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

Blackbird male

Turdus merula

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

2006-12-14#0038

Larry L. Jackson

Red Hot Poker

Kniphofia uvaria

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

2006-12-14#0042

Larry L. Jackson

Unknown

Possibly a type of Sedum.

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

2006-12-14#0044

Larry L. Jackson

Song Thrush

Turdus philomelos

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

2006-12-14#0047

Larry L. Jackson

Hydrangea

best guess id.

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

2006-12-14#0049

Larry L. Jackson

Unknown Flower

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

2006-12-14#0051

Larry L. Jackson

Foxglove

Digitalis purpurea

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

2006-12-14#0054

Larry L. Jackson

Hasta

A couple of types.

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

2006-12-14#0057

Larry L. Jackson

Rhododendron

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

2006-12-14#0059

Larry L. Jackson

Rhododendron

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

2006-12-14#0060

Larry L. Jackson

Foxglove

Digitalis purpurea

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

2006-12-14#0062

Larry L. Jackson

Unknown Flower

A creeping plant growing in a crack of the rockwork.

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

2006-12-14#0063

Larry L. Jackson

Bluebell

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

2006-12-14#0064

Larry L. Jackson

Water Lily Pond

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

2006-12-14#0065

Larry L. Jackson

St. John's Wort

Hypericum perforatum

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

2006-12-14#0066

Larry L. Jackson

Unknown Flower

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

2006-12-14#0067

Larry L. Jackson

Giant Rhubarb

Gunnera manicata - leaves can be as much as 4 feet across.

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

2006-12-14#0068

Larry L. Jackson

Unknown

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

2006-12-14#0069

Larry L. Jackson

Creeping Tree Fern

Cyathea colensoi

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

2006-12-14#0071

Larry L. Jackson

New Zealand Christmas Tree

Metrosideros excelsa - native to the North Island.

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

2006-12-14#0073

Larry L. Jackson

New Zealand Christmas Tree

Metrosideros excelsa

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

2006-12-14#0074

Larry L. Jackson

Unknown

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

2006-12-14#0075

Larry L. Jackson

Unknown

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

2006-12-14#0076

Larry L. Jackson

Unknown

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

2006-12-14#0077

Larry L. Jackson

Unknown

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

2006-12-14#0079

Larry L. Jackson

Paradise Shelduck female & ducklings

Tadorna variegata

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

2006-12-14#0080

Larry L. Jackson

Unknown

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

2006-12-14#0081

Larry L. Jackson

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchos - immature male.

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

2006-12-14#0082

Larry L. Jackson

Paradise Shelduck female

Tadorna variegata

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

2006-12-14#0085

Larry L. Jackson

Paradise Shelduck female & duckling

Tadorna variegata

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

2006-12-14#0087

Larry L. Jackson

View

Tranz Alpine Train, Southern Alps, South Island, New Zealand, December 15, 2006

2006-12-15#0002

Larry L. Jackson

View

Tranz Alpine Train, Southern Alps, South Island, New Zealand, December 15, 2006

2006-12-15#0004

Larry L. Jackson

Russell Lupin

Lupinus polyphyllus

Tranz Alpine Train, Southern Alps, South Island, New Zealand, December 15, 2006

2006-12-15#0005

Larry L. Jackson

Arthurs Pass Station

Southern Alps, South Island, New Zealand, December 15, 2006

2006-12-15#0010

Larry L. Jackson

David

The obligatory photo at the Pass.

Arthurs Pass Station, Southern Alps, South Island, New Zealand, December 15, 2006

2006-12-15#0011

Larry L. Jackson

LJax

Arthurs Pass Station, Southern Alps, South Island, New Zealand, December 15, 2006

2006-12-15#0012

Larry L. Jackson

Common Mallow

Malva sylvestris

Tranz Alpine Train, Southern Alps, South Island, New Zealand, December 15, 2006

2006-12-15#0019

Larry L. Jackson

Waterfall

Tranz Alpine Train, Southern Alps, South Island, New Zealand, December 15, 2006

2006-12-15#0021

Larry L. Jackson

Southern Alps

Tranz Alpine Train, South Island, New Zealand, December 15, 2006

2006-12-15#0023

Larry L. Jackson

Trestle

Tranz Alpine Train, Southern Alps, South Island, New Zealand, December 15, 2006

2006-12-15#0029

Larry L. Jackson

Akaroa Harbour

South Island, New Zealand, December 16, 2006

2006-12-16#0001

Larry L. Jackson

Akaroa Shuttle

David and I signed up for a Dolphin Encounter this morning.

