Richmond Ranges

The flower of a Feijoa shrub.

Although it is related to, and closely resembles, the native Rata and Pohutukawa it is actually native to South America

A Welcome Swallow

It's native to Australia but introduced itself here in the early 1900s.

French Pass. A narrow strait between D'Urville Island and the Mainland. Known for it's dangerous currents and having the fastest tidal flows in New Zealand.

A Devil's Finger. 

I still struggle to capture the feeling and atmosphere you get in the native forests here. But this one gives at least an idea. The fog, the rocks, the different shades of green, the shapes... 

Mount Fishtail. 1643m

Finally managed an acceptable photo of the rifleman, or -woman, as this one is female

The green shades on the back of the male bare similarities to the rifle infantry of colonial New Zealand, hence it's name.

Averaging 6.5g in weight it's New Zealand's smallest bird. It's Maori name is Titipounamu 

Old Man's beard lichen on a native beech close to the tree line.

The rubble fields higher up. In the center of the frame to the left one can see Mt. Fishtail hut.

And the ever so rewarding view from the summit. While it can be a very elating feeling, having climbed so high that one is above the clouds, I had hoped to see a little more.

A face-off on the very peak of the mountain. 

Even though it was around 11:30 this beetle still carried the morning dew on it's back. 

Life must be tough in the alpine habitat...

A species of Rock Daisy, I believe.

At least I got  little bit of a view on the way down. It doesn't come out very well here but the sheer number of shades of green impresses me time and time again!