Dunnock sitting in a Lancewood Tree

A little dunnock or hedge sparrow sitting at the very top of a young Lancewood tree, enjoying the warm morning sun.

The juvenile phase of a Lancewood tree has very long narrow leaves, dark green, heavily toothed, pointing downwards and with prominent yellow-orange midrib. As the tree matures a bushy crown develops and the juvenile leaves fall away, the juvenile stage can last up to 20 years. It is classed as an endemic species and is quite common in urban areas and lower montane forests.

Mum and I had a wander round the lakes this morning, it was windy but ever so warm. Plenty of mallards about with ducklings, a black swan family with three tiny cygnets, a couple of NZ scaup and a lone older cygnet.

Later in the day the weather changed with a strong easterly wind blowing in off the Pacific Ocean. I was on top of a sand dune looking at numerous white caps out at sea, sand was flying in all directions, grasses were flattened and pine trees were creaking - our temperature dropped from 22C to 11C, I didn't linger!!

All is calm again now but not quite as bright as this morning, the better part of the day.

Thank you all for your encouraging words, stars and hearts for yesterdays Banded Dotterel, I was chuffed to be on the spotlight page :)

Better fly now, tea to organise and a few jobs to be done. I'll try to come back
later but I'm feeling quite tired after a sleepless night, we'll see how we go :)

Blip slow again tonight.....I'm having problems anyone else??