Mayday Mayday!

The duck on the left is about to make an emergency landing, but the one that has just landed and the two others appear totally unperturbed by the kerfuffle!

Scenic Sunday: Lake Karapiro

Lake Karapiro is the home of rowing in the New Zealand. Later this year, it will host the World Rowing Championships.

The lake is located 35 km to the southeast of Hamilton. It is a lovely spot for watersport or just a picnic.

Please take the time to visit Scenic Sunday for photos of other participants.

Eeling

On my afternoon walk, I spotted two boys fishing down by the river. I approached them, asking what they were after. "Eels," the one answered, "but we catch and release." He was obviously the experienced one, as he was the one holding the line. "This is my first time eeling," said his friend, "so I'm just watching my friend."

Skywatch Friday

This photo was taken from my garden a couple of days ago. The day had started off with beautifully sunny weather, but then it turned all dark and cloudy. The sight of the dark clouds, the patch of blue skies and the rainbow made for quite an eerie sight!

This is my first time participating in Skywatch Friday. Please visit Skywatch for other photos!

If you go down to the lake today ...

The Hamilton Gardens is always a good place to go for a picnic or a walk. The grounds are always immaculately maintained. One of my favourite spots is next to the main lake. It is really peaceful, except when the ducks make a commotion during feeding time!

Postbox series: no 9

The second instalment in the postbox series. This one perhaps lacks the character of the first in the series - it is after all only a hole in the boundary wall - but at least it is very functional and practical. There's no doubt about where the letters should go!

DANGER: Brandy & Santanya woz here!

Not only are they vandals, but their English is atrocious too!

Look at the size of that bird!

I recently visited the Hamilton Zoo. I did not expect much, but was pleasantly surprised by the size of the grounds, and the range of animals on display. It really is an asset to Hamilton.

The zoo has many African animals, including rhinos, giraffes, various buck and of course, lots of ostriches. In the part of South Africa where I am from, ostriches abound, but they appear to be rather scarcer here in New Zealand!

These boys were fascinated by this bird and spent quite some time admiring it.

Compared to the size of the little bird on yesterday's photo, the ostrich on today's photo is huge!

Here birdy birdy!

This little bird joined us for cake and coffee the other day. It was one of a whole flock perching on the outside tables of the cafe pecking away at crumbs.

Blooming buds

The flower garden at the entrance to Gate 2 of the Hamilton Gardens is a magnificent display of colour. This photo was taken in February.

Postbox series: no 3

I adore postboxes, especially old ones. I suspect that this one creaks when it's opened. Lovely! This is the first in a series on postboxes in and around Hamilton.

Kicking up some sand

A snapshot taken at a local soccer match. Part of the ball can be seen on the extreme right of the photo. The goalie's team - Hamilton North Football Club - won the game.

Braai/BBQ

Every now and again, a proper braai (the South African equivalent of a BBQ) is just the ticket! No gas in sight; just wood and fire, that eventually turn into glowing charcoal! My favourite braai meat is lamb shoulder chops; none of the pork sausage that the New Zealanders seem to love so much, for me!

Lily of the garden

This is a lily from my garden. The photograph was taken shortly after a brief downpour of rain.

I love lilies, because of their look, smell and feel. In South Africa, they are known as varkore - literally, "pig ears".

Feline imperiousness

The Cat of Cats

I am the cat of cats. I am
The everlasting cat!
Cunning, and old, and sleek as jam,
The everlasting cat!
I hunt vermin in the night-
The everlasting cat!
For I see best without the light-
The everlasting cat!

William Brighty Rands