New Zealand (warning photo heavy)

[Graybeard]

Just got back from a trip to NZ.

The first sighting of New Zealand by any human, was made by the wife of the Chief of the voyaging canoe. They were searching for land when she said, 'I see a cloud, a big cloud, a long white cloud'

These are photos from the Bay of Islands, NZ. I lived and worked here for a period 34 years ago. This was my first time back and I actually ran in to a number of forgotten friends.






























Hope you like .... greg

[austintorn@aol.com]

Good shots!

Your job must give you much vacation benefit.

Maybe I'll put some birds on the branches of that dead tree one day.

(I saw Leskey in one of the wildlife photos.)

[labelwench]

Greg,

Delightful images, all. You portray dimension, texture, elements, and architexture. Greatly appreciated by visual and tactile beings such as Caramel and Labelwench.

Caramel asks, "What types of grasses are native to New Zealand? They appear very tender and succulent."

Regards,

Labelwench (and the ever appetent Caramel, LOL.)

[Graybeard]

Caramel asks, "What types of grasses are native to New Zealand? They appear very tender and succulent."

Regards,

Labelwench (and the ever appetent Caramel, LOL.)

I'm not sure of the grass, perhaps Leskey would know ... but they can run a couple hundred head of sheep to an acre, whereas in Australia its a couple of hundred acres to a sheep ... lol

cool bananas ... greg

[Graybeard]

Life's tough, when theres plenty to do, and little to get ... and the view grows weary to the eye .... lol







(Lu sotto) if only he were normal, I could make something of him. here I am, stuck halfway down a cliff, so he can take another phuc&ing photo.





Hope you enjoy .... greg

[Unreal Zelta]

Thanks for the photos Graybeard! Now I know that the tourism department is doing their job.

As a New Zealander, I owe you a thanks in promoting what apparently is called "the last paradise on earth".

regards

Zelta

[labelwench]

At Caramel's insistence, I did a quick search on forage grasses native to New Zealand. Apparently, your country is of great interest to the Agriculture community and there are several varieties of grass seed that other nations are importing to improve their local forage.

Timothy grass is widely used for horse hay and this hardy variety will grow even in the Yukon. Brome is another variety that can endure in our climate, although I did not note it on the list, unless it goes by another name. Our short, cool growing season and long, cold winters limit survivability of most species. There is also a local type of wild grass that everyone just calls "bunch grass" because it grows in small tufts. It doesn't get very tall, not much of a blade and sets short, fine seed stalks, yet horses love it. I doubt it would be agreeable to being cultivated, and likely has insufficient growth rate and volume to be of commercial interest. Could be of interest for cross pollinating.

Of course, Caramel wants me to identify and grow the greenest, juiciest variety, while for myself, I shall just import the veranda and the ocean view. Pina Coladas anyone?

Regards,

Labelwench

[Mikal]

Hi Greg...thanks for such a lovely panoramic view...next best thing to going there. I'll take picture 10 for a night view..its like peace and beauty all wrapped up together. I'll take picture 15 for a day view, the combining of the blue's instills lovely patterns of beauty and aliveness that I easily vibrate with....deeply creative picture. Kudos for your photography talent...


Mikal

[leskey]

Hi, Greg...great photos!

Don't know how you managed such great shots in the circumstances: you're looking every bit like a man in need of a old Maori tohunga cure for a hang-over - LOL! As usual, Lu's a great sport. Did she feel a little homesick?

Having finally re-acquainted yourself with the Mainland, you can appreciate why I'm happy to stay put on this side of the ditch...

[dolly]

Fabulous pic's Greg. I especially appreciate how the deck was constructed with respect to the trees.

PEACE dolly