Struan Farm

Beauty is Where You Find It

Doing another major clean up along our roadside at Struan Farm, this time behind the tractor shed. And I was struck by how beautiful the mossy corrugated iron, post, and side of the shed looked once I'd managed to remove all the weeds. It made me appreciate, yet again, that beauty can be found and seen just about anywhere.

Of course this isn't to say that this shed isn't coming down at some point, hopefully before it falls down! And guess what I uncovered next? Something a certain dog misplaced several years ago, that required both a new collar AND license....

It must have slipped off when he was backing himself out from under the shed, in pursuit of rabbits. Made me smile.

 

Journey to the Natural Bridge

Daniel and the girls stayed on with us at Struan Farm for a bit after the holidays, so we needed to come up with a few adventures in the local area. One was a trip to the Mangapohue Natural Bridge, out past nearby Waitomo Caves. I went out to see this for the first time last March when my friend Lisa Cruse visited, and it's definitely worth the trip.

It's a short walk along a well developed track into the scenic bush, easily accessible. The site also has picnic tables and toilet. Due to the weather, we ended up eating our picnic lunch out of the tailgate of the car, under umbrellas, however! Once we were in the bush the rain really wasn't an issue. There's a short swing bridge to get across the river, something the kids in particular enjoy, and lots of ferns and interesting limestone rocks.

The 17m limestone arch is a remnant of a cave system in the area. There are glowworms here at night, not something I've experienced as yet, next trip!

 

 

Wandering Northland

This brings to mind a song from my days at Girl Scout Camp: "I Love to Go A-wandering." With all the work we've had on at Struan Farm, I haven't had time to do this for some time, and it made me realize how much I really enjoy getting out and exploring the New Zealand landscape. There's so much out there!

Thought I would share with you some of the images from the rest of our recent short trip up North to the Kaipara. 

John treated me to a night at the five star luxury of Waipoua Lodge, on the Kauri Coast not far from the Waipoua Forest, home to giant kauri trees including Tane Mahuta, the world's largest known kauri tree. We stayed in a comfortable suite, and enjoyed amazing cuisine prepared by our hostess (and experienced chef) Fran.  The lodge is a destination for international travellers, honeymooners, and anyone else looking for a special getaway.

On the drive there we stopped in Pahi, a little settlement on the Kaipara Harbour that is known for its huge Moreton Bay Fig Tree, believed to be one of the largest in existence at 25.7 metres high with a spread of 51 metres. 

After Pahi we made a flying visit to the Kauri Museum in Matakohe so I could see what is there. What a treasure trove of New Zealand history--more time there is warranted on a future visit. 

And then there were two churches that caught my eye. (It's safe to say that country churches almost always catch my eye.) One abandoned, down a gravel road in a farm paddock. Love those windows and the colors of the metal roof:

The second I christened "The Church of the Crooked Crosses," and I like to think that they must welcome wayward souls:

Lastly, a drive down another gravel road off SH12 to Maunganui Bluffs Beach, wow:

Visit to Kai Iwi Lakes

One of the more interesting stops on my recent tour of the Kaipara District up north was Kai Iwi Lakes. These are freshwater dune lakes (Kai Iwi, Taharoa and Waikere), renowned for their beauty. I've been keen to visit here for quite some time.

The dune lakes were formed, and are fed, by the accumulation of rain water in depressions of sand, above relatively impermeable ironstone pans. Water levels change depending on the season.

Maori are believed to have used the lakes for fishing in the 16th century, later living around the lake during summer and using the Pine Beach camping area as a convalescent camp for wounded warriors. Oral tradition mentions large eeling parties descending upon the lake during the migration season.

"Kai Iwi--food for the people," was named for its abundance of fish and eels. "Taharoa--long calabash," was named because the lake is shaped like a long necked pumpkin/squash. And last but not least, "Waikere--rippling water" was called this due to its windswept surface.

Kauri gum digger huts existed on the shores of Lake Kai Iwi in the 1870's. By 1892 there was a small camp and general store at Lake Taharoa, and by the 1920's, about 100 people, mostly gum diggers, were believed to have lived around the lakes' shores. Most of the diggers left the area by the late 1920's.

Today the lakes are part of a reserve that offers a range of recreational activities and support a variety of native bird, fish and plant life.

