Moth Orchid

This beautiful Orchid was at the Hamilton Gardens hothouse last year.

Ground Leaf Mosaic
These leaves were undisrurbed last autumn. I liked their variety and colour and thought that the photo might make a good wallpaper on my computer desktop.

Piha Beach
This must be one of the most dangerous beaches in New Zealand which are used as general swimming beaches.

Piha Beach is located on the west coast, west of Auckland City. It has a very experienced team of surf life guards who are very professional and they are kept very busy during the holiday season rescuing many irresponsible swimmers who don't seem to have the intelligence to realise the dangers, and continue to take unnecessary risks.

The beach is dangerous because it has several hidden current rips as well as strong currents that can throw inexperienced boarders and swimmers against rocks beside the large rock visible here. Another danger can be large dangerous waves during heavy seas.
(Click to enlarge)

Cutlery Mosaic pathway at Hamilton Gardens

I took this photo about a year ago at one of the feature gardens entitled the Kitchen Garden. I don't know what possessed the people setting up this garden to set this cuttlery in the mosaic path but, as with some of the other gardens here, some of the things done were 'tongue-in-cheek.'  I guess as this was the 'Kitchen Garden' maybe they thought this was in keeping with the theme...?

You have to smile...

(Click photo to enlarge)

Look into my eyes!

Looking into a cats face can sometimes be mesmerising.

(Click on picture to enlarge)

Skeleton of a tree

Though still standing magnificently, this tree is no longer alive. Why did it die? I don't know. Maybe it was struck by lightning? Or perhaps, more likely, it was ringbarked by cattle in the same paddock?

(Click on picture to enlarge)

Turtle Lake Waterfall, Hamilton Gardens
This waterfall looks great as a part of the Turtle Lake water feature at Hamilton Gardens. It is part of the flow of a stream which runs through the area and into the lake before exiting to run into the Waikato River further down.

Turtle Lake was man-made in the early days of developement of the gardens and is a vital part of the relaxing atmosphere the Gardens create, and is enjoyed by local people and tourists alike. In summer the Arts Festival is held in and around the many lawn and garden features in the Hamilton Gardens, which belong to, and are maintained by the Hamilton City Council on behalf of the residents of Hamilton. A proud asset and a jewel in the City's crown.

 

The old Pumphouse, Waihi

This old pumphouse building at Waihi, a goldmining town in the North Island of NZ, had great sentimental value to the people of Waihi, so a great effort was made to move it several metres from its original location. It is now a part of the focal point of the town, as is the mighty great hole that the gold mining company has dug just near the pumphouses new location.

The photo below shows what the building looks like now.

Hollyhock Flower
This hollyhock flower is one of about ten or more that grow on a long stem. Though the setting sun gives this flower an inner glow it is really a very deep blood-red colour and was one of my favourites from the approximately eight that we grew that year, The plants are amazing too as this one grew to nearly 2 &1/2 metres (about 8 feet) tall.

 In conversation
These two Asian girls were pretending to fish off this small jetty but seemed to be more concerned with intimate conversation.

Stormwater drain

At first glance not a very inspiring photo is it? Actally it's still not very inspiring even after gazing at it for some time! Ah well, it will do for my shot of the day today ....
(Click on picture to enlarge - it looks better... )

Mr Whippy
I guess most developed countries in the world have people who drive trucks like the one above and travel around the cities and beach resorts in summer selling ice creams from the rear of the truck. As they go they play a popular tune through a loudspeaker on the roof. In the case of this vehicle they play the song Greensleeves and the kids readily recognise who it is when they hear the tune.

They usually come around my area just on dinner time which must annoy Mums who know that their kids probably won't eat their dinner after a big ice cream!

Hamilton Anglican Cathedral

This photo was taken from an unusual angle - the top of the Hamilton City Council car park in Knox Street.

For those unfamiliar with Hamilton this building with the clock is the Anglican Cathedral and is the only building of its type in Hamilton. It is built on land generously given to the Church by local Maori  in the 19th century, soon after Hamilton was settled by Europeans. Land nearby was a fort, originally belonging to Maori but taken over by the British Militia during the early Land Wars with Maori.  The fort no longer exists.

Quaint stone bridge at the Te Awamutu
This quaint stone bridge is located in the Te Awamutu War Memorial Gardens, in the Waikato region just south of Hamilton. These older-style bridges add some magic to public and private gardens alike.