46: Growing stuff

As I may have mentioned before, I am the opposite of green-fingered, and between me and the harsh Central Otago climate, most plants in my possession end up dead.

However, we have had periods of sun and rain that are apparenlty conducive to good growth spurts, so here are some things in my garden I have managed not to kill. And, yes, most of them are weeds; so what?

Week Forty-Seven: Practicing Outdoors

For my birthday Him Outdoors bought me a tripod and a remote control thingie - who says men can't take hints. I have practiced taking landscape shots...

...nature shots...

... and this was actually part of an experiment with exposure times - the experiment failed (although I did learn from it, so not a complete failure) but I couldn't resist posting this sequence of photos.

These were taken at the top of the Crown Range at the weekend - we went over for a cycle ride and a cider in the Cardrona Pub - there was low cloud and mist on the Queenstown side; clear blue skie and bright hot sunshine on the Wanaka side - hence the inversion shots.

Week Twenty-two: Baby, it's cold outside

It's cold out there - 'brrr' in Latin. The lupins are dotted with droplets of ice and the frosty trees are wreathed in smoke from morning fires - their skinny branches reaching out like frozen insect legs or withered claws.

 

Meanwhile, my boys are trying to keep warm either by kitting themselves out in multiple layers before going for a run...

...or lounging about in the sunny patch on the carpet.

Week 51: Loopy about Lupins

I love lupins. I don't much care that they are considered to be weeds. So are daisies, and they are my favourite flower. Does this say something about me or the classification of flowers?

The name derives from the Latin, 'lupinus' meaning wolf, because the plants have a tendency to ravage the land where they grow. But outbreaks of these voracious lupins can make runs and bike rides around the Wakatipu Basin quite glorious.

They are hardy too and can withstand the wind and showers that buffet them as they sweep through the valley. They stand sentinel along the roadside in a riot of colour.