Breaking...

…………………………..….Free


A monarch butterfly still crumpled and new having just emerged from the chrysalis case to the right.

Fluid pumps through the wings until they expand, ready to be tested before taking flight - and so the cycle continues.

The extra photo shows this beauty later in the day ready to depart. She is sitting on the swan plant, the leaves of which provides sustenance for the very hungry caterpillars. The dainty bunches of flowers and the developing seedpods can also be seen.



Thank you for the comments, stars and hearts for yesterday’s sweet wee buds celebrating romance for Valentine’s Day.


There have been four deaths as a result of Cyclone Gabrielle. Communities are still isolated and fast running low on food. Helicopters are dropping “food parcels” Power is still out in many areas, communication is impossible in many instances and flooding continues as the water moves from the hills and valleys to lower ground. Yesterday several hundred people required rescuing from roof tops - their homes were completely flooded and this was their safe place.
As the weather improves the devastation is even more apparent.

Earthquake
This evening the lower North Island was rocked by a magnitude 6.3 earthquake - it was centred 50km northwest of Paraparaumu, at a depth of 48km. 
It was felt from the top of the North Island to the bottom of the South Island - we certainly felt it at our house at the top of the South Island