A Knitted Christmas Tree

A Knitted Christmas Tree

 

I knitted this tree so that we could put it up for Christmas.  Somewhat nostalgically I like to think of a spruce tree covered in frost and snow as the ideal tree as it is the sort of tree which I grew up with in the UK.  Hence the light green, white and silver colouring.  We also used real candles to decorate it, I can't remember ever having any accidently flare ups, the candles were pretty red twisted ones which went into special holders.

Here in New Zealand the tree of choice is a Pinus radiata which is mostly grown for timber and pulp and paper.  It is easy enough to find these growing by the road side as they seed freely, in fact the wilding pines have become a problem in some of the national parks.  They are often sold to raise money for local charities too.

 

 

 

Frances Jill Studd website

Midnight Collective

 

All images copyright France Jill Studd 2014

 

 

Kotuku the white heron in New Zealand

Kotuku the White Heron

 

The white heron is extremely rare in New Zealand and because of this has an almost mythical status.  At one time it's feathers were highly sort after and by 1941 only four nests remained.  Now the population is around 100 - 120 birds and it receives careful management around it's nesting colony on the West Coast of the South Island.  I was very surprised to see this bird preening on the banks of a small lake in Kapiti, I photographed it on Friday 5th December just two days ago.  In the background you can see the work progressing on the expressway which will cut through the centre of our community.  Also on the lake were black swans with their cygnets, and a pair of black scaup or diving ducks.

 

Kotuku in Kapiti


Frances Jill Studd website
Midnight Collective

All images copyright Frances Jill Studd 2014

 



 

Kotuku in Kapiti