Photos / Sounds
What
Turritopsis rubraObserver
emma_curtinDescription
Tiny, about 4mm diameter. In a rock pool beside the Murrays Bay - Mairangi Bay coastal track. It was the only one that we could see in the area. Actively swimming around. Very cute!
Photos / Sounds
What
Genus PolycarponObserver
emma_curtinDescription
Next to the summit track in open scoria area, not far from the wharf. A couple of these in the same spot. Location approximate.
Photos / Sounds
What
Dwarf Mistletoe Korthalsella lindsayiObserver
emma_curtinDescription
Quite a few of these along the Portobello peninsula track. Most seemed to be flowering.
Photos / Sounds
What
Little Owl Athene noctuaObserver
emma_curtinDescription
I think these are owl pellets. Found underneath an Olearia bush on the Flagstaff track. Would appreciate other people’s thoughts about this!
Photos / Sounds
What
False Turkey-Tail Stereum versicolorObserver
emma_curtinDescription
Not sure about ID. Found on rotting log beside track somewhere on the Taieri Gorge track
Photos / Sounds
What
Genus LibertiaObserver
emma_curtinDescription
Somewhere on the first half of the Taieri Gorge track. In native bush. Several of these in a patch but only one flowering
Photos / Sounds
What
Witch's Butter Tremella mesentericaObserver
emma_curtinDescription
Growing on sheltered side of damp log in mixed native and pine forest. Not 100% on the ID. Was about 3cm long. Another smaller one on the same log but no others around. Location approximate.
Photos / Sounds
What
Asaphodes beataObserver
emma_curtinDescription
A particularly nice example. Found in bathroom.
Photos / Sounds
What
Earthstars Genus GeastrumObserver
emma_curtinDescription
Location approximate. Growing in mixed forest next to a bike track in fairly clay-like soil with quite a few pine trees around. This cluster was the only one we saw in 2.5 hours of walking in the forest.
Photos / Sounds
What
Weddell Seal Leptonychotes weddelliiObserver
emma_curtinDescription
Terrible full zoom photos cause I had my dog with me and didn’t want to get closer. Here’s a link to the local newspaper’s article about the seal, though:
https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-national/seal-mauled-dog-middle-beach
Photos / Sounds
What
Typical Octopuses Family OctopodidaeObserver
emma_curtinDescription
Location approximate but it was right beside the road at the high tide mark along this stretch of inlet. Obviously been dead for a little while. Quite a shallow, sandy area so slightly unusual to see an octopus here.
Photos / Sounds
What
Southern Conger Conger verreauxiObserver
emma_curtinDescription
Found washed up at high tide. Photos taken by a friend. The eel had a flattened forehead and upwards-facing eyes. Small and very pointy teeth. Some faint spot markings near the tail. Over 1m long.
Photos / Sounds
What
Waratah Anemone Actinia tenebrosaObserver
emma_curtinDescription
Hundreds of these of varying sizes about.
Photos / Sounds
What
New Zealand Paddle Worm Eulalia microphyllaObserver
emma_curtinDescription
Found in shallow rock pool at low tide. About 20cm long and 4mm wide. Moving fairly quickly.
Photos / Sounds
What
Cyaneid Jellies Family CyaneidaeObserver
emma_curtinDescription
Biggest one I’ve ever seen!
Photos / Sounds
What
Common Grass Tree Dracophyllum rosmarinifoliumObserver
emma_curtinDescription
Found in open grassland near beach forest. Several of these dotted around
Photos / Sounds
What
Coral Fungi Genus RamariaObserver
emma_curtinDescription
Found in beech forest near a stream
Photos / Sounds
What
Webcaps Genus CortinariusObserver
emma_curtinDescription
Found broken in beech forest about 5m from a stream. Blue colouration amazing! No other similar fungi nearby.
Photos / Sounds
What
Coprinellus Sect. Micacei Section MicaceiObserver
emma_curtinDescription
There have been two or three crops of these come up in the same spot already this year. Each crop is very short-lived and turns to mush within days. They are growing on the site of an old magnolia tree stump. Not sure about ID
Photos / Sounds
What
Chip Cherries Leratiomyces ceresObserver
emma_curtinDescription
In raspberry patch
Photos / Sounds
What
House Flies and Allies Family MuscidaeObserver
emma_curtinDescription
On wooden fence
Photos / Sounds
What
Golden-brown Jumping Spider Trite auricomaObserver
emma_curtinDescription
Found under lid of chicken coop
Photos / Sounds
What
Cobweb Spiders Family TheridiidaeObserver
emma_curtinDescription
Several of these under a terracotta tile. Only a few mm long. Legs seem to be folded back so their “knees” are over the front of the abdomen.
Photos / Sounds
What
Sheetweb Spiders Genus CambridgeaObserver
emma_curtinDescription
Very small. Under terracotta tile
Photos / Sounds
What
Minute Black Scavenger Flies Family ScatopsidaeObserver
emma_curtinDescription
Tiny, only a couple of mm, hence poor photo quality. Under terracotta tile
Photos / Sounds
What
Genus CalliphoraObserver
emma_curtinDescription
Basking in sun on wall of house
Photos / Sounds
What
Winter Crane Flies Family TrichoceridaeObserver
emma_curtinDescription
On bathroom wall
Photos / Sounds
What
Typical Crane Flies Superfamily TipuloideaObserver
emma_curtinDescription
On bathroom wall. About 5cm from top of front legs to top of rear legs.
Photos / Sounds
What
Bomarea multifloraObserver
emma_curtinDescription
Near the tap beside the water tank on the pineapple track.
Photos / Sounds
What
German Wasp Vespula germanicaObserver
emma_curtinDescription
A queen! Absolutely massive, about 3cm from antennae to tip of abdomen and quite fat. Found inside house, probably came in with firewood. We usually find two or three of these in our woodpile over the course of each winter.
