Shadow Shot Sunday..

 Late Autumn/early Winter shots taken at the Awhitu Regional Park, about 20minutes drive from our home. The house in the background is the Brook Homestead, the original house built on site in the 1800's


Thanks to Tracy at Hey Harriett for hosting Shadow Shot Sunday, check out the link below to see what other shadow chasers around the globe have been up to, and join in.
 Have a great week.

I ♥ Auckland - Auckland Wintergardens

 Built in 1921 the Auckland Wintergardens is a protected heritage site. Close to Auckland Domain and the Auckland War Memorial Museum. Within the courtyard there is the classical courtyard and pond, and also on site are the temperate glasshouse, tropical hothouse and the fernery. Following are a selection of photos taken by myself, and some courtesy of Auckland Wintergardens...

Image courtesy of Auckland Wintergardens

Image courtesy of Auckland Wintergardens

Bromeliad taken in the tropical hothouse.. image me

Taken in the fernery - image me

Part of the fernery - image me

Waterlily taken in the tropical hothouse - image me

Unknown flower in the temperate hothouse - image me

Check out the website below :

http://www.salmondreed.co.nz/sra.php/sra/project/auckland_wintergardens/

Shadow Shot Sunday..

My Shadow Shots this week were taken at our Regional Taekwon-Do Tournament. This is the machine that is used to place the boards into for the power breaking event, it created some pretty awesome shadows. And, in case you are wondering,  no I didn't compete, I leave that up to the young ones now...

2D1M3C - Challenge #27 - 5minute Challenge

I completed my challenge in the Potter Childrens Garden at the Botanic Gardens. The garden has a maze of native Punga branches, and an amazing Jungle garden full of Bromeliads , the garden sprays water at 30 second intervals to keep the plants moist. My favourite part of the garden were the two statues, representing a boy and a girls complete with face tattoo..

 

Join us with your 5 minute challenge, click on the button below and link in, we would love to have you join us.        Angela

I ♥ Auckland - Auckland Botanic Gardens

Another of my favourite places to visit in Auckland is the Botanic Gardens, with over 10,000 plants from around the world and spread over 64 hectares there is always something in bloom all year round. This past weekend I visited to get some photos of the gardens in Autumn, and I wasn't disappointed. A great place  to bring  children, and plenty of room  to walk the dog.It is not difficult to spend two or three hours here walking around enjoying the different themed gardens. With no charge for entry it is well used by the public.

Looking across at the Womens Sufferage Garden

These leaves are as they landed from the trees behind them

Autumn is all around us as the bright colours of Summer give way to Autumn

Still warm enough for the bees to be doing the last of their pollen gathering

Raindrops after a brief shower

Check out the website below for more information and images of this gorgeous place.
http://www.aucklandbotanicgardens.co.nz/

Shadow Show Sunday..

Yesterday I visited the Auckland Botannical Gardens for some Autumn photos, I found these shadows while there...

Head on over to Tracy at Hey Harriet for more shadows.

2D1M3C - Challenge #26 Faces

Our cat Tammy..

From my archives, taken last year at a dog show..

Taken from the same dog show..

And no challenge would be complete without a photo of our beloved Boxer Beau, who is no longer with us, a face only a Mother would love.....

Join us in our weekly challenge by clicking the button on the side bar, we would love to see you..

Angela

I ♥ Auckland - Skytower view of Auckland..

Okay, so I have been trying to figure out a way to show all my blogging friends why we love the sea, beaches and native bush so much in this beautiful city that I live in. The best way I can think of is visually, and Mothers Day was a perfect opportunity. The Auckland Skytower has a revolving restaurant at the top, and on Sunday , Mothers Day, Nan (MIL) , Samantha (daughter), Alys (my son's partner)and myself all went to the Orbit restaurant for lunch. Not only was the company great, the food and service fantastic,  the view was picture perfect.

Looking out to the Waitemata Harbour, towards the east of the City, and the Hauraki Gulf.

Looking out to the University of Auckland

This is the view South, way over there , past that hill, in the horizon is where I live.

Down at the CBD

West of the city in the distance

The Auckland Harbour Bridge, takes you over to the North Shore of Auckland

Looking towards the North..

And I had to finish with this shot of a person who has jumped off the top of the tower.

Shadow Shot Sunday..

I found these raindrops early in the morning after a night of torrential rain.  I love the shadows that they cast..

Thanks Tracy for hosting Shadow Shot Sunday..

Have a great week.

Flowers on Saturday..

Some potted colour, pansies and polyanthus, by my back door to keep me happy through the Winter months ahead..  Taken after a heavy rainstorm overnight.

I ♥ Auckland - Auckland Harbour Bridge/Westhaven Marina

The Auckland Harbour Bridge has shaped Auckland's landscape for more than 50 years. Opened in May 1956 it provides a lifeline for people, goods and services connecting the narrow isthmus that is Auckland to the North and to the South. Considered to be an Auckland icon, it is affectionately called the "coat hanger". 

Westhaven Marina, located just across from the Auckland Harbour Bridge, and in downtown Auckland is one of the largest marinas in the Southern Hemisphere. Owned and operated by Waterfront Auckland it is the home to a wealth of yachts and launches. It is not hard to see why Auckland is known internationally as "The City of Sails".

Check out the websites below for information on the Auckland Harbour Bridge and Westhaven




http://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/ahb/             http://www.westhaven.co.nz/home/