New Zealand field trips Jan 2010.

[kiwi]

Spent New Years day climbing Mount Stokes in the Marlborough Sounds. At 1204 metres Mt Stokes has the only alpine area in the Sounds and has a mixture of North and South Island alpine plants and a few that are confined to the mountain such as Celmisia macmahonii. Other Celmisia species included C.rutlandii and C.hieracifolia, though I need some help with some id.
Bright yellows of Brachyglottis, Ranunculus and Bulbinella were everywhere.

[kiwi]

The tops are surrounded with Olearia colensoi and a large alpine bog lies on one side of the ridge. Euphrasia and Donatia were in abundance.
A couple of shots of the bush, a massive Astelia over two metres high, and the rare NZ Giant Snail.

[ranunculus]

Did I spot the spirit of Tolkein hovering over the bush, Doug?  Evocative images as always.

[Paddy Tobin]

Doug,

Certainly an interesting day out, good selection of plants.

Paddy

[kiwi]

Thanks guys, love to share the photos. Lord of the Rings did come up once or twice Cliff, some of the trees looked as if they could spring into to life, especially the last one that was bending over backwards!

[David Lyttle]

Hi Doug,

It looks like you had a good trip up Mt Stokes; it would be an interesting place to visit. As for names it is a bit out of my territory but I think 7 is Ranunculus verticillatus, 9 and 10 are Bulbinella hookeri. I am guessing the magnificent Euphrasia in the second set is Euphrasia cuneata. How big was it? Euphrasia cuneata can grow up to 60cm tall.

[Lesley Cox]

Lovely pictures Doug. A pity the Euphrasias are difficult to establish and grow, even from seed. So pleased the Giant snail is rare.

[kiwi]

Last day of the holidays for me so my daughter and I shot back up to cheeseman to catch the Penwipers in action. Its been a rough few weeks so they were not at their best. Within 5 minutes of getting up there the heavens opened up and along with the wind gusts, I had to make it a quick visit, especially with my lass tugging at my jacket to get a move on!
A nice Myosotis australis.
Stellaria roughii in flower.
A fiery Epilobium pynostachyum.
Notothlaspi rosulatum.

Hi David, loved your last trip photos. The Mt Stokes Euphrasia was about 20cm. Also I have this unusual mushroom popping up, can you id for me? (last photo) Cheers mate.
Hi Lesley, the snail in the photo is only average sized, they get much bigger!!!

[kiwi]

New years resolution - Take time to sniff the flowers!!!
Happy New year everyone.
Cheers, Doug.

[Thomas Huber]

Hi Doug!
Great photos froma great trip - how old is your daughter?
I hope to make a similar trip with my 8 years old daughter
in March in Italy. Your photos will encourage her - I hope!

[kiwi]

Gidday Thomas, my daughter Sam, just turned 5 in December, shes loving the mountains, although today was pretty tough going for her. Heres a shot from our last trip together that she really enjoyed.
I hope your daughter enjoys the trip also.
All the best,
Doug.

[Thomas Huber]

Kia Ora Doug.
Wow - 5 years and doing such a trip, my respect for Sam.
I'm sure if I show your photos to Celine, she will be animated for our trip in Italy.
I always love those trips with my kids and hope they will remember
well later when they are grown up.

[David Lyttle]

Hi Doug,

Lovely Stelleria; its nice to get a picture without too much contrast as is usual on these screes. Your fungus is a bird's nest fungus perhaps a species of Crucibulum. It grows on rotting wood.

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Fascinating stuff Doug !!! 
Thanks so much for showing !!

[Lesley Cox]

A very nice picture of Sam - with pet lamb.