On a weekday in late spring it was relatively quiet, with only a few campers around (and these were mostly German tourists off the beaten track). So I was able to wander and photograph in complete tranquility, stumbled upon a wetland area with a cluster of skeleton trees housing a colony of nesting little shags. I wasn't able to get terribly close to them (my longest lens is 300mm), but it was interesting to see!

 

Well worth a visit if you're in the area, or looking for an interesting place to camp with family.

A Fine Fern Fetish

I can spend hours with ferns, can get lost and lose track of all time, happily. Most recently at Doone Cottage. It's spring, the koru were unfurling in numbers, and the evening light was interesting. 

 

As I've explained in a previous post, probably last year about this same time, the koru symbolises the circle of life. And I think you can see why, can't you? 

Peonies/Paeonies Overlooking Kahurangi National Park

I love the gardens at Doone Cottage, especially when the peonies are in bloom at this time of year (no need to quibble about the American vs. British spelling, okay?). The gardens look out upon Mt. Arthur and Kahurangi National Park in the distance across the river, it's a very special setting to say the least.

 

 

I know, not a peony, rather a huge clematis blossom, just because.

Skeletons in the King Country Winter Landscape

I get a bit captured by tree skeletons that feature in the landscape this time of year, both at Struan Farm and on our drive to and from in the surrounding area. Winter exposes their "bones," they appear so intricate and delicate, quite textural and interesting, at least to me. 

I expect I'll show you more of these before spring arrives.

Sunrise & Morning Mist At Doone Cottage

I spent the past weekend in Motueka, outside of Nelson, with my friend Glen Davenport at Doone Cottage. Yes, a weekend getaway to my happy place once again!

And I was even up early enough to catch the first light on the hills and the morning mists floating along, magical views from the Garden Chalet.

 

 

 

Bliss, really, even if it was a bit chilly! And reports from Struan Farm that John has managed to get the birdnest(s) out of the chimney at the Cottage, hooray.

Technicolor in the Gardens

I've been watching this vivid green bug have fun in the zinneas at Struan Farm over the past several weeks. Love the contrast in color between the bug and the flowers. And I actually think it's been the same bug each week...

Sometimes I wonder if I'm the only one out there happy to watch little green bugs munching flowers in the garden? I AM letting him have at my zinneas in peaceful coexistence, but then it's the end of the season!

Travels with Lisa: South Island

With limited time left during Lisa's recent visit to New Zealand, you will (of course) know where I decided to take her on the South Island. What destination has it all? Nelson, of course!

We stayed with my friend Glen at Doone Cottage in the Motueka River Valley. 

No complaints from either one of us about the views from the garden chalet above...and the ducklings I saw on my most recent visit are now fully grown. They followed us while we walked around photographing:

We toured Nelson and surrounds, Mapua, and went over into Golden Bay. We braked for trees laden with autumn fruit, fruit stands, rusty caravans and sheds, and the spectacular landscape.

And no visit to Mapua is complete without a stop at Richards Orchard Fruit Stall. I love their weathered shed stand:

This trip I picked up some Dunns Cooker apples (Australia 1880), and beautiful Forelle pears. 

I'll make a rustic apple pie from the Dunns Cookers for Lisa's farewell dinner, also to thank John for working away at Struan Farm and babysitting Clifford while I've been galavanting around the countryside. (Think he may need some ice cream on top, since there was alot a wee bit of shopping this trip too!)

Moreporks!

Our native owl, the morepork ("ruru") is frequently heard at night but rarely seen. My friend Glen Davenport just shared this beautiful photo of two moreporks they discovered around Doone Cottage in Motueka, outside of Nelson:

Aren't they amazing?

Capturing Koru

Had a bit of a field day photographing the native fernheads or "koru" one evening during my recent visit to Doone Cottage in Motueka. The koru is meant to be a symbol of creation, perpetual movement. Iconic New Zealand, really. I like the idea of capturing these fleeting moments of creation, think they're beautiful and rather special:

Random Farmscape

Can't resist sharing the late afternoon light on the hills at Struan Farm this past week:

Along Tikitiki Road

I was early going to pick up John's painting this past Saturday so had time to cruise along Tikitiki Road in Piopio:

There's alot to explore in this landscape when time permits.

 

 

 

 

Down By The River

 
The title of this post brings to mind a high school trip to Spain one summer. A classmate named Marla purchased a folk guitar during the trip, and the song "Down by the River" by Neil Young became our anthem. We travelled the country wailing the lyrics, which included "down by the river, I shot my baby." (See the complete lyrics here, since there's a bit more to the story.) 

