In the Paddock

Next to my house is a paddock that currently is full of long grasses. I have been wondering what it would be like to capture it with the fisheye function on the camera, and have had several tries.

This is today's effort - not yet what I see in my mind, but getting closer.

Yesterdays mystery flower is not a mystery to many New Zealanders as it is Leptospermum Scoparium commonly known as Manuka. I think this particular one was a hybrid and as many remarked, very pretty. Well done to those who knew it.

Manuka is also known as tea tree and was given this name by Captain Cook on his voyage of discovery to this country in 1769. The green leaves of the manuka were used to make a substitute for tea. Twigs of manuka were also brewed with rimu to make  beer. Gack!


The hard, red wood of manuka/kahikatoa was widely used by Maori for everything from paddles, weapons, spade blades, bird spears and mauls to house building. The bark was used for making water containers and the inner bark as a waterproof layer for roofing.


Honey made from manuka flowers has special healing properties and is in great demand overseas.