Rippling

The harbour is glassily calm today No wind, not even a gentle breeze Wispy clouds above bright sunshine So still…

Home in the Hokianga

Our house nestles into the top of a promontory overlooking the harbour Water stretches in all directions as far as…

A large flock of swallows dropped in today for late afternoon snacks from the bug larder furiously swooping and scooping…

Early May Hokianga sunsets are absorbing performances the subtly morphing colours sensuously etch the skyline ……slowly concealing the layers of…

The swallows (warou) are moving awaynow the cooler weather is arrivingbut a small number remain nearbyand bring joy as they…

A good day for preserving garlic (despite all the peeling needed) So. Many. Options. – garlic honey (good for cold/flu/covid…

this monster black caterpillar has suddenly appeared in my planting trough where fat green caterpillars have been feasting on my…

The pampas seeds blow on the wind Like snow Piling up in shallow drifts in corners and crevice Clinging to…

Possums are hungry and seem fond of apples We are catching a scavenger most nights…. lately mating season Luckily our…

A small box of mixed produce from Twisted Citrus deliciously ripe firm and ready to eat plumspears passionfruit grapefruitand avocados…

Last night’s possum carcass Has drawn attention from a curious black-backed gull and the regularly visiting kahu these fierce competitors…

the breakfasting pukeko who fossicks in the margins of our drivewayis the tallest I have ever encountered there’s something in…

Warou and pihoihoi inhabit the same niche andare constantlytrolling for (mostly) teeny tiny insects Warou in flightswoop and swivelin pursuit…

Looking towards the west the most intense colour in the sunset appears after the sun drops below the horizon the…