Part One

The George

After a month semi-circumnavigating Antarctica sharing a compact room, this was a seriously nice upgrade of accommodations.

Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand, December 13, 2006

2006-12-13#0192

Larry L. Jackson

New Zealand Scaup male

Aythya novaeseelandiae - the botanical garden was across the street from the hotel.

Hagley Botanical Garden, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand, December 14, 2006

2006-12-14#0011

Larry L. Jackson

New Zealand Scaup female & juvenile

Aythya novaeseelandiae

Hagley Botanical Garden, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand, December 14, 2006

2006-12-14#0013

Larry L. Jackson

Sapphire Tower

Puya alpestris - a bromeliad native to the Chilean Andes.

Hagley Botanical Garden, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand, December 14, 2006

2006-12-14#0019

Larry L. Jackson

Silvereye

Zosterops lateralis - feeding at the flowers of the Puya alpestris.

Hagley Botanical Garden, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand, December 14, 2006

2006-12-14#0025

Larry L. Jackson

Iris

Hagley Botanical Garden, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand, December 14, 2006

2006-12-14#0028

Larry L. Jackson

Iris

Closeup of a flower of the previous planting.

Hagley Botanical Garden, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand, December 14, 2006

2006-12-14#0031

Larry L. Jackson

Iris

Hagley Botanical Garden, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand, December 14, 2006

2006-12-14#0029

Larry L. Jackson

Iris

Closeup of previous planting.

Hagley Botanical Garden, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand, December 14, 2006

2006-12-14#0030

Larry L. Jackson

Iris

Hagley Botanical Garden, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand, December 14, 2006

2006-12-14#0032

Larry L. Jackson

Pond

Hagley Botanical Garden, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand, December 14, 2006

2006-12-14#0033

Larry L. Jackson

Blackbird female

Turdus merula

Hagley Botanical Garden, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand, December 14, 2006

2006-12-14#0037

Larry L. Jackson