More Flowers

Two quick photos of some garden flowers.  The top one is of a cornus that is flowering profusely at the moment as is the guaria in the lower photograph.

Photos for our Season

My Pomegranate is flowering well this season so, hopefully, there will be lots of fruit.  This quail sits by my lantern every evening acting as a look-out for his chicks.  There is one group of ten chicks but I have not been able to photograph them yet.  Soon they will be too big to be interesting.

Brush Drawings

SEASONS GREETINGS
These two brush drawings we used on some catalogue covers a long time ago.   I hope you enjoy them and that you all have a very happy and enjoyable holiday season.

Pleasant Fragrances

This lemon scented magnolia does not last long but gives a pleasant fragrance when brought indoors.  The native kanuka has only tiny flowers but the trees are just covered at this time of year.

Cloudscapes

These two cloudscapes appeared recently on a day with strong winds blowing.  The round cloud was much lower than the lighter cirrus cloud above.  Clear skys are nice but these are much more interesting.

New Flowers

Last blog I mentioned the water lilies and how lovely they looked.  Also the roses this year are flowering profusely.  I do not remember the name of this bright yellow one.

Water Iris

The Iris by my pond are looking great this year but the strong winds are causing some damage.  The waterlilies are also flowering well.  Everything here is so dry it is nice to have the water feature to help create a small micro-climate.

Some Wildlife

This very colourful cock pheasant and its partner are about my property again this year.  The weka chick photograph was taken down in the South Island.  They are not seen near here although there are about twenty five other species of bird about at various times of the year.

Small Flowers

The Forget-me-Not is now well finished with the Velcro-like seeds sticking to clothing and being carried elsewhere in the garden.  The Lobelia is still flowering well and looks great by my entrance.

Textures

When the sun is in the right place I am amazed at the texture of this sawn wood.  It is a small area of cladding on my house and is a wonderful addition to the other materials used.

Lanterns

These two home made lanterns have been in my garden for a long time.  The top one has a ceramic cube for the light with found items and stones to make a tall lantern.  The lower one is all ceramic except for the stone it is sitting on.  It was made in three parts and fired in our anagama kiln.

Macro Images.

The Iris are flowering well this year and I have been trying out the Macro function on my camera.  Hope you enjoy seeing these pictures.

Wildflowers

After the Wildflower Sculptural Festival I thought a couple of wildflower pictures would be appropriate.

More Fun from the WSF

This beautiful stainless steel screen was created by David Trubridge and his team.  It was difficult to photograph in full daylight so I went back to try this evening shot which I think gives a better impression.  The "Rocket" was a fun construction made by several of the artists and was to be filled with straw and lit after dark.  It was too close to trees and the grass was so dry it was decided it would be too dangerous so the event did not happen.

More Sculpture from WSF

These two works are by Ricks Terstappen and they were just wonderful.  The motorbike was titled "Prototype".  The "Jandals" (called thongs or flip flops in some countries) were huge, almost two meters long, but their size does not show very well in this photograph.

Sculptures from the Wildflower Exhibition

These two pieces, the Kiwi and the Rooster, are by Jeff Thomson who works mainly with corrugated iron. Jeff has exhibited regularly in Germany so some of you may recognise his work. I particularly like the rooster.

Wildflower Sculptural Festival

Tonight the Wildflower Sculptural Festival opens and runs through to Sunday 11th. November.  It is held in very beautiful gardens with many varied and interesting exhibits.  This is the first time I have been invited to exhibit and it will be interesting to compare the interest shown to ceramics, metal,wooden and other types of sculptures.

Flowers

The flowers on the Rowan tree have been lovely but, unfortunately, we have very hungry birds around here and I seldom see any bright red berries.  This pink manuka is also flowering well.  It will feed the bees but not the birds.

It is Not Autumn

It is not autumn in New Zealand yet I found these multi-coloured leaves yesterday.  I am not sure of the name of the shrub they came from but it is probably a native of this country.

Pictures from Home

This season has been great for the Dogwoods as well as unusual lighting.  The rainbow between the old acacia and the gum trees during a light shower was a recent event.

Arthur's Pass

Many times I have driven through Arthur's Pass between Christchurch and the West Coast of the South Island and every time it is different.  The Rata in flower in Summer, the waterfalls and shingle slides after heavy rain which can be at any time of the year.  It is always spectacular.

Spring Winds.

Although autumn is long past the leaves are still blowing about with the very strong winds we are experiencing.  I do not usually burn leaves but the smoke from some incense make me wonder whether that is not what I should have done.

A Lovely Fountain and Flower

This lovely fountain is in Okayama in Japan.  It puts the local one outside our library to shame.  The magnolia have been flowering beautifully this season as have my dogwoods and blossom trees.

More Panoramic Pictures

I thought I should show you the back of the house which, unlike most places, is just as clean lined as the front.  Form the gateway the property looks very large and the house and workshop are barely visible with only a minimal track for a driveway.

Panorama Pictures of Kamaka House and Workshop

Two panoramic pictures of the house and workshop taken recently.  The wide images give a better impression of how these buildings look than wide angle or standard lenses can ever give. The gardens are looking especially pretty with blossoms and new leaves on the trees.