South Island, New Zealand, December 16, 2006

2006-12-16#0004

Larry L. Jackson

Pigeon Bay

South Island, New Zealand, December 16, 2006

2006-12-16#0006

Larry L. Jackson

Akaroa Harbour

South Island, New Zealand, December 16, 2006

2006-12-16#0007

Larry L. Jackson

Coastline

Akaroa Harbour Cruise, South Island, New Zealand, December 16, 2006

2006-12-16#0013

Larry L. Jackson

Coastline

Akaroa Harbour Cruise, South Island, New Zealand, December 16, 2006

2006-12-16#0014

Larry L. Jackson

Coastline

Akaroa Harbour Cruise, South Island, New Zealand, December 16, 2006

2006-12-16#0015

Larry L. Jackson

Spotted Shags

Stictocarbo punctatus

Akaroa Harbour Cruise, South Island, New Zealand, December 16, 2006

2006-12-16#0004

Larry L. Jackson

Spotted Shag

Stictocarbo punctatus

Akaroa Harbour Cruise, South Island, New Zealand, December 16, 2006

2006-12-16#0012

Larry L. Jackson

Spotted Shags

Stictocarbo punctatus

Akaroa Harbour Cruise, South Island, New Zealand, December 16, 2006

2006-12-16#0016

Larry L. Jackson

Spotted Shags

Stictocarbo punctatus

Akaroa Harbour Cruise, South Island, New Zealand, December 16, 2006

2006-12-16#0037

Larry L. Jackson

Coastline & Spotted Shags

Stictocarbo punctatus - a large, shallow cave where there were a lot of nest sites.

Akaroa Harbour Cruise, South Island, New Zealand, December 16, 2006

2006-12-16#0019

Larry L. Jackson

Algae

Akaroa Harbour Cruise, South Island, New Zealand, December 16, 2006

2006-12-16#0045

Larry L. Jackson

White-flippered Penguin

Eudyptula minor albosignata - a subspecies of the Little Blue Penguin.

Akaroa Harbour Cruise, South Island, New Zealand, December 16, 2006

2006-12-16#0049

Larry L. Jackson

Hector's Dolphins

Cephalorhynchus hectori - the boat captain's dog could hear the dolphins and indicated where they would surface, making our photography a bit easier.

