City Scene - 16

There's always something happening in Christchurch's Hagley Park.

I visit regularly and I'm always surprised by something new.

This bright, inflatible clown propped against one of the giant pines was no exception.

City Scene - 12

Christchurch's Hagley Park is one of the loveliest city parks in all of New Zealand. Its 186 hectares sit smack in the middle of the city, providing a giant playground for the locals. I spend an enormous amount of time in there with my camera - in all seasons - photographing everything from trees and flowers to the people and the activities that go on there. It's a wonderful photographic resource to have 'on your back doorstep.'

A Spring Botanic Moment

Scented Azaleas

In Bud

Christchurch Botanic Gardens October 2009 Ajr

Summer Green

Christchurch Botanic Gardens. October 2009.

If I've said it once I've said it a thousand times - Christchurch Botanic Gardens and greater Hagley Park are one of the best things about this city. No matter what the time of year, they are a photographer's paradise. I love following the seasons in the gardens and when spring arrives - and it finally seems to have - everything turns the most incredibly vibrant shade of bright lime green. This laneway bordered by gigantic elms is one of my favourite spots in the gardens; the Archery Lawn, where the girls are picnicking is another.

A Sheep in a Tree

"Dominion" Sean Crawford, Christchurch Botanic Gardens. March 2009. Ajr

It's fair to say there have been a few puzzled people in Christchurch Botanic Gardens as they come upon Sean Crawford's sculpture, included in Flora and Forma which runs during the Festival of Flowers and Ellerslie International Flower Show. Crawford has suspended a merino ram, made of powder-coated, laser-cut steel poppies that have multi-levelled references - to gardens, to the New Zealand Coat of Arms, to the red soldier poppy representing sacrifice. Crawford, who lives in the Wairarapa, began his working career as a plumber and in 2003 he completed a design degree at Victoria University in Wellington. www.festivalofflowers.co.nz www.seancrawford.co.nz

Flora and Forma - Part Two

Christchurch Botanic Gardens. March 2009. Ajr

Franz Josef-based Hannah Kidd's wry sense of humour comes to the fore in this gathering of miniature caravans scattered across the archery lawn in Christchurch Botanic Gardens, as if they've somehow fallen out of the sky. Made of steel rod and corrugated iron, galvanised and powder-coated, Caravans will 'speak' nostalgically to many New Zealanders. It will draw forth memories of camping ground holidays, long hot days at the beach and the cramped, family closeness that comes with these much-loved temporary homes. It's a charming nod to Kiwiana. www.hannahkidd.co.nz

Flora and Forma

Christchurch Botanis Gardens. march 2009. Ajr

Meet Podoferricus Inosculata

Coming upon this sculpture by Tony Bond on the Botanic Garden's Pine Mound is something of a visual treat. It has a low profile - snuggled into the grass - and is only just visible from the lawns below. But that's a glimpse tantalising enough to have encouraged me forward. Made of welded G-clamps, Bond's work alludes to any number of things. For me it's a pristine construction, part white waka - a canoe 'beached' on a grassy, pine-covered hillock and part teepee. I had to fight the urge to crawl inside; and now that I'm home again, I wonder why I resisted. www.festivalofflowers.co.nz

Branching Out

Botanic Gardens, Christchurch. Jan 2009. Ajr

A Summer Tangle

Knitted Between Branches

In The Magnolia Tree

Busy As a Bee........

Bumble Bee, Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Jan 2009. Ajr

........That's Me!

White Lily

Lily, Botanic Gardens,Christchurch. Jan 2009. Ajr

Out testing the new camera

In Christchurch Botanic Gardens

Just before Sunset

Mellow Yellow

ChristchurchBotanic Gardens. Jan 2009. Ajr

I rarely venture in to the Christchurch Botanic Gardens without my camera.

And I rarely come away without any photographs.

I captured these gorgeous yellow daisies (Echinacia perhaps) last weekend.

Morning Light

A Stretch

Of Shadows

Leaving the Hosta Garden

@

Mona Vale

Picnic in the Park

Botanic Gardens, Christchurch. Dec. 2008. Ajr

I loved the greener-than-green aspect of this scene in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens yesterday. I took it from about 200 yards away with my new camera and I was delighted with the result. My only regret - that I wasn't quick enough to get a photo of two of the birds flying in to steal one of the picnic sandwiches.

Paddling the Avon

Antigua Boatshed, Christchurch. Oct.2008. Ajr

Hiring a canoe from Christchurch’s Antigua Boatsheds and paddling your way through the Botanic Gardens on the Avon River is nothing new. Back in 1885 the distinctive dark green and white striped English-style boatsheds were billed as “the most complete in the colony” complete with waiting room, a gentleman’s dressing room and a choice of double or single canoes. Built in 1882 by two Lyttelton boat builders, Albert Shaw and J.T.Tidd, the sheds have had been a consistent tourist attraction ever since. In the early 1900s they also offered a photo room for visitors and dozens of glass plate negatives remained at the boat sheds until a few years ago, when they were relocated to Canterbury Public Library. Although damaged by fire in 1907, half of the sheds remain and today you can try your hand at canoes, row boats and paddle boats, gliding your way upstream through the Botanic Gardens and flocks of paddling ducks. And if you’re not in the mood for boating you can watch the fun from the Boat Shed Café. www.boatsheds.co.nz

Rural Oasis

Broadfields, Selwyn Road. Sept. 2008. Ajr

I drove out of town this morning to visit Broadfields, the large - and I mean Large - formal garden that has been developed by David Hobbs. It covers an expansive eleven acres and features almost two kilometres of hedging. Naturally, as a hedge-lover, I was in my element. But along with all the native New Zealand plantings, there are also beautiful rhodoendron and azalea gardens - just bursting into spring bloom. The garden is open to the public on Saturdays and it's DEFINITELY worth a visit.

Bring on the Berries

Napier, North Island. June 2008. Ajr

Our gardens may not be brimming over with floral colour during the winter months; but you can always rely on berries to inject a punchy burst of colour when most needed.

I found these beauties in a Napier garden in June.

A Sub-Tropical Moment.......

Botanic Gardens. July 2008. Ajr .......in a very chilly Christchurch Never let it be said that we don't know how to grow bananas in the wintry south. I found these beauties this afternoon when I went wandering in the Botanic Gardens Sub-Tropical glass houses