Before the Dawn

The eastern sky and high clouds were amazing colours early this morning. Very likely due to ongoing effects of the recent Tongan volcanic eruption. The cabbage tree on the right and the flaxes are part of a group of indigenous plants beside a footbridge over the Taylor River. The plantings attract the native bird, Tui in the early summer when the flax flowers are full of pollen. Maisie and I followed the paths downstream. There was a heavy frost and it was very cold. Our coldest day so far. I was too early to observe Matariki rising in the east. But bright shining Venus can be seen in the left of this image.