The tourist season is getting into its stride and I am enjoying sharing my backyard with the guests staying at my workplace, Stewart Island Lodge. My first visit to Rakiura in 2009 is vividly etched on my memory and I hope all visitors leave happy and relaxed and with fond memories of this extra-special place.
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| Above and below: Early morning panorama from the Lodge deck |
I haven't had a lot of time for slow walks lately so it's nice to have long, sunny evenings to go orchid-hunting. Most of the spider orchids have finished their flowering although my special clump has lasted longer than most...
...and now it's the time for the greenhoods,
Pterostylis, and the bamboo orchid,
Earina mucronata
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| Pterostylis in flower on the roadside bank near home |
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| View from the top |
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| Close-up of Pterostylis flower |
The
Aporostylis, Caladenia and
Drymoanthus are budding up and there's a miniature forest of sun orchid,
Thelymitra, appearing - they usually flower in January but the seasons seem to be mixed up - no doubt I'll be posting photos as soon as they are out! My large patch of green bird orchids, Chiloglottis, were a bit displaced by kiwi probe holes a couple of months ago; there must have been a lot of juicy worms there.
My last photo was my attempt to go 'arty'. I was walking past the Cenotaph when I noticed a wee poppy flowering among the rocks - it must have seeded from the ones planted last season.
