's Fences
The Home Acre Hop