Harakeke

This spear of a just-about-to-pop-open flax sits up by the gate in our garden. It's darker foliage sets apart from the multitude of other flax varieties that grow wild (in some cases with abandon) through all of the valley. In fact it's surprising where flax will grow - even up at the very tops of my neighbours property (700m+) it can be found in abundance. Kaituna itself was home to a few flax mills in the days of early settlement, and it's easy to see why with the ease in which this most useful of plant grows.

The main attraction for us is the birds that the flax bring, in particularly the bellbird/korimako which seem to go mad for the nectar. It's one of the sights of our summer - a bellbird getting its fill on the good stuff, hopping from flax frond to another drinking it down frantically.

Thanks to all those who commented on my 100th blip yesterday - it's the sense of community spirit that is alive on Blipfoto that seems to make all the difference. I'm loving it... here's to the double ton and beyond!