The New Zealand Falcon Falco novaeseelandiae or - Karearea (Moari name) - is an endangered bird species that is only found in New Zealand. Falcons for Grapes is a program that has been established in some vineyards where a pair of New Zealand Falcons is introduced into a vineyard to reduce the damage to the... Continue Reading →
I have been doing just a short course on Botanical Illustration at the local adult community education. Although I draw all my designs most of which are botanical and I see my linocuts as botanical linocuts, I have never done any formal training in botanical illustration. So I am doing a short 4 week course....here... Continue Reading →
I recently joined the Nature Blog Network which was set up by 10,000 Birds the originator of the I and the Bird blogfest. The #68 edition of I and the Bird is currently hosted by Slybird. The Nature Blog Network is basically a list of blogs dealing with nature - ecosystem, flora, mollusc etc. New... Continue Reading →
Walking in my garden today I found some Banksia serrata in flower. This tree has a gnarled and ancient looking trunk with cream flowers which are set against serrated brighter green leaves. The banksia derives its genus name from Sir Joseph Bank who accompanied Captain Cook on the first voyage to Australia and collected and... Continue Reading →
I've been in hospital to have my gall bladder out (one rather large 20mm stone!) so am a bit under the weather for a few days.....
In my front garden with pride of place is my Ivory Curl Flower tree - Buckinghamia celsissima. Every year it produces a spectacular display of cream flowers. They are commonly used for street trees often 'sculpted' into shape - mine however, apart from a few strategic limbs being trimmed so we could navigate around it,... Continue Reading →
Wildflowerings - Art Studio Diary 