Kia ora
There are some people who are quick to give labels to those seen to hinder proposals which are claimed to be "good for the economy". Derogatory terms such as preservationist, extreme conservationist - even eco-terrorist are used. But where would New Zealand be now if it hadn't been for the work of Stephen King, John Morton and Gerry McSweeney fighting to save native forests from logging (in Pureora, Whirinaki and South Westland respectively) or Sir Charles Fleming opposing the raising of Lake Manapouri? These are people who lived by a strong conservation ethic. And why did they? One reason is that they had a great understanding of the processes at work in natural ecosystems. Aldo Leopold, in his book A Sand Country, explains this well (although he used the term recreation instead of conservation ethic). Those who have recreation / conservation ethic, see much more in a natural landscape than meets the eye.
Recreation, however, is not the outdoors, but our reaction to it. Daniel Boone's reaction depended not only only on the quality of what he saw, but on the quality of the mental eye with which he saw it. Ecological science has wrought a change in the mental eye. It has disclosed mechanisms for what to Boone were only attributes. We have no yardstick to measure this change, but we may safely say that, as compared with the competent ecologist of the present day, Boone saw only the surface of things. (p173-4)
Isn't it time that we took a little less notice of what the Daniel Boones are telling us is good for New Zealand?
Tussock & Beech News
Lake Heron
We presented a submission to the Department of Conservation concerning a proposal to extend vehicle access around the southern shore of the lake. The main points in our submission were:Disturbance to the lake's natural, quiet environment; compromising the lake's unique conservation, natural and scientific values; damage to the lakebed; opening up a new area to become the playground for irresponsible 4WD and trail bike owners. Lake Heron is a nature reserve of national significance - its values should not be compromised.
Images of a Frozen Landscape programmes
This year our winter programme proved to be popular - so much so that we had to repeat it. We ran a second programme just for photographers & they had a ball. We even ran a 3rd, shortened programme for two photographers.
The Big Snow
We welcomed our guest John from Auckland on 11 June during a gale force Norwester which continued well into the night. Fortunately Marita woke at 3.00 am, stuck her head out of the window to find snow falling heavily and already 20 cm deep on the ground. Unfortunately it was also 20 cm deep on our shade sail, which was not supposed to bear any snow at all. 90 minutes later we crawled back to bed with the sail safely stored away. By breakfast time the snow was over half a metre deep. No mains electricity, and no nature tours for John - well not by vehicle! He enjoyed himself doing the sort of things you do in these conditions - walking up the road, taking photographs, reading in front of the open fire and eating. We were without mains electricity for 10 days (fortunately we had an emergency generator), and telephone. But what a landscape and what frosts to follow!
Lost World of Erewhon programme - last minute vacancies
As we go to print we have had two late withdrawals from these two programmes (17 - 24 November & 30 November - 7 December). Anyone who might like to join us for part or all of either of these programmes please contact us - (03) 303 0880, ecotour@nature.net.nz.
Fauna & Flora News
Unfortunately the big snow and the following severe frosts killed all of the fantails in the district. One brave little bird managed to hang on for a week or two living in the garage.
The clematis C. paniculata is in full flower at present and the mountain beech trees are showing signs of flowering - a mast year.
Wrybill appear to be late in arriving in the braided riverbeds this year.
Recently saw 20 Black fronted terns hunkering down on the gravel flats near Mt Sunday during strong Norwest winds. They were perfectly camouflaged against the greywacke - unfortunately making them vulnerable to disturbance by 4WD vehicles.
Thank you to those who made suggestions for a collective noun for Crested grebe. Names suggested were: creche, gabbling, company, quiff & pile.(Why pile? Steve Osbrach (USA) said pileated, as in pileated woodpecker, means crested). Quiff won - congratulations Lynn Shepherd (UK).
Annual winter Ashburton Lakes Bird Census - I did not participate this year but recently received the results of the census. Some significant/interesting species numbers were: Crested grebe 46; Grey teal 209; Coot 434; Black-fronted tern 22; Banded dotterel 8; Black-billed gull 3; Falcon 4.
From the kitchen
Lemon Posset (serves 6 people)
A delicious, tangy summer desert & so easy to make.
110 g sugar
450 ml cream
75 ml lemon juice
Bring sugar & cream to boil. Turn down & simmer for 3 minutes. Add freshly squeezed lemon juice. Stir & strain into individual ramekins. Allow to stand in fridge for a few hours to set. Serve with fresh strawberries or other seasonal berries & crisp wafers.
Positive Feedback
We encourage our guest to add a comment in our new guest book if they feel so inclined. There is plenty of space to write, overcoming the problem of the old visitor's book of trying to fit something meaningful into a space the size of a postage stamp. Judy Madden from Stradbroke Island in Queensland, who participated in an Images of a frozen landscape programme in July, sent us this poem (with her permission to print it):
Erewhon - the high country
Under a mighty microscope
smaller than small we crawl.
Marvelling at things far and near
we poke and peer.
While rank of mountains, winter white,
encircle Erewhon with peace
and everything is brilliant light.
Nowhere has found her niche.
Here, rivers of ice encased in frost
once crushed the mountains which they crossed.
Entwining now in braided flow
gently through the plains they go.
No nick of time disturbs this shining valley,
where grows the golden tussock grass,
rippling with light as the snow wind
lays its cold hand upon the crystal air.
Until an undulating wave of snowy backs,
moves the snowy mountain's flanks
as, silhouetted against an aching blue, the shepherd
whistles in his dogs.
Judith Madden
July 2006
