New Bird on the block

We have been seeing a large bird hanging around and one day I was able to get some close up photos. Having searched our bird books it appears that this could be a white faced heron and possibly looking for a mate.

Long time no write

Because I haven't had much to share! However I have been busy weaving harakeke (flax) and have been enjoying the change of thought. Also costs nothing to create as there is an abundance of flax where I live.

I went to a class last weekend where I made the 2 small bowls, bag and bowl. A few of us got together again on Wednesday and I created the wine bottle holder which I am quite pleased with.

Queens Birthday weekend

This fell the last weekend in May and Monday was a Public Holiday. I flew up to Wellington for a weekend of scrapbooking and had a fantastic time despite the cold blast of weather! Yep, hail and sleet even though we were staying at sea level.

However, I had a very productive time and completed 24 pages and started on a fairy castle mini album for my great niece Faith's 5th birthday later this year.

I was so chuffed to achieve so much as usually when I go away I talk and don't do much!

I was pleased that Jock dropped me off and picked me up as it was a late flight and we didn't pull up the drive at home until 10pm

Now I need to get my photos of my Motunau Island trip printed for scrapbooking at a crop this Saturday

My trip to Motunau Island

28th May 2009. My friend Rita and I flew over to the Island in a Squirrel helicopter along with Dept of Conservation (D.O.C.) employee, Anita to meet up with other DOC employees who were there for different reasons

I was meant to go with Anita and Rita down the track to the bottom of the Island to check bait stations and help plant some Captain Cook Scurvy Grass - problems, because of lots of rain, the track (originally made by the penguins trundling down to the water) was extremely soft and very, very slippery. I got about 3/4 of the way down and decided enough was enough and told them I was going back up to the top. That was another toughie, at one point I was on my hands and knees climbing my way up!

Scurvy Grass is actually part of the brassica family and has a peppery taste to it. Motunau is a Maori name and translated means Island of Scurvy Grass. DOC have had success in planting this on and around parts of the Island and are continuing to extend the scurvy grass plants.

Fortunately for me, when I reached the top I caught up with other D.O.C folk who were going to check the bait stations on the top of the Island and look for Gecko's and Spotted Skinks. They needed 5 of each to take DNA from. This is done by taking about 3mm to 4mm of the tip of their tail. Sounds awful but you could hardly tell this had been done. This is a Canterbury Gecko.

I actually held one of these and they are so unusual. Their skin is very velvety to the touch and their little claws are like sucker pads as they travel across your hand. Never thought I would see the day when I wanted to, let alone hold one! So cute.

Gecko's shed their skins quite frequently and this is what we came across!



Heaps of shredded skins! They are very opaque and still in the shape of the Gecko. They wriggle out of their skin headways which leaves the shape behind. They feel just like tissue paper.

This is a spotted skink

I was informed that the Gecko is a very social lizard and they like to 'hang out' together in the bait stations. Look at these that we found in one bait station!

Motunau Island is one of the few breeding grounds for the White Flippered Penguin. One was found in it's burrow

They say that all good things must come to an end and they did. About 3p.m. we returned back to Motunau Beach aka 'the mainland'

All strapped in and ready for take off back to the mainland. This trip I had the front seat and my stomach gave a real turn when we suddenly had no land underneath us, just a cliff face and water

I am hyped up

Why? Because I have just spent the day over on Motunau Island! Thrilling. Tiring. Fantastic. I could go on an on for ever but I am still coming down to earth!

Am away for the long weekend but I will be updating my blog next week with some great photos

Atrocious weather

Sleet, freezing wind that would cut you in half and of course the trip to the Island tomorrow won't happen again!

However, I have put my time to good use today by getting 'sort of'' page kits together for my scrapbooking weekend away on Queens Birthday weekend. By 'sort of' I mean that I have picked out the cardstock to match my photos that I will be taking. Then I will just chuck all my rub ons and some embellishments into my tote. That's the downside when you are flying as you have to take weight into consideration. I will be taking my lap top just in case I run out of photos and I can potter and do some digi scrapping.

Postponed

Our trip to the Island, that is. Bad weather and hail forecast tomorrow. Next trip planned for Thursday but the weather looks like it could be just as bad then as well so will be a wait and see situation.

However, the opticians have just rung to say my new glasses are ready so I am going to pick them up tomorrow and then we are heading to a funeral in the afternoon for a lady that has lived at the beach for many, many years until moving to a Retirement complex a few months ago so I am pleased we will be able to see her off, so to speak