Halloween Hike

Key Words

track = trail

tramp = hike

knackered = worn out

Today we hit Silverpeaks Track...

also known as

Dread Mud Pit

the Dark, the Nasty, the Fearsome

I'd turn back if I were you.

Good idea.

But there was sunshine too, and beauty to be seen.

Lichen and Berries

Lawn Creatures

Well, Folks, I think Jeremy played one too many video games in a three-week span. Today, he asked the neighbor if he could mow his lawn for him. Rob looked a little surprised, but didn't turn him down.

There he goes, and he appears to be having a lot of fun.

Uh-oh, what's this? Jeremy has found a hedgehog hiding in the pile of dry lawn clippings. (You'll have to have good eyes for this.) How did that little guy know he was an exact match to dry grass? Very clever! Didn't fool Jeremy though.

Take a look at those spines!

I'm sorry: he was very shy and completely uninterested in posing for me, so you will only be able to view his hindquarters. (With my passion for new wildlife, the thought of picking him up did cross my mind, but I worried this might lead to an emergency room visit for me.)

There goes his little back leg as he burrows further into the heap to escape my extremely annoying gaze.

Here is what he would have looked like, had he been in the mood to play.

http://marketdepth.typepad.com/marketdepth/2009/06/

evtoassets-investment-yardstick-of-todays-hedgehog.html

A Cute Pest

Hedgehogs are not native to New Zealand, but were introduced. (The British brought a lot of their favorite animal friends with them when they settled here.) Despite their shy cuteness, hedgehogs can cause trouble in New Zealand by eating too many native insects, lizards, and the eggs of shorebirds. New Zealand actually has no native mammals (except a bat), so those that have arrived after the fact, can cause real trouble for the original wildlife. New Zealanders are particularly sensitive about their unique and rare birds and go to great lengths protecting them. In fact, the natural environment gets a lot of attention here. When you come to visit us, don't even think about trying to bring any sort of biological item or substance (including food products) into the country; you will be sniffed out by a cheerful hound, who will tell on you in exchange for a tasty treat from his handler!

Beach at Dusk

In the evening, the brilliant colors of daytime fade,

and sky and water meld into pastel blues, pinks, and lavender.

A campfire on the beach eases the chill of the evening air.

Moeraki Boulders and Katiki Point Lighthouse

Today we went for a drive, and this is what we saw.

First we stopped in the tiny town of Palmerston and filled our gas tank across from Eddie Todd's saddle maker shop.

Then we ventured on along the coast toward Moeraki to see the famed spherical boulders on the beach.

Walking Down to the Beach

Moeraki Boulders

Geologic Explanation

The boulders are nearly spherical. They were formed in the subsurface as layers of calcite were deposited around an object in concentric layers--similarly to the way a pearl forms around a grain of sand in an oyster.

After reaching the surface through geologic processes, they are exposed to weathering forces and begin to crack and split open.

Many of the boulders have formed bowl-like structures such as this one. The bowl becomes a self-contained tidal pool full of sea life.

Shore Birds

(I don't know what kind because we're waiting on our bird guide book in the mail.)

Next, we drove out across the pastures to Katiki Point to see the lighthouse and wildlife sanctuary.

Just down from the lighthouse is a sandy beach, surrounded by rocks and kelp beds--a sure indicator of seals and sea lions.

Here's one now.

And a little guy (my favorite)...

Perfect Finish to Perfect Day

Tidal Pools and Patterns

Photos by Jeremy and Marisa

Where the black folks at?

Thanks for your question, Corey. The short answer is...not here! We saw one black couple coming out of a grocery store on Friday, and Jeremy claims he saw a third somewhere else. But that’s all so far.

Looking at the stats...in 2001, the New Zealand Office of Ethnic Affairs conducted a census in which they documented 7,254 black individuals in the country—including Africans, Jamaicans, and African Americans. At the time, that was 0.2% of the country's population. (To put that in perspective for you, black individuals make up over 13% of the US population.)

The truth is, in New Zealand, all people are minorities. Sheep are in the lead.

Here is a rough ethnic breakdown for you:

Sheep	40 million
European-descent	2.75 million
Maori (learn more below)	300 thousand
Mixed	300 thousand
Asian	225 thousand
Pacific Islander	175 thousand
Other	175 thousand

The Maori were the original inhabitants of New Zealand, and they are of Polynesian descent.

Here is what they look like:

NZ Actor Cliff Curtis

Photo from thecinemasource.com

Maori Girl in T-Shirt Ad

Photo from alibaba.com

Young Maori Next to Traditional Religious Art

Photo from Corbis

As a side note, the native people of Australia are referred to as Aborigines and sometimes do call themselves black. They are ethnically distinct from Africans, but look more similar to them than do the Maori of New Zealand.

And thanks again, Corey, for keeping it real.

First Church of Otago

Otago is the name of the region of New Zealand in which we live. The church is located within the city of Dunedin. Please enjoy the tour.

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty."