Boomrock

A few weeks ago, work had a development day out at a working station farm called Boomrock.

Boomrock was named after the sound the waves make when crashing against the rock, cause a loud boom to resonate up the valley.

When we arrived at the Bunker, this was the view that greeted us. The bunker is named after the fact that this location was used by the Home Guard to watch out for Japanese submarines coming through the Tasman Sea and Cook Strait to Wellington. As far as I'm aware no submarines were ever spotted but many a farmer hung out here with their rifles. It is now a clay bird shooting range with eighteen hidden traps among the bush. 

  This was the northward view.

The family who own the station have moved their house onto the cliffs, though cant be seen in this photo, and are able to get spectacular views. Even during a storm I have been told the view is amazing. Later in the afternoon a sailboat even drifted between the mainland and Mana Island with Kapiti looking foreboding in the distance.

While there we were treated to a 4WD excursion to the back of the station, Coming down the track to this view was simply breath-taking. The farm was incredibly dry for late January, traditionally February is the hottest month of the year in Wellington.

At the top of the station the Tasman sea looked so appealing you just wanted to dive in. Though getting to the edge was quite daunting in a vehicle as you would go over small hills and bumps and as you went up there would be nothing but sky to greet you. A lot of trust in our driver was require in believing that he wasn't about to take us over a cliff.

The northern located islands weren't the only ones to come to the party that day. As the day went on and the heat climbed the clouds that surrounded the South Island burnt off to give us a glorious view from d'Urville Island to all the way down the Kaikoura ranges.

Skywatch Friday
Black and White Wednesday
Black and White Weekend

Chicklet Evolution

A whee while back one of mum's chicken when clucky, since we have two roosters roaming around she decided to put some eggs under her and see what happened. Around 22 days later these two popped out.

Apart from appearance they seem to have very different characteristics, at least as much as two week old chicks can. The black one seems to have clear attitude, as demonstrated above while the yellow one can be a tad daft at times.

Either way Mumma seems to be doing a good job. She wasn't too happy when I put my head into the house to take some photos.

Wild Bird Wednesday

Saturday's Critters

Buzzing on the Sun

I Heart Macro
Makro Montag

Bruce My Big Blue Buddy

Last Friday while I was sitting on the Wellington waterfront I had a friend come visit me. From what I understand he is a blue shark and possibly an older juvenile. Needless to say he gave me a rather large fright when he suddenly appeared right in front of me. 

Blue sharks usually like the clear deep blue water but this guy seemed pretty happy cruising the shore line. I wonder if the beautiful hot weather has brought him out.It appeared that he had been caught in a line at some point as you could see some fishing line trailing down his body from his mouth. He's made multiple appearances in the days since, and some people even managed to cut the line that was attached to the hook. 

On Monday I went back out, with my camera at the ready to see if he would make another appearance. Low and behold he popped up and I managed to get a few photos, people then followed him down the waterfront as he drifted along. Last night he was on the national news and he's also been featured in the paper.

Our World Tuesday
Water World Wednesday
Outdoor Wednesday
Skywatch Friday
Saturday's Critters

Flying Fish

Just before Christmas my dad and nephew went fishing an caught some gurnard, this specific type is the Pacific Red Gurnard and can be found around New Zealand and Australia.

 

Along with these wings, which help to give the fish an appearance of flying, gurnard have little fins, or walkers which help to scare pray out into the open. These fish mainly eat crabs and other small fish. They also honk, or make a sound similar to a honk when they come out of the water.

I Heart Macro
Makro Montag