If You Ever Venture Up These Ways

If you ever decide to go north, then further north, then bravely venture into the real far north (as in north of Awanui / Kaitaia) you will take a step back in time.

Life is slow here just like internet connections and cell phone reception is non existant in places just like some of our nationally critical plants. Even though we are off the beaten track, there are still off the beaten tracks up these ways just waiting for you to explore.

I love my whenua and moana with a passion so feel free to contact me, either with a message in a bottle that will eventurally reach me in the fullness of time or you can always send a message through NW which could reach me quicker. We might be able to meet up and I can show you around or if dates and times don't work out, I can always give you ideas of where to go depending on your interests. We have gumlands, wetlands, dune lakes, dune systems, old forest remnants, harbours, east coast and west coast beaches to name a few of the different ecosystems up here in the real far north.

Seven cars in a queue is peak traffic here but be warned this can horrifyingly double at Christams time so if you look at coming theses ways at that time, be prepared for big queues which can be quite traumatic. Use that time wisely and enjoy the open space and lack of housing, traffic lights, footpaths and people in sight. Get the camera out and start taking obs for here :)

Posted on November 4, 2017 09:11 PM by tangatawhenua tangatawhenua

Observations

Photos / Sounds

What

Kōwhangatara (Spinifex sericeus)

Observer

tangatawhenua

Date

January 12, 2017 01:30 PM NZDT

Description

Beautiful kowhangatara enhancing the beauty of Otaipango.

The location name is not accurate - Reason

Photos / Sounds

What

Crimson Jelly (Turritopsis rubra)

Observer

tangatawhenua

Date

March 3, 2017 05:41 PM NZDT

Description

@jacqui-nz highlighted for me these that were found down on the west coast at Karekare and wondered if they had been spotted at Otaipango - Henderson Bay. Seeing as these were spotted on the west coast I figured that the best place to find these were the Tohe - 90 Mile Beach and as I was going there that day, I kept an eye out for them and found them.

The photos that I have taken are mainly of ones still alive. I choose these photos as they highlight different parts of the animal - although somewhat blurry.

They are under 10mm in diameter, usually around 5 - 7mm. I also observed them swimming by closing the bottom and opening it, similar to how a jellyfish swims.

As we do not have an ID yet for this obs with it being a true jellyfish or maybe a Hydrozoa decided to go with Cnidarians initially as that encompases both Hydrozoa and Scyphozoa.

So here are a few more photos @clinton that may help with an ID or a difinitive class, if these in fact are the same that @jacqui-nz highlighted for me :)

Last photo (have to click the view all) shows them as blobs on the beach.

The location name is not accurate - Reason

Photos / Sounds

What

Variable Oystercatcher (Haematopus unicolor)

Observer

tangatawhenua

Date

March 4, 2017 11:43 AM NZDT

Description

Hanging out on debris on the stream

The location name is not accurate - Reason

Photos / Sounds

What

Jointed Twig Rush (Machaerina articulata)

Observer

tangatawhenua

Date

March 14, 2017 10:41 AM NZDT

Description

A juncus growing in a fres water lake

Photos / Sounds

Observer

tangatawhenua

Date

March 2017

Description

Flowers of the E.johnsonii

Tags

MP

Photos / Sounds

What

Pingao (Ficinia spiralis)

Observer

tangatawhenua

Date

April 19, 2017 12:27 PM NZST

Description

Beautiful Pingao growing on the escarpemnt with sublime views in the background.

Locally common.

Photos / Sounds

What

Sand Coprosma (Coprosma acerosa)

Observer

tangatawhenua

Date

April 19, 2017 12:35 PM NZST

Description

Location location location!

Sand coprosma has an ideal location overlooking the second creek.

Photos / Sounds

What

Rātā and Allies (Genus Metrosideros)

Observer

tangatawhenua

Date

October 2017

Description

By the carpark.

Can not work out if it is flowering up or down, but then again I don't know if this one tells what the summer will be like on the mainland or back on the islands.

Photos / Sounds

Observer

tangatawhenua

Date

October 21, 2017 05:04 PM NZDT

Description

I think this is what this one is.

NZ Seaweeds Ph 60.

In an enclosed rock pool.

Photos / Sounds

What

Clown Doris (Ceratosoma amoenum)

Observer

tangatawhenua

Date

November 3, 2017 02:06 PM NZDT

Description

First time I have seen more than one of these and none of them were tucked away under seaweeds. Instead they were all cruising around in the open.

Shapplow subtidal

Tags

G1

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