Sunday, 23 January 2011

Rangitoto Island Auckland NZ 21-01-11

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Rangitoto volcano crater in the far distance. Exposed volcanic ‘rubble’ in the foreground.

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Plant method for retaining moisture, since this island is both warm and dry.

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Typical flora on the island. The oldest trees are about 200 years old and the island approx 600 years, the youngest in the Hauraki Gulf.

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Pohutakawa tree still in flower, unfortunately we missed these spectacular forest trees in full bloom!

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There are some 40 species of native ferns on the island.

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Tiny silver grey butterfly or moth?

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On the rim and looking down into the crater

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View from the summit

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Pohutakawa tree within the crater

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We think that this might be a Bullfinch? Many British birds were introduced during the 1880’s by The Acclimatisation Society!

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White-eye after a crumb

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Typical ‘bache’ on the island – There are very few of these left now that Rangitoto is a botanical reserve.

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The Ferry pier on the right

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