Akaroa Harbour Cruise, South Island, New Zealand, December 16, 2006

2006-12-16#0054

Larry L. Jackson

Hector's Dolphins

Cephalorhynchus hectori

Akaroa Harbour Cruise, South Island, New Zealand, December 16, 2006

2006-12-16#0055

Larry L. Jackson

Hector's Dolphins

Cephalorhynchus hectori

Akaroa Harbour Cruise, South Island, New Zealand, December 16, 2006

2006-12-16#0061

Larry L. Jackson

Hector's Dolphin

Cephalorhynchus hectori

Akaroa Harbour Cruise, South Island, New Zealand, December 16, 2006

2006-12-16#0076

Larry L. Jackson

Hector's Dolphin

Cephalorhynchus hectori

Akaroa Harbour Cruise, South Island, New Zealand, December 16, 2006

2006-12-16#0081

Larry L. Jackson

Hector's Dolphin

Cephalorhynchus hectori

Akaroa Harbour Cruise, South Island, New Zealand, December 16, 2006

2006-12-16#0024

Larry L. Jackson

Hector's Dolphin

Cephalorhynchus hectori

Akaroa Harbour Cruise, South Island, New Zealand, December 16, 2006

2006-12-16#0026

Larry L. Jackson

Hector's Dolphins

Cephalorhynchus hectori

Akaroa Harbour Cruise, South Island, New Zealand, December 16, 2006

2006-12-16#0028

Larry L. Jackson

Hector's Dolphins

Cephalorhynchus hectori

Akaroa Harbour Cruise, South Island, New Zealand, December 16, 2006

2006-12-16#0032

Larry L. Jackson

Hector's Dolphins

Cephalorhynchus hectori

Akaroa Harbour Cruise, South Island, New Zealand, December 16, 2006

2006-12-16#0033

Larry L. Jackson

Hector's Dolphins

Cephalorhynchus hectori

Akaroa Harbour Cruise, South Island, New Zealand, December 16, 2006

2006-12-16#0034

Larry L. Jackson

Hector's Dolphins

Cephalorhynchus hectori

Akaroa Harbour Cruise, South Island, New Zealand, December 16, 2006

2006-12-16#0036

Larry L. Jackson

Hector's Dolphin

Cephalorhynchus hectori

Akaroa Harbour Cruise, South Island, New Zealand, December 16, 2006

2006-12-16#0038

Larry L. Jackson

New Zealand Fur Seal male

Arctocephalus forsteri

Akaroa Harbour Cruise, South Island, New Zealand, December 16, 2006

2006-12-16#0083

Larry L. Jackson

New Zealand Fur Seal juvenile

Arctocephalus forsteri

Akaroa Harbour Cruise, South Island, New Zealand, December 16, 2006

2006-12-16#0088

Larry L. Jackson

New Zealand Fur Seal juvenile

Arctocephalus forsteri

Akaroa Harbour Cruise, South Island, New Zealand, December 16, 2006

2006-12-16#0094

Larry L. Jackson

New Zealand Fur Seals

Arctocephalus forsteri

Akaroa Harbour Cruise, South Island, New Zealand, December 16, 2006

2006-12-16#0095

Larry L. Jackson

Coastline

Akaroa Harbour Cruise, South Island, New Zealand, December 16, 2006

2006-12-16#0042

Larry L. Jackson

Akaroa Head Lighthouse

through the hole in the rocky coastline.

Akaroa Harbour Cruise, South Island, New Zealand, December 16, 2006

2006-12-16#0045

Larry L. Jackson

White-fronted Terns

Sterna striata

a

2006-12-16#0107

Larry L. Jackson

White-fronted Terns

Sterna striata

Akaroa Harbour Cruise, South Island, New Zealand, December 16, 2006

2006-12-16#0119

Larry L. Jackson

Coastal Trees

Akaroa Harbour Cruise, South Island, New Zealand, December 16, 2006

2006-12-16#0120

Larry L. Jackson

Red-billed Gull

Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae scopulinus - back at the shore, these gulls are always looking for a free meal.

Akaroa Harbour, South Island, New Zealand, December 16, 2006

2006-12-16#0124

Larry L. Jackson

Red-billed Gull

Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae scopulinus

Akaroa Harbour, South Island, New Zealand, December 16, 2006

2006-12-16#0128

Larry L. Jackson

Winery Thoughts

Some interesting thoughts and quotes on the winery bathroom walls.

Mount Cass Vineyards, South Island, New Zealand, December 17, 2006

2006-12-17#0193

Larry L. Jackson

Winery Thoughts

Mount Cass Vineyards, South Island, New Zealand, December 17, 2006

2006-12-17#0194

Larry L. Jackson

Winery Thoughts

Mount Cass Vineyards, South Island, New Zealand, December 17, 2006

2006-12-17#0195

Larry L. Jackson

Winery Thoughts

Mount Cass Vineyards, South Island, New Zealand, December 17, 2006

2006-12-17#0196

Larry L. Jackson

Winery Thoughts

Mount Cass Vineyards, South Island, New Zealand, December 17, 2006

2006-12-17#0197

Larry L. Jackson

Winery Thoughts

Mount Cass Vineyards, South Island, New Zealand, December 17, 2006

2006-12-17#0198

Larry L. Jackson

Winery Thoughts

Mount Cass Vineyards, South Island, New Zealand, December 17, 2006

2006-12-17#0199

Larry L. Jackson

Lyttelton Harbour

South Island, New Zealand, December 18, 2006

2006-12-18#0001

Larry L. Jackson

Christchurch

South Island, New Zealand, December 18, 2006

2006-12-18#0003

Larry L. Jackson

Lyttelton Harbour

South Island, New Zealand, December 18, 2006

2006-12-18#0005

Larry L. Jackson