These photos are of the old dam site at Normanby. The dam produced electricity from 1903 to 1967 until flooding damaged the station. Nowadays, it's used for dam-dropping fun in the summertime.
Showing posts with label reconnect with nature. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reconnect with nature. Show all posts
7/31/15
6/11/15
6/5/15
in the garden
Even though most of the native trees here in New Zealand are evergreens of one kind or another, we have two ornamental cherry trees in the front yard garden that provide a bit of autumnal color. Here is one of them in its fall glory.
I'm sure these trees have been here since the house was originally build and was used as the homestead before the bigger house down the drive was built. Over the years, they obviously weren't pruned or shaped, so the limbs are askew and the trees are quite unique. I find the huge limbs interesting as they appear to have shiny bands all along them.
I also found this little wax eye flitting around.
5/9/15
4/30/15
Paritutu and reflection
Paritutu Rock is reflected on the water. The name is Maori and means tall cliff. Along with the Sugarloaf Islands, they are the remains of a volcano that is now underwater. Click here for some history of the rock.
ABC Wednesday - P
4/23/15
monochrome mountain
Although I know it's not permanent, I am enjoying the warm weather and my lovely dahlias. Even the snow on the mountain is looking less wintery--for now.
3/27/15
New Zealand grasses
When I first got to New Zealand, I called all the tall, frilly grasses 'pampas grass' since that's all I ever heard them called. Then I learned that the Maori called it 'toetoe' (pronounced toy-toy) and called it that.
Then I wondered if there was a difference and that's when the headaches began.
Of course, there's a difference. According to Trees for Survival,
'Do not confuse Toetoe with the introduced species
of pampas grass, which is a troublesome weed in
many places. Our native toetoe grasses flower in
spring and summer, while the pampas flowers in
the autumn. Pampas also has tightly curled dead
leaves at its base, and the leaves snap readily
when given a sharp tug (toetoe leaves do not). '
I don't notice the season when I'm taking pictures and I don't remember to look at the leaves, much less tug one on to see if it snaps readily. I just like the way they look when I see them on the side of the road.
The shot below was literally taken on the side of the road, far far from any human habitat, that I could see. According to the articles I have read, it must be pampas, but it's anyone's guess how it got there.
The next two pictures were taken at a historical Maori site, Turuturu Mokai, so I do wonder why it would have pampas instead of toetoe. Is it any wonder I'm confused?
3/19/15
Other strange things in Taranaki
Last week, I told you about some strange anomalies that I learned about called concretions that we saw on our trip to the Patea River Dam. (Click here for that post.) This post is, to me, a definite head-scratcher, too.
Notice that the green areas in the map below are hills and mountains covered in trees--so much so that you can't actually see the rest of the Patea River flowing to the town of Patea until you click in quite closely.
The drive is dirt road the last 10 or 12 kilometers with some not-too-shabby scenery. Below are wild goats grazing while pukekos play in the water. And this view of the river that I posted earlier.
When you finally arrive at the dam, you find a tranquil, beautiful place where you can launch boats, swim, and picnic. Farther from the water and behind some trees is a place to camp, complete with showers.
While we were there, Hubby found some new friends! I have no idea who the calves and sheep belong to. Many of the places we go have signs posted that we are crossing farmlands, so watch out for live stock. *insert shocked smiley here*
The stranger thing is this: Seashells embedded in the ground all along the riverside at the dam. They are honestly and truly fossilized shells or what I imagine fossils should look like.
According to the map at the top, this place is about 30k--through heavy forest--from the ocean. If there is a rational explanation, I can't find it on the internet. Personally, I think that God has an awesome sense of humor.
Reconnect with Nature (come on over and share your nature shots!)
Nature Notes
Reconnect with Nature (come on over and share your nature shots!)
Nature Notes
2/28/15
Cape Kidnappers coastline
Wherever we go, I find the coastline, with all its layers, fascinating. Our tractor driver/guide explained them but my brain doesn't grasp all the millions-of-years stuff. I did, however, understand when he told us that the places where the lines don't match up are fault lines (in the first two shots). Mostly, I just enjoy God's wonderful creations and am in awe that He shares such beauty with us.
1/23/15
taranaki coast rock formations
These are some more photos from the 3 Sisters area. I don't know about you, but I find them quite interesting and unusual.
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