Snow

A few days ago I ventured out towards the mountain

to see if I could get in amongst the snow

that was falling heavily over many parts of Taranaki.

It was a bit of a heave because I was in the beginning

of going down with a fluey bug, but still, it was worth it.

This road heads up over the lower slopes of

Mt Taranaki, but this was as far as I could

go. The red vehicle was stopping all traffic.

Above this point it was dangerous.

Californian Quail

This old friend turned up today

in an online catalogue sent out

by Nadene Milne Gallery

in Arrowtown. I had almost

forgotten about this photo of mine.

The old friend is not just the photo

however, but also the bird itself

because it was one of a large

number living around the house

where I spent a year.

This was about an hours drive

from Arrowtown.

I fed them with seed mixes

so they became very friendly,

even venturing inside if I allowed it.

This particular quail was standing

on a high vantage point and watching over

the safety of the others.

Log

Yesterday I posted another version of this

photo of a log on a beach. That photo had

been taken with my small but

very precise Leica camera.

Today I was going through the images

in my iPhone and found this photo of the same log.

I like this one better.

It seems to have more soul.

Looking at those images I was reminded

of another, the one below, one that

I took about 8 years ago.

For some reason, not too sure,

I called it Vanguard. That's

an unusual name for me to use,

usually I go for more matter of fact

ones like Log.

Remember that if you click on

images they will usually get bigger.

The one below is an exception

for example. The file I used

was quite small.

Weather

Over the last few days the weather

along this coast has been spectacularly

wild. Enjoyable in many ways,

I am slightly disappointed that

it has passed.

One of the greatest pleasures

for me has been spending time

on the foreshore.

Pet Shop 3

Back in a pet shop yesterday,

browsing, I came across

these small kennels.

Well, I can't be too sure that

they are meant solely for dogs,

they might also appeal to cats

but I don't know what a

shelter for cats, if there is such

a thing, would be called.

Pet Shop 2

Here is a toy that I bought at a pet shop in Brisbane.

For dogs, when squeezed, it squeaks.

However no dog will however be allowed

to bite this one as I enjoy it

too much myself, not the squeak,

but the overall shape that it

makes.

Most of all I would like

to make a marble version.

Pet Shop Boy

The pet shop is a place I often visit

with my camera, or even without

my camera for that matter.

In this case I have used the camera

in my iPhone.

I visit it not, however, just for the animals,

that are found there,

fish, bird, canine, or reptilian

but also for the supplementary

material, the objects that

are placed in aquaria for example.

Or the toys that they have for cats and dogs.

I often buy some of these items

not that I have cat, dog, or fish.