One of the guys on the trip had been sent off for the summer by his parents after stealing and crash landing a private plane. I, on the other hand, had worked part-time for a year to pay for the trip and was there to improve my Spanish language skills. It was a group with mixed objectives, to say the least, but we all had a transformational time, singing included. 

Nothing so dramatic happens down at the Mangaotaki River at Struan Farm. The only things that might get shot from time to time are the wild geese when their numbers get out of control, our scenic rapids, or some photographs.

We've got a lovely stretch of rapids with corrugated limestone rocks. They are more or less vigorous depending on the level of the river. There are great spots to kayak or drift along on an inner tube in the right conditions.

 

I'm starting to shoot down by the river, this was my first attempt.

Another Chance, By Chance

On my recent trip to Nelson I stopped by Soucheby's Antiques in Richmond. The shop is known for paintings and photography, which for me on a good day includes the odd George Chance photograph. Of course I found one called "The Resting Team," an interesting addition to our collection once it is re-framed with archival matting and UV glass:

 
On my previous visit I'd asked the owner to keep an eye out for a copy the definitive book on George Chance's photography. It's very hard to find, I've been trying to get my hands on it for almost ten years. It includes a good selection of his published images, including four of the (now) six we own. As it turned out, the owner had recently acquired one but had lost lost my contact details: 

 
It was a good thing I showed up at the shop when I did, entirely by chance, or he might have been tempted to sell it to someone else. It's great to have this published overview of George Chance's work to put our limited collection into a wider perspective.

Thanks Captain Kirk

The actor William Shatner, aka "Captain Kirk," is currently touring New Zealand with a one man show. I laughed out loud at the television ad for his show, which leads with the tag line "I don't want you to know me, I want you to know My Version."

In many respects, John thinks this is what I'm doing with this blog. Showing you what I want you to see about our life and the landscape at Struan Farm. He's amazed my photographs look so beautiful, thinks somehow they are my "romanticized" version of Struan Farm and somehow less than "real."

 
My response to this is that the camera doesn't lie, and that he tends to overlook the beauty surrounding us because it's what he's grown up with (except when it comes to the trees in the Pet Paddock, of which he is in constant amazement). 

 
Yes, photographs are also a reflection of the photographer. I'm wanting to show the beauty of Struan Farm to anyone who might appreciate it. Plus we all want romance, don't we? Even if it's not in a galaxy far, far away.

Along Troopers & Oparure Roads

We've got the option of two routes from Te Kuiti to Struan Farm. One is through the town, on SH3, while the other cuts around the town through rolling green hillsides. The distance is essentially the same, the one that goes via Oparure and Troopers Roads is windier and scenic with less traffic.

This past weekend I went down and returned this way to ogle the scenery:

 
 
Love the pink doors on this weathered wool shed, can only imagine this was due to the influence of a beloved little girl or perhaps surplus pink paint!

 
 
This is one of those routes where time to stop and smell the flowers, which I rarely do, is relaxing and fun.

Wandering in the Photo Zone

 
I've started to play around with my new Canon EOS 5D Mark II camera, cautiously. I'm a bit respectful of this camera, not sure about the whole digital thing and how my vision might be translated electronically. 

 
This was my first real outing around Struan Farm, still on "auto." At some point I'll venture down to the river and photograph the rapids running over corregated limestone to test out "shutter priority." Heaven only knows when I'll figure out the software side of things, including my recently purchased Adobe Photoshop Elements 9. One step at a time, as time permits.

I've learned when photographing that you don't go out expecting to shoot certain things, that it's far better to see what presents itself on a given day. That being said, I tend to see details rather than the big picture.

So expect to see lots of fern, garden and tree detail from me, maybe sheep and birds when they'll cooperate.

 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 

All images copyright 2011.

Random Images: Struan Farm

I've shot some images around Struan Farm with my point and shoot that I'm liking and wanting to share. The new EOS 5D Mark II is coming out in the New Year; I'll be spending three weeks at the farm, taking a break from blogging and shooting lots of images.

The images are all copyrighted December 2010 and are random: 

 
 

 
 

 
 
Maurie used the wooden crook above to help ewes delivering in breech; he carried his docking and other lambing supplies in the worn canvas bag. 

 
Below is my weekend's jar of posies from the garden-- the white viburnum buds have just come out:

 
 
While my compositions still aren't what they used to be, I am starting to "see" again with a photographer's eyes, so am hoping the EOS is just what the doctor ordered.