Proud Pukeko and Baby at Home

Up bright and early on my morning walkabout and I bumped into a squad of Pukeko, also known as the "Purple Swamp Hen".

They live in the "boardwalk" area, which is a special wetland reserve, just next to where I live. They're usually out on the footpath with all their mates foraging for food, especially at this time of year when they have their babies to look after. They don't seem to mind the vehicles whizzing past - I guess they've adapted over time.

Oh Christmas Tree -- Au Naturale!!

Morning walks are a bit of a rare occurrence for me these days, unfortunately. I try and creep out about 6am, so as not to wake hubby or the lads, and I like to take my camera to capture morning magic along the way.

The picture above is of a Callistemon from the Myrtaceae family of which NZ's native "Pohutukawa" tree belongs to, taken on one of my morning strolls around the neighbourhood. The Pohutukawa is known as New Zealand's native Christmas Tree because of the bright red blooms which decorate the trees during the Christmas/summer season. They trigger memories of long summer days and holidays spent with friends and family in, on, around and under these magnificent trees.