Short Holiday

 Well the holidays have started and I managed to go on a short trip.

Thanks to our evergreen pandemic just about everything was virtually deserted, despite the fantastic weather. Which might be bad for the local businesses, but for someone who normally avoids crowds at all costs it was fantastic! 

Anyway, I spent a day in Christchurch and one day out in Akaroa, on the Banks peninsula. I used to live not too far from there, but it's been one of the few places in NZ that I never visited before. 

Unfortunately I still haven't worked out how to take sharp images with my new camera and lens. I will one day, promise!

Pohutukawa tree. Also known as the New Zealand Christmas tree as that happens to be the time when it flowers. The flowers are very popular with many insects and birds.

Seagulls are a great target to hone your photography skills on, as they are plentiful, fearless, large and brightly coloured. I always enjoy watching them go about their day.

A Hector's dolphin. The only cetacean that is found exclusively in New Zealand. Also happens to be the worlds smallest dolphin at around 1.5m in length. Also happens to be an endangered species, as seems to be the case with the vast majority of native Flora and Fauna. 

A bit of action on the waters of Akaroa